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2015 Gardening Trend Predictions
Drumroll please! As we jump into a new year, it’s a North Coast Gardening tradition to take a wild and sometimes partially-accurate stab at guessing the hottest trends in the upcoming year, if only so that we can all look back at the end of said year and have a laugh. Fun, right? Let’s jump…
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Amazon Deals: The Drunken Botanist and Sunset Magazine
This is just a quick post to let you guys know that I discovered two great deals on Amazon today. Amy Stewart’s latest on sale Fans of Amy Stewart will be thrilled to know that the digital version of The Drunken Botanist is on sale for only $1.99. Yes people, for the princely sum of…
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Review of Fiskars Quantum Hedge Shear: How Does it Compare to the PowerGear Model?
Over many years of managing a fine landscape maintenance company – one which focuses on the pruning, training, and finer work in the garden beds rather than the mow ‘n’ blow-type service so ubiquitous in the field – I’ve developed some strong loyalties to the workhorse tools which make the day’s pruning faster, more comfortable,…
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Monday Miscellany: Autumn Colors Year-Round, Edible Garden Designs, and Great Book Deals
The best articles and ideas from around the web, curated by North Coast Gardening. Fall colors year-round. Though I’m usually a fan of cool colors like blues, silvers and purples in the garden, there’s something about the fiery tones of fall which makes me feel extra enthused about plants with cinnamon, orange, and golden foliage…
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Educated Consumers Score a Big Win for Honeybees – With Thanks to Skagit Gardens
Wildlife gardeners have been fighting an uphill battle against the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, the ones that are thought to be responsible for colony collapse disorder in honeybees. One of the most heartbreaking things is that recently, many home gardeners have become aware that the bee-friendly plants they have planted in their gardens specifically to help…
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Monday Miscellany: Drunken Fried Apple Products, Forcing Bulbs, and more
The latest and greatest from around the web. . . curated by North Coast Gardening. Drunken. Apple. Fritters. Yeah. The Prudent Garden has a tutorial and recipe up on making these delicious lumps of heavenly goodness. Go, eat, be happy. Your diet can start again tomorrow. (A non-alcoholic version from Julie’s Garden Delights here). How…
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Jump On It! Great Deals on Fall Reading
Every so often Amazon has some wonderful things at a price that I can only describe as “WTF”. I think it has something to do with their algorithm and how their computers search for the best deals online, and then automatically match them. Sometimes these deals last a while, and sometimes they’re gone in a few…
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Monday Miscellany: Spigarello, Contemporary Design, Black Flowers and More
The latest and greatest from around the web. . . curated by North Coast Gardening. The new kale? Root Simple wants you to try Spigarello, which they say has the mild, sweet flavor of broccoli leaves. If (like my mom) you find the spicy flavor of kale a little much, this nutritious green might just…
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Organic Fertilizer Recipes: How to MacGyver Up a Custom Blend
Developing a healthy soil is the goal of every gardener, but sometimes plants need an extra boost. Perhaps you are growing high-yield fruits and vegetables, plants with big blooms like roses, rhododendrons and camellias, or just feel that your soil isn’t performing well and your plants need a little help while you work to balance…
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DIY Organic Fertilizer: Demystifying Single-Ingredient Fertilizers
Single-ingredient organic fertilizers have long been a mystery to me, and since I haven’t wanted to screw things up, I’ve been using the already-blended mixes from brands like Gardner and Bloome, which have formulations that work well for the different labeled uses (acid-loving plants, flowering plants, etc). Yet using single-ingredient fertilizers, and blending them yourself,…
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Association of Professional Landscape Designers 2014 Design Awards
Every year, I look forward to reading about the Association of Professional Landscape Designers’ award-winning landscapes, because there is usually such a diverse array of winners. So I was honored to be asked by Susan Morrison, editor of APLD’s The Designer magazine, to write up descriptions of each of the award-winning landscapes for the fall…