Steve Smith

Like raspberries, strawberries also come in both June-bearing and everbearing varieties. (Monrovia)

Here are 4 ‘berry’ good choices for Northwest gardeners

The lowdown on strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries — all of which grow great in our climate.

Like raspberries, strawberries also come in both June-bearing and everbearing varieties. (Monrovia)
Parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage are winter hardy herbs. (Getty Images)

Add parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme to wintertime containers

These winter hardy herbs not only add great flavor to recipes, they also have many health benefits.

Parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage are winter hardy herbs. (Getty Images)
Vegetable seeds need good drainage in the pots or flats they start in. Too much or too little moisture will both spell disaster. (Getty Images)

If starting plants from seed, don’t forget to read the packet

Follow these tips, plus the guidelines you’ve already read on that package, and you should do just fine.

Vegetable seeds need good drainage in the pots or flats they start in. Too much or too little moisture will both spell disaster. (Getty Images)
When harvesting an Asian pear, the best method is to taste. Asian pears will ripen on the tree. (Getty Images)

Fruit trees 101: A gardener’s CliffsNotes for growing them

If you have any interest in growing your own fruit, it’s prime time to pick up apples, plums, cherries and pears.

When harvesting an Asian pear, the best method is to taste. Asian pears will ripen on the tree. (Getty Images)
Though it’s only January, a neighbor’s candytuft is already in bloom. Spring will be here before we know it. (Getty Images)

Start the new year off right with a visit to the nursery

The gardening season starts in January in the Northwest. Daffodils and candytuft are already blooming.

Though it’s only January, a neighbor’s candytuft is already in bloom. Spring will be here before we know it. (Getty Images)
Man hugging the tree in the park

Feeling lonely? Go hug a tree. It might make you feel better

An Icelandic forest ranger shares the benefits of tree hugging since we can’t hug each other right now.

Man hugging the tree in the park
Pieris japonica features drooping clusters of lily-of-the-valley-like flowers in white, pink or red. (Getty Images)

Give the gift that keeps on giving — a winter-blooming plant

Each year, your gift will decorate your loved one’s garden at a time when the days are dark and long.

Pieris japonica features drooping clusters of lily-of-the-valley-like flowers in white, pink or red. (Getty Images)
roses

A gardener’s to-do list for winterizing the yard — Part 2

Try to accomplish most of these chores, but don’t beat yourself up if you can’t get them all done.

roses
Now is a good time to spray the leaves of fruit trees against pests with products made with natural minerals. (Getty Images)

A gardener’s to-do list for winterizing the yard — Part 1

We have a lot of chores to finish before Old Man Winter sets in, starting with fertilizing the lawn.

Now is a good time to spray the leaves of fruit trees against pests with products made with natural minerals. (Getty Images)
What gardener isn't thankful for variegated hollies? They're lovely in the winter garden. (Getty Images)

A gardener’s list of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

From changing seasons to planting spring bulbs without refrigeration, there’s a lot to love about the Northwest.

What gardener isn't thankful for variegated hollies? They're lovely in the winter garden. (Getty Images)
Northwest falls and winters are unpredictable. You just never know when that killing frost is going to hit. (Getty Images)

Five easy ways to protect your garden from damaging freezes

You just never know when that hard killing frost is going to hit. But if you aren’t ready for it, you might suffer serious losses.

Northwest falls and winters are unpredictable. You just never know when that killing frost is going to hit. (Getty Images)
steve smith on conifers

Four fantastic conifers for the Northwest garden

There’s a dizzying variety of conifers that can grow in our region, but these four gems are guaranteed to dress up your yard.

steve smith on conifers

The five telltale signs of a ‘hortaholic’

It may be an addiction, but it’s the good kind that enriches your life.

Plant "Carsten's Wintergold" in front of your garden's border or nestled near some rocks for winter interest. (Getty Images)

Plant these three pines to brighten up the winter garden

Conifers are the framework of borders and beds in the wintertime, helping to articulate these gardening spaces.

Plant "Carsten's Wintergold" in front of your garden's border or nestled near some rocks for winter interest. (Getty Images)
Take care to acclimate your houseplants as you relocate them from the garden to the house. (Getty Images)

It’s time to move those summering houseplants back indoors

It’s a tricky thing to do, however, because light conditions in our homes are different than the shadiest of gardens.

Take care to acclimate your houseplants as you relocate them from the garden to the house. (Getty Images)
The large and colorful leaves of Heuchera, also known as coral bells, stand out in a fall or winter container. (Getty Images)

Some coral bells so colorful that gardeners lust after them

They were just coral-colored, but now you can get them in lime green, orange, purple and almost black.

The large and colorful leaves of Heuchera, also known as coral bells, stand out in a fall or winter container. (Getty Images)
A variety of spring-blooming bulbs add up to a symphony of color in a roadside bed at Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville. (Nicole Phillips)

Plant bulbs in the fall to have flowers pop up in the spring

Now is the perfect time to add tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and alliums to your garden.

A variety of spring-blooming bulbs add up to a symphony of color in a roadside bed at Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville. (Nicole Phillips)
Get to the nursery soon to find some ‘fall color in a can’

Get to the nursery soon to find some ‘fall color in a can’

Thanks to our hot and dry summer, a selection of plants are already starting to sport their autumn apparel.

Get to the nursery soon to find some ‘fall color in a can’
Blue leadwort is a low-growing perennial that acts as a colorful groundcover for the garden. (Getty Images)

A few perennial gems to help brighten up the fall garden

He can’t help but find new treasures to plant each time he visits the nursery. Here are four he added recently.

Blue leadwort is a low-growing perennial that acts as a colorful groundcover for the garden. (Getty Images)
September is a great time to plant spring-blooming bulbs — and not just because the early bird gets the best selection. (Getty Images)

6 items on the gardener’s to-do list for the month of September

Now is the time to improve your landscape, keep it healthy and save yourself work come springtime.

September is a great time to plant spring-blooming bulbs — and not just because the early bird gets the best selection. (Getty Images)