Ellen Robinson, Author at Wallyhood

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 …

Seed Starting 101 – Let’s get growing!

Ellen Robinson April 7, 2021 Comments are off

Spring has Sprung (so the calendar says) but these cold nights are still making a bit difficult to get edible crops in the ground. If you are itching to get started with this years’ planting, starting seeds indoors is the way to go! Starting your own seeds saves money on plants, and allows you to grow unique varieties that you might not be able to find at the local nurseries. As these cool nights stretch on, starting a few seeds indoors can get your head back in the gardening game for 2021. I like to buy seeds from companies in …

Gardening in Wallingford – Planning is the KEY!

Ellen Robinson March 12, 2021 Comments are off

After a long, dark winter and a Valentine’s Day snow storm, it is finally time to plan your garden! True vegetable growing die-hards, like me, are already getting our seeds started indoors. For those experienced gardeners and newbies less prepared, it’s time to get planning! My husband loves to quote John Wooden (basketball player/coach) saying,“When you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail”! March is the time to prepare for the growing season!

Edible gardening basics to for 2021 What to Plant When Crop selection is critical to early season success. March and April plantings should consist of…

We are talking about the Birds and the Bees…Support the pollinators!

Ellen Robinson July 15, 2020 2 Comments

Our home gardens in the neighborhood provide support and habitat for birds and insects. Choosing certain plants that support these “friends” can help you keep the “foes” of your garden to a minimum. After spending time and energy getting your kitchen garden a.k.a. “Victory Garden” installed, there is nothing more frustrating that seeing crops being stressed by pests and impacting the harvest you have worked so hard to achieve.

Plant stress and insect damage can be minimized by building your soil, paying attention to the health of your crops, and keeping a diverse mix of plants in the edible garden. …

Ben on SPS Updates Wallingford Playfield Public Meeting- Nov 20thBoth schools are here and not going anywhere. Past grievances with the school di...
Greg Flood on SPS Updates Wallingford Playfield Public Meeting- Nov 20thHmmm… let’s see… upgrade Hamilton, but stop maintaining Wallingford Playfield an...
Ben on Letter in Support of Japanese Dual Language Immersion at JSISJohn Stanford has been a dual-language immersion school for 24 years, but it has...
tj on Letter in Support of Japanese Dual Language Immersion at JSISMandarin programs are at Beacon Hill and Dearborn Park. Those programs need more...
ematza on Letter in Support of Japanese Dual Language Immersion at JSISI completely agree and would even argue that they need to find the funds to offe...