Left to break down completely, they become leaf mold — a dark, crumbly material that acts like compost and boosts soil health, writes this Cowlitz County Master Gardener.

Do not plant garlic in insufficient sun, poorly draining soil, or next to legume crops. Avoid growing garlic in containers less than 6 to 8 inches deep. Skip areas with very alkaline soils and where ...

Fall is a great time to improve your soil for next year’s garden. Many of the resources needed are readily available and many are free at this time of the year. Start by putting fall leaves to work in ...

The scent of peonies immediately takes me back to my childhood home in Western North Carolina and my mother's garden. Her bed of peonies was a source of pride and joy every spring. Those delicate ...

Rachael Ray's method for kitchen clean-up while cooking is particularly helpful and perfect for both composting and keeping clutter under control.

Key Takeaways Removing pest- and disease-ridden plants can keep problems from overwintering and recurring next spring.Composting diseased plants may allow plant problems to spread.For safe disposal, ...

Save your dahlias, cannas, and other summer-blooming bulbs for next year with these must-know storage tips.

Revitalizing the Crossroads Mall area, improving the Portage Road corridor and expanding downtown accessibility are among candidates' priorities.

Dear Master Gardener: I just planted a Bloomerang lilac. Do I need to protect it over the winter since it is newly planted?

These questions and answers have been edited and condensed for clarity. Q: Would cutting a lawn shorter help prevent or reduce the vole damage over winter? A: Yes but not too short. Cut it down to ...

I didn’t get it until they were gone—now it’s their tiny rituals (timers, lemon benches, blue-ink letters) that quietly run my life I didn’t realize how much of me came from my grandparents until the ...