Stories by Pat Munts for the Spokesman-Review

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Gardening with Pat Munts: Have arborists assess storm-damaged trees

Wed., Dec. 9, 2015

One of the biggest problems that has emerged after the cleanup is that some trees have been uprooted but not enough to topple them. Again spruces seem to be the hardest hit. The trees will be leaning at an unnatural angle and their loosened root ball may have raised soil up on the windward side of the tree. While the trees might survive, they are at strong risk of falling under the weight of an ice storm or a heavy wet snow later this winter.

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Pat Munts on Gardening: Feed the birds this winter

Wed., Dec. 2, 2015

Winter is tough on many most wild critters and birds are no exception. They need lots of nutritious food to keep warm. In the wild they can draw on leftover seed heads and winter hardy insects to sustain them, so your feeders provide a welcome addition.

Gardening with Pat Munts: Storm cleanup continues in yards

Wed., Nov. 25, 2015

Wow, to say that last week’s storm knocked the wind out of our sails is an understatement. It tore down the sails and anything else in its path and left us with a mess of tangled trees, wires and a search for heat, lights and hot coffee. Today is Thanksgiving, and after we all remember the kindnesses of neighbors, friends and repair crews from far away it’s on with the clean-up.

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Gardening with Pat Munts: Defend plants from deer, moose and rodents

Wed., Nov. 11, 2015

While no fence or spray known to man is going to keep a hungry moose from trashing your trees, you can keep the deer, gophers, squirrels and mice from taking advantage of your garden in the next few months.

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Gardening with Pat Munts: Conifers show impact of drought

Wed., Nov. 4, 2015

The prolonged dry weather taxed many trees’ ability to draw water from the soil and that in turn put them under stress which brought, and will continue to bring, insect attacks, particularly bark beetle.

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Gardening with Pat Munts: Ketchup ‘n’ Fries not worth the price

Wed., Oct. 28, 2015

Novelty plant grafted tomatoes and potatoes together, and neither part was very productive – even with extra care

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Gardening with Pat Munts: Talk looks at impact of drought, fire on the region

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015

Fire and drought have shaped this region for thousands of years. Native Americans used fire to clear areas to hunt and to foster the growth of food plants. Water availability determined ancient and modern cultures and economies. We in turn have affected the region’s ecology and natural rhythm.

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Gardening: Sullivan-area garden earns Holm September honor

Thu., Oct. 1, 2015

Ellie Mae Holm’s garden is a blazingly bright landscape of annuals, perennials and vegetables. The Inland Empire Gardeners names it the September Garden of the Month.

News > Washington Voices

Gardening: Step by step, she’s meshed garden and home

Thu., July 16, 2015

When Helen Hansen first looked at her current house on Spokane’s South Hill, it was dark with few windows but did have a nice garden. She bid on it, but she didn’t get it. Disappointed, she went back to looking. Another year went by and she still hadn’t found anything. Then the house popped up again and she grabbed it. That was 11 years ago.

News > Washington Voices

Gardening: Seasonal lights grace Manito’s Gaiser Conservatory

Thu., Dec. 18, 2014

It’s Christmas once again at Manito Park’s Gaiser Conservatory. Bright colored lights – thousands of them – twinkle through the windows. Inside, the lights create a magical realm straight from our childhood visions of Christmas. As I walked through the displays, I almost expected Christmas elves and fairies to appear, making their rounds to bring Christmas cheer and, of course, fulfill Christmas wishes. It felt good to be a kid again for a few minutes.

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