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
gardens & gardening
Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Listed below are arboretums and botanical gardens* in cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Most gardens specialize in one or more aspects of Pacific Northwest native plants. A few offer non-native varieties and some have exotic specimens from far flung corners of the globe. These public gardens are regularly … [Read more...] about Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Nurseries & garden centers in the Puget Sound region
The following nurseries and garden centers offer supplies for fruit and vegetable gardening. Hardware stores and nurseries are considered essential services. Some are open for in-store shopping. Some offer online, phone, or email orders and curbside pickup. A few offer delivery on qualifying orders. Nurseries and … [Read more...] about Nurseries & garden centers in the Puget Sound region
How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
Vegetable gardening is a great family activity or for anyone. It's one of the most rewarding home projects you can do. Whether you own or rent a house, or live in a condominium or apartment, you can have a vegetable garden in some form. You can grow a little or a lot, from a few salad greens or cherry tomatoes to … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
Where and when to see cherry blossom trees
Flowering cherry trees burst into bloom, usually from mid-March through mid-April throughout the Pacific Northwest. Exactly when depends on the variety: early blooming versus late blooming. Seattle cherry blossom season begins with (red/pink) buds that burst into (pink/white) flower. As the flowers fade, the trees … [Read more...] about Where and when to see cherry blossom trees
Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Here's a list of Japanese and Chinese gardens in the Puget Sound region. The Seattle Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum is the most well-known. However, there are at least 10 more you can visit, from Everett to Tacoma and Bellevue. Most offer FREE admission. They are arranged roughly north to south … [Read more...] about Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in Madison Valley within the Washington Park Arboretum. Over 100,000 people visit every year, including locals as well as visitors from around the world. It is one of the most highly regarded Japanese-style gardens in North America. About Japanese Gardens Gardens in Japan are … [Read more...] about Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
The seed companies listed below are those most often recommended by gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. They offer seed varieties suitable to the cool, wet, marine climate in the Puget Sound region where the growing season is later and shorter than other areas of the country. All these seed companies can ship your … [Read more...] about Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
7 design ideas from NW 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 landscapers 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 NW Flower & Garden Show
How (and why) to build a rain garden
Most Seattle rain is collected by gutters around your rooftop and flowing from your driveway and patio into the street. All of this runoff is diverted into the storm drain system that ultimately empties into the nearest body of water—namely Lake Washington or Puget Sound. Along the way, it collects oil, fertilizers, … [Read more...] about How (and why) to build a rain garden