Turf Builder

It’s Time to Treat Your Spring Fever

When our son was three, he used to get excited when he would hear a “fever bird”—chickadee, to the rest of us—singing its spring melody. With a call that to the anticipating ear does sound like a sweetly-spoken “fee-ver,” the chickadee’s song reminds me now each spring of the excitement I feel as the new season arrives. As spring begins, let’s consider a few of the tasks to get started [...]

2025-03-20T14:03:28+00:00March 20th, 2025|Container Gardening, Fertilizer, Hot Plants, Plant Care|0 Comments

New Life & Color for Lawn and Garden

Charles Dickens once wrote of sunny March days as “summer in the light and winter in the shade.” With the promise of sunny, warmer weather arriving in the coming days, the chilly late winter we’ve been experiencing lately may begin to shift to real spring, when even the shade isn’t so wintry. As we gardeners excitedly get outside to feel the sun on our skin and work the soil in [...]

2024-12-06T15:04:14+00:00March 14th, 2024|Fertilizer, Hot Plants, Hydrangeas, Lawn Care, Plant Care|0 Comments

Inching and Itching for Spring

It’s been said that March is “in like a lion, out like a lamb,” and thankfully--at least for a few days each week--the latter half of this month has proved the axiom somewhat true, with pleasant weather and sunny days. As we inch toward warmer spring gardening weather and with daylight hours rapidly lengthening, there are some key tasks to accomplish outdoors this in these first weeks of spring—all of [...]

2023-03-30T03:27:31+00:00March 10th, 2023|Fertilizer, Fruit, Lawn Care, Plant Care, Planting, Shrubs, Trees|0 Comments

A Garden Refresh for a New Season

Foolish me—I thought that after all the rain we had from last October through early June, we might just escape the summer wildfire smoke we’ve experienced the last few years. Although some forecasters predicted a cool, wetter-than-normal summer, since early summer it’s been very dry and warm, and with wildfires burning once again in our mountains, even the most rain-weary among us are wishing for a good, soaking rain. With [...]

Waiting for Summer Sun

Ask any native Washingtonian and they’ll tell you that “June Gloom” is a very real thing in our corner of the world. Unfortunately, this year’s June Gloom comes on the heels of Abundant April Showers and a Mostly Moist May, leaving weather forecasters with few friends. With summer just around the corner (one can hope!), June is a great time to work outside, ensuring a colorful, productive, and healthy garden [...]

Proper Timing for Gardening Success

In gardening, timing is everything. Whether getting your vegetable seeds or starts in the ground at the proper time, feeding your lawn and garden when needed, and spraying or treating for insects before an infestation ruins your fruit or flowers—the success of your endeavors hinges largely on doing things at the right time. As you wrap up planting your vegetable garden for summer and begin to focus on maintaining your [...]

Delayed-Gratification Gardening–Worth the Wait

Falling leaves, soaking rains and shorter days—October has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. While it’s easy to think that gardening is finished for the season, there is still plenty to do, albeit tasks somewhat devoid of instant gratification. But good things come to those who wait, so catch a break between showers, put on your grubby clothes, and embrace autumn gardening! First, October is just about the perfect time [...]

2024-12-13T04:16:56+00:00October 15th, 2020|Bulbs, Lawn Care|0 Comments

Rain or Shine, Get Ready for Spring

Like most Washingtonians, I love a good rain—at least the first few of the season. But frankly, I think even the most enthusiastic pluviophiles among us (extra points if you don’t have to look it up!) are ready for a good stretch of sunny, dry weather. As you gear up for early spring in the garden, here are a few can’t-miss tasks to make time for this month. First, before [...]

2020-02-14T04:13:52+00:00February 14th, 2020|Fruit, Lawn Care, Plant Care, Pruning, Roses, Shrubs|2 Comments

Tips for a Better Summer Garden

It’s June, and although the warm, dry weather feels more like late July, summer is only just begun. By now, your garden is likely planted, your flowers are growing and you’re beginning to see the fruits of your labors as plants do what they do best: look beautiful! With the new season upon us, here are a few tips to keeping your garden looking its best and a couple of [...]

2025-01-02T16:43:39+00:00June 24th, 2015|Annuals, Lawn Care, Plant Care, Roses, Summer Bloomers|0 Comments

Make the Most of Autumn Planting Season

It’s not a season many people automatically think of when it comes to gardening, but did you know that autumn is really a great time to plant? It’s true—and for a variety of reasons, it may well be the best time of year for you to get out in your yard. So how can you make the most of what the season has to offer and enjoy gardening success? [...]

2025-01-06T16:31:11+00:00September 19th, 2012|Fall, Fertilizer, Plant Care, Planting, Shrubs, Trees, Winter|0 Comments
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