Category: Outdoor Living

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Bees are essential pollinators, pollinating about a third of our nation’s crops. We would have far fewer food options without these little workhorses, but bees are in trouble and local gardeners can help them.…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Every garden needs a few plants that can handle whatever abuse we throw their way. That’s not to say we should be needlessly tough on them, but let’s face it, there are places in…

Man Tackles Christmas tree and still Stands [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY2uy0ltRSU[/youtube] Keeping a Christmas tree straight in a stand is a challenge. A man could tackle a tree with this new Christmas tree stand and it still wouldn’t go over! It’s the best…

Hummingbird moth flying over Autumn Sage in Bloom [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYa-mKrL2_Y&list=UUnMVYDvOo82j7XF0Hv1A_iA[/youtube] An outstanding small evergreen shrub for hot, sunny, low water gardens! Prolific, magenta-red flowers attract hummingbirds over along season. Open, airy habit blends well with western natives and xeriscape plants. Low,…

This pre-vacation checklist makes sure you return home to a live and healthy landscape.  Easy to use vacation security tips also contribute to your peace of mind while you’re away. Nothing says “No One is Home!” like an unkempt lawn,…

Gardeners new to the area often try to bring their landscapes with them, including the plants they loved back home rather than using native plants. Admittedly, we have such a mild climate that the variety of plants that do well…

With their large eyes, subtle colors, and graceful movements, deer really are mesmerizing to people. However, as our town grows, encounters with these majestic creatures are more frequent and often unwanted.  Helping to increase deer numbers are warmer winters; they…

30 second plant tip of the day – Hostas

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could enjoy an attractive, colorful garden without spending all of your free time working at it? It can be done, and all it takes is some knowledge about the right plants to use and…

Butterflies have been magnificent this spring.  I believe that these creatures are God’s gift to gardeners, and some of the most beautiful and interesting creatures in any garden. The reason so many butterflies are appearing in our gardens is that…