Earth Day – Calling Us to Action
Keeping Us Invested
Earth Day is an annual day to pause and reflect about the state of our ecological well being, a day to get busy and do something that helps the planet, and a day that has a long history and that has survived for the past 54 years without losing momentum. That’s pretty remarkable and a […]
In the In Between
(Seasons, That Is)
Officially, we are in the latter half of “the big dark”, the period of gray skies, rain, and dark days that starts in October in the northwest. We are headed towards the spring equinox, where the days and nights share equal time in our 24 hour day and the earth’s axis tilts neither away nor […]
We miss you, Cass!
From the Garden Hotline Staff
On January 25, 2017, the trees of our world lost a relentless ally. Cass Turnbull, a long-time horticulturalist and pruning advocate unexpectedly passed on from our world while on vacation in Hawaii. Cass was (and still is) one of our favorite humans. Her dedication to “ending plant mutilation” and engendering respect for plants led […]
Composting Advice
Making compost is one of the best ways to utilize your garden’s resources to improve the health of your soil, which in turn improves plant health. Garden clippings and food waste are usually trucked across the county where they are then composted. So making your own compost, at home, reduces your carbon footprint! Here are […]
Natural Lawn Care Solutions
The Pacific Northwest is a great climate for lawns. As anyone who has one knows, though, it is also great for growing much more than grass. There are some simple, but necessary, lawn care techniques that will promote an attractive, sustainable and competitive lawn, healthy for you and your family. Keep your focus on regular […]
Smart Watering
Watering practices play a vital role in keeping your garden healthy. Efficient watering conserves one of our most precious shared resources. The keys to success include: provide the right amount of water; water in ways that provide the most benefit to individual plants; and, water in ways that avoid waste. Determining the Right Amount Get […]
Natural Pest, Weed and Disease Control
Managing these garden problems naturally can be simple and effective. Follow these three keys to success: Prevention, Observation and Patience. Prevention Know your garden’s soil, sun and shade patterns, and which plants are thriving. Build healthy soil: healthy roots equal healthy plants. Choose the right plants for your site because thriving plants are much less […]
Plant Care Recommendations for Healthy, Trouble-free Plants
A natural plant care regimen consists of planting the right plant in the right place, building and maintaining healthy soil and using smart watering practices. Following these guidelines, plants thrive and are less susceptible to pest, disease and weed problems, naturally. Plant the Right Plant for the Right Place Get to know your garden’s soil, […]