From Straw to Table: Gardening with Straw Bales

by Barbara Faurot • For generations, straw bales have been used to grow a steady supply of fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Like other traditional gardening practices, they’re enjoying a resurgence as gardeners discover their benefits —even in limited spaces or less-than-ideal soil conditions. Placed directly on the ground, the bales form raised beds, making them […]

Read More

A Head Start: Seed Starting Basics

By Barbara Faurot • To get a head start on spring and summer, now is the perfect time to begin starting seeds. It’s an economical way to grow a wide variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, perennials, and colorful annuals. An early start is especially helpful for plants that take longer to reach maturity and bloom, […]

Read More

Hollies — or Impostors — in the Winter Garden

by Bruce Bennett • With the great diversity of Northwest plants, it should not be surprising how similar some can look! This situation can work in your favor as one of those lookalikes may be a better plant for the growing conditions of that bare spot in your landscape. If you wind up doing some plant […]

Read More