Master Gardener Foundation of Jefferson County
These educational articles are crafted by WSU Master Gardeners were originally written for local publications. They provide expert, research-based insights to help local gardeners of all skill levels to nurture thriving, sustainable landscapes in our community.
Featured Article:
A Head Start: Seed Starting Basics
By Barbara Faurot
To get a head start on spring and summer, now is the perfect time to begin starting seeds. It’s an economical way to grow a wide variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, perennials, and colorful annuals. An early start is especially helpful for plants that take longer to reach maturity and bloom.
Our Library:
Hollies — or Impostors — in the Winter Garden
by Bruce Bennett
With the great diversity of Northwest plants, it should not be surprising how similar some can look! This situation can work in your favor as one of those lookalikes may be a better plant for the growing conditions of that bare spot in your landscape. If you wind up doing some plant
A Head Start: Seed Starting Basics
By Barbara Faurot
To get a head start on spring and summer, now is the perfect time to begin starting seeds. It’s an economical way to grow a wide variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, perennials, and colorful annuals. An early start is especially helpful for plants that take longer to reach maturity and bloom,
From Straw to Table: Gardening with Straw Bales
by Barbara Faurot
For generations, straw bales have been used to grow a steady supply of fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers. They’re enjoying a resurgence as gardeners discover their benefits —even in limited spaces or less-than-ideal soil conditions.
Prairie Plants for Home Gardens on the Quimper Peninsula
by Katherine Darrow
April 2024 marks the 20th year that Washington State has continued a resolution recognizing the many values and benefits of native plants. What started as a week in 2004, has expanded to a month since 2021, when our Governor first signed a resolution declaring April as Native Plant Appreciation Month (NPAM).
Looking For Alien Garden Visitors
by Bruce Bennett
As the days lengthen and the weather warms, newspapers and magazines are filled with articles and pictures of the newest plants coming into the retail marketplace and designs for sun and shade. By contrast, whenever my group of professional gardening colleagues get together for an alfresco cup of morning coffee and
Penstemons: Heroic Multi-Taskers in the Garden
by Barbara Faurot
The most versatile garden plants have something in common: they are easy to grow, can tolerate deer and drought, and offer an array of habitat benefits in all seasons. Penstemons deliver on all counts — plus they offer a variety of colors, foliage types, blooming seasons, and sizes.
Garden Tasks in the Fall
by Michele Koomen
Fall is a perfect time to spend some time in your garden thinking about the past growing season and what plants thrive and what did not. Fall is a time to clean up from summer growth and begin to plan for spring. Here are a few tips to help you begin.
The Grasses of Autumn
by Bruce Bennett
One of my main enjoyments in the months of September – November is the sight of ripening grasses in various landscapes. Hence, the reason for this month’s column which begins more like the old elementary school ‘What I did On My Vacation’
Brown Balls for Spring Blooms
by Bruce Bennett
I shouldn’t smile, but I always do at this time of year when spring-flowering bulbs magically appear at our local box stores. Inevitably, I’ll receive questions about the appropriate time to plant these little bundles of future color.