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
gardens & gardening
Sunflowers Fields & Festivals in Washington State
Like our tulip fields in spring, acres of beautiful blooming sunflowers are another unique and stunning photo opportunity. Sunflowers typically bloom August-September in Western Washington. Several farms hold festivals during the blooming season. Enjoy self-guided field trips and u-pick opportunities. Below you … [Read more...] about Sunflowers Fields & Festivals in Washington State
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
Getaway: Lavender farms on the Washington Peninsula (66 mi NW via ferry)
Lavender farms can be found in various parts of Washington State. The largest cluster is on the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula, near the town of Sequim and the surrounding Dungeness Valley. This area is widely known for premium lavender. Visitors come from around the world to experience the beauty of this … [Read more...] about Getaway: Lavender farms on the Washington Peninsula (66 mi NW via ferry)
Home gardening resources and plant sales
Gardening in the Puget Sound region gets the advantage of year-round temperate weather, abundant rain, and rich volcanic soils. 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
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
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival every April
The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of THE destination events for the Pacific Northwest. Each year, the festival welcomes people from across the United States and around the world, including all 50 states and over 85 foreign countries. Every spring hundreds of thousands of people come to enjoy the … [Read more...] about Skagit Valley Tulip Festival every April
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
Daffodil festival every March in La Conner WA
The La Conner Daffodil Festival is a relative newcomer to the Pacific Northwest flower festivals lineup. During the month of April, there is the long-running Daffodil Parade in Pierce County, began in 1934. And of course, the internationally known Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, which began in 1984. Since 2015, La … [Read more...] about Daffodil festival every March in La Conner WA
Seattle Home Show at Lumen Field Event Center
The Seattle Home Show is the largest consumer home show in the Northwest. There are two annual Seattle home shows: Spring and Fall, showcasing everything for the home – indoors and out. Fun Fact: Did you know the founders of the Seattle Home Show started the first Home Show in the Nation? And, that the original family … [Read more...] about Seattle Home Show at Lumen Field Event Center
How to get the most from the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Garden lovers be sure to mark your calendar for one of the largest flower and garden shows in North America, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle at the Washington State Convention Center every February. The Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle offers stunning display gardens, and a roster of free … [Read more...] about How to get the most from the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
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
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. You can grow a little or a lot, from a few salad greens or cherry tomatoes to a large plot for a variety of vegetables from asparagus to zucchini. Whether you own or rent a house, or live in a … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
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
Our big list of Home & Garden shows
Home shows offer a day of leisurely shopping, where you can compare home and garden improvement needs, or compile a dream list of future home building ideas or remodeling projects. Home & garden shows have all the experts in one place for anything you may need for the home or garden. Home remodeling experts and … [Read more...] about Our big list of Home & Garden shows
Family adventures at the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle
Washington Park Arboretum holds a world class collection of woody plants that can be explored independently, as well as through tours, classes, and activities hosted at the site. All parts of the Washington Park Arboretum (except the Japanese Garden), are free of charge and open to the public every day from dawn to … [Read more...] about Family adventures at the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle
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
