Soil really is at the root of everything in the garden. Without healthy soil, plants will not thrive. Period. Whether you are planting in containers or directly into the garden, the use of specific soils, amendments, and mulches will have immediate and lasting benefits! Here are a few of our favorite soils, amendments, and mulches, […]
Now that you’ve picked out some gorgeous plants to begin your escapade into the Mysterious World of Gardening, the first big question arises: “How do I properly plant these to give them a good, healthy start?” The steps described here focus on planting trees and shrubs, but are essentially the same for anything being planted […]
There is a surprising array of hardy herbs that we can grow in our northwest marine climate and not have to worry about replanting every spring. Many of them can actually be brought inside and placed on a bright window sill for the winter where sprigs can be plucked as needed. Left outside, many can […]
Just like many garden flora have a reputation as “weeds,” certain fauna are often labeled as “garden pests.” Some are vehemently accused of damaging our plants or wreaking havoc in our lawns. Some may pack a nasty bite or sting we can’t forget. A few unwelcome guests might even get a little too cozy in… […]
I’ve admitted already that this year my garden adventures have been more misadventures; moments here and there with little time, budget or frankly incentive as other priorities took center stage. Thank goodness nature – and serendipity often make up for my lackluster attempts! I went out into the garden with my camera just now to…
Ever since I was a young kid I have been drawn to ferns. Growing up in Southern California I collected many varieties and had a patio dedicated to them…
Whenever I think about what to write about this time of year, my mind always seems to migrate to ornamental grasses. Here are a few varieties that recently caught my attention on my weekly visit to the nursery…
Foraging and gardening go hand in hand. Our gardens are where we nurture the plants we most want to have near us at all times, or that need our care to thrive. Foraging extends our relationships to wild plants already thriving in our local neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas. Foraging can help connect us with… […]
Looking for a new plant to brighten your home or office? As a new or novice indoor gardener, you may have noticed that the amount of information available online can be immense, complex, and even contradictory. This is fine if you have hours and hours to research the perfect plant for your space, but if… […]
Generally I’m not a huge fan of groundcovers. While they do suppress weeds they also prevent me adding soil amendments such as compost and in some case they are downright thugs, covering every spare inch of ground and smothering everything in sight! Some of those thugs are also very difficult to remove as they grow…
