Here are just a few helpful resources for the specific gardening needs of our area – mild, wet winters, very damp springs, and dry summers – mix of acidic, volcanic and clay soil – of the Clark County area of southwestern Washington State, USA. (And other garden topics, too!)
Videos:
Douglas W. Tallamy speaks on his book “Nature’s Best Hope”. Why native plants help restore nature in our yards and landscapes. Photo from TimberPress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDuYKM4ncZ8
Books:
“Bringing Nature Home: How you can sustain wildlife with Native Plants” by Douglas W. Tallamy. Guide on how to make your yard and garden, no matter how big or small, be wildlife friendly. Book jacket image from: http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/
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“Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades: Steve Solomon’s Complete Guide to Natural Gardening”, Steve Solomon. A book specifically geared for vegetable gardening from southern British Columbia to Northern California, west of the Cascade mountain range. Still in print.
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“Encyclopedia of Northwest Native Plants for Gardens and Landscapes”. By Kathleen A. Robson, Alice Richter, and Marianne Filbert. Covers in detail the common and uncommon native plants of the Pacific Northwest that can be used in gardens and landscapes.
“Lasagna Gardening” by Patricia Lanza. ” Turn in your tiller for a stack of old newspapers! Replace your shovel with a layer of grass clippings!” Highly recommended by BHR club member: “I only make new flower & vegetable beds using this method. If I have the materials available, I can set up a 3’x15′ bed and have it planted in 3-5 hours! Easy to weed and doesn’t matter if you have clay soil underneath it.”
“All New Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew. Older versions and other variations on this book include “Square Foot Gardening” in the title. Maximizes amount of food that can be grown in small spaces. The “original” book on gardening with very little space but with great results.
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“Pacific Northwest Foraging” by Douglas Deur. Plants specific to the USA Pacific NW area explored in great detail.
“Coffee for Roses” by C.L. Fornari. Misleading facts about backyard gardening are debunked.
Both books are available at local books stores & online. (“Foraging” was also spotted in a local Costco store, too.)
[Photos: online sales info.]
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Public & Private Gardens:
Portland Japanese Garden. “Proclaimed the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden is a 5.5-acre haven of tranquil beauty nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, Oregon.” 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, Oregon 97205. Web site: http://japanesegarden.com/
Wildlife Botanical Gardens by NatureScapers. “A Demonstration Garden for Creating Backyard Wildlife Habitats.” Members also gain access to classes on gardening related topics that take place throughout the year. Photo: Terry Covington. Location: 11000 NE 149th St · Brush Prairie, WA. Web site: http://www.naturescaping.org/
Elk Rock Garden. “The Garden of The Bishop’s Close at Elk Rock is the property and offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Portland and is generously open for the public to enjoy.” Located at 11800 SW Military Lane, Portland, OR. Photo, their Web site: http://www.elkrockgarden.org/
Seed Companies:
Nichols Garden Nursery. Based in Albany, OR. Specialize in plants that grow in this climate. Non-GMO seeds & plants. Image their Web site: https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/
Territorial Seed Company. Based in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Specialize in organic seeds and plants that are trial tested to grow in the climate west of the Cascade mountain range. Mail order but can find seed packets in some local stores including Tsugawa. Web site: http://www.territorialseed.com/
Nurseries & Stores:
Oregon Association of Nurseries. The ultimate place to start when searching for retail nurseries and garden centers in the Oregon and Southwest Washington area. Did you know that Oregon nurseries sold over $650 MILLION in plants and products in 2010 and that there are over 1800 businesses involved in nursery sales, many of them located within 60 miles of downtown Portland, Oregon? For maps of the retail nurseries throughout the area, and lots more great info, check out their web site: http://www.oan.org/
SNACC. (Specialty Nursery Association of Clark County, WA) A consortium of nurseries that offer classes, plant sales & scholarships. Web site: https://www.specialtynursery.org/
Bosky Dell Natives. Specialize in Pacific Northwest Natives. Web site: http://www.boskydellnatives.com/
Dennis’ 7 Dees Landscaping & Garden Centers. 4 locations in Portland metro area. Web site: http://www.dennis7dees.com/garden-centers/locations/
Garden Fever Nursery. “A place where gardeners, novice or expert, can find good plants, good tools, good dirt, and helpful advice, on sustainable gardening practices.” Portland, OR. Web site: http://www.gardenfever.com/
Hydrangeas Plus. Sell and grow huge number of different hydrangeas. Have some days where you can visit the farm in Aurora, Oregon. Web site: http://www.hydrangeasplus.com/
