“Tismin,” says the sign on the tree at the head of the drive. It’s a cryptic message; no one named Tismin lives or has ever lived in the house at the end of the drive. The explanation, as longtime neighbors of this Pleasant … read more

Trees are virtually everywhere you turn, from your own backyard to nearby parks and forests where you enjoy hiking. They provide shade and beauty, and some even bear fruit. Beyond all the immediate benefits, you may be surprised to discover trees are also … read more

If you cross the Hood Canal bridge and drive 40 minutes west on Highway 101, you will drive into Sequim, a small but growing city with a population of 7,280 people. Sequim was first established in the 1890s as a timber, fishing and … read more

The pandemic gave rise to a variety of hobbies, and one of them was houseplants. A survey of 1,250 American adults by Trees.com found that 1 in 4 plant owners started collecting houseplants as a pandemic hobby. Among this group, Gen Zers were … read more

One of the joys of West Sound living is the availability of so many beachfront properties. With all the islands, inlets, coves and harbors, there are miles and miles of beachfront. Smart ecology demands that a large part of water-side property be left … read more

The mystical, magical garden created by Arlene and Bill West inspires awe and an explosion of ideas in the minds of all who visit. Solutions for gardening in “next-to-impossible” places, intermingled with expressive, original and imaginative garden art could fill a book. Here … 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