I’ve had an ongoing problem over the last couple of years with aphids eating the tender summer growth on my Acer triflorum. Summer growth is the second surge that the tree puts on, and each year the aphids have distorted the leaves and made the last new growth of the season look pretty sad. The [...]

Usually I see the tents much earlier in the season, but then again a lot of things usually happen earlier in the season than has happened this year. Today I saw my first tent caterpiller tent. They were engulfing tiny apples on a nearby apple espalier. Hmmm…I don’t think I’ve seen them tent around actual [...]

I just read that NASA has determined that the soils on mars are similar to what we have here on earth. So much so that one quote even said that you could grow aparagus on mars. Now, we know that rain, sunlight an oxygen (and a few other things) would come into play here as [...]

If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend and you’d like to donate to a good cause, consider attending the NW Seattle Estate Garden Tour to benefit Dunn Gardens. For about $100-$150 you get access to some of the most beautiful gardens in the north end of Seattle. Plus, your donation goes to [...]

Recently, a friend recommended Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades by Steve Solomon to me. How I haven’t read this book before baffles me. I mean, its been in print since 1981 for goodness sakes! Still, I’ve got a copy of the 6th edition sitting on my desk, and I’m finding it a wonderful read. Not [...]

Truly, as much as I love having a sweet kitty come rub and roll around me in the garden, I mostly wish they’d stay out. Recently, I was interviewed by pet columnist Lisa Wogan for a piece she put together on gardening with cats. She really pulled together a great article. I look forward to [...]

J. Steele of New Boston, TX asks,
We have two pecan trees in back yard. caterpillows, cut worms or something is making nests and harming trees. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET RID OF THEM WITHOUT USING DANGEROUS CHEM.?
J - I’ll start off by suggesting you bring out an arborist or horticulturist in your area to [...]

Last night we celebrated summer solstice with a true summery evening. The sun was out and it was actually warm. Some of my horty girlfriends joined us for a bbq in the garden followed by a cozy after-dark fire on the patio. It isn’t camping, but it sure is fun.
My friend Catherine brought fresh strawberries [...]

Seattle’s had a fairly grey, drizzly spring, so I’ve been wearing layers all season and rarely getting down to the shorts & t-shirt level. Yesterday was supposed to be more of the cool, drizzly same. What else should I expect from the last day of spring in Seattle? Well, I should have expected sunbreaks and [...]

One of the top questions of the summer is, “How can I beat mosquitos without using lots of bug sprays?”.
 Well, there are a lot of things to try, but those pestering little buggers are difficult to fully irradicate. One tiny bit of standing water — in your garden or on neighboring property — can turn [...]