Spring is a busy time for gardeners and garden educators. I am out in the community giving talks and classes for adults, children and educators. It is great to be back out there. Check out my Events Schedule to see where you can catch a program in your area. I have also been featured on blogs and in newsletters sharing my passion for growing vegetables.

Check out the recent Redfin article I was featured in:
"Starting a vegetable garden can be a fun and rewarding experience for anyone, regardless of whether you have a green thumb or not. Not only can it provide you with fresh and healthy produce, but it can also save you money on grocery bills and reduce your carbon footprint. However, the process of starting a vegetable garden can seem daunting, especially if you are a beginner." Read the whole article; Plant, Grow Harvest; Your Guide to Starting a Vegetable Garden for Your Home

​Cascade Gardener
I was also featured in the Cascade Water Alliance's newsletter in early May, here is that interview.

What I’m doing in my garden
Weeding and mulching. We recently got a beautiful load of wood chips through Chip Drop so most of the gardening work is centering around sheet mulching and moving chips. Our place looks clean and fresh, there is nothing better for instant beauty than a fresh layer mulch. If you are interested in a load of wood chips, see of Chip Drop is right for you https://getchipdrop.com/
Keep on track with your planting and seasonal gardening tasks, sign up for my monthly newsletter. I cover what to do in your edible garden each month to keep growing year-round and other handy organic, edible gardening techniques. Each issue includes a garden craft for kids and families. Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.gardenwithlisa.com
 
My favorite tool
I have a number of favorite tools depending on the job. I am really excited about a new tool – my digital garden planner. My garden journal is my most important tool and this year I upgraded the old spiral binder with a digital planner. Joan Goodnight from the Heron and Pineapple has created a great planner just for gardeners. It is really cool and easy to use. Now rather than scrolling my phone I can plan my garden on my iPad. I’m having fun with the design tools, envisioning different changes I am considering this season. Get organized this season with a digital or print version of the beautiful planner created by the Heron and Pineapple. It is available for purchase on my website www.gardenwithlisa.com/store/c15/garden-planner
 
My favorite resource book
I’ve been really geeking out about Mason Bees lately. My refreshed and reloaded Nesting Block is up and waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more. Mason bees are so cool and I absolutely love the book “Pollination with Mason Bees; A Gardener’s Guide to Managing Mason Bees for Fruit Production” by Dr. Margriet Dogterom.
 
A blog I enjoy following
I’m not following any blogs but I do love @thefrenchiegardener aka Patrick Vernuccio on Instagram. Also @blackforager aka Alexis Nikole Nelson – love her so much! Check out my blog – Edible Garden Confidential at www.gardenwithlisa.com/ediblegardenconfidential
 
My favorite plant in my garden (with photo)
The one I’m enjoying right now is the Wild Orchid Wallflower on my front deck. Wallflower is a native or near native that blooms early spring. Flowers come in a variety of colors and smell of gentle baby powder. It is cold hardy and loves growing in a container. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @gardenwithlisa to see what I’m growing and the cool plants and places I discover.
 

You want a bountiful vegetable garden but you dread the “yard work.” Using organic techniques saves time, money and helps the environment. A diverse, thriving edible garden is more resistant to pests and diseases, there are fewer weeds (or they are easy to pull) and you save money because healthy soil conserves water.
 
Diseases and Pests
No problem. Follow the Organic Checklist and use Earth-friendly gardening practices so that your plants are healthier and can withstand most pests and diseases.
 
The Organic Checklist are the guiding principles for a pesticide-free garden.

• building healthy soil
• putting the right plant in the right place
• working with nature
• encouraging biodiversity
• conserve resources and water wisely
• learn as you grow

 
Other organic practices for a problem-free garden are proper pruning and training to improve air circulation and good sanitation (removing and disposing of diseased plant material).
 
Get to Know Some Bugs
Put the spray can away and get out the field guide. A big part of a healthy carefree garden is learning about all the creatures that live there. Most of the bugs you see are beneficial or are food for beneficial creatures. Invite as much wildlife into your garden so they can “sort it out” and keep the balance. Get to know about the habits and habitats of garden critters. Most of them are there to help.
 
Weeds be Gone!
Using organic techniques can save time spent weeding – so you can spend more time eating all the food you are growing. Spacing plants so that less bare soil is exposed to the sun will keep weed seeds from sprouting. Topdressing any bare soil with a 1/2 inch of finished compost will keep weed seeds from sprouting. Spreading out a layer of mulch is an effective way to suppress weeds while enriching the soil. Any weeds that do poke through the mulch are easy to pull.
 
Good for the Planet
A healthy, pesticide-free edible garden is good for everyone. Healthy soil helps absorb, filter and clean storm water. Soils rich in organic matter and compost hold more moisture so you don’t have to water your garden as often – saves time and money. Including a wide variety of plants invites wildlife into your garden so that they can do the work of keeping the garden in balance. Composting recycles organic waste into a nutrient rich soil amendment that plants need to grow.