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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The Dance of the Veggies P1: Succession Planting

What is Succession Planting? Simply put, succession planting means growing more than one crop, or growing several rounds of the same crop, in the same space within the same year. Does that sound a little intimidating? Don’t worry, it’s not as complex as you might think! If you want to make the most of your…

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Words from the Garden: Our Favorite Horticultural Lingo

As you may already know, there is a lot to learn when it comes to gardening: plants, bugs, microclimates, soil conditions, animals, tools, minerals, moisture levels, and so much more! Once one part of the puzzle becomes clear, you may realize you’ve opened up an entirely new can of worms to be explored. When it…

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Soil Acidity in the PNW

hydrangea blossoms of violet, purple and green

Have you heard that you need to “sweeten” your soil, that you should check your soil pH, or that your soil might be too acidic? Many gardeners have heard about soil acidity or soil pH, but not many of us really understand what it means.  It’s an important topic. No matter what else you do,…

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Mushrooms: A Sign of Healthy Soil

As the fall rain returns, mushrooms tend to pop up in our gardens overnight. And just as abruptly, all kinds of questions and concerns pop up as well. Gardeners want to know if mushrooms will harm their plants, their children, and their pets. They want to know where they came from and how to get…

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Feed Your Soil, Feed Your Plants: build a soil ecosystem

potato plants blooming

A garden is a living ecosystem that starts with the soil. Each handful of healthy soil contains billions of microscopic fungi, bacteria, and animals that are hard at work transforming organic material into food your plants can use. That’s the secret to organic soil fertility: You feed your soil microbes, and the microbes feed your plants.…

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Fertilizer Basics: Gardening 101

sky nursery organic fertilizer products

Most gardeners have heard that plants need fertilizer. But what kind of fertilizer, how the heck do you use it, and where do you start? Even for experienced gardeners, the options can feel overwhelming. And searching online often yields confusing or conflicting advice. The good news is, choosing a fertilizer and supplying your plants with the…

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