Since time out of mind, we humans have loved colors. And for most of those eons, we have been creating clothing and useful items with the pigmentation that plants have to offer. A few months ago, I met Oregon nursery owner, Meredith Reifschneider. When I visited her country property, I discovered she had a whole […]
“Water adds life, movement, and sound,” says Vanca Lumsden. For fourteen years she was the owner of Pondering, an aquatic plant and supply business in Medford, Oregon. She says, “Even plants growing in still water add a whole new dimension to the greenhouse.” Whether it’s a fountain or simply containers where aquatic plants can thrive, […]
One of the secrets to success with plants is simple—look at the conditions where the plant has evolved in the world and then duplicate those as close as you can. This is true of both species and the cultivars and hybrids that are derived from them. By knowing whether they grew in damp or dry […]
Space in a greenhouse is often at a premium. Traditionally, seed starting requires room on tables for multiple containers, heat mats, etc. So, when I found out that my colleague, Seattle garden journalist and speaker, Erica Browne Grivas was working with a new space-saving method, I was interested. Basically, it involves creating long rolls of […]
For more than twenty-five years, with few time-outs, I have attended Seattle’s Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. This year, in the gardens created on the show floor, I was struck by the tawny shades of winter—tan, brown, gray, and almost black—apparent in many of the displays. Not that the gardens didn’t show off massive amounts […]
For gardeners in most parts of the country, January is a slower time—a time of reflection, of list-making, of planning for the future, whether for your greenhouse or your garden. And what better way to expand your horizons than by putting your nose in a good book? Or engaging your ears while you potter about […]
Many gardeners are particular about protecting their hands with gloves for different jobs. But what about their feet? Anyone familiar with a greenhouse knows that the coolest part is at floor level. Boots or shoes can only go so far. If you stand around for any time on those floors, your feet will be getting […]
One of the best benefits of a greenhouse is bringing bulbs to bloom at the time when you most need them—décor, a celebration, or just for cheer in the darkest winter days. This month I’m talking with Brent Heath, the eponymous head of the family-owned mail order business, Brent and Becky’s. After an amazing number […]
It’s bulb season. This will be a two-part column about how to enjoy growing bulbs inside a glasshouse. Most of this advice will also be useful for growing on a sunny windowsill. Next month I will talk about forcing other tender and hardy bulbs indoors. But this month, I’m talking about Amaryllis with Christian Curless, […]
In the busy life of a home gardener, tools are essential. However, if your time is like mine, in the garden and the greenhouse, I’m more focused on caring for plants than I am on caring for tools. And yet, as my friend and artist Phyllis Helland observed, “A shovel easily knifing into the soil—there’s […]
After the heat and stress of the day, evening is a perfect time to enjoy our gardens. So, creating vignettes of what works best in the falling light is important. White flowers are touted for evening and moon gardens because other colors fade back, but the same is true for light-colored foliage, especially the silvers. […]
Forest bathing, or taking an aware walk in the woods, has become popular for its health benefits—it’s known to lower blood pressure and boost immunity. The name is a literal translation of the Japanese term shinrin-yaku, or taking in the forest atmosphere. Last weekend I had a chance to go on a guided forest-bathing walk […]
