Healthy Soil
Start with good soil to grow good plants
By Alby Thoumsin In my work as an arborist, a large portion of what I do is consult with tree owners and talk about the … Continue reading
Gardening
Small Changes
Help bring more birds and butterflies home
By Barbara Bryson “Look, a towhee!” the homeowner exclaimed, indicating the red-eyed, orange-and-black bird kicking leaves around under her dense shrubs. “Now that we’re leaving … Continue reading
Perennial Power
What to plant when it comes to the flowering plants that return each year
April through early May is a great time to plant perennials, those non-woody flowering plants that come back year after year. Buy them soon, while … Continue reading
Spring: Nesting Season for Birds
Enjoy the family drama as birds mate and raise youngsters
by Barbara & Dan Gleason Spring is when most birds court, breed and raise young, and they must find — or build — a safe … Continue reading
The Right Way
Planting trees and shrubs
By Alby Thoumsin Even if my favorite time of year to plant is late fall through the winter, it appears that the mood to plant … Continue reading
Native Needs
Your backyard can be a certified haven for native species
By Barbara Bryson, Kim Kelly and Cynthia Lafferty This month, we have two contributors to the Garden Palette — our native plant expert, Cynthia Lafferty … Continue reading
Make the Most of Winter!
The cold months are still hot for gardening
Gardening doesn’t have to stop just because it’s winter, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. Winter weather can vary considerably from year to year and … Continue reading
Birds in Winter
Feeding and survival for Oregon’s year-round birds
By Dan and Barbara Gleason This month, the Garden Palette is offering something different. Gardens attract insects and insects attract birds. If you are new … Continue reading
Creating a Healthy Garden
Get some help from fellow gardeners and create native habitat
Six years ago, my sweetie and I moved from a home with a very diverse and interesting garden in the South Hills to a more … Continue reading
Infamous Emerald Ash Borer
Now in Oregon, the invasive insect poses a threat to the trees providing shade, soil retention and more
By Alby Thoumsin In 2002 in Michigan, many ash (Fraxinus sp.) trees started to show obvious signs of decline, and after careful inspections, arborists and … Continue reading