I love to identify the many wildflowers and trees that grow along the local recreational trails but until now, that pastime was limited to the warmer months. I’ve found, and added to my shelves, two pocket-sized inexpensive books that are excellent resources for identifying plants in winter.       The first, Winter Weed Finder by [Continue]

      There are many kinds of Christmas trees from which to choose.  If you put your tree up early and leave it up for a month or more, select a pine, since they hold their needles longest.  The pines generally available locally include white pine, red pine, and Scotch pine.  These long-needled pines are usually [Continue]

      When you buy a plant from a mail order catalog or read a description in a magazine, you often find words like “Zones 3-8” or “Zone 4.”  What does this mean?       The numbers refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cold Hardiness Zone Map. Updated in 1990, the map is based on average [Continue]

Why do you till your garden beds year after year in spring and fall?  Is it because you’ve always done it?  Because your mother or dad always did it?  Because it just looks nicer?       Many experts agree that the less tilling the better.  While tilling can destroy weeds, it can also cause more weeds [Continue]

      There are too many deerflies to view wildflowers on the Wiouwash Trail right now but there are plenty of blooms alongside country roads and even in town in neglected or rough areas.       The most prevalent bloomer right now is Queen Anne’s Lace.  This name is appropriate as the flat-topped white flower has a [Continue]

        Have you noticed that no matter how often you water your garden, the plants don’t really perk up until a good rain falls?   Plants respond so well to rainwater because it is naturally soft water devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals.  A rain barrel is an easy way to do your [Continue]

      Beginning gardeners are sometimes intimidated because it seems there is so much to learn even before the first seed or plant in put into the ground.  Here is a primer on some gardening basics to put you more at ease.       Last frost date.  This is the last day, or night, that the temperature [Continue]

      Some plants do best in sunny areas while others thrive in shade.  For best results, it is important that plants be placed in the type of light where the tag that comes with them, or the seed packet if grown from seed, lists as the light requirements for the plant.  But what exactly does [Continue]