I think it is safe to say that spring has sprung. I am now mowing my lawn twice a week (but only because I like to keep it very short), watering my containers several times a week (these are pots with permanent plantings that tend to shed the rain), the frogs are making a ruckus every evening and the robins are at it every morning around 5 a.m. or earlier. Why on earth do robins have to start chirping so damn early in the morning anyway? Yes, spring is in full swing and it's time to...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

Would you like to learn about farming? There's an interesting opportunity coming up to learn from Gil Schieber and his crew at Skipley Farm in Snohomish. A hands-on workshop is May 11.

Attendees will learn about orchard management, pruning, interplanting, nursery production, aquaponics, marketing, biodynamics, permaculture and a lot more. There will also be time for socializing and dinner.

Registration is...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

This weekend is full of events for gardeners. Here's a selection of the things for you to check out in between weeding and planting.

Dahlia sale: The Snohomish County Dahlia Society tuber and plant sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Stocker Farms, 10622 Airport Way, Snohomish. Call 360-659-8687 or see www.scdahlias.org.

Pond classes: Pond Building 101 is from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

Spring in the northwest is often described by what flowering trees happen to be in bloom. For example, "Cherry blossom time" is a familiar term used here as well as all the way on the other coast at our nation’s capitol. We think of Dogwoods as always blooming around Mother’s Day (although the Korean Dogwoods usually bloom around Father’s Day). The ubiquitous purple-leafed flowering plums are always the first trees to bloom in spring, coloring up in...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

Want to get out in the garden? Want to save some money?

Everett Community College is offering a free plant swap on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can bring plants or seed to donate, although you don't need to bring anything in order to take home plants. The event is between the Parks Building and Gray Wolf Hall on the EvCC campus.

Also on Wednesday, gardening expert Ciscoe Morris will speak from 1 to...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

Want a free bag of compost? All you need to do is visit one of several local retailers and find a poster with the logo of Corey, the anthropomorphic apple core.

The offer is a part of Compost Days, a campaign to thank Snohomish and King County residents for diverting 350,000 tons of food and yard waste in 2012.

To get a bag of free compost, go to one of the locations in

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

Last week I admonished everyone for rushing the season by looking for and trying to plant geraniums and petunias and fuchsias. If you recall I told you that there are a ton of plants that bloom in early spring. Here are some of my favorites that you will find at the garden center as we speak.

PERENNIALS:

Bleeding Hearts—the golden leafed form is my all time favorite...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

March is a very busy month in a gardener's world. There is much to do, so let's get with it.

Lawns: I continue to be amazed at how well organic lawn foods work. Yes, they seem expensive if you just look at the price on the bag, but they last three to four times as long as the commercial ones and improve the soil. Maybe it is time for you to kick the Scotts Turf Builder habit and start using these all natural and organic feeds.

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

The Northwest Flower & Garden show opens today. You know what that means, right? Spring is just around the corner. Before you know it, you'll be playing in the dirt, planting seeds and cursing weeds.

I was happy to be able to preview the show on Tuesday. The gardeners were still working on the finishing touches, but the gardens were nearly finished and they were a treat to see.

I wish I could convey to you...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

Here we are, into the first week of February and already gardeners are thinking of spring despite the fact that we are only into winter by about 6 weeks. While spring may officially be only 7 weeks away, any veteran of the Northwest knows it is a hell of a lot farther away than that. In fact, in many years winter just lingers around until one day we wake up and it is summer. So my advice to you is to embrace winter and make the most of it and let spring come when it is good and gosh...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

You bet your bippy it is freezing out there. It was all the way down to 19 degrees the other night and that is when I really start to get a little anxious. For the most part, as long as the mercury stays above 20 degrees at night and close to or above freezing during the day, my plants will do just fine. Drop below that threshold and I start to see damage on plants, especially those that are in containers. Here is why.

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.

For the most part, December is a follow-up from November. Chores that didn't get accomplished last month should be done this month. You can still plant bulbs, fertilize your lawn, clean up the beds and apply compost. Thanks to the mild fall weather, I still have a few leaves on my trees and a few perennials that haven't melted down to the ground. Some of my beds I like to leave a...

»» Click to continue reading this blog post.