Resources
Gardening Articles
“Choosing the Perfect Christmas Tree” published in The Journal 12-6-11
By Linda Roe
The search for the perfect Christmas tree is a fun holiday tradition for the whole family… Nobles have sturdy branches that hold ornaments well… Douglas Firs are sheared in the classic Christmas tree shape…
“Cheerful Winter Bloomers” published in The Journal 11-2-11
By Linda Roe
The year I learned to appreciate winterblooming flowers was the year my father died. Walking the grounds of Evergreen Hospice with my mother and smelling the faint, sweet scent coming from the soft pink flowers of Viburnum “Pink Dawn” offered a note of cheerfulness to a gray,gloomy time.
“Fall Fire” published in The Journal 10-4-11
By Linda Roe
Fall has always been my favorite time of year. The weather is good (usually) and the tomatoes get ripe (finally). Time just seems to slow down a bit. It’s fun to be out in the garden this time of year, cleaning, weeding, and planting spring bulbs. Flowers turn to seeds and berries, and leafy green turns to fall fire.
Covering Ground published in The Journal 9-6-11
By Linda Roe
Ground cover is a relatively new concept in gardening. One hundred and fifty years ago, an English gardener would have given you a blank stare when your spoke about ground cover. Nor would he have understood the phrase “low-maintenance weed control.”
Butterfly Days published in The Journal 8-2-11
By Linda Roe
The days of August may be referred to as the dog days of summer, but I like to think of them as the butterfly days. Maybe it’s because so many nectar rich butterfly attracting plants are in bloom. Maybe it’s because there are more lazy days to sit and notice the garden happenings.
Restless Natives published in The Journal 7-8-11
By Linda Roe
Summer is here and it’s time to go play outside! Some of us, like me, choose the mountains as our playground, while others choose to play in or on the water. Whatever way you choose to play, take along a good field guide and get to know some of our beautiful NW native plants. Gardeners will find there are many native plants that are truly garden worthy.
It’s Not Too Late published in The Journal 6-7-11
By Linda Roe
Years ago, I remember looking out my window one June. It was cold and wet, just like this year. My vegetable garden was muddy, weedy and still unplanted. I wondered if it was even worth the bother. Gardeners are optimistic, so of course…
Big Old Rhododendron published in The Journal 5-2011
By Linda Roe
There’s nothing that says Pacific Northwest like a big old rhododendron, leaves shiny and dripping with raindrops.
Gardener’s Gold & Other Goodies published in The Journal 4-2011
By Linda Roe
Years ago, while attending a fundraising auction for my children’s band trip, I bought a 10-yard load of compost donated by a local dairy. My kids couldn’t believe that, of all the cool stuff to bid on … compost? But I knew I had gold, gardener’s gold. Why all the excitement? It’s because compost does many wonderful things for your soil and plants.
Passionate About Proper Pruning published in The Journal 3-2011
By Linda Roe
Early spring is the time of year when gardeners seem to feel the need to gather anything with sharp blades and go outside to “prune”. But wait! Before heading out and taking blade to branch know why and to what purpose.
Winter Tweets published in The Journal 2-1-11
By Linda Roe
Snowbirds, to me are not retired people in big RVs headed south on I-5. Snowbirds to me are the little black headed Juncos pecking away at the seed heads of my dead perennials or the little song sparrows’ sitting in a snow covered bush, feathers plumped against the cold.
Spring Sunshine published in The Journal 10-5-10
By Linda Roe
Anyone who lives in Western Washington for more than two months, quickly figures out our cool, wet weather patterns and regional color palette of greens and grays. Even Washington natives like me, who love the beauty and appreciate the climate, have been known to whine and complain about the weather in the spring. The solution to our spring whine is not to move to California, but to plan ahead and plant spring bulbs now.
