Mary Fran

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener A free, green-thumb adventure for the whole family is planned for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 15 at WSU Chelan-Douglas Master Gardeners’ Community Education Garden on the northwest corner of…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Gardening is not all sunshine and flowers as any realistic gardener knows. Gardening is dirty work — that is the title of the next Third Saturday in the Garden event scheduled for…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Ask folks how far roots extend beyond an established tree, and most will likely answer roughly the same width as what is viewed in the above-ground tree canopy. To be accurate, there’s…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener It’s a pretty good guess that most everyone except snow enthusiasts is happy to see the likes of spring emerging. That includes gardeners raring to prune, cleanup and plant. Sharpening tools for…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener It’s interesting that three Master Gardener columnists — Bonnie Orr, Julie Banken and I — all refer to our rural upbringing as a major factor in our philosophy on gardening. No doubt…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Master Gardeners are proud of our success story, especially this year while celebrating our 50th anniversary helping gardeners and improving our environment. And to think it all began right here in Washington…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener “Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ like a hori hori” was the headline of my garden gift column 14 years ago. This year, it remains the same, as 18 WSU Master Gardeners quickly answered…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Planting garlic, digging and overwintering dahlias, and planting bulbs for spring glory are among the topics included in our bonus Third Saturday in the Garden coming up Saturday, Oct. 21. This free…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Free tomato tasting under the trees during warm August weather was a hit last year and let’s hope for the same this year for the 13th annual Tomato Gala. Come join the event from 10…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener The usual weather in early July means our plants are coping with higher temperatures and are not so happy. On the other hand, tomatoes, peppers and marigolds might just be bursting with…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Spring is finally looking like it should, as are the annual Third Saturday in the Garden presentations by WSU Chelan-Douglas Master Gardeners. The next free garden event takes place 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.…

We’ve had our fill of the cold and aren’t we all hankering for spring? It’s time to seriously plan landscapes with colorful, easy-care flowers, whether annuals or perennials.

March is a big month for pruning before those new leaves begin appearing. Add to that, it’s a good time for sharpening your tools to make gardening easier.

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener We have a wide range of rose choices these days — from easy-care landscape roses covered with masses of blooms to the elegant, old hybrid teas sporting those show-stopping single blossoms. Our…

By Mary Fran McClureWSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener Our garden writers’ enthusiasm about propagating plants is obvious if you’ve been reading our recent weekly columns. First was how to successfully root geranium cuttings, next came tips on starting vegetable seeds,…

As we wind down the year and prefer the warmth of indoors, this is a good time to contemplate garden projects that make life easier and improve the landscape. A good start is evaluating plants that have outgrown their spaces or just don’t satisfy. Another consideration is what to do with those plants that have proven to be thugs. Eliminating some lawn is yet another possibility. Perhaps you’re ready to take on a larger project, such as redesigning your backyard, as Lloyd Thompson’s Nov. 16 garden column outlined.

With that large Thanksgiving feast now a memory, perhaps getting out and cutting some greens for a wreath-making party are in order. Making your own holiday wreath isn’t complicated or expensive, and most of us have access to greenery, whether pine, cedar, fir or other evergreens such as holly, privet or Oregon grape.

A stroll through the Community Education Garden (we shorten it to CEG) is enjoyable any time of year. This transition month toward garden dormancy means structural elements take center stage rather than plants.

Looking out our kitchen window in late September, we notice a few branches of our weeping crabapple transitioning from green to yellow. Cooler weather and longer nights are signaling the tree to head into dormancy.

As summer glides into fall, this is a heads-up time for gardeners to get in gear while it’s still nice outdoors. Some smart steps taken now will yield many gardening benefits next year.