Arborvitae stands tall as a low-maintenance hedge
For a hedge, arborvitae has a place. It’s tall, skinny, evergreen, low-maintenance and cheap. “Some people look down on arborvitae, but it fits in places that other things can’t,” said […]
Give seeds a test for A+ performance
Will they or won’t they? That’s the perennial question when you nestle seeds into the soil each spring and wait for sprouts to make an appearance. Whether you’ve selected and […]
Identify the problem before treating a struggling plant
When you’ve got a plant that looks a little – or a lot – in distress, don’t start trying to fix it until you know the problem. It could be […]
Educate yourself before using organic pesticides
Reaching for a pesticide – even an organic one – should be a thoughtful act. Nothing used to kill pests is risk-free. First decide if you need pesticides at all […]
Six stellar shrubs to brighten the winter garden
In January and February the flowers of winter arrive, blooming as cheerfully as the showoffs of spring. “One of the coolest things about gardening in the Pacific Northwest is winter […]
Pick up the pruners and head for the blueberries
Moderate pruning of highbush blueberries done every year can make the difference between a mediocre and a bumper crop – and production of quality fruit. Highbush blueberry, a native of […]
Yellowjackets buzzed to the top of most popular gardening stories of 2018
The year 2018 is in the rearview mirror, but it’s not too late to catch up on the top stories of the last 12 months. Some were plant-centric (hydrangeas), some […]
Treat your Christmas tree to vodka? Only if you want to waste it
From vodka in the water to I.V. tubes in the trunk, there are lots of urban myths about how to take care of your cut Christmas tree. Chal Landgren, a […]
The winter garden doesn’t have to be bare of flowers
Plants that bravely bloom in winter come into color when we need it most, so take advantage and plant plenty. Many gardeners are familiar with late-winter bloomers like forsythia and […]
Just say ‘no’ to bad gardening practices
No one likes to be told “no,” but sometimes you’ve got to buck up. Even the most seasoned gardener will admit to at least one or two bad habits. You […]