Tag: outdoors

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Manchester State Park Ochre Star

Enjoying the Beach and Nature at Manchester State Park

We have to be grateful for this amazing winter weather we have been experiencing. For many of us, this sunshine makes us want to jump ahead to spring! As the weather continues to get warmer, it will be time for people to head … read more

Margie and Jerry Breunig — Dedicated Gardeners
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Margie and Jerry Breunig — Dedicated Gardeners

Margie and Jerry Breunig have shared a lifetime love of plants. She was originally from Seattle but moved to California in her 20s. He was from Southern California but fell in love with this area during visits. They met in their 30s, married … read more

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Manchester State Park is one of the many places where you can kayak in West Sound (Discover Pass is required for parking).

Enjoy Puget Sound by Kayak

There is nothing more refreshing then slowly paddling through the beautiful estuary we call home. Puget Sound is the second largest estuary in the United States. Fresh water enters Puget Sound through more than 10,000 rivers and streams all across Washington, and salt … read more

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Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii, an impressive plant with lovely structure and flowers, bears thousands of seeds that it disperses even while the flowers remain attractive and trick the gardener into leaving them on the plant too long. The plant's caustic sap can cause allergic reactions and harm eyes, so gardeners need to be careful when working around them. Many euphorbias seed freely, and may become a problem as they escape the confines of their gardens.

Thugs and Overachievers in the Garden

It is time to serve out some eviction notices. I’ve been cleaning out the garden, weeding, pruning and mulching as I go along, and making some tough decisions along the way: Who gets to stay, and who’s overstayed their welcome. There was a … read more

How to Build a Green Roof Birdhouse

How to Build a Green Roof Birdhouse

Be the First On Your Block To Have...

Buildings with a “living roof” are all the rage with the current focus on ecologically minded construction techniques. Originally European and historically planted with turf grasses, green roofs are popular worldwide for reducing pollution and runoff and improving insulation, among other environmental benefits. … read more

Backyard Bird Feeding Makes A Difference

Backyard Bird Feeding Makes A Difference

Bird feeding provides many benefits for winter birds in the Puget Sound area yards. The key to the conservation of bird populations is in providing the habitats needed for their natural reproduction and sustained survival. Interaction and education are the ultimate keys, because … read more

The Beauty and Effect of Gravel in the Garden

The Beauty and Effect of Gravel in the Garden

Gravel patios or “terraces” are an outdoor element used in home landscapes in Europe for many centuries. Elegant and natural, they are typically made of crushed indigenous stone, widely used for many years because it was a readily available and inexpensive material. The … read more

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Mahonia

Winter Bloomers Give Offseason Interest to Your Garden

Are you looking for some color to liven up the gray winter landscape? By choosing winter-blooming plants, you will get the satisfaction of a few flowers when much of the country is under ice and snow. Some of your choices are available in … read more

Cosmos

Historical Plants of West Sound

West Sound, known as the Kitsap Peninsula and the Great Peninsula, has a rich agricultural and horticultural history. The glaciers left rich earthen deposits behind; the forest duff provided rich tilth and the two combined to make wonderful soils. Just the right amount … read more

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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