I spent a recent evening at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and the theme of the week was “Spring Fever”.  They even had vegetables planted in a canoe! Does anyone else feel that spring is in the air? Are you excited to start digging in the dirt?

I was inspired by a talk by Brian Minter who is the Co-owner and president, Minter Country Garden Store, an innovative destination garden center and greenhouse growing operation in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. 

He discussed “The Fascinating Connection Between Plants, People and the Environment” which focused on the relationship and connection between …

As the cold gray winter days continue, I have added a little “sunshine” to my life by starting some seeds!  While it is much too early to get plants started in the garden it is not too early to try sprouting some seeds indoors. Those little green sprouts provide a reminder that Spring will be here soon.  

Starting seeds indoors does require a little effort and attention, but does not have to be expensive.  There are many items that can be recycled into potting containers.  Egg cartons, plastic produce containers and even toilet paper rolls can be used for …

The season is changing and the warm summer crops are withering along the streets of the neighborhood. Enjoy the last of those tomatoes… but believe it or not, there is still one more crop you can get in the ground that will thrive in our mild winter with very little assistance. That fabulous crop is… garlic!

Garlic doesn’t take up a lot of space or require a lot of attention. Plant it before Halloween and it will be ready to harvest around the Fourth of July. Once it is in the ground it is really a “set it and forget …

“The seeds of a winter garden in the PNW are quite literally sown at the height of summer.”
– Lorene Edwards Forkner – author, Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest

Last October, a friend mentioned, “I love winter squash, I am going to plant some!” Unfortunately  I had to break the news that she was about five months behind in her planting schedule because, regardless of their name, winter squash need to be planted in the springtime. So as we enjoy the beautiful summer weather and the delicious tomatoes, cucumbers, and stone fruits that come along with the season, the …

The weather is heating up and the sun has been shining bright! Our summer evenings will soon be filled with picnics at Gas Works or neighborhood BBQs and many of those meals will be brimming with local cucumbers, tomatoes, and melons!  These are all delicious foods to keep us cool on those hot summer days.

These plants are all things that can be grown at home and the time to plant them is now! You have likely seen seedlings around the neighborhood at the Tilth Edible Plant Sale last week, out on the front racks at QFC on 45^th…