Western Washington excels as a gardener’s playground. Abundant rains, mild winters and not-too-hot summers let gardeners grow a wide selection of plant species and varieties. But even with the botanical diversity at the gardeners’ disposal, the “tropical” garden does its best to stay out of their reach. The winter temperatures are not quite mild enough […]
outdoors
Posted inPeople & Places
Westward Ho on the Mother Road
Route 66. The Mother Road. The Will Rogers Highway. The Main Street of America. No matter how you refer to it, one of the original highways in the United States is both iconic and unrecognizable at the same time. And driving it from Chicago to Los Angeles is an adventure still today. “If you ever […]
Posted inHome
Outdoor Remodeling — More than Just a Barbecue
For many Pacific Northwest residents, cooking and entertaining outdoors is comfortable and feasible for much of the year. Sitting around a fire-pit in late October with friends is one of the greatest pleasures of fall — and who doesn’t love a barbecue turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas? Homeowners looking to enhance the enjoyment or resale […]
Posted inGarden
Best Plants of the Year Awards in 2016
All of our garden plants are winding down for the year, yet the joy of each season’s garden still plays out in gardeners’ minds as winter sets in. Ask yourself what plants had an outstanding performance in the garden this year. What gave you the most color, sustained your soul or just made your heart […]
Posted inGarden
Cold Frames, Cloches, Hoophouses
As cold weather arrives, gardeners’ thoughts turn to the best approaches of protecting their overwintering crops and tender ornamentals. Simple structures can benefit gardens year round. The Winter Garden What a treat it is to venture out into the garden in the coldest months of the year to discover some treasures for the dinner table. […]
Posted inGarden
Start Your Winter-Blooming Garden
Color in the garden does not have to end when the skies turn gray and rainy. Some gardeners even like the challenge of having something blooming or showing color 12 months a year. Here are three very reliable plants that can get you started on that goal. Daphne Sometimes called winter daphne, this evergreen plant […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Four Easy-Care Gardening Trends for the Holiday Season
Dress up the holidays or give gifts that continue giving throughout the year with these low maintenance gardening trends. Just add a little fun, classic beauty or style to make it even more memorable now and throughout the year. Terrariums: These mini greenhouses continue to grow in popularity and are perfect for new or timid […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Identification Guidelines for Bird Watchers
The late Roger Tory Peterson developed an identification system for birds that eventually earned him the title “dean of birdwatchers.” When first introduced, these guidelines were designed to aid in the identification of birds seen from a distance. They evolved into an all-encompassing system that allows birdwatchers to identify birds overhead, off in the distance […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Salmon Tours at Donkey Creek a Chance to Observe Salmon in Restored Habitat
Did you know that there is treasure in the Puget Sound? Lacing the shores and in the rivers are glints of ruby red and emerald green that will catch a watchful eye. However, this is not the treasure of pirates and gemstones, but the treasure of the salmon. Historically, the Puget Sound was full of […]