Ellen Robinson, Author at Wallyhood

Laboring in the garden for Labor Day

Ellen Robinson September 2, 2022 Comments are off

We survived the recent scorching weeks in Seattle – anyone else feel like all they have been doing in the garden is watering? Hopefully that sunshine has ripened some tomatoes and produced a peck of peppers for picking!

The sunny days most likely meant the end of some lettuce and pea plants as they are not fans of that kind of weather. But guess what? This is a great time to succession plant a few crops for fall harvest!

Succession planting involves planting a new crop in the same space after harvesting the first crop. This is done to put …

Summer Solstice in the Garden

Ellen Robinson June 13, 2022 Comments are off

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere is Tuesday, June 21st. In Seattle, we will enjoy daylight from 5:11 A.M. to 09:10 PM. Notice I said “daylight” and not “sunshine” (deep sigh). The Farmer’s Almanac did not get it right for our June this year since they predicted warm and sunny weather with 1” of precipitation. Every home gardener I know has been lamenting the state of their tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, so I thought it might be good to think about other crops that can be successful regardless of the weather in the Pacific Northwest.

Onions and…

April Showers Bring – May Showers?

Ellen Robinson April 30, 2022 Comments are off

…At least that is what I heard on the radio this week! But, say it isn’t so! Let’s be more optimistic, shall we? April showers bring MAY FLOWERS! Integrating flowers into your kitchen garden provides many benefits.

Edible flowers look beautiful and they attract beneficial pollinators to the garden. Plant them in with the vegetables, especially around fruiting plants that need cross-pollination of their male and female flowers like squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers. Then use them throughout the season to add flare to your cooking and cocktailing!

Here are a few flowers to try this season and ways to use …

In like a lion, out like a lamb?

Ellen Robinson March 22, 2022 Comments are off

It is too soon to tell! But not too soon to get gardening!

March is a changeable weather month and so far we have had a “false Spring”and a few nights with freezing temperatures but planting season is just around the corner! What can you plant in March in the kitchen garden?

Like another March holiday, think GREEN! The Farmer’s Almanac puts Seattle’s last frost date on March 17th, so while you are toasting with a green beer, consider some other greens for your garden!

Peas, kale, spinach and lettuces do not mind the cool weather! While many gardeners …

Fall Garden Planning and Planting!

Ellen Robinson July 16, 2021 Comments are off

Refresh your vegetable garden with plans for the Fall Harvest

The flowers are blooming, the squash are coming in and the tomatoes are ripening, which means you can still start planning for the fall garden harvest!

Over the next few weeks there are quite a few plants you can get in the ground for a October and November (and sometimes even December) harvest!

Because it’s a little later in the gardening season many stores will mark down seeds and other plants so keep your eyes open for some bargains!

What can you plant in July in the Pacific Northwest? Plenty…

Got the bug? The Gardening Bug, that is!

Ellen Robinson June 17, 2021 1 Comment

June 21-27 is National Pollinator Week!

Did you know that we are just entering into National Pollinator Week! We can all support “the birds and the bees” (and the butterflies, bats and other native species) in our home gardens. If you are growing fruits and vegetables it is critical to make a pollinator friendly habitat for successful food production.

A pollinator-friendly garden contains a variety of flowering plants that provide blooms from spring to fall. This will support the food needs of those small creatures throughout the season. Look for plants that have different flowering schedules or plant a variety …

Grow your own Food – Tilth Alliance Plant Sale

Ellen Robinson April 20, 2021 Comments are off

The Edible Plant sale is back! May 7-14 at Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands (5513 S Cloverdale St).

For many Wallingford gardeners, the annual Edible Plant Sale at the Good Shepherd Center was like Christmas in May! This wonderful event is still happening, albeit in a totally different format! You can get all of this seasons’ gardening needs fulfilled and support a wonderful community at the same time!

The Tilth Alliance My Edible Plant Sale will be at their farm location in South Seattle this year and reservations will be required. They will have a wide variety of vegetables …

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