Category: HOME, GARDEN & SIMPLE LIVING

October is a big garden month in the Pacific Northwest. The soil is often still warm enough for roots to establish while cooler, wetter weather reduces stress. It’s a great combination of cleanup + planting + preparing for spring. 🌷 One October job I’d especially prioritize Plant more spring bulbs than you think you need. Read More

I know it’s winter and the garden is sleeping, but prepping in January and Feb. inspires prolific summer blooms. Here are 10 tips for your winter to do list: *If you want spring flowers: daffodils, tulips, etc. Now is the time to plant them. Also if you plan to separate bulbs, Hostas, peonies, and others, Read More

For peonies in Oregon, fall is the perfect time to both cut them back and divide them—and late September through October is an excellent window. 🌸 Cutting your peonies back Wait until the foliage is yellowing/browning or has been hit by a light frost. Then: 🌱 Dividing them to share September through October is the Read More

September is the perfect time to prepare a Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus for heavy holiday blooms. The key is to shift from “grow” mode into “set buds” mode. Your Thanksgiving cactus will bloom from late November through December, and your Christmas Cactus will bloom starting about Christmas and go through January. What to do now Read More

Hostas are wonderfully low maintenance, but a little fall care can make a noticeable difference in how full and healthy they come back in spring. Here are 5 fall/winter tips for Hostas—especially appropriate for states with wet winters: When you see the little pointed shoots—often called Hosta noses—beginning to emerge in spring, pull excess mulch Read More

You can get months of clematis flowers, but usually not by expecting one clematis to bloom nonstop. The trick is choosing a repeat-blooming variety, pruning it correctly, and keeping the roots cool while giving the vines plenty of light. For a long summer season, I especially like Arabella, Rooguchi, Jackmanii, Polish Spirit, and Huldine. Depending Read More

It depends entirely on which type of hydrangea you have. Some bloom on last year’s branches (“old wood”), so cutting them back at the wrong time can remove next year’s flowers. Here’s the easiest guide: Hydrangea type When to prune How much Bigleaf / Mophead (Hydrangea macrophylla) After flowering, usually summer Light pruning only Lacecap Read More

I have one life and one chance to make it count for something… My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference. — Jimmy Carter It’s always hard to say ‘see you’ to the Read More