USDA Zone Changes – How Does this Affect NW Gardeners?

On November 15, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an update to its Hardiness Zone Map, moving the Shoreline/North Seattle area from Zone 8b to 9a. The map has long been a useful tool for gardeners to determine which perennial plants are likely to survive their region’s coldest temperatures. Zones are assigned…

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Don’t Fear The Fungi

mushrooms

By Gina Jones Here Come the Mushrooms With our long hot summers we almost forget what rain feels like! But now along with the fall rains, comes the mushrooms. Several days after the first soaking rain of the fall, I start to see mushrooms pushing their way through the grass and dried leaves in my…

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How to Plant in the Summer (Without Killing Your Plants)

Planting a shrub

  The best transplanting weather is cool and wet, but sometimes there are good reasons to plant during hot and dry weather. In the Pacific Northwest where we regularly experience drought from July well into September, knowing how to help plants cope in these conditions is an essential gardening skill. If you find yourself needing…

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Seeds at Sky: Local, Organic, Sustainable & Beyond

It’s time to think about seeds! Here in the Pacific Northwest, many vegetable and summer flower seeds can be sown indoors starting in February to get a jump start on the season. The hardiest spring veggies can even be sown right into the ground by early March. As you begin to consult seed planting charts…

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A Gardener’s Winter Solstice

sun in a winter sky

On the winter solstice, the northern hemisphere will be at its furthest tilt from the sun. We’ll mark our shortest day and longest night of 2021 here in the Pacific Northwest on December 21st . Then, our sunrises will creep earlier and our sunsets later. From the winter solstice on, the half of the planet…

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Pest Damage ID Part 3: Who’s destroying my garden?

Creepy crawlies may come to mind first when we think about garden pests, but birds and mammals can sometimes cause us even more trouble. Damage from smaller critters might look like holes or discoloration. But when it comes to uprooted plants, heavily nibbled veggies or flowers, seeds snapped right up out of the ground, or…

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Pest Damage ID Part 2: Who’s Discoloring My Leaves?

Pest damage isn’t always as obvious as holes in your leaves. In our last pest damage ID post, we covered the most common insect pests that chew or rasp away at plant leaves. This time, we’re taking a look at some more subtle culprits: those that suck the juices right out of your plants like…

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Celebrate Summer: Inspiration for Garden Gatherings

A garden party of any size can be a wonderful way to celebrate the season of abundance. Many of us are yearning for a little jubilation now more than ever, and a garden is the perfect place to make those memories. At the same time, we may be keeping our gatherings smaller, and looking for…

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Pest Damage ID Part 1: Who’s chewing holes in my leaves?

If you garden long enough, sooner or later some pest is going to break your heart. Maybe your freshly emerged seedlings will be mowed down to the ground, your favorite flowers will emerge twisted and discolored, or you’ll find an entire shrub defoliated in a matter of days. There are many wonderful and rewarding things…

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