Gardening in the Puget Sound region gets the advantage of rich volcanic soils, abundant rain, and year-round temperate weather. However, Northwest gardeners also face several challenges: a shortage of sunny days, a growing season that starts later than other parts of the country, and understanding the microclimate … [Read more...] about Home gardening resources and plant sales
Living in Seattle
Free repair of your broken stuff around Puget Sound
Got broken stuff? Are you favorite jeans torn? At "repair cafes", you can bring broken household items or torn clothing for repair, such as small furniture, small appliances, and electronics. During the event, an experienced all-purpose fixer or sewer will work on your item, or help you learn to repair your broken … [Read more...] about Free repair of your broken stuff around Puget Sound
Free (and cheap) cooking classes and food tours
Listed below are free cooking classes and food tours in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. While there are plenty of places in Seattle where you can find cooking classes and food tours costing $55-$75 and more, here we focus on fun food-themed events that are free or cheap ($15 or less), including cooking … [Read more...] about Free (and cheap) cooking classes and food tours
Alleycat Acres vegetable gardens in vacant lots
Alleycat Acres connects people, place, and food by transforming underutilized space in the city of Seattle into an urban food farm. Each farm they manage is part of a unified network composed of smaller urban neighborhood farms. To find garden space, Alleycat Acres locates private landowners who are interested in … [Read more...] about Alleycat Acres vegetable gardens in vacant lots
7 design ideas from Seattle Flower & Garden Show
Celebrating 30 years in 2018, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show featured inspirational, beautiful, educational, and fun garden design ideas. The designers and landsacpers were asked to incorporate a garden party theme into their display. The garden designs embrace current trends in urban gardening, sustainability, … [Read more...] about 7 design ideas from Seattle Flower & Garden Show
Free and cheap meditation resources
Meditation is a great way to relax and reduce stress or “unplug” from the pace and responsibilities of everyday life. The benefits of a regular meditation practice can include many positive changes such as increased focus, creativity, patience, happiness, and overall life balance. Meditation is a tradition dating … [Read more...] about Free and cheap meditation resources
Stretch your grocery budget in a p-patch garden
Did you know that some of your neighbors grow food in a free community garden? If you’d like to join them, here’s what you need to know. About Seattle P-Patch community garden program The name P-Patch comes from the program’s first community garden, which started in 1973 at Picardo Farm in north Seattle. So, the … [Read more...] about Stretch your grocery budget in a p-patch garden
Free guides and rebates for building a rain garden
A rain garden is a shallow planting area designed to capture and filter some of the Pacific Northwest's ubiquitous rainwater before it reaches sewer systems. Installing a rain garden helps improve water quality our region. Besides protecting water quality, rain gardens are a water wise landscape feature that is … [Read more...] about Free guides and rebates for building a rain garden
7 ways to pay for college without loans
There are several ways to pay for college without resorting to college loans. Loans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. College loans leave you with a financial obligation after completing college. This strategy can be a great path into careers that have the possibility of lucrative … [Read more...] about 7 ways to pay for college without loans
10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Fitness exercise is a popular reality in Seattle. The city consistently ranks as one of the healthiest places in the country, as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Fitness Index. The report finds that we like fitness and exercise, evidenced by our overall health, walkable city, abundant parks, … [Read more...] about 10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Secrets to happiness and success
Most people want success and happiness. Achieving both is one of the tricky bits of life. And it's not the same journey--or destination--for any two people. One thing you can do is to occasionally pause and reflect on your progress--perhaps on your birthday or when pondering New Year Resolutions. If you have a … [Read more...] about Secrets to happiness and success
Best discount grocery stores and bakery outlets
Here’s our list of the best discount grocery stores, bargain warehouse stores, specialty discount grocers, and bakery outlets in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. Notice that we focus on Pacific Northwest owned companies. So, that’s why we’ve left out some stores usually recommended for grocery shopping on … [Read more...] about Best discount grocery stores and bakery outlets
Free vision and eye exams for infants 6-12 months
You can get free comprehensive vision and eye exams for children under age of one through InfantSee, a program that provides comprehensive vision exams for children 6 months up to 1 year of age. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure your child has healthy vision for successful development. … [Read more...] about Free vision and eye exams for infants 6-12 months
Help with substance abuse and needle exchange
In Washington State, 10.7% of all adults are in need of substance abuse treatment, yet in King County, 69.6% of adults in need of treatment do not receive it. In the City of Seattle, it is estimated that 46-70% of homeless women and men report having substance abuse issues. The following are FREE substance abuse … [Read more...] about Help with substance abuse and needle exchange
Crisis Centers and Suicide Hot Lines
Find resources for yourself or others experiencing emotional, housing, or financial crisis. The following crisis centers and phone call help lines in Washington State or across the country can provide support and access to resources for individuals, teens, families, and their loved ones who want to … [Read more...] about Crisis Centers and Suicide Hot Lines
