Answers for your springtime problems

posted 11:45 PM 05/22
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The third week in May brings questions from gardeners about growing quandaries. Readers this week are puzzled by azaleas and peonies that just won’t bloom, problematic buttercup, where to apply mulch and how to get those tomatoes to ripen before fall. Here are easy answers to the most-asked questions this spring:

QWhy do some exbury azaleas go straight to leaf and forget to stop at the flower stage?

None of mine are in deep shade but some skip years and don’t bloom. K.K., Enumclaw

Read more …

Marianne Binetti: Hearty plants can take the chill

posted 01:33 PM 05/11

With the start of May comes an all-hands-on-deck mentality – it’s time to plant those pretty flowers you love. This week, fill your container gardens or window boxes with weather-resistant annuals and flowers.

Gardeners need to show a little restraint in April

posted 11:49 PM 04/03

The first week in April is your reminder not to be an April Fool. It is too cold and too early to plant warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and beans. It is the perfect time to seed cool-season edibles such as potatoes, onions, lettuce and chard. You can still plant strawberries, blueberries, raspberry and fruit trees. Mild weather is on the way, but we still may have some frosty mornings ahead.

Ah, the joys of a lush, green lawn

posted 07:02 AM 03/07

The second week of March is a good time for lawn renovation, pruning and garden cleanup. If your soil is dry and your grass is high, you can start your motors and get mowing. Better yet, consider a new landscape design that shrinks your lawn so you can downsize to a lightweight, super quiet push mower.

The sublime taste of fresh peas

posted 11:41 PM 02/28

All I am saying, is give peas a chance.

All is not lost for gardens hit by snow

posted 04:50 PM 01/25

Oh No! We got snow! Plus a lot of ice, wind and freezing weather. The good news for your garden is that we’ll have a lot fewer slugs, bugs and other garden thugs this spring, and the winter storm might also freeze a few million weed seeds.

Time to sharpen those pruning shears

posted 11:46 PM 01/17

Sharpen your shears this week and get outdoors for some winter pruning. You can get snippy with plenty of plants now, but there also are some you should not be pruning.

Winter blooms add color

posted 11:46 PM 01/10

The third week of January is the start of the gardening season – yep, the Tacoma Home and Garden Show will be Jan. 25-29 followed by the Northwest Flower and Garden Show Feb. 8-12, and then a bumper crop of garden shows, plant sales and blooming celebrations to welcome the growing season of 2012.

A year’s worth of tips for a better garden

posted 01:36 AM 12/28

The first week of January means it is time to make some promises to your garden. These resolutions mean less work and more beauty, so mark your calendars now so that each month you’ll hold yourself accountable:

A gardening rhyme to mark Christmas time

posted 11:48 PM 12/13

After writing this column for over 25 years, this is still the most requested reprint, so as a gift each year I go with tradition and offer this Christmas column so that it can be used and shared copyright free. You can also download a copy from my website at binettigarden.com.