The Dance of the Veggies P2: Crop Rotation

Many gardeners have heard that crop rotation is a good idea, but there’s a lot of confusion out there over how to make it happen. Especially when you’re working with a city-sized space or a container garden, a lot of advice you’ll find out there can sound impossible to follow. But, once you understand the…

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Seeds at Sky: Local, Organic, Sustainable & Beyond

It’s time to think about seeds! Here in the Pacific Northwest, many vegetable and summer flower seeds can be sown indoors starting in February to get a jump start on the season. The hardiest spring veggies can even be sown right into the ground by early March. As you begin to consult seed planting charts…

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The Garden Walk: Daily Checklist for a Healthy Garden

Hi there, dear Sky Nursery readers. Toby Madrone here. I usually stick to a more informative tone, but I decided to change it up a bit today, and share from my personal gardening experience. I hope you enjoy this post in all of its honest plant-nerd glory. I take a walk through my garden every…

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Companion Planting

We get a lot of questions about companion planting at Sky. Many gardeners hope for a straightforward list of compatible plants to make it easy to intercrop their garden beds. But ultimately, charts and lists might be a little too simplistic for the beautifully complex world of plants. Instead, we like to think about companion…

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Words from the Garden: Our Favorite Horticultural Lingo

As you may already know, there is a lot to learn when it comes to gardening: plants, bugs, microclimates, soil conditions, animals, tools, minerals, moisture levels, and so much more! Once one part of the puzzle becomes clear, you may realize you’ve opened up an entirely new can of worms to be explored. When it…

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Pests With Benefits: Give these critters a second chance

earwig pest or friend

Just like many garden flora have a reputation as “weeds,” certain fauna are often labeled as “garden pests.” Some are vehemently accused of damaging our plants or wreaking havoc in our lawns. Some may pack a nasty bite or sting we can’t forget. A few unwelcome guests might even get a little too cozy in…

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Fertilizer Basics: Gardening 101

sky nursery organic fertilizer products

Most gardeners have heard that plants need fertilizer. But what kind of fertilizer, how the heck do you use it, and where do you start? Even for experienced gardeners, the options can feel overwhelming. And searching online often yields confusing or conflicting advice. The good news is, choosing a fertilizer and supplying your plants with the…

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Aphids: Natural Pest Management

closeup of a green aphid

Aphids are one of those ubiquitous pests that every gardener has to contend with. A handful of aphids won’t cause much damage, but their lightning-fast reproduction rates and tendency to gather can make them a cause for concern.  But don’t reach for harsh pesticides yet!  The good news is that there are lots of beneficial…

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