Heron & Crow Gardens

01/29/2016

After taking most of a month off, I worked for one of my wonderful clients today, in the inclement weather. My favorite part was the HAIL! I found myself giggling as little ice pellets danced on the soil, and off my hat.

01/19/2016

Here's a short yet poignant article posted at the blog:

http://heronandcrowgardens.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-return.html

The electronic journal of an addicted and smitten gardener, chronicling her journey trying to make a living in the trade.

03/26/2015

02/17/2015

Did you go to the Northwest Flower & Garden Show ? If so, what was your favorite part? I attended 19 seminars in 4 days. Can you say Ju**ie?? ;->

10/02/2014

Wow, what happened to summer? It was stunning here in the Pacific NW. Trees are starting to turn color. The tapestry of our landscape becomes richer with each day.

After most of 2014 being focused on family, and a modicum of business, I'm looking forward to a couple of design projects as autumn settles in.

May you all reap the blessings of the upcoming season.

03/26/2014

Spring is on my mind! The days are warmer than the nights, greens are coming out of the garden, the fountains are burbling again and the irrigation flowing, the greenhouse is cranking out kale while other things are being seeded up, a new bed is being planted, I'm day dreaming about mulch (like 12 yards). And the forsythia, well, common as it is, it's absolutely stunning this year, architectural even. Ah, I am smitten with spring. Bring it on.

12/29/2013

The trouble with chickens. Read all about it here:

http://heronandcrowgardens.blogspot.com/2013/12/trauma-in-urban-farmland.html

The electronic journal of an addicted and smitten gardener, chronicling her journey trying to make a living in the trade.

11/17/2013

The WSU Snohomish County Master Gardener program still has room in its 2014 class! Check out the details here:

http://snohomish.wsu.edu/mg/garmg.htm

Master Gardener Manualherehorticultural professionalshere The Master Gardener Program Master Gardener Program Brochure Extension 'Cord on the Master Gardener Program History of the Master Gardener Program Washington State University Master Gardener Program web site Washington State University Master...

11/01/2013

Fall Gardening is still very doable, even on November 1st this year. Predictions of a mild season are holding true so far. I'm busy planting out inmates from my plant penitentiary. They will fare better in the ground even with minimal establishment than if left above ground in uninsulated nursery pots.
Some of the reasons I love fall in the garden, other than the color, is the ability to focus on and complete outdoor projects now that the garden is essentially put to bed, is that we can look back on the season with clear hindsight and catalog what worked (fewer tomatoes) and what didn't (eggplant, still) and plan/plot for next year, is laughing at the chickens as they forage amongst the huge maple leaves while their watch cat protects them and watching our view improve as those leaves fall, turning the light quality into something very magical and other worldly.

10/08/2013

The three day state Master Gardener conference was terrific. Who knew there'd be a county who raises money for their program by selling books at below publisher's prices! I was restrained in my purchasing frenzy. Good classes (8), good times catching up with old friends, and got to return home each night!

The most relevant topics for my design business were adaptive gardening and a session on parsing maintenance into zones on ones property while also adjusting ones tolerances for traditional gardening tasks. And example is moss in your lawn. I have a high tolerance to moss in my lawn and therefore spend zero time/maintenance on trying to eradicate it. I have a very low tolerance for ivy anywhere on the property. I attack it with freshly sharpened blades and shovels when it starts to creep in from next door.

What are your low tolerance maintenance items you wish you could spend less time on?

09/11/2013

I discovered this, ah, unique pruning job outside my local coffee shop. Makes me want to school whoever decided to plant those trees there!

08/30/2013

Recently it's been a challenging time. Today feels a little better. Writing about it helps. So does the garden. Every gardener I know can talk about the therapeutic aspects of working in the landscape.

http://heronandcrowgardens.blogspot.com/

The electronic journal of an addicted and smitten gardener, chronicling her journey trying to make a living in the trade.