Features

Primulas and anemone rosea greet a spring morning on May 15, 2019, at the Kachemak Gardener’s garden in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Realizing spring’s potential

On the drive to Anchorage about 10 days ago, it was fascinating to observe the leaf emergence on the birch, alder and willow. With each… Continue reading

 

Don’t miss the forsythia blooming on the corner of Pioneer Avenue and Svedlund Street on May 2, 2019. There aren’t many of these in Homer, so appreciate them now, for their bloom time is short. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Get thee to the nurseries

Homer’s nurseries are truly magnificent. There was a time in the not so distant past that I would journey as far north as Wasilla, stopping… Continue reading

 

The hardy fall planted spring blooming bulb chionodoxa may be worse for wear after being battered by wind and snow, but it bravely offers up its glory as seen in this photo taken April 19, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Come what may, spring will arrive

This is being written Sunday evening. The wind is howling and the snow keeps coming — a typical spring storm. All the lovely in bloom… Continue reading

 

“In addition to bringing early color and joy into our lives, the honeybees are equally entranced,” the Kachemak Gardener writes of crocuses blooming in her garden on March 31, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Expectations be damned for crocuses

I have been trumpeting my crocus population to one and all, practically begging friends to come and luxuriate in their presence. To my eye they… Continue reading

“In addition to bringing early color and joy into our lives, the honeybees are equally entranced,” the Kachemak Gardener writes of crocuses blooming in her garden on March 31, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
“This may not be the most colorful photo, but I hope the promise of crocus breaking ground and seeking their destiny will cradle your soul and warm your heart,” the Kachemak Gardener writes of crocus emerging at her garden on March 8, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick/Homer News)

Kachemak Gardener: The primal acceptance of March

There is no doubt in my mind that there is nothing trustworthy about March. But, instead of gritting my teeth, I get on with it.… Continue reading

“This may not be the most colorful photo, but I hope the promise of crocus breaking ground and seeking their destiny will cradle your soul and warm your heart,” the Kachemak Gardener writes of crocus emerging at her garden on March 8, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick/Homer News)

Kachemak Gardener: Heed the siren call of seed racks

Now that the sun has meaning you should consider washing your windows, especially if your intention is to start plants from seed. Which, of course,… Continue reading

Strawberries and raspberries picked at their peak of perfection, popped into the freezer to be savored throughout the long, dark winter months. What better reason to garden? (Photo by Cecilia Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: You can garden. Be fearless.

I’ve been having some very intense thoughts about you — specifically, those of you who either don’t garden or have tried and failed. The most… Continue reading

Strawberries and raspberries picked at their peak of perfection, popped into the freezer to be savored throughout the long, dark winter months. What better reason to garden? (Photo by Cecilia Fitzpatrick)
African violet seedlings have been started from leaf cuttings, as seen at Rosemary Fitzpatrick’s home in Homer, Alaska, on Jan. 27, 2019. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Time to tend houseplants

Houseplants. There are those of you who have oodles of these lovelies, of all different types and sizes and colors. I would hazard a guess… Continue reading

African violet seedlings have been started from leaf cuttings, as seen at Rosemary Fitzpatrick’s home in Homer, Alaska, on Jan. 27, 2019. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Until next year

Rosemary Fitzpatrick is a longtime Homer gardener and has been writing Kachemak Gardener since 1990.… Continue reading

Bravo! Lynn Temple gets the job of moose protection done sooner rather than later in this photo taken Oct. 21, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. Be thinking about this; the moose are in evidence in this neighborhood, having been missing most of the summer. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: There’s still time to finish garden chores

Oh my, where to start? This mellow fall is luxurious as far as time enough to do everything that needs to be done before the… Continue reading

Bravo! Lynn Temple gets the job of moose protection done sooner rather than later in this photo taken Oct. 21, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. Be thinking about this; the moose are in evidence in this neighborhood, having been missing most of the summer. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
Jade Cross Brussels sprouts at their peak of perfection. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: It’s been a fall to remember

Well now, isn’t this a fall to remember. The colors are lovely but, not to be pessimistic, it doesn’t smell like fall. There isn’t a… Continue reading

Jade Cross Brussels sprouts at their peak of perfection. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
Karen Berger at Homer Brewing stands by her appealing application of pallets on Sept. 21, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: End of season time to assess mistakes

Now is an excellent time to note the mistakes you have been avoiding addressing. Although I have stressed more than once that this garden has… Continue reading

Karen Berger at Homer Brewing stands by her appealing application of pallets on Sept. 21, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Working through the denial punch list

I am ignoring the inevitable. I don’t want to disconnect the hose from the house. I do want John to mow with the blade down… Continue reading

Kachemak Gardener: Jade the Dog inspires garden innovations

Jade the Dog, at 9 years old, has been bypassing one of the stone paths through the perennial gardens in front of the house for… Continue reading

Jane Wiebe appreciating the part of her freshened up garden that she views from the kitchen window on Aug. 10, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: There really is more to the gardening season

This little house is surrounded by garden, thus I needed a way to designate where in the garden I would be if someone were attempting… Continue reading

Jane Wiebe appreciating the part of her freshened up garden that she views from the kitchen window on Aug. 10, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
Judy Flora, Marcee Gray and Andrea Fitzpatrick Vallee enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon on July 29, 2018. Note the Black Knight delphinium making a decent showing in its second year. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: Now’s the time for strategic garden planning

There are so many things to talk about. This is the time in the growing season when the garden is exploding and to keep up… Continue reading

Judy Flora, Marcee Gray and Andrea Fitzpatrick Vallee enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon on July 29, 2018. Note the Black Knight delphinium making a decent showing in its second year. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
Flower beds in terraces frame a view of the Homer Spit at Joan Splinter’s garden on Reber Road off West Hill Road on July 30, 2017 in Homer, Alaska. Her garden was featured in the Homer Garden Club’s 2017 Summer Garden Tours. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

12th Annual Gardeners Weekend is back

The 12th annual Homer Gardeners Weekend, held July 28 and 29, features talks on July 28 and a tour of five gardens on July 29.… Continue reading

Flower beds in terraces frame a view of the Homer Spit at Joan Splinter’s garden on Reber Road off West Hill Road on July 30, 2017 in Homer, Alaska. Her garden was featured in the Homer Garden Club’s 2017 Summer Garden Tours. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Theresa Bugnet rose flourishing in spite of heavy rains. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Kachemak Gardener: On spinach, alliums and hummingbirds

I’ve been hearing a lot of dissatisfaction with spinach performance. There are those of you who are dismayed that your spinach is going to seed.… Continue reading

Theresa Bugnet rose flourishing in spite of heavy rains. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
Judy Flora stands among columbine in Homer, Alaska, on June 29, 2018, her penchant for the flowers realized. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Keep gardens manageable

Now this is a truly beautiful Sunday night. Peaceful, soft breeze, bird song and a garden that will bloom sooner rather than later. Garden parties… Continue reading

Judy Flora stands among columbine in Homer, Alaska, on June 29, 2018, her penchant for the flowers realized. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)
Forget-me-nots add a welcome burst of blue. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

Perennials are the stars of the show

In this little garden herbaceous plants are the stars of the show. These are the soft-stemmed perennials that die back every fall, hang out underground… Continue reading

Forget-me-nots add a welcome burst of blue. (Photo by Rosemary Fitzpatrick)

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