The signs are familiar: mounds of fresh crumbly soil, raised shallow ridges of earth, or a lumpy area in the garden that collapses when you flatten it down; moles are busy. Some people have especially sharp reactions to moles - or mole-signs more precisely. Those of a tidy nature tend to think that mole hills and tunnels ruin the perfect greensward of a lawn. There is often a suspicion of plant damage. I am happy to accept the little guys as…
Noxious weeds are non-native plants that, once established, are highly destructive, competitive and difficult to control. They have economic and ecological impacts and are very difficult to manage once they get established. Some are toxic or a public health threat to humans and animals, others destroy native and beneficial plant communities. --King County Noxious Weed Control Program I frequently try to persuade people not to kill things just because they are inconvenient (animals, insects, you may remember my moss post). I…
Whether you just want to spruce up your garden or cultivate your very own urban farm, Seattle Tilth has loads of classes to get you started. Most of the seminars will be on Saturdays, with only a few exceptions, and the majority of these seminars are geared towards adults; however, there are also plenty of different tours and lessons for young kids as well. Some of the highlights include “Start Your Garden Indoors” on February 16 which covers techniques for finding supplies and setting up…
Kisses might begin with the letter "k," but they don't begin with "Kay." And I will not be adding the Lexus ringtone to my partner's phone Christmas Eve (sorry, honey!). I just spent a week at a hotel/mall that's been overtaken by holiday-themed consumerism. They charge $30 to decorate gingerbread cookies with "Gingy" while waiting to have a photo taken with Santa. The 19-story atrium is decked out in twinkly Christmas lights. Christmas trees line the hotel lobby. Parking valets wear…
Getting the garden ready for winter is often enlightening. As you are out cleaning up old stalks, raking leaves, or picking up wormy apples, you might also find some interesting ground beetles or other insects searching for food on a semi-dry or warm day. It’s often the first clue that there is more going on out there than it seems. This is a good time to think about how your garden serves the creatures who stay here for the winter –…
Would you like to grow apples on your tree that you'd actually want to eat? Now is the time for some quick cleanup tasks that will give you better fruit next year. Pick up fallen fruit. Regularly collect fruit that is on the ground and add it to your yard waste. This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent insect pests next year. Pests in fallen fruit overwinter beneath the tree and are in the perfect place…
Show your support for local folks who take the long-term view of food production. Thursday (11/3) from 5-8 pm, join City Fruit, Northwest Cider Association, and Northwest Sustainability Collaborative for a night of cider tasting from some of the best hard cider makers in the region. For $20 you get 5 tastes. Get your ticket on-line or at the door at 314 First Ave. S. Every dollar goes toward helping feed hungry people in our community. To learn more and purchase…