While hoses, sprinklers, and watering bags are all excellent ways to water, many gardeners are turning to drip irrigation systems for their manifold benefits: once set up properly, a drip irrigation system is efficient, precise, and a relatively low-effort method for keeping our plants well-watered throughout the year. This post is an introduction to the key components and setup of a drip irrigation system.
Tomato season is upon us and, after deciding which tomatoes you’d like to grow, they need to be planted! For this project, we chose a Brandywine heirloom tomato to plant into a container, but the same steps work for planting tomatoes in the ground in a garden bed.
You and your rose soul-mates have found each other. Now what? How do you keep them happy and thriving in our maritime Pacific Northwest climate? Roses are not completely carefree, but with a few basic care guidelines, you can grow them successfully and enjoy their beauty for years to come.
When you imagine a shade garden, do you mostly picture foliage plants and a lack of bright colors? While foliage plants are the foundation of any shade garden, there is an abundance of flowers that offer beautiful blooms in shady conditions. Here are 15 of our favorite flowers for shade.
Rhododendrons, arguably the Maritime Northwest’s most beloved plants, can vary from two-foot-high dwarf shrubs to 30-foot trees. Most varieties don’t typically need a lot of pruning for their first several years but over time, many rhodies grow a dense weave of thick-wooded branches, and the thought of pruning one can intimidate all but the most experienced gardener. Of course, we are here to help!
From an overarching perspective, the underlying principles of Japanese garden design are meant to create spaces that offer touchpoints with nature. Their design is intended to provide an opportunity for a closer interaction with natural processes while engendering a sense of peace and spiritual renewal. Here are some simple design techniques to consider in order to bring the spirit of the Japanese garden into your outdoor space.
In the coastal Northwest, our climate and position on the Pacific Rim give us a natural affinity with Asian design philosophy and lifestyles, which can also apply to our gardens. Japanese culture, in particular, has lent us its mastery of garden design and practices. If we delve deep enough, we will meet the concept of wabi-sabi.
We’re always excited to learn about what our friends and customers are up to in the garden. Finding out what other gardeners are thinking about and doing inspires us. Conversations lead to new ideas and new ways of gardening. What are you up to in the garden this fall? Are you contemplating any projects? We’d love to hear all about it!
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