“If our sense of smell is sluggish … we shall have missed more than half the ecstasy. We shall have missed, for instance, that winter day in January or February when we step out of the door and suddenly smell the spring.” ~ Louise Beebe Wilder Winter is a fickle old friend to gardeners. It’s […]
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Community Gardens and P-Patches in West Sound
Washington state is an amazing place, and not simply because of its immeasurable beauty. The Master Gardener program saw its birth here, training volunteers who are passionate about gardening to offer science-based answers to community members’ gardening questions. This program has spread throughout the country and into Canada since its inception in 1973, and has […]
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Grow a Bigger Garden in a Smaller Space
Whether in the ground or on a balcony or deck, there’s always room to grow your own garden-fresh produce and beautiful flowers. Space-saving gardening techniques and products can help you increase productivity in any available space. Consider elevated gardens and planter carts that not only save space but make gardens more accessible. Movable carts like […]
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A Garden that Defies Limits
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 […]
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Your Potting Soil may be Harming the Environment
Today, home gardeners are taking a second look at the way they garden, aiming to upgrade to more sustainable practices and bring their passion for gardening in line with their environmental principles. Leaving peat moss out of our gardens is one meaningful step you can take toward combating climate change. If you grew up gardening […]
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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 […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]