Selecting the right tree? There’s an app for that
Like building a house, planting a tree takes research and planning or the investment can come tumbling down. But if selected, sited and planted correctly, a tree bestows a lifetime […]
Set seeds on the right path with homemade soil mixture
While you’re battling the winter blues, make your own seed-starting mix and plan for the gardening days ahead. Home gardeners can start vegetable and flower seedlings indoors from four to […]
Soil tests reveal the mystery beneath the surface
Soil defines the success of a garden, but for many it’s a mystery. Cracking the case doesn’t have to be complicated, said James Cassidy, instructor of soil science at Oregon […]
Five berry-bearing shrubs birds love in winter
When winter comes and the menu for birds shrinks in urban backyards, they rely on the kindness of humans. That doesn’t mean just a bird feeder of seeds and nuts. […]
Waterwise Gardening with Kids this Summer
Photo: Getty Images Information provided by the Regional Water Providers Consortium (RWPC) Using resources wisely and understanding water conservation is important in the Portland metro area. Portland receives about 37 […]
Edibles Amongst the Ornamentals
Rhubarb, Allium and Podocarpus lawrencei ‘Red Tip I am a proponent of tucking edibles in amongst ornamental plants. But this garden design strategy has its drawbacks, especially when the pleasing […]
Wrangling Garden Hoses
I do a lot of hand watering of my garden. One of the most frustrating things about gardening for me is keeping the garden hoses unkinked and not in a […]
The Star of the Yard
The mock orange as viewed from my living room window I see it. I smell it. I love it. It’s an exclamation point in my garden. I’m talking about the […]
Roses = Shrubs
Honey Perfume, a Florabunda Rose Shrubs provide structure, texture, color and scale to gardens. They are sometimes evergreen and often deciduous. And ideally they are low maintenance. Most often they […]
Tidbits about Tomatoes
Sungold Cherry Tomatoes – Photo: WikiCommons It’s May 17 and today’s the day I bought tomato plants—at Garden Fever! this year—for my community garden plot. I intended to buy only […]