barbara

19 Minutes

Lawn & Turf Care Pest Management Seasonal and Climate Considerations

How to Identify and Treat Disease X on Your Lawn Before It Spreads

barbara July 2, 2026

You’ve noticed something wrong with your lawn, but you can’t quite pin down what it is. “<a href="https://bluestem.ca/lawn-turf-care/disease-x-is-destroying-lawns-everywhere-heres-how-to-fight-back/">Disease X</a>” isn’t an official name in turf pathology, but rather a catch-all term for unusual lawn...

20 Minutes

Budget & Sourcing Indoor Gardening Structures and Hardscapes

What You’ll Actually Pay for a Sunroom Addition in the Tri-Cities

barbara June 10, 2026

Picture this: a sun-drenched space where your seedlings thrive year-round, your morning coffee tastes better surrounded by thriving herbs, and January doesn’t mean saying goodbye to your <a href="https://bluestem.ca/garden-fundamentals/start-your-dream-garden-today-right-on-your-windowsill/">indoor garden oasis</a>. That’s the magic...

17 Minutes

Laws, Permits & Codes Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Gardening Tree and Shade Gardens

Tree Removal Permits: What Your City Isn’t Telling You

barbara June 3, 2026

That magnificent oak shading your driveway might seem like yours to remove, but chances are you’ll need official permission first. Most cities regulate tree removal through permit systems designed to protect urban forests, and...

15 Minutes

Plant-Specific Care

Plant Your First Herb Garden Without Killing Everything

barbara May 26, 2026

Start with three to five herbs in six-inch pots placed on a sunny windowsill or patio—basil, mint, and parsley thrive with minimal fuss and forgive beginner mistakes. Choose a spot that receives at least...

19 Minutes

Garden Design and Planning

Transform Any Wall Into a Thriving Garden (Even If You Have Zero Floor Space)

barbara May 25, 2026

Transform bare walls into productive growing spaces by mounting gutters horizontally with drainage holes drilled every six inches—perfect for lettuce, herbs, and strawberries that need only 4-6 inches of soil depth. Repurpose wooden pallets...

14 Minutes

Wildlife and Biodiversity

Foxes Are Destroying Your Garden at Night (Here’s How to Live With Them)

barbara May 24, 2026

Observe your garden at dusk and you’ll likely spot the real reason for those mysterious overnight disturbances: foxes are primarily nocturnal hunters, with peak activity occurring between sunset and sunrise when they search for...

16 Minutes

DIY Builds & Projects Propagation & Seed Stewardship Tools and Equipment

The Flower Seed Harvester That Saves You Hours (And Your Seeds)

barbara May 22, 2026

Harvest flower seeds by gently shaking dried seedheads into paper bags, allowing you to capture hundreds of seeds in seconds while keeping varieties separate and clearly labeled. For delicate blooms like poppies and columbines,...

18 Minutes

Specialty Gardens

These Native Plants Growing in Your Backyard Could Replace Your Medicine Cabinet

barbara May 21, 2026

Transform your garden into a healing sanctuary by selecting native medicinal plants that thrive naturally in your region’s climate and soil conditions. Start with echinacea, a powerhouse immune booster that produces stunning purple flowers...