A hedgehog
Featured Northwest Lifestyles Outdoor Activities

How to rescue an injured animal

Photo caption: Hedgehogs are declining as humans increasingly invade their habitat. DIY Garden blogger Rachel Brown was determined to spread injured animal rescue information after helping to detangle a hedgehog caught in netting last year. Brown recently posted a comprehensive guide on what to do if you come across an injured animal outside. There are […]

Gloves in garden
Featured Outdoor Activities

Mother’s Day Gifts Sure to Please

Photo caption:  Protect mom’s hands while gardening with a colorful pair of new garden gloves.Photo courtesy of FoxGlovesInc.com By Melinda Myers Each year we set aside one day to honor mothers.  And each year we struggle to find the perfect gift to show them we care. Cut flowers are one of the most popular gifts. […]

Barn and Mount Adams
Featured Northwest Lifestyles Outdoor Activities

Photographer’s passionate Northwest quest

Photo Caption: Jake Bestgen captures a brilliant image of rustic barn with  Mount Adams towering in the background. Photographer Jake Bestgen is passionate about capturing his many Pacific Northwest landscape and floral arrangements. “Until just recently, my work has remained in the archives of my computer,” says Bestgen, a Vancouver, Washington resident. “I recently decided […]

Wire garden border
Featured Northwest Lifestyles Outdoor Activities

Boost Your Landscape’s Curb Appeal in One Weekend

Photo caption: Define garden spaces with decorative garden edging while keeping unruly plants out of the lawn and off walkways. Photo credit:  Photo courtesy of Gardener’s Supply Company by Melinda Myers Create a front garden that is sure to boost your mood and welcome visitors all year round.  All you need is one weekend and […]

Figurine
Featured Northwest Lifestyles Outdoor Activities

Troutdale good launch pad for Columbia Gorge jaunts

Photo caption: Twig hair flies on a sculpture at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale. By Greg Johnson Visitors will find Troutdale a pleasant launch pad for jaunts to this historic downtown, nearby McMenamins Edgefield and the Columbia River Gorge. Troutdale is the gateway to the historic Columbia River Highway, the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood […]

Red flowers
Featured Northwest Lifestyles Outdoor Activities

Plan Ahead for Amaryllis Blooms All Winter Long

Photo caption:  As its name implies, Double King amaryllis brightens up any room with double blossoms of burgundy-red and can have up to a dozen flowers. Photo credit: photo courtesy of Longfield-Gardens.com By Melinda Myers Let amaryllis fill your home with flowers for the holidays and keep the blossoms coming all winter long. When you plant […]

Tick on skin
Featured Outdoor Activities

Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases While Enjoying the Outdoors

Photo caption:  Ticks, including the black legged tick, often gain access through pant legs or shirttails and crawl up looking for a place to settle in and feed.  Photo credit:  Scott Bauer, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org By Melinda Myers You’ve grabbed your water bottle, sunscreen and hat for a hike in the park or some gardening. Add […]

Rushing river
Featured Northwest Lifestyles Outdoor Activities

Hike your heart out in Bend’s Shevlin Park

By Greg Johnson, travel writer Shevlin Park is ideal for hiking, nature walking, picnicking and views of scenic Tumalo Creek. The 652-acre park, located just four miles from downtown Bend, features several trails as well as three developed picnic sites. The scenic Shevlin Park Loop Trail crosses one of several foot bridges over the scenic […]

Purple and pink flowers
Featured Outdoor Activities

Bold and Beautiful Alliums for Every Garden

Photo caption:  The flowers of Globemaster allium are the size of bowling balls atop sturdy, three-foot-tall stems. Photo credit: Longfield Gardens By Melinda Myers Short or tall, big or small, ornamental alliums are a treat for flower gardeners and for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Plant the bulbs in fall and enjoy months of colorful […]

Hummingbird on flower
Featured Outdoor Activities

Chemical-free Options for Managing Mosquitoes in Your Landscape

Photo caption:  Hummingbirds feed on mosquitoes, other insects as well as flower nectar and feeders. Photo credit:  Melinda Myers, LLC By Melinda Myers It’s time to get outside and enjoy summer BBQs, gardening, hikes and much more. Don’t let mosquitoes keep you inside; Instead enlist these chemical-free strategies to manage these pests in your landscape. Start by […]