“Backyarding,” the trend to move indoor activities outdoors that was made popular during the pandemic, is here to stay and will continue to expand this year, according to the TurfMutt Foundation, an environmental education and stewardship program that encourages outdoor living and caring … read more

Growing dahlias is a must for anyone who loves cutting and arranging flowers. But there are hundreds of beautiful dahlia varieties to choose from and that can be overwhelming. To make the selection process easier, choose compatible colors that will look good together … read more

She tiptoed across my yard on slender legs. Pausing demurely, she batted her big, doe eyes at me. Such a pretty thing. Such grace. I wanted to be her friend. “Have an apple,” I said, and shook the tree until apples rained down. … read more

The Great Peninsula Conservancy (GPC) is seeking 200 volunteers to plant 5,000 native trees in Belfair through the end of January. GPC, the nonprofit land trust operating in Kitsap, north Mason and west Pierce counties, is restoring a native, climate-resilient plant community in … read more

What’s the difference between a new gardener and an experienced one? The experienced gardener has killed way more plants, the saying goes. That truism speaks to the fact that gardening is a highly trial-and-error venture — and one where some plants are just … read more

Two “gentlemen gardeners” maintain a delightful garden at their home on Bainbridge Island. Jim Stokes and Roland Mitlohner didn’t become active gardeners until after retirement, although they both had gardening in their blood from an early age. Mitlohner, who grew up in Czechoslovakia … read more

When is a dream home not a dream home? This sounds like a rhetorical question but in the case of Bob and Heyjin Disney, it’s relevant. Their company, Disney and Associates, builds approximately 25 luxurious, semicustom houses a year. So for Bob Disney, … read more

It’s no secret that the U.S. housing market is booming right now. According to realtor.com, “strong demand and insufficient supply pushed home prices up at a record-breaking 16.6% pace. The combination of historically low mortgage rates, businesses reopening and the lifting of pandemic … read more

“She sprouted love like flowers, grew a garden in her mind, and even on the darkest days, from her smile the sun still shined.” ~ Erin Hanson January is not just about resolutions. It is the beginning of a new year, new plants … read more