Being close to nature has many benefits but many of us cannot reap its benefits in cities due to lack of trees and plants and excessive buildings. Several studies around the world have shown the positive effects of greenery on our well-being. Did … read more
Prior to 2011, Sally Eastman, an experienced gardener, had never grown a rose. She said recently, “I think I may have planted Rose One Hundred and One this year.” How and why did she become so bowled over by roses? The story really … read more
Consider the leaf as the breath of life, for without plant foliage, there would be no life. The most important living components on Earth contain life-giving chlorophyll. Every breath humans take is possible because chlorophyll synthesizes the energy of the sun, water and … read more
New Zealand — a wonderland of jaw-dropping scenery from Milford Sound in the far south to the most northern Bay Islands. Many of its best and indescribably beautiful vistas with some of the most dramatic panoramas can only be found off the beaten … read more
Wilting leaves. Sooner or later, everyone who gardens — from just a single house plant to a grand vegetable patch — will encounter a droopy plant. The remedy is a universally known response: Water the plant. Pour some water on it or set … read more
“We kind of built this whole place around the grandkids,” said Sam Johnson, speaking about the 30 acres of mostly forested land near Kingston that he and his wife, Debi, purchased in 2001. The Johnsons had been living in Edmonds and were both … read more
The small, hand-lettered sign on Peacock Hill Avenue near Gig Harbor says, simply, “Butler’s Farm. Apples. Self serve.” It’s the first hint that at the end of the dirt driveway, there’s a 7.5-acre orchard where more than 1,200 apple trees — with upward … read more
Once summer settles in, bird activity throughout the West Sound region changes. The young of most species have left the nest and are exploring their world. The adults that worked to feed and raise their families are no longer guarding territories. The bird … read more
My time in the garden is often solitary, but as I focus on a task, my head is filled with whispers. The conversation comes, unbidden — triggered by a sound, a scent or a flower. The garden is where I reconnect with people … read more
