Blog
How to help mason bees, and all bees
This is the time of year to think about mason bees. These small, solitary, nonaggressive bees are most active in early spring. This makes them great pollinators for fruit trees, which flower in spring. Mason bees are amazing pollinators. Each mason bee visits around...
Gifts that support nature
At this point in the holiday season, many of us are busy buying gifts. This year, consider giving gifts that support nature. The birds and bees will thank you, along with the beneficial critters in your soil, plants in your yard and gardeners in your life. Here are...
Celebrate Pollinator Week, June 17-23
Celebrate Pollinator Week, June 17-23. Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health. Pollinators “are the unsung heroes behind the food we enjoy and the beauty that surrounds us,” said the Pollinator Partnership. Pollinators...
Resources to help you grow roses successfully
People love roses. But they are notoriously difficult to grow in our western Washington climate. The moist, cool weather in western Washington is ideal for rose diseases such as black spot, rust and powdery mildew. Some of our most popular blog posts over the years...
Plant sales are a great place to buy new garden plants
The spring weather may have you thinking about your yard and garden. Maybe you’d like to buy new plants. Are you looking for vegetable starts? Or a shrub to fill in a bare spot? Or perennials to add some color? Plant sales are a wonderful place to buy new garden...
How to help mason bees in your yard
Why mason bees? We love mason bees. These small, solitary bees are amazing pollinators. Each mason bee visits around 1,800 to 2,000 flowers a day, and they pollinate 95-99% of them. In comparison, a honeybee may visit 700 flowers a day and pollinate about 5% of them....
Gardening books make great gifts—and inspiration
Are you looking for a gift for a gardener in your life? Or perhaps it’s time to buy something for yourself. Gardening books can provide inspiration during the wet and dark days of winter. Here are ideas for a few books from local authors. Get the benefit of...
What to do in your landscape in September
The season is changing. Fall is in the air, and nighttime temperatures are cooler. Here are some things you may want to do in your landscape in September. Keep watering until it rains We have not seen much rain yet this month, with little or no rain predicted in the...
Help pollinators with food, water and shelter
Next week is National Pollinator Week, and June is National Pollinator Month. Both are annual celebrations of pollinator health. It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. You can help pollinators in your...
How to add edible plants to your landscape
Many people are interested in raising food to feed their family. When we design landscapes for our clients, we like to include edible plants in both vegetable beds and ornamental beds. Many edible plants are also beautiful, making your garden both more attractive and...
6 ways to help nature in your yard in 2023
Would you like to improve your yard’s contribution to helping birds, wildlife, pollinators and the planet in 2023? Here are a few steps you could take to help nature in your yard in 2023. Plant native plants and flowers “Native plants improve water...
Why plant or transplant in fall? Several great reasons
Now that cooler weather has moved in, it’s a great time to think about adding new trees, shrubs and perennials to your landscape. Where do you have bare spaces? Where would you like to add more color or seasonal interest? Fall is also a good time to move plants...
Celebrate National Pollinator Week by growing a Bee Friendly Lawn
June 20-26 is National Pollinator Week. The US Senate unanimously approved designating National Pollinator Week 14 years ago. Pollinator Week has grown into an international celebration. It promotes the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies,...
Flowering plants help make a Bee Friendly Lawn
Help save native bees by growing a bee friendly lawn. It’s as simple as understanding the benefits of natural growing weeds, like clovers and dandelions, to adding flowering plants to your lawn that attract bees and other pollinators.
