Fruit Trees Will Soothe Your Spirit and Brighten Your Mind

Fruit Trees Will Soothe Your Spirit and Brighten Your Mind

Many people forget about fruit trees when they are planning out their yards, but they should not be overlooked. They are so simple, so rewarding, and so beautiful. They represent our most ancient connection to the bounty of nature. They are fun to work on, soothing to look at, and their personalities are all so different.

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New Grant in Monroe Helping Residents Garden in Their Housing Community

New Grant in Monroe Helping Residents Garden in Their Housing Community

Here's a creative way to move dirt from one part of a hill to another. This happened in Monroe at the Housing Hope family complex. Snohomish Conservation District is partnering with Housing Hope to restore and build garden beds for residents. 

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Your Lawn As Art

Your Lawn As Art

Maybe you read last week’s editorial about lawns stifling creativity and you’ve started to second guess the big rectangle of grass in your front yard, but you’re hesitant to get rid of your lawn altogether. After all, you’ve got kids, or pets, or both, and it’s a great space to play!

I’ve got good news for you: you can keep your lawn and be creative with it at the same time.

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Hugel-what?

Hugel-what?

Hügelkultur is a German word that means hill or mound. In agriculture and gardening, it means no-dig raised beds constructed from decaying wood debris and other compostable biomass plant materials. They hold moisture, build fertility, maximize surface volume and are great spaces for growing fruit, vegetables and herbs.

 

Photo credit: www.richsoil.com

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Washington Stormwater Center

Washington Stormwater Center

The Washington Stormwater Center conducts research including 16 experimental rain gardens. Each garden tests the effects of different soil, vegetation, and other factors that help filter rainwater and stormwater. Earlier this summer, the center concluded that the water was draining too quickly from the rain gardens, thereby losing all the filtration benefits of the special imported rain garden soil.

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Fall Task List for All Types of Properties

Fall Task List for All Types of Properties

The shorter days of autumn inspire us to slow down after a busy summer, but accomplishing a few tasks before the rains set in and the winds start to blow will make winter more pleasant and surprise you with a healthy land and soil-scape next spring.

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Local Businesses Beautify and Restore Stormwater Ponds

Local Businesses Beautify and Restore Stormwater Ponds

The Snohomish Conservation District gathered dozens of local volunteers last Thursday behind the Stanwood Camano Village to help restore a bare and degraded landscape right in their own backyard. Volunteers included employees from local businesses, including the YMCA, the Everett Clinic, Port Susan Dental Care, Subway, and Process Solutions.

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