Susan Mulvihill

David Austin Roses display gardens, an hour from Stratford-upon-Avon, covers about 2 acres. The gardens are divided into separate “rooms” surrounded by brick walls or clipped hedges. In addition to borders planted with roses, we saw arbors covered with roses, a beautiful reflecting pool and charming sitting areas where visitors can take in the enchanting views. Attractive sculptures created by Pat Austin (David Austin’s late wife) provide focal points.

We gardeners often want what we don’t have: If our gardens are sunny, we long for shady retreats. Conversely, those who have shady yards yearn for sunshine. While some might feel a sunny garden is more visually appealing, a shade garden can be just as delightful and welcoming.

Don’t let weeds develop flowers because seeds will quickly follow and then you’ve really got trouble. I wouldn’t recommend putting weeds that have flowered into compost piles since most piles don’t get hot enough to kill off the weed seeds.

The next time you visit Rose Hill in Manito Park, take a moment to remember and appreciate the Spokane Rose Society. After all, Rose Hill wouldn’t be the magnificent garden we all know and love without them. The society formed in 1947 and a few years later, members were hard at work establishing the display gardens that have won many awards over the decades.

Garden tour season officially begins this month. First up is Saturday’s Spokane in Bloom tour, hosted by the Inland Empire Gardeners. This year’s spotlight is on six inspiring gardens on Spokane’s North Side.

In getting ready for her garden’s close up, she’s never weeded so much in her entire life.

Every year, gardeners eagerly anticipate the Friends of Manito plant sales because they know they will find exceptional plants that are hardy for this region. The spring plant sale will be held on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., just east of Manito Park’s Gaiser Conservatory. One of my gardening goals is to attract more butterflies. While perusing their online plant list, I was excited to see many will do just that.

A well-planned home landscape – whether designed professionally or by the gardener-in-residence – does a beautiful job of reflecting those who live there.

I’ve set aside a 3-by-8-foot raised bed in my garden to illustrate how this is possible. Yes, just 24 square feet will produce a bounty of flavorful vegetables. I have chosen three easy crops to grow – tomatoes, zucchini and bush beans.

Billed as “the show for gardeners put on by gardeners,” the annual Garden Expo will be hosted by The Inland Empire Gardeners in and around the Spokane Community College Lair building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 13.

Whenever I visit a garden, I’m always drawn to artfully planted containers. It doesn’t matter whether they’re filled with flowers or vegetables, a pleasing combination really inspires me.

The Spokane County Master Gardener program is an important resource in our community. They staff a plant clinic from March through October, where they answer the public’s gardening questions. They also hold classes and set up information booths at local events. All of this, and more, is done quietly and efficiently. But next weekend, they’ll be boisterously celebrating the new garden season and showing the public what they have to offer.

Have you ever stopped to think about the trees planted in our parks, along city streets and in our backyards? While they are an important aspect of the environment around us, they frequently are relegated to the background as we look past them to other things.

If you have sandy soil, compost will add texture to keep water from running right through it. With clay soil, compost breaks up the sticky soil particles to improve drainage and aeration. Soil lacking in fertility and plants without vigor will be dramatically improved with the addition of compost.

Even though it’s too early to transplant our seedlings out in the garden, a few mild days can make any gardener want to jump the gun. Unfortunately, this can lead to disastrous results in this region.

After what seemed like the longest winter in history, it’s wonderful to finally be done with the snow. Now that it’s gone, there’s no escaping the many outdoor projects that need to be tackled. At the top of my list is pruning some of our trees, shrubs and roses. I fear the weight of the snow for months on end and occasional polar blasts may have caused a bit of damage.

This year, I’ll be growing a small cutting garden right in the middle of my vegetable garden. Cut flowers are often a blend of perennials, bulbs and annuals, but I’m focusing on annuals so I can try different plants every year.

Her career in horticulture has been a series of being in the right place at the right time and being willing to take on a challenge.

Oftentimes, gardeners will engage in what has been amusingly coined “zonal denial” and buy a plant that isn’t hardy enough. Because it’s so desirable, they are certain it will grow in their garden. Unless you’re willing to let the plant die a painful death and waste money, this really isn’t a good idea.

Sunlight is the most important consideration. While most vegetables can get by with a minimum of six hours of sun per day, more is better. Take a walk around your yard. Watch how the sun moves across it, paying particular attention to areas of shade from your house or other structures, trees and hedges.

“Everyone can grow a garden.” That will be the recurring theme for my columns throughout this year’s growing season. I strongly believe everyone should be able to successfully grow a garden, whether it’s filled with veggies, flowers, fruit, or a blend.