Share my passion for all things gardening!
Considering the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve been experiencing this spring, I felt it would be important to write about conserving water in our gardens. Here’s is a link to my column in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Save water by paying attention to soil, plant needs. Much of it is about irrigation practices in times of drought, which is something […]
Read more
Some readers might take issue with my column in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Some plants set on dominating the garden. The topic is invasive plants that have done their best to take over my garden. I tried to approach it from a fairly humorous point of view, because we can’t let things like this get us down, right? A […]
Read more
I’ve been excited to share with you what I’ve learned about alternative lawns, which includes 1) other types of lawns you can grow and 2) alternatives to having lawns altogether. For this feature story, I interviewed Spokane County Master Gardener Kris Moberg-Hendron for her expertise. Several years ago, Kris ripped out her lawn and replaced it with drought-tolerant plants. But […]
Read more
Next Saturday, May 7th, there’s a local event you won’t want to miss! The Spokane County Master Gardeners will be putting on their annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location is 222 N. Havana St., just south of the Spokane Fairgrounds and Indians ballpark. There is additional information on the Master Gardener Foundation’s […]
Read more
If it’s Sunday, that means it’s time for my next garden column. This one is all about growing melons. What? You think it’s impossible to grow them in this region? Well, I’m here to tell you that I’ve been doing it for years and it’s easy-peasy. I have to admit I’ve given up on growing watermelons. The large ones do […]
Read more
This year, I’m all about attracting pollinators to my garden. And I’m hoping that’s on your to-do list as well. In my column today, I discuss why this is more important than ever. I also talk about the different types of pollinators that you want to attract and it’s not just bees! Other critters that serve as pollinators include butterflies, […]
Read more
Sometimes I feel a bit guilty. I’ve got a great sunny spot for my vegetable garden. Yet I know that many of you aren’t so lucky in that regard. You might be dealing with partly shady vegetable gardens, or perhaps thinking you can’t even grow veggies in that spot. That’s not necessarily the case, however. In my garden column today, […]
Read more
If I had a dollar for every time I’m asked how to keep deer out of the garden, I would be a wealthy gal! And I can completely relate to the folks who are asking me because it’s a frustrating topic. I know, because we’ve had deer come into our yard over the past 25 years. My husband Bill and I […]
Read moreToday’s column is a preview of the Spokane Orchid Society’s annual Orchid Show & Sale. I don’t know about you, but I am entranced with these exotic plants! The orchid show and sale will be held next weekend at Vickie’s Garden Center, 2100 S. Inland Empire Way. On Sat., Apr. 2nd, the hours will be from noon to 6 p.m., […]
Read more
Happy Spring, everyone! Are you familiar with anthocyanins or am I making you scratch your head? They are pigments that give purple, red and blue hues to different species or varieties of plants — whether it’s in their leaves or flowers. And they’re very healthful, although scientists haven’t completely figured that part out just yet! It just so happens that […]
Read more