Share my passion for all things gardening!
I get a lot of questions about when to prune lavender back. The best answer is “now!” Because of this, I wanted to let you know that I just shot a new video on the topic. And the ever elusive Mr. Bill (a.k.a. “Mr. Pepper”) puts in a guest appearance! He demonstrates his cool tool for trimming back the plants! […]
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For this week’s column, I wrote about seed-starting: the supplies you need and the steps to go through in order to be successful. Here’s a link to it in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Give seeds a good start with the right containers, soil and light. (or you can read my column lower in this post) I’ve been starting […]
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I’ve recently returned from a visit to the 2020 NW Flower & Garden Show in Seattle. This year, the show was held from February 26 to March 1. I would have to say the high point was certainly the Fleurs de Villes exhibit. Local florists created the amazing “clothes” for several mannequins. They used thousands of fresh flowers and it […]
Read moreFor my second garden column of the season, I interviewed none other than my husband, Bill. The topic is his pepper-growing tips and I’ll explain why in a moment. Here is a link to my column in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Husband shares secrets behind his beautiful peppers. (or you can read my column lower in this post) A […]
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Today is a milestone because it marks the beginning of my weekly garden columns for the 2020 growing season! This first column is a season introduction. Here is a link to it in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Dig into learning. (or you can read my column lower in this post) In it, I mentioned how dreadful earwigs were in […]
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I’ve been growing microgreens during the winter months for several years now. Up until recently, I have planted the seeds in a seed-starting mix (also known as a germination mix). I recently heard about using jute mats in place of the sterile potting soil. Intrigued, I ordered some from True Leaf Market and tried them out. Spoiler alert: It turns […]
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Are you a bird-lover? And are you concerned about the decline in bird species? Well, there’s a way you can pursue your passion and help out. How? By participating in this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. This annual event takes place from Feb. 14 to 17, 2020. It’s really easy to be involved in it, too. How simple? Just count […]
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What would you say if I told you it’s possible to plant specially-prepared containers with seeds and put them outside? Right when where it’s snowy and/or rainy for the rest of the winter? That sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But winter sowing is a viable, no-fuss way to start seeds. It just happens to be the topic of this week’s video […]
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This post might seem a bit premature but it could affect your seed-starting or seedling-purchasing plans. That’s why I wanted to mention it now. This has to do with squash bugs. They are horribly destructive insects that attack members of the Cucurbit family (cucumbers, melons, summer and winter squash). While I’ve never had squash bugs in my garden, I know […]
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The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening by Kim Eierman (Quarto Publishing, 2020, 160 pp., $26.99) As soon as I heard about Kim Eierman’s brand-new book, The Pollinator Victory Garden, I was anxious to learn what I can be doing to help pollinators within my own garden. According to the book’s subtitle, it is […]
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