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!

Teri Cole
Teri's Tips

Glorious Sweet Peas

The sweet pea, Lanthyrus odoratus, is a flowering plant in the genus lathuyrus in the family fabaceae, native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands. It’s an annual climbing plant growing to a height of 1 to 2 meters, where suitable support … read more

A female violet-green swallow gathers dry grass for lining her nest at Point No Point County Park in Hansville.

Swooping Swallows Signal Springtime

Nothing signals the advent of spring like the arrival of swallows. Among the first migrants to return from a warm winter in the south, swallows are endearing songbirds, many of which live in proximity to humans and nest on man-made structures. Swallows live … read more

Gardening Books
Reviews

The Wonderful World of Garden Books

The Hidden Life of Trees: The Illustrated Edition Author Peter Wohlleben “As a rule, friendships that extend to looking after stumps can be established only in undisturbed forests.” Trees equipped with warning systems? Forests with a vast communication network underground? Is there a … read more

(Photo courtesy Tristan Voget)

Beachfront Gardens

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

baby trees
Teri's Tips

Things to Do Now in Your Garden

Even though we are in the winter months, shrubs, plants and trees come alive in January. It’s a good time to test your soil for missing nutrients and then fertilize and amend accordingly. Inventory your garden seeds well before you start planting them … read more

Rhododendron ‘Kimberly’

Rhododendrons, Here We Come

The new year is an exciting time for Northwest rhododendron fans — it marks the beginning of the flowering season for these popular, well-loved shrubs. Even non-gardeners can recognize rhododendrons. What comes to mind when thinking about a rhododendron? For many people, it’s … read more

The Garden of Bill and Arlene West

A Garden of Exceptional Skill and Imagination

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

Deer

Plants Deer Don’t Eat (The World’s Shortest List)

She tiptoed across my yard on slender legs. Pausing demurely, she batted her big, doe eyes at me. Such a pretty thing. Such grace. I wanted to be her friend. “Have an apple,” I said, and shook the tree until apples rained down. … read more

The Gentlemen Gardeners

The Gentlemen Gardeners

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

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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