Marianne Binetti's smart gardening tips for Washington state

Marianne Binetti shares practical gardening tips tailored for Washington state, including strategies for various seasons. Across multiple articles, she emphasizes the importance of timing and placement for plant survival and flourishing.

Poinsettia season arrives in November, marking the occasion to select vibrant plants for both indoor cheer and gifting. Marianne highlights their unique charm, suggesting poinsettias as low-maintenance gift options.

Late fall is ideal for planting spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils. Marianne suggests using chopped leaves as natural lawn food, enhancing soil quality and promoting healthy spring growth.

Finally, protecting tender plants from winter’s rain involves strategic placement under eaves or larger trees. Leveraging local nurseries’ resources, Marianne encourages exploring plant varieties like coral bark maples for winter garden color, emphasizing suitable pruning to maintain desired aesthetics.

Don’t expect a true or vivid pink in pink daffodils — they have a cup that is more apricot -- but they are an alternative for those who aren’t fond of yellow.

NO. 1: HOW TO MAKE LEAF MOLD FOR YOUR GARDEN, PLUS 3 UNUSUAL DAFFODILS TO CONSIDER PLANTING

The third week of October is a good time to bring in or protect any geraniums or tender bulbs or potted plants such as abutilon or flowering maple. | Published October 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

These Queen of the Night tulips have been paired with white hyacinths.

NO. 2: YOUR GARDEN CHORE LIST FOR END OF OCTOBER. PLUS HOW TO ADD GOTHIC TOUCHES TO YOUR YARD

The end of October is a celebration of Halloween and your last chance to tidy up the garden before some serious winter weather sets in. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

Abutilon, or flowering maple, is considered an annual that must be replaced each year, but in Western Washington gardeners have had great success growing the plant for several years without even repotting.

NO. 3: HOW TO PROTECT TENDER PLANTS YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE WESTERN WASHINGTON WINTER

The first week of November shuffles in the rain and storms of autumn, so take this as your cue to stop procrastinating and protect tender plants that you want to survive over the winter. | Published November 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

Coral Bark Maples are the small tree with the outstanding orange or peach bark that adds color to the yard during the gray winters.

NO. 4: TIPS FOR GROWING CORAL BARK MAPLES, STAR MAGNOLIAS AND HOLIDAY AMARYLLIS

The second week of November is a good time to clear fallen leaves and debris from walkways and your lawn before severe winter weather sets in. | Published November 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

The Winter Garden in the Washington Arboretum framed by pink heather and orange dogwood branches on a frosty morning. By Rosemary Ponnekanti

NO. 5: 9 WONDERFUL REASONS TO BE THANKFUL YOU GARDEN IN WESTERN WASHINGTON

The third week of November is time to focus on all the wonderful reasons we should be thankful we live and garden in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. | Published November 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

Any color poinsettia can last for months or even a year if you care for them properly. This means avoid drafts, avoid extreme heat and do not let the soil dry out.

NO. 6: IT’S POINSETTIA SEASON. HERE’S YOUR GUIDE TO CHOOSING PLANTS AS GIFTS

The end of November is Poinsettia season. | Published November 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.