by Carol Barany, Yakima Master Gardener In a perfect world, we could recycle most of the organic waste our gardens generate by composting it ourselves on site. When that’s not possible, the next best thing is using our city’s yard waste recycling program. Signs of spring and a new growing season are everywhere. One of […]
by Marguerite Kirby, Yakima Master Gardener Researching and then making a presentation on ‘How to Eradicate Puncture Vine’ (Tribulus terrestris) was my final assignment before I became a WSU Yakima Master Gardener in 2024. I knew this herbaceous pest as Goathead, but it has many other names, such as Devil’s Weed, Caltrop, Cat’s-head, Tack weed, […]
by Carol Barany, Yakima Master Gardener The Yakima Area Arboretum, located in the heart of our city, is a vibrant swath of green offering visitors a connection to nearby nature since 1967. On April 11, from 10am to 2pm, the Arboretum will host a grand celebration of trees and Arbor Day in Yakima. “From Seed […]
by Debra Kroon, Yakima Master Gardener It may be the rare gardener these days who has not heard about the push to encourage more use of native plants in our gardens. What is a native? According to the National Resource Conservation Service of Washington State, a native plant is “an indigenous species that has evolved […]
by Phyllis Pugnetti, Yakima Master Gardener It’s surprising how many gardeners plant their entire garden on a sunny day in mid-May and consider the job done! This is convenient, but won’t always get the best results. Some plants can be planted in early April, others want to wait until June or July, and a few […]
by Carol Barany, Yakima Master Gardener I saw my first dandelions last week. When the weather really warms up, bindweed will emerge, stronger than ever and ready to take a stage a garden takeover. Who isn’t looking for a permanent solution to eliminating weeds? Many of us are searching for non-chemical alternatives to weed control. […]
Tomatoes—Don’t be Confused! by Phyllis Pugnetti, Master Gardener Tomatoes are the most beloved vegetable in the garden. They are easy to grow. Yet, tomato terminology can be confusing, making it difficult to decide what to grow. An explanation of a few basic terms may help you decide which varieties are right for your garden. Determinate […]
Crop Rotation: How to Have a Healthier, More Productive Vegetable Garden by Julie Hunziker, Yakima Master Gardener February is whizzing by and before we know it, planting season will be upon us. Avid gardeners have been poring over seed catalogs, inventorying their home seed libraries, and planning this year’s vegetable gardens. It can be […]
Scotch Thistle, Noxious Weed! By Sue Bird, Yakima County Noxious Weed Board Winter is the time to start thinking about our plans for our gardens and fields in the coming year. Now is the time to look for, and if you can, cut out the wintering rosettes of Scotch Thistle. The Weed Board is […]
Confusing Seed Terms By Master Gardener, Phyllis Pugnetti Each spring gardeners are planning for the best garden ever! Unfortunately, it’s hard to get started with a good plan when the long list of terms on seed packets is so confusing it’s impossible to decide what seeds to buy. Open pollinated seeds result from pollination by […]