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!

(Photo courtesy Gardenside Flowers)

For the Love of Flowers

The Gig Harbor Flower Farmers Guild blooms into...

Perhaps you have seen their farmstands. Dotted down the backroads and tucked into neighborhoods, flower farms are proliferating around West Sound and growing into a unified local industry. The Northwest climate is similar to the most well-known flower-growing areas in Europe (think: the … read more

A female Myrtle subspecies of yellow-rumped warbler contemplates its next move at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia.

Bringing in Spring with a Vibrant, Versatile Warbler

Springtime means birdsong. As frosty mornings give way to budding leaves, singing songbirds are a harbinger of winter’s departure and the arrival of spring. Year-round species such as American robins, Pacific wrens and song sparrows are among the first to belt out their … read more

Master Gardener Linda Broun

A Master Gardener’s Paradise for a Smaller Lot

Sometimes moving into a planned community poses challenges for a gardener. There are homeowner association (HOA) rules, smaller lots and restrictions for fences, and if the lot happens to be on a golf course, that just adds to the puzzle. Master Gardener Linda … read more

aroma garden
Teri's Tips

Aromatherapy in Your Garden

How about am aromatic garden? Perfume-scented flowers, blooming trees and herbs in the garden are so important for insects, animals and people. Plant fragrances change your mood and brighten your spirits and can be very calming. You can create a scented haven with … read more

A black oystercatcher walks along the beach at Fort Flagler State Park near Port Townsend.

This Poorly Named Shorebird is an Attention Catcher

Birds are amazing creatures with a variety of adaptations. A hummingbird is quite different from an ostrich and a kiwi has little in common with a swan. While some species may seem drab and uninteresting, others are a collection of unique features that … read more

Grape hyacinth (Muscari)

Bulbs and Other Plants for Winter Interest

January and February are months when many gardeners enjoy staying cozy inside their homes, mulling through all the seed catalogues, catching up on reading all the cool books on gardening and planning out their veggie gardens for early-spring planting and starting seeds indoors. … read more

Crazy Hill Garden & Botanicals

Gift Ideas for Gardeners 2.0

Last year, WestSound Magazine’s November/ December issue published an article on gift-shopping for your gardening loved ones. The article shared nursery staff recommendations for plants and tools. This year, we’ve included some updates and new stops for your garden-related shopping. Crazy Hill Garden … read more

A male hooded merganser shows off his impressive crest.

The Show Stopper of West Sound’s Wintering Waterfowl

West Sound in winter is paradise for those who enjoy watching ducks. About two dozen species come to the region’s lakes, ponds, streams, bays and open saltwater from late winter to early spring. While there are many similarities among the ducks, differences also … read more

Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery

Supporting the Natural Ecosystem with Native Plants

Specialty nurseries are a magnet for serious gardeners — and Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery, located in Gig Harbor’s backyard, is a favorite. With a timely message for gardeners concerned about garden resiliency for climate change, Ingrid Wachtler and her staff are ready to … read more

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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