Have you considered building a rain garden in your yard? Many of us in Portland, OR have seen the swales being built all around the city to manage storm water runoff and protect our rivers. Did you know that you, too, can do the same thing in your own yard? When we build swales in our yards, we call them rain gardens, and they are just as effective at capturing runoff from the roof and driveway. Above is an example of a faux riverrock stream that the rain water from the roof is redirected towards. What... more

Spring is the perfect time to get your yard and garden ready for spring and summer planting. But before you plant your first bulb, seed, tree, or plant, remember that healthy plants start with healthy soil. Healthy soil makes healthy plants that naturally resist diseases and pests. There are five to ten billion organisms in a heaping tablespoon of fertile soil. You can put these tiny “garden helpers” to work in your yard by applying compost. Worms, fungi, and more make soil fertile for... more

Growing plants from seed brings out everyone’s nurturing side and is about as close to magic as we can get. More pragmatically, starting seeds indoors lengthens the growing season, provides a pest-free growing atmosphere, saves money, guarantees that plants are grown chemical-free, and allows you to choose from a huge selection of seeds. If you work quickly, you can still grow plants for this year. Figure 1: Fill and level containers and lightly compact. Figure 2: Sow fine seed by pressing... more

For many people, one of life’s pleasures is watching birds, such as tiny, acrobatic hummingbirds searching for nectar or flocks of twittering bushtits feasting on minute insects in the trees. Tragically, many bird populations are declining due to the obliteration of the birds’ wintering grounds, the use of pesticides and other chemicals, competition with non-native species, and hunting and habitat fragmentation in North American nesting grounds. A shocking recent study, anticipating vast habitat... more

One of the best things about summer is the scrumptious fruit available, and if you want that truly just-picked flavor, consider turning part of your yard into a mini-berry orchard. Blueberries, huckleberries, and raspberries require relatively little space, are easy to grow, and are generally pest-free as long as a few rules are followed. Berries thrive in well-draining, acidic soil with partial to full sun and ... more

The Sanivite gray water pumping system from SFA Saniflo Inc. is small enough to fit inside a kitchen cabinet or under a sink, yet powerful enough to handle discharged wastewater from a variety of plumbing fixtures and kitchen and laundry appliances. Like the other models in the Saniflo line of macerating systems, the fully automatic Sanivite drains... more

Collecting the rain that rolls off your roof to use in the garden preserves natural resources and saves money on your water bill. One affordable way to capture hundreds of gallons of rainwater every year is to make and install rain barrels from simple plumbing fixtures and recycled food grade containers. Instructions Depending on the type of barrel and location of your downspout, determine how you will route water from the downspout... more

Long before we were born, magnificent forests covered much of the Pacific Northwest, along with other plant communities, including prairies, coastal plains, and peat bogs. But since it’s virtually impossible to restore the original forest or bog in a garden, is it really important to add native plants, especially when you have a passion for non-natives? Well, yes and no. It depends… Fringecup Maidenhair Native... more