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 … read more

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 … read more

Little, green mini cabbages that are frequently offered on long, straight stems intrigue the eye and confound the mind. A staple winter vegetable, Brussels sprouts suffer a love/hate relationship with most consumers. Those with a more sophisticated palate usually enjoy them and prepare … read more

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 … read more

It might not feel like you alone can have an impact on the environment, but over time, small lifestyle changes can make a substantial difference. Need some ideas to get started? Draw inspiration from the collective efforts of one California olive company working … read more

Blue Hubbard (shaped like a football), pleated dark-green acorn, delicate delicata and buttery-skinned butternut are just a few of the many varieties of beautiful winter squash available this autumn. Grocery stores and farmers markets are brimming with these thick-skinned and delicious, nutritious, meaty … read more

“It’s very purple,” one visitor commented about Glee Palmer-Davis and Dennis Johnson’s Hansville A-frame cottage and garden. The color of the body of the house is an intense purple that leans toward violent red-violet. Called “Fabulous Grape,” the color suggests a grape candy … read more

When Seattle transplants Andrea and Jonathon Rowe opened the tiny Marina Market on the pier in Poulsbo in 1998, they didn’t imagine that 18 years later they’d be running a popular, international, boutique grocery store selling everything from exotic craft beers to wooden … read more

Halloween Fun Fact: Ninety percent of parents admit to secretly snatching some candy from their kids’ Halloween trick-or-treat bags! Never carry your pumpkin by the stem. It’s part of the visual allure, and if the stem snaps, it can accelerate the pumpkin’s rotting. … read more