Linda’s Dahlias. Bob & Linda sell Dahlia tubers and cuttings from their website and fresh cut Dahlias throughout the season at their farm at 1525 SE Washougal River Road, Washougal. Website: http://www.lindasdahlias.com/Home_Page.php
McFarlane’s. Sell compost, bark, gravel in Portland & Vancouver area. Web site: http://www.mcfarlanesbark.com/
Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm. Home of Chad Harris and Dale Grams, as well as the site of a National Display Garden of Japanese iris, Iris ensata. Sales. Visitors welcomed during season. Web site: http://mtpleasantiris.com/
Petal Heads. Grow unique plants, both Annual and Perennial, to other plant enthusiasts in West Linn, OR. Website: http://www.portlandpetalheads.com/
Scented Acres Lavender Farm. Lavender plants and everything lavender sold, plus seasonal vegetables. Brush Prairie, WA. Web site: http://www.scentedacreslavender.com/
Shorty’s Garden & Home. Vancouver & Ridgefield, WA locations. Web site: http://www.shortysgardencenter.com/
Tsugawa Nursery. Wide variety of plants including many Japanese maple and stock Territorial seeds for browsing in house. Woodland, WA. Web site: http://www.tsugawanursery.com/
Watershed Garden Works. Pacific Northwest Natives, ornamentals, edibles and an organic farm. Located in 2039 44th Ave., Longview, WA 98632. Web site: http://www.watershedgardenworks.com/
Extension, Government Agency Services & Other Organizations:
Clark Conservation District has an annual plant sale which includes some marvelous natives at excellent prices. Web site: http://www.clarkcd.org/
Columbia Springs’ mission is “to provide our community a unique setting where educational experiences foster a greater awareness of the natural world, inspiring stewardship.” Occupies 100 acres of wild space within the urban area of Vancouver along the Columbia River, including trails and a trout hatchery open to the public from dawn to dusk, daily. Over 100,000 kids & adults have attended classes on site since 1997. Web site: http://www.columbiasprings.org/
Master Composter/Recycler. The MCR program “educates the community about easy ways to reduce waste, recycle more, and re-think and revise our impact on natural resources” with volunteers who train for 30 hours, including composting and vermicomposting. Web site: https://www.clarkcountycomposts.org/
Noxious Weed Control Board – Washington State. Everything you want to know about noxious weeds in the state of WA. How to identify, common name, scientific name. Web site: https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/
Oregon Metro. Native plant reference. Web site: http://library.oregonmetro.gov/files/native_plant_booklet.pdf
WSU Clark County Extension services: Master Gardener Answer Services & Training of Master Gardeners. Web site: http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/mg/master-gardeners/
Washington State University. “Gardening In Washington State” web site offers gardening advice specific to the Pacific Northwest area: http://gardening.wsu.edu/
CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture)
Want to buy fresh food locally? CSA’s are a great way to go! Most provide weekly food to their members and often have multiple pick up locations f, as well as pick ups at thier farms. Check out this great resource that helps you FIND CSAs near you:
Gardening Blogs & Websites & Classes:
Gardening with Allen Wilson (“The Columbian”):
Nice tips that give advice on very useful information such as “when is it time to plant which plants in our area?” Good seasonal information for the Vancouver, WA and Clark County, WA areas. Articles appear regularly in the print edition of “The Columbian” newspaper, as well.
Blog: http://blogs.columbian.com/gardening-with-allen
Craig and Joy Johnson DVDs, blogs and books:The authors live on Whidbey Island (Puget Sound area of Northwest WA state, USA) alongside a host of wildlife they share with others via pictures, stories and sound. Their DVD “Birds, Backyard Habitat and Beyond” was given away at one of the club’s meetings this fall to a thrilled member.http://pedersenwrites.blogspot.com/?view=magazinehttp://www.pugetsoundbackyardbirds.com/index.html
Other Garden Clubs & Organizations:
Ft. Vancouver Rose Society. “The rose society in Vancouver, Washington, established in 1953, and a proud member of the American Rose Society (ARS). ” Image from their Website: https://fortvancouverrosesociety.org/
Greater Portland Iris Society. Established in 1952, this group is affiliated with the American Iris Society. Website: http://greaterportlandirissociety.org/
Hardy Plant Society of Oregon…is ” a community of passionate gardeners at all levels. The Society offers an extraordinary array of educational programs and activities all year-round. With now over 2300 members, HPSO is one of the largest non-profit gardening organizations on the West Coast.” Based in Portland, Oregon. Web site: http://www.hardyplantsociety.org/hortlandia
Vancouver Chrysanthemum Society. Members of national society. Website info can be found here: http://www.mums.org/washington/ and Facebook: “Vancouver Wa. Chrysanthemum Society”
Miscellaneous Topics:
Integrated Pest Management – IPM
Cindy Withrow, Master Gardener presented IPM at the club’s February 24, 2016 meeting. Attached is a reference document she handed out with additional resources on IPM: IPM_Alternative _handout
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