The Garden

Many interesting and delightful gardens abound in our area — how fun to glimpse into a gardener’s back yard (or even front yard). Enjoy gardens from Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Central Kitsap, and the North end of Kitsap including Bainbridge Island. These articles are only a sample of what we have in WestSound Magazine each issue — subscribe to the print version today to see all of what we have to offer!

A Bewick's wren hops about the underbrush in search of its next meal.

A Little, Brown Bird with a Big, Unique Voice

Binoculars and field guides are useful tools for visually identifying birds. Birding-by-ear skills are just as important, as birds are often heard before being seen. Thankfully, modern technology makes this easy with apps that feature multiple bird sounds, such as songs, contact calls … read more

Dahlias 101

An Introduction: Dahlias 101

Many gardeners consider the dahlia to be the iconic flower for the late summer and fall garden. Hardy to USDA Zones 8 and above, dahlias do best in well-drained soil and excel in sunny locations. With over 36 species and more than 57,000 … read more

Willow & Mabel Garden Co.

An Intimate, Relaxing Gathering to Learn and Mingle

Carolyn Thompson, the owner of Willow & Mabel Garden Co., put together a small function that was both a social gathering and an event on hosting called Cake & Tablescapes. “It was a small, intimate event,” she says. Thompson advertised it to her … read more

Sam Rader's Gardening Gold Mine

A Gardening ‘Gold Mine’ in Poulsbo

For three decades, Sam Rader has been transforming 5 acres of woodland in Poulsbo. By combining the concepts of an arboretum, focusing on trees and a botanic garden and emphasizing education and display, he has created a type of gold mine. A wide … read more

A female Townsend's warbler forages in the low branches of a Sitka spruce tree.

West Sound’s Wonderful Winter Warbler

For many, a West Sound winter is a dreary time of year. Trees are devoid of leaves and flowers aren’t blooming. It’s cold, cloudy and often rainy. There is no perceived reason to venture outdoors. Just get cozy with a hot beverage and … read more

Indianola Garden

Sprawling Gardens for Year-Round Enjoyment

At the end of a short road in Indianola there is an extremely charming and inviting garden created by Jeanne Simmons and Tony Bartling. They have even encouraged and worked with their neighbors to turn their small neighborhood into a little piece of … read more

A male Eurasian wigeon in the grass shows his trademark rusty head.

Watching for Wandering Wigeons

Birders love a good chase. Not in the literal sense, but in going to a selected spot with the optics and waiting patiently for a particular bird to appear. Birds that have wandered out of their typical range are known as rare birds … read more

Community Scene - Kitsap Farm Tour
Community Scene

Kitsap Farm Tour Draws Thousands

The 2nd Annual Kitsap Farm Tour in August allowed the public to visit 11 farms across Kitsap. The one-day, self-guided tour was a resounding success, drawing in over 2,000 attendees from across the county and beyond. Each site was an opportunity to experience … read more

Bainbridge Gardens

Gifts For Gardeners

WestSound Magazine presents our annual “Gift Guide for Gardeners,” which spans across West Sound, hitting Belfair, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Silverdale and Bainbridge Island. This presents a cornucopia of options for your gardening friend or family member, whether it be an article of clothing … read more

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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