You know how I know it’s spring?  Awe-inspiring garden shows hit the calendar and warmer weather competes for my time in the office.  Yes, a month has gone by since the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, but the ideas are still fresh and ready to use in your own garden.  Better late than never, right?!

I had a chance to talk with fellow garden writers Theresa Loe, associate producer of the upcoming PBS series Growing a Greener World, and Christina Salwitz, a Seattle based Personal Garden Coach; as well as other garden show vendors about tips people can implement on their own. As you listen to each mini podcast, scroll through the pictures to get an idea of what each person is describing. Enjoy!

Creating a Living Wall with Strawberries

The display garden, There’s No Place Like Home, co-designed by Zsofia Pastor of Innovative Landscape Technologies, was themed around The Wizard of Oz.  However, what really caught my eye were the strawberry living walls. Listen to Zsofia discuss the smart use of strawberries, another other edibles, for living walls in home gardens.

Placing Metal Sculptures in the Garden

Listen to Lauren Osmolski, an artist blacksmith, share with me how to utilize her sculptures in the garden to create focal points and winter interest.  Think about where you want to draw interest and place something fabulous there like Lauren’s Reed Sculptures, or imagine Sweet Sugar Snap Peas or Pole Beans vining up the reeds in the back of your veggie beds.  Visit Lauren’s website to see more artwork.

Attracting Bees To Your Garden

Many edible plants and fruit trees require pollination in order to bloom and create fruit.  Why not increase your chances of a successful season by attracting bees naturally to your garden? Listen to David Neil, of Island Apiaries, as he provides tips homeowners should think about when attracting bees to their backyards.

Smart Garden Design Tips

Listen to Christina Salwitz as she takes me through her favorite display garden, A Family’s Little Farm in the City, designed by Jessica Bloom of NW Bloom and co-created by Seattle Tilth. She points out stylish and sustainable garden ideas for many different types of urban gardens.  Depending on the size of your garden spaces, you can implement one or all of the ideas discussed in the podcast.

Turning a Beater Truck into an Urban Homestead Garden

Listen to Theresa Loe discuss the reality of the Crops for Clunkers planting design by the Seattle Urban Farm Company. From chickens laying eggs in the truck cab to growing strawberries up the side, this display garden packs many great gardening ideas into a small spaces. Just be sure to ask your neighbors first before you decide to park your beater truck on the front lawn.