Late Bloomers published in The Journal 9-2010
By Linda Roe
Many of the fall blooming perennials are like gawky teenagers taking up space in our summer flower gardens all season not doing much of anything. Suddenly there they are around Labor Day, arising over our tired summer flowers like a phoenix!
Hangin’ with Hummingbirds published in The Journal 7-6-2010
By Linda Roe
A blur of wings and sound flies past your ear. Before your brain registers what your eyes have seen, she’s gone, heading for a sweet meal or defending her buffet table from any interlopers.
Container Gardens: Easy & Elegant published in The Journal 6-2010
By Maria Fox
You’ve seen them — those fabulous container gardens brimming with a fountain of vibrant colors and textures. And how about those amazing hanging baskets, cascading
Greener Grass? Not Always a Good Thing published in The Journal 4-2010
By Maria Fox and Sue Backman
Have you noticed a green hue across the lawn? Look Closely it may not be the aura of new healthy grass. “The Green Creeper,” lawn moss…
I Beg Your Pardon – You Say You Want to Plant a Rose Garden? published in The Journal 3-2-2010
(Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself!)
By Jenny Jorgensen
If you have been thinking about planting some roses in your garden, NOW is the perfect time to take action. If you’ve been “on the fence” you should know that the roses of today have come a long way.
The Dahlia Days of Summer published in The Journal 8-3-2010
By Linda Roe
My friend Susan had never given growing dahlias a second thought until she saw them displayed in a vase at a flower show. As a floral designer, she was instantly smitten! She was impressed by the huge variety of colors, shapes and sizes including little pompoms, pink and white frilly petals and wow, the big dinner plate blooms. So many choices!!
Container Gardens – Simple and Perfect published in The Journal 5-2008
By Maria Fox
Planting spectacular container gardens is simply a matter of combining two elements: great plant material and quality soil and amenities- our beautiful Northwest summer will take care of the rest. When choosing plant material, look for a combination of different growing characteristics. Select plants that grow upright in a compact area, like geraniums or heliotrope and those that cascade down the side of the pot. Add in some trailing foliage, like sweet potato vine or vinca to create contrast with your flowering varieties.
Want to Grow Veggies? Join the Craze published in The Journal 5-2010
By Maria Fox
There’s a real satisfaction to sitting down for a meal of home grown fare. Home garden veggies taste better than those commercially marketed, the nutritional value is multiplied significantly; not to mention the savings. A $2 pack of lettuce seeds will pay for itself 10 times over in savings at the grocery store checkout. Even better, beyond the culinary, nutritional and economic benefits of growing at home, another wonderful discovery is being made: vegetable gardening is fun!
Autumn Gardening published in The Journal 9-2009
By Jenny Jorgensen
Summer may be coming to an end, but fall brings with it a new season of opportunity.
It’s not just about the plants
There is always plenty of work to be done preparing your plants, trees and shrubs for the winter weather. After all, proper care in the colder months not only protects the landscape we’ve worked hard to create, but promotes increased health in the next growing season.
Make Your Garden Vision a Reality published in The Journal 8-2009
By Linda Roe
Every gardener has a personal vision of the perfect garden, the garden of the mind’s eye. Is yours a garden bursting with color, alive with hummingbirds, butterflies and bees? Then to make this vision happen, it is time to get your hand dirty and plant some hardy perennials.
Successful Planting Tips published in The Journal 7-2009
By Maria Fox
Healthy, beautiful plantings don’t just happen. In any endeavor, information and initiative are key to achieving successful results. Planting is no exception.
Groceries from the Garden published in The Journal 4-2009
By Jenny Jorgensen
Imagine you are planning an event, a dinner party or barbecue and all you need to do for fresh produce is step outside into your garden and fill up your shopping basket with all your favorite ingredients. This can really happen and your menu choices can be endless. Your recipes can be ingenious. Your guests will be amazed.
Garden Casualties from a Cold Winter published in The Journal 6-2009
By Maria Fox
Rather than fretting over your losses, think of proper care as the best insurance to keep your garden alive and going strong.
