Susan Mulvihill

Because they are indigenous to this area, native plants are ideal for our conditions.

The theme is “Garden Fiesta: Let’s Party!” and if there’s one thing Inland Empire Gardeners has demonstrated over the years, they know how to put on a great party.

Cathi Lamoreux says it is important plan ahead in order to continue gardening at any age. “Folks should start thinking about this from the get-go,” she said. “We should always have a plan B and a plan C, but we don’t.”

Gardeners know spring has truly arrived when local plant sales start taking place. Two of the largest sales will kick off the season next weekend when both the Spokane County Master Gardeners and the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane hold their annual offerings of wonderful plants. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Master Gardeners will host their Garden Fair & Plant Sale in and around the Spokane County Extension building, located at 222 N. Havana St. Visitors will find a wide range of perennials, vegetable and herb plant starts, berries, dahlias and ornamental grasses – all grown by Master Gardeners. Vendors will also offer perennials, native plants, garden art and jewelry. There will be information booths on topics such as gardening for life and sensory gardening.

As spring unfolds in my garden, I’m treated to dozens of delightful surprises in the form of spring-blooming bulbs. These flowers are my reward for making it through what has seemed like the longest winter of my life.

Organic gardener want to avoid using chemicals for dealing with troublesome insects. Fortunately, when it comes to the insect world, the bad guys are in the minority – of all the insects out there, 99 percent of them are either beneficial or benign.

Next weekend, the Spokane Orchid Society will put on their annual Orchid Show & Sale at the Spokane Community College Lair and it’s a sure thing attendees will swoon over the hundreds of amazing orchids on display.

“It’s something of a myth that pruning needs to be done every year,” said Tim Kohlhauff of the WSU/Spokane County Extension. “It should only be done if it accomplishes a goal you have for the plant. Mature trees often go several years between pruning while newly planted trees and shrubs don’t require pruning until they are established in two to three years.”

I never should have taken my husband, Bill, to hear Ciscoe Morris speak.

Do you ever feel like the insect world is out to get your garden? While it can sometimes seem that way, there are many strategies you can employ to grow a healthy, productive garden without chemicals.

It feels like the winter months are moving at a glacial pace. While all of us are anxious to head out to the garden and get down to business, there are a few pre-season considerations worth discussing.

Throughout this winter, I’ve been feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the delicious food last year’s garden has given us. We were able to line our pantry with jars of jam, applesauce, tomato sauce and salsa, cucumber relish and cherries for pies. In the basement, we stored butternut squash, onions, garlic and the last of the tomatoes for use in yummy dishes.

In her final column of the growing season, Susan Mulvhill reflects on what worked in her garden in 2017.

While it’s true we gardeners like everything to be tidy at the end of the growing season, you can see there’s a very good reason for leaving plants with seed-filled flower heads where they grew this summer. In addition to coneflowers, some of the best ones are bee balm, black-eyed Susan, lavender, globe thistle and sunflower.

Who says you can’t grow vegetables year-round in the Inland Northwest? While it’s true we have a frost-free season of about 120 days, that doesn’t mean there aren’t options for continuing to put fresh, healthy produce on your table – even in January.

Jim Gaddy may have retired as a family practice doctor three years ago, but his caregiving skills are still apparent in his vegetable garden.

The arrival of September means three things: kids are headed back to school, we can expect beautiful days and cooler nights, and – most importantly of all – gardeners will be flocking to the Friends of Manito fall plant sale. Scheduled for Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the sale will be located just east of the Gaiser Conservatory in Spokane’s Manito Park. Plant sale manager Janis Saiki is very choosy when it comes to the plants she and her army of dedicated volunteers offer at the sale.

When I was a little girl growing up in Southern California, I spent time every summer at my maternal grandmother’s home. Grandmother Emma lived in Pasadena and became a widow at an early age.

For many vegetable crops, picking them while they’re young and tender is the key. Winter squash, however, should stay on the vine as long as possible.

It’s fair to say that downsizing from 10 acres to a standard city lot would be an adjustment for anyone – but especially for two dedicated gardeners. Kurt Madison and his wife, Margot Casstevens, have turned that adjustment into a learning experience that others can benefit from.

Gardening is such a delightful pastime that rewards us with fresh produce and beautiful flowers. When occasional problems crop up, they can dampen our enthusiasm.

What’s not to love about English gardens? With their colorful flower borders, trademark walls, reflecting pools, and perhaps a stately manor, they are a delight to explore.

Beth Mort has been around gardening for as long as she can remember. Not only does she enjoy growing bountiful gardens, but teaching others how to do this as well.

The 20th annual Coeur d’Alene Garden Tour features a visit to the Hagadone estate on Casco Bay.