General Gardening
Ben Smith
Compost and Fertilizer - A Boring But Necessary ...

It pains me to see customers spending hundreds of dollars on new plants and simultaneously refusing to spend a few more on a bag or two of compost and a box of starter fertilizer.  These two items are not unnecessary “add-ons” that the retailer is just trying to add to the sale, they are critical components of a successful transplanting process - or as I like to refer to them as “plant insurance”.  Unless you have phenomenal soil, you should always add compost and starter fertilizers when you are planting new plants.  Here is why…

Compost and Fertilizer - A Boring But Necessary Topic
Summer Gardening
Ben Smith
The Secrets Of Proper Summer Watering

Summer watering is inevitable in the northwest if we want to keep our landscapes green and healthy…

The Secrets Of Proper Summer Watering
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Lotsa Hosta

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Lotsa Hosta

Spring is always a great time to talk plants, and this week Hostas (or what some call Plantain Lilies) are on the top of my mind.  This time of year local garden centers provide plant enthusiasts with a slew of options, big or small, with varying textures, variegation and flowers.  Now, I am always honest and will freely…

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The Nostalgia of Lilacs

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The Nostalgia of Lilacs

The legendary nostalgia of Lilacs has graced garden across the world for hundreds of years.  When I say the word “Lilac” I think most gardeners can close their eyes and picture the flower, and perhaps more importantly imagine the intoxicating fragrance that they fill the air with each spring.  We now have…

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Flowering Trees – The Cherry

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Flowering Trees – The Cherry

Now that spring has officially sprung to life, I find myself gazing upwards and admiring flowering trees everywhere.  At the garden center, driving around town, walking around my neighborhood, traversing the local golf course… it is impossible not to be…

The Plant Enabler and the Plant Addict

The Plant Enabler and the Plant Addict

With April Fool’s Day this week, I find myself reminiscing about a fabled article from the legend himself, my esteemed predecessor at Sunnyside Nursery, Mr. Steve Smith.  The Whistling Gardener pontificated about the mythical “wonder shrub” for April Fool’s Day many moons ago -  luckily…

Fifty Shades Of Green

Fifty Shades Of Green

With St. Patrick’s Day this week, I thought it might be appropriate to discuss some green.  No not money, although that could get interesting in its own way.  For this holiday many enjoy a special beer while just about everyone wears some green and feasts on traditional Irish goodies.  Hopefully you…

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The Golfing Gardener

Trevor Cameron

Featured
Magnificent Mountain Laurels
Magnificent Mountain Laurels

One useful plant more and more local gardeners are discovering is the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), an evergreen shrub with spectacular flowers.  We are borrowing this beauty from…

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