"Dig Into" Gardening Resources from Dennis' 7 Dees
Intro to Xeriscaping: Gardening with Less Water
Successful Water-Wise Gardening Many drought-tolerant plants have adapted to dry conditions by growing vast, far-reaching root systems that seek out water deep below the soil’s surface. Getting new plantings off to a good start and providing deep watering until roots are established can be critical to long-term success. Pacific Northwest gardeners are often faced with heavy clay that holds...
Made in the Shade: Successful Shade Gardening
In an area with an abundance of trees, one of the biggest challenges for gardeners is shade. Generally, a partially shaded area is one that receives 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Wet, dry, and deep shades are the most common planting situations in our area:...
Anthurium Care Guide
A beautiful and eccentric cousin to the philodendron, anthuriums are a favorite plant genus among houseplant collectors for their unique, veined leaves and neon-colored flowers. With an estimated 825 species within it, the genus offers many fascinating plants....
Homegrown Herbs for Refreshments
Sip and savor the essence of your garden by harvesting fresh herbs for beverages and light snacks, perfect for your next date night or backyard BBQ. Read on to get ideas for herbal teas, mocktails, cocktails, syrups, salad dressing, and even homemade mint ice cream,...
A Hydrangea for Every Garden
Hydrangeas are a genus of deciduous shrubs with a long list of species and cultivars grown in Pacific Northwest gardens. Most are summer bloomers with a long flowering season and do best in partial or filtered sunlight with adequate moisture. This large group includes...
Gardening with Native Plants
Once again, our Portland area garden centers have partnered with the Backyard Habitat Certification Program! This program has more than 5,500 people certified or working towards certification in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Clark (WA) counties. In efforts to...
Warm Weather Planting Tips
Here we are in early June and temperatures have already reached over 90 degrees! The excitement of planting may be tempered by the need to keep plants hydrated and healthy through the summer (and the rest of spring). At times, watering may feel like a chore—caring for...
Plant Nutrition: Fertilizing Basics
Plants "eat" sunlight to create energy through a process called photosynthesis. The roots take up water from the soil, the leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air, and the chlorophyll (substance that makes plants green) consumes energy from sunlight, thus kicking...
June in the Garden
Although summer arrives late this month, this is still a great time to plant! For Fresh Color Many warm-season beauties are now available: dahlias, lilies, zinnias, begonias Keep summer annuals blooming by pinching off spent flowers, watering, and fertilizing...
Gardening by Moonlight: Ideas for Night Gardens
Summer evenings in the garden can be one of the best ways to end a busy day. There are many reasons to plant a night garden—to unwind after work, decompress once the kids are in bed, marvel in the moonlight, or even just to avoid the sun.Designing a Moonlight Garden...
Care Sheets for Successful Gardening
Check out our quick reference care sheets below for all of your indoor and outdoor gardening needs. If you need more information on a specific topic, our blog articles go into further detail. Happy gardening!