We can find lichens almost everywhere, especially in winter when there are fewer botanical details to compete for our attention. They can grow so thick as to nearly cover tree bark, and they can be pretty weird-looking. So it might be easy to assume they are not very friendly to garden plants. Actually, they are beneficial — and amazing!
Early-blooming plants help brighten the gray, rainy days and remind us that warmer days are on the way. Here are a few of our favorites for winter and early spring.
When you’re just starting out in the world of indoor gardening, it can be overwhelming to see the incredible array of houseplants available - and some of them can be quite the diva. What you need is a plant you like the look of that is easy-going and easy to grow. We’ve compiled a few of our favorites here, with useful information and care tips. The following houseplants are pretty low-maintenance and great for beginners!
One of the more common questions that newer gardeners might ask is, “when is the best time of year to prune __________?” This pruning calendar can help guide you to the best times to prune your garden plants. You’ll also find links to other posts with more in-depth information on how to prune, pruning specific plants and categories of plants, and pruning in individual seasons.
Your houseplants will be forever grateful (and you will be too, by default) if you follow these simple guidelines that will prepare them to happily snuggle in for fall and winter. Here is a checklist of things to do (or to stop doing) to ensure the health and happiness of your houseplants in fall and winter.
Starting seeds indoors gives your vegetables, herbs, and flowers a head start so they can grow larger and have better (and longer) harvests or flowering periods. With a few basic supplies and a little patience, it’s easy and fun to start seeds indoors. As everyone knows, a little tending is good for the soul!
Often, one of my first orders of business when designing a garden is to embellish the immediate surroundings of the house. Carefully selecting plants to enhance the view just outside of our windows can go a long way toward staving off the winter blues, and if those plants offer a bit of fragrance as we scurry back and forth while gathering provisions, so much the better. Here are a few options to brighten the dreary Northwest wintertide.
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