While cruising the Palouse hills from Walla Walla through small town Waitsburg this weekend, I saw a bizarre creature on the side of the road and needed to stop immediately to check it out. When we pulled over, we were lucky enough to get to meet a camel! Continue reading
I snap photos of trees, flowers, my dog, myself, my dinner and my family. I archive some, share some on social media, make some into memes and frame some to admire in my home. Photos and memories are a huge part of my life and I cling to my camera to make sure I can capture precious moments. Continue reading
Do you live in a desert climate or have exotic, desert-like trees? Sometimes Pullman can feel like an arid and dry climate, so it’s hard for me to water the plants effectively. This article is great for explaining how to water these types of living plants.
Desert trees anchor a xeriscape. Such important plants need proper care to look natural and avoid damage. Amazingly one of the best things you can do for a desert tree is NOT water it all the time. Over watering encourages fast, weak growth. When summer windstorms come, a spindly tree loses main branches, potentially ruining its form. My neighbor had an entire tree disappear in a windstorm!
This Mesquite is nearly full grown, yet has been severely pruned to prevent damage from wind. Watering less frequently would give a better natural form without the need for pruning.
When I plant a young desert tree, I build a basin with edges about 2 feet away from the tree’s trunk. I’ll start by watering the tree every few days for the first week or two while it recovers from transplant shock, then I fill the basin once a week while the tree…
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Recently I was tasked with putting up a hoop house for tomatoes and peppers. I had no idea what an exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience it would turn out to be.
I first had to put up the frame work. Cutting various sized construction lumber to different shapes, sizes, angles, and measurements. Putting them all together to build a sturdy structure that would last for years to come. It was constant game of measure twice, cut once and try to not waste any pieces. Continue reading
Looking for great ways to encourage wildlife in your yard or garden this summer? Here are some tips!
Today is a very good day. The sun is shinning, the plants are flowering and it’s summer – time for really enjoying your gardening.
Josh from Mill Race Garden Centre has put together a terrific guide on how to appreciate all the space your garden provides, and how to encourage that all important wildlife into your garden setting.
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Watching wildlife is a fantastic way to spend the summer months, but how can you make your garden wildlife-friendly? Read on…
Okay, so you don’t have to leave all of your lawn to grow, but even a small corner could help your local wildlife population immensely in offering much-needed shelter. A couple of logs will also go down a treat with insects, which in turn will attract other wildlife, like birds, to your garden.
This…
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No doubt about it, summer is officially here in Eastern Washington and the blistering 100+ degree heat is telling us it’s been here for a while. July means BBQS, water fun, traveling and growing plants! Here are other fun facts about the month of July. Continue reading
Have you ever been hiking and noticed interesting formations out of rocks, sticks and leaves? They aren’t random, nor the mark of the elusive Bigfoot (although they could be if you hike near the Blue Mountains.) They are actually trail signs left by other hikers and park rangers that are meant to alert you of interesting sights on the trail, danger areas or directions. Here is an overview of 3 main ones and their meanings. Continue reading
Chickpeas are delicious. I was feeling a summer salad fit for a potluck so I whipped up this recipe. The dressing is tangy, zesty and a perfect match for the beans. Also called garbanzo beans, chickpeas are high in protein and fiber, making for an excellent side or stand-alone meal. Continue reading
Sometimes work or life becomes too busy to travel as often as you’d like to. Don’t have a next vacation planned? You can still explore the world without ever leaving your home. Here are 3 ways to travel the globe straight from your hometown. Continue reading
Sometimes photos take your breath away! These are some awesome aerial pictures that help remind us of how small we are, and how connected the world is. Astronauts call it the “Overview Effect.” Continue reading
Aquaberry Bliss 