The Seattle area had a remarkably dry spring. From March through May we received just over half of normal rainfall. Plants are already feeling the effects. And we expect less rain in summer. While June is often rainy, July and September are normally the driest months in Seattle, with less than an inch of rain… […]

Engaging all five senses is a fantastic way of inspiring kids to become lifelong gardeners. Last month, we wrote about how to inspire a love of gardening for the kids in your life. Now, we’re delving into how to create a children’s sensory garden! We’ve even included ideas for plants and projects to help kids… […]

Each month, this section of the newsletter is devoted to helping you to learn more about a segment of the landscape industry. For your ongoing reference, these are also added to the blog. And this month, I’m thrilled to highlight one of the backbones of my design work; Great Plant Picks (GPP)! How many clients […]

In the 38 years since George Gregory first founded Kaleidoscope Landscape Inc., he has wanted to do something not only to give back to the city in which he runs a business but to a larger part of the community which he calls home. George has been searching for a project that many people would […]

Roundup is the most widely used herbicide in the world. Is Roundup dangerous? How harmful is Roundup to your own health and to the natural environment? What can or should you do? Does Roundup cause cancer? Is Roundup dangerous to your health? There is no clear answer from research and health authorities on whether exposure… […]

Most of us have been trained to think in terms of linear systems, and new vegetable gardeners often start out trying to garden in a straight line: plant in the spring, water through the summer, harvest in the fall, wait out the winter, then purchase new seeds or seedlings and start over. There’s a lot… […]

Can you believe it’s almost June? The most recognizable “spring” flowers – tulips, lilacs, azaleas – have finished blooming or are beginning to fade and a host of new flowering plants are ready to take the baton for the race into summer. Here are some of our favorite late spring flowers; some even keep blooming […]

How do you keep your lawn healthy during our hot, dry summers? In July and August the average Seattle rainfall is an inch or less per month, and the average temperature is about 75 degrees. Those conditions make it tough for lawns. Now is the time to adopt lawn care practices that will help your… […]

From an overarching perspective, the underlying principles of Japanese garden design are meant to create spaces that offer touchpoints with nature. Their design is intended to provide an opportunity for a closer interaction with natural processes while engendering a sense of peace and spiritual renewal. Here are some simple design techniques to consider in order […]

Of all of the wonderfully exotic species of plants on this globe we call home, carnivorous bog plants have got to be high on the list when it comes to weirdness. They absolutely look like they belong on some alien planet…