The Blooming Annual: A Gardener’s Favorite published in The Journal 5-2009
By Maria Fox
Topping the list of plant cravings from a long winter and a blustery spring is the ever enduring and ever endearing: blooming annual. No gardener can resist them.
The Maple: an expert’s top five picks published in The Journal 6-3-2008
By Maria Fox
Would spring be as beautiful without the appearance of the tender new leaves of the maple?
Decorating Articles
Successfully Growing Indoor Green Plants published in The Journal 2-2010
It’s not natural for a green plant to live indoors. Most, if not all of the popular varieties of houseplants are actually tropical plants, best suited to humid and warm climates.
Creating a welcoming entrance to your home published in The Journal 10-2009
By Maria Fox
Street appeal isn’t just about selling real estate. It is an important element in creating a home that you love living in, as well as one that your guests will like to visit.
Refresh and renew your home with decorative accessories published in The Journal 3-2009
By Maria Fox
The positive effects of the right accessories for the home are as favorable as those for the wardrobe. And just as fashion accessories can make or break an outfit, the right decorative accents complete your home’s look and style.
Simple Steps to Creating a Home Oasis: Part 1 published in The Journal 7-2008
Your home is your refuge, a cozy escape where you are inspired, renewed and revitalized. In a world of commutes and schedules- your home should be a little slice of heaven in an otherwise hectic life. Home is that special get away, a place that you’ll need no extra gas to get to.
Simple Steps to Creating a Home Oasis: Part 2 published in The Journal 8-2008
It doesn’t take a big remodel to make your house a welcoming retreat. Simple changes can translate into stellar results, satisfying the soul, while going easy on the pocketbook. In the last issue we explored creating a home oasis primarily from the outdoor perspective.
Using Silk Florals as Interior Accents published in The Journal 9-2008
By Maria Fox
Every good interior designer knows that a room is not complete until it has at least one botanical accent.
Celebrating the Seasons in your Home published in The Journal 7-2010
By Maria Fox Whether you love summer to fall or winter to spring, the changing seasons renew and refresh our outlook on life.
Creating that “magazine” look in your home published in The Journal 4-2008
By Maria Fox
With a little practice and a few designer secrets you can learn to use home accents to add interest, style and individuality to your home’s decor.
Holiday Articles
The Treasure of Traditions published in The Journal 12-7-2010
By Maria Fox
Like a fine wine, traditions become better over time. But unlike wine, which has a life span only from harvest crush to final pouring, Traditions continue and deepen as they are experienced. In fact, traditions can be as treasured as any family heirloom.
It’s Holiday Decorating Season published in The Journal 11-2010
By Maria Fox
The changing seasons inspire us to decorate, none more so than the fall. The warm, sunny days are gone, the crispness in the air requires we pull on a favorite cozy sweater, summer annuals begin to slow their parade of blooms, and winter pansies and vibrant mums take their place.
Tips for Great Seasonal Decorating
By Maria Fox
In the world of seasonal decorating, September to December is prime time. During this three month period, Halloween, Harvest, Thanksgiving and of course, the mother of all holidays: Christmas, occur.
Simple Gifts Can Be Special published in The Journal 12-2008
By Maria Fox
They say it is better to give than to receive. And in a perfect world it is. But in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, finding gifts can become a daunting task.
Decorating your Christmas tree published in The Journal 11-2008
By Maria Fox
Oh the Christmas tree. Of all the holiday traditions, no other unites the family and embodies the season in such a special way, whether elegantly adorned or decorated with the kids’ handmade ornaments.
Create a Manger Scene at Home published in The Journal 12-2009
By Maria Fox
“Away in a manger…” plays in the background of many holiday festivities….”People are very particular about their choice of Nativity scene. Some prefer formal, others like simple styles and some even like child-size sets for small spaces like kids’ rooms.
