Read an Excerpt
Introduction This book is a guide to creating vibrant gardens in the Pacific Northwest while also promoting balance and a more responsible use of resources. No other endeavor connects us so closely to the earth, the change of seasons, the weather. We can paint pictures, enrich the earth and air, provide important habitat for wildlife, grow food, act as conservator, and leave a legacy for future generations. Above all, we can expand our understanding of what a meaningful, personal outdoor space can be in this remarkable part of the planet. To those ends, this book starts with an exploration of the weather conditions with which smart Northwest gardeners seek to form a cautious alliance. By working with nature instead of expecting the climate to suit our needs, we vastly increase our chances of gardening triumphs and decrease our incidents of frustration. We’ll cover the eight basic subregions in this part of the country and discuss how climate impacts gardeners in each area. Next, we’ll offer a guide to good garden culture, which begins with knowing what type of soil you have and how to work with it. We’ll give a lesson on planting in our wet-winter/dry-summer climate, and then we’ll explain how to properly fertilize, irrigate, and mulch your Pacific Northwest garden. We’ll also discuss how to deal with diseases such as verticillium wilt and pests like azalea lace bug and slugs. A significant portion of this book is comprised of portraits of carefully chosen perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees. We’re convinced that gardening for diversity is vitally important. Around the world, the extinction rate of species is accelerating, and it’s imperative that our gardens help slow this trend by becoming zones of conservation and variety. We provide a comprehensive list of region-appropriate plants in an effort to help you keep your own garden’s flora wonderfully eclectic. Finally, we’ll illustrate the most popular garden styles of our region. We’ll show you gardens that have been designed to both embrace beauty and to fit into the landscape without taking a toll on the environment. Seeing how these retreats are in harmony with their surroundings paints a portrait of what is possible here. Although this book has two authors, the story will be told from Paul’s point of view, drawing on his more than 25 years of experience as a nurseryman in the Pacific Northwest. While Amy’s no stranger to the nursery industry herself, she is a relative newcomer to the area, and we felt it made sense to have Paul relay the story. Amy’s influence is found in the photos throughout the book and in the editing work she’s done behind the scenes. Whether you’re a recent transplant or a lifelong Northwest resident, a newbie gardener or a seasoned veteran, there are lessons to be learned and great joys to be found in cultivating a little piece of paradise here. Our aim is to show you some of the many ways in which the pleasure of gardening can find expression in our corner of the world, as well as to share the principles that will help you succeed. We hope you’ll find enlightenment, guidance, and inspiration in these pages.
