Do you love fresh produce? Honey bees are critical to ecosystem and human health and unfortunately, pesticides have caused colony collapse all over the world. This has to stop. Honey bee colonies should be nourished for a productive and ecologically sound future. Continue reading
We love exploring sustainability in many aspects of life including farming, gardening, agriculture and forestry. But green buildings, homes and public works projects are quickly becoming the next trend. Sustainable communities are continuing to surface across the nation as major cities are making the necessary changes to reduce energy demand, utilize renewable power, and lessen their environmental impact. Continue reading
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
When the air gets warmer and the pressure of summer heat forces thunder and lightning, here’s a new word to describe the sound.
Brontide: (n.) The low and rumbling sound of thunder at a distance. 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
Container gardening is a great way to bring plants into your life. Whether you live in an apartment or simply want more green in your life, knowing how to grow plants in containers is a must.
Pick out a container that fits your plant’s needs. Small plants work well in small containers and large plants in large containers. Ensure that there are a few holes at the bottom of the container for proper drainage. You can re-purpose old containers or run out to your local garden or hardware store to choose your favorite look. Trees can even be grown in old wine barrels. Remember that the size of your plant will determine what size container you need. 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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No place was more perfect to spend my 1st wedding anniversary than in a beautiful little whitewater rafting town called Riggins, Idaho. Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Pullman, we traversed along the Camas Prairie before descending into one of the first towns in legendary Hell’s Canyon. Continue reading
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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Aquaberry Bliss 