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…
One of the true pleasures in the world of gardening has always been and will continue to be cultivating edible food. Toiling in that soil for the purpose of growing and then harvesting your very own bounty of home grown berries, fruits and vegetables can be most gratifying. January is an ideal time to…
Winter may have just begun, but it has been a strange one for us thus far. We were blessed with a few frosts last week, but really have had minimal cold weather invade our corner of the PNW. No arctic blast came in November, just copious amounts of our signature liquid sunshine. I know I speak for everyone when I…
I thought it might be fun to kick off the new year in style with some gardening resolutions, a practice that may both motivate us and help to maximize our gardening potential. It goes without saying that there are many ways any of us can improve in our lives, community, relationships and even workplace. Setting goals is always useful (year around for that matter), but it seems like at the New Year holiday, resolutions large and small take center stage. I will skip the topics of…
Let the Trilogy of Conifers continue with the finale! Two weeks ago I discussed some basics on conifers to ponder and then last week we went with some beyond blue selections. For this week we move onto flavors, large and small, that boast bright yellow or white variegation. As I have stated in this forum many times, I love me some…
Honesty is always the best policy and since I promised a “Trilogy of Conifers” last week, on we go with even more conifer mojo. We explored their variations in color, texture and growth habits for local landscapes. In episode two this week, I want to focus on the many calming shades of blue, highlighting some selections with both superior color and shape…
With the holiday season now in full swing and Christmas just around the corner, the season of giving is upon us. Friends and family will surely be craving some gardening goodies for the holidays; like vibrant plants, useful supplies, garden art and trendy trinkets to use now and into the future. Simply put, all gardeners big or small, young or old, experienced or novice, deserve some…
I often chuckle each November (and now even in October) as I am berated with the daily Christmas advertisements, seemingly earlier and earlier each year. On my phone, on the TV, in the papers, on the radio stations, via email – literally everywhere. So here I am (my sincere apologies), talking about Christmas in November! Please find some…
The Golfing Gardener
Trevor Cameron
One of the true pleasures in the world of gardening has always been and will continue to be cultivating edible food. Toiling in that soil for the purpose of growing and then harvesting your very own bounty of home grown berries, fruits and vegetables can be most gratifying. January is an ideal time to…