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

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

Fall in the Pacific Northwest is the most wonderful time of year. The corn is tall, the pumpkins fat and orange, and yes, there are leaves all over the place. Fall is the time of year when one wonders what winter will bring, ice storms, wind, torrential downpours — the list goes on. Conditions change from one extreme to the other within a 25-mile radius. It could be snowing in the West Hills, while Gresham is sunny and 20 degrees with 50-mile an hour winds. Some species like these cedars... more