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Today’s an exciting day because my first garden column of the season is in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review newspaper, here in Spokane, Wash. It is a season introduction that includes a list of what we’re growing this year. Here’s a link: The weather outside may be frightful, but spring will come. Eventually. (or you can read my column lower […]
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The Budget-Wise Gardener by Kerry Ann Mendez (St. Lynn’s Press, 2018, 176 pp., $19.95) We gardeners love to save money, don’t we? After all, by stretching our dollars, we can spend even more on our passion right? Before I started reading The Budget-Wise Gardener, I envisioned what it would be about. Perhaps starting your own plants from seed, recycling products, […]
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Last Sunday, I attended a dried-flower wreath workshop and had the best time! It turned out to be the perfect activity for a gloomy winter afternoon. A dear friend and Master Gardener colleague of mine, Cathi, invited several of us to join her for a tasty soup lunch and the wreath-making workshop. We all jumped at the chance to have […]
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I recently received an excellent question from a reader asking about the hardiest roses one can grow, particularly in regions with very cold winters. Here’s Marcie’s question: “In a recent posting, you mentioned roses that grow well in cold climates with something about the kind of root system they have. I live in Eastern Iowa and our winters can be […]
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To borrow a line from Joan Rivers, can we talk? I’m sure many of you are thinking about starting your tomato plants in the next week or so. Let’s see a show of hands. Yup, a lot of you are getting ready to plunk tomato seeds into flats or pots. Well, if you live in a colder climate (i.e., zone […]
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The 2019 Seed Summit was a roaring success. What, you never heard about it? That’s because it’s an annual event I hold with my best gardening buddies each January. We gave it a name a few years ago. And we also like to joke that the flags were raised and delegates were in attendance! (except we were missing 3 delegates […]
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Cool Plants for Cold Climates: A Garden Designer’s Perspective by Brenda C. Adams (Snowy Owl Books/University of Alaska Press, 239 pp., $35) I have found a book geared for those living in a colder climate. Especially those who have a tendency to let their heart govern their plant purchases! I’m sure you know what I mean because I often suffer from the same […]
Read moreEach year, the Spokane County Master Gardeners host this special series of classes on a wealth of useful gardening topics. I wanted to make sure you are aware of this 12-week course because it’s a wonderful opportunity for those with all levels of gardening skills, even beginners! The classes are scheduled for Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, starting on January […]
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One of the questions I’m frequently asked is about the camera I use to take my garden and bird photographs. I actually use two main cameras to get the job done. They’re probably a lot less fancy than you’re envisioning! For regular garden shots and especially for zoom shots of birds and critters, I use a Canon Powershot SX50HS. This […]
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This morning, I posted this photo on my Facebook page and Instagram feeds. I wanted to post it here in case you don’t follow those accounts. As you can see, my insect hotel has a bit of snow on it. I hope my little solitary bee buddies are tucked in for the winter. I built this insect hotel last April, […]
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