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Peninsula Daily news2 Home & Garden FriDay, May 1, 2009

contentshome & garden / spring 2009

setting a green tableEarth-friendly dining habits can extend beyond food to your plate and table too.

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Home & Garden 2009Published by the Peninsula Daily NewsMain office: 305 W. First St., Port Angeles, WA 98362; 360-452-2345

John C. Brewer | editor and publisherSean McDonald | advertising director

Jennifer Veneklasen | special sections editorTrisha McMahon | special sections editor

Easy-care plantsJust plant ‘em and forget about ‘em. . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16

What’s in store at the ReStoreBargains on home products that benefit Habitat for Humanity . . Page 14

Bright ideasFive easy tips for decorating a home on a budget . . . . . . . . .Page 11

Top gardening trends in 2009 . . . . . . . . . .Page 8

Grow your own groceries Vegetable gardening is hot — learn how to start your own . . . .Page 9

Another year on the Port Townsend kitchen tour . . Page 7

Bring the outdoors insideThrow open the windows and let the warm weather in . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

New to youThese days antiques are just another way to go green . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 4 and 13

Start by using cloth instead of paper napkins. To make it fun, assign everyone their own napkin ring or let them choose from a small assortment you’ve gathered.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but wash and reuse your dishes. Staying away from disposables of all kinds including plates, cups and silverware

made from paper or plastic is much easier on the environment.If you really love the convenience of throw-away dishes, one way to decrease

their impact is to make sure the ones you use are recyclable and biodegradable.Decorating the table can also be eco-friendly. Seek out recycled place mats, many of which are heat resistant.Many shops carry recycled plates, glasses, bowls, utensils and more. And of course, using dinnerware purchased from an antique or second-hand

store is another way to get “recycled” items.Tablecloths and napkins made from hemp or bamboo are highly sustainable and

often quite stylish.

Light your wayBarn’s Door, at 144 Benson Road in Port Angeles, carries an assortment of lanterns that can go indoors or out. They also carry flameless candles, shown here inside the lanterns, that are battery operated. The candles can be placed on a timer to act as a night light — or have candlelight waiting for you when you get home from work!Candles take C or D batteries, so they are not terribly expensive and last a long time, says co-owner Carol Girt. For more ideas from Barn’s Door, turn to page 11.

Photo by Jennifer Veneklasen

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QUICK IDEA

Peninsula Daily news FriDay, May 1, 2009 Home & Garden 3

over thefence

story and photos by

Jennifer Veneklasen Peninsula Daily news

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You could say one of the most successful retail stores in Sequim began because of a

poorly-made potato fork.Or, at the very least, that particular gardening tool got the

ball rolling even if it couldn’t get the potato up.The story goes like this:Jeri Sanford, an avid gardener, liked good tools. The problem was that she couldn’t find too many of them

in Sequim. After bending the tines on her potato fork for the ump-

teenth time, and being unable to find a better-made one locally, she hopped on the ferry to Victoria, B.C.

“Stores there have gorgeous garden tools made in Eng-land,” she says.

Jeri bought a sturdy potato fork, picked the brains of store owners, got a subscription to a European gardening magazine and came back to Sequim with a plan to open her own gardening store complete with, among other things, top-of-the-line tools.

“I had been working at Sequim Middle School for 11 years, our kids were grown and I knew it was time to either go back and finish my degree or to find another way to be challenged in a fun and creative way,” she says.

Continuing to research, she sought mentoring from other retailers she admired — and really listened to them, she says.

Their advice included: start small; make it good from the very beginning; and know your product.

Check, check, check.

Humble beginningsThe original Over the Fence was a 1,200-square-foot

warehouse.Jeri didn’t have much of a decorating budget to begin

with, but she placed a gazebo made from donated lumber smack dab in the middle of the room for her opening day.

“I didn’t have a lot of inventory so I needed to create drama with props,” she says.

Not surprisingly, Jeri says she was “scared stiff” when the store opened. In fact she was so nervous that she doesn’t even remember her first sale.

There wasn’t a lot happening in Sequim 13 years ago, Jeri says, so opening the store and finding a customer base was a leap of faith.

Every cent she made for the first three years went right back into growing the business.

Not only that, but she was still working part time at Sequim Middle School and spending six days a week at Over the Fence with her daughter as the only part-time employee.

By continuing to add inventory, listening to her custom-ers and letting the business evolve, Jeri has increased sales every one of the 13 years since she opened.

When the Highway 101 bypass was put in, business shot up by 30 percent.

Jeri credits her success to a knowledgeable staff (yes she was finally able to hire help) and the her ability to adapt.

“When I make a mistake, I fix it and move past it,” she says. “And I don’t worry when it’s slow because there are plenty of things to get done.”

Three years ago, Over the Fence more than tripled its space, and after selling his irrigation company, Jeri’s husband Fran joined her in the day-to-day operations.

The beautiful 5,000-square-foot home and garden store is a far cry from the sparsely decorated warehouse of 13 years ago.

If the economy is hurting, you wouldn’t know it by the bustling activity within.

Customers — many regulars — browse the indoor and outdoor showrooms anxiously anticipating what Jeri has found in her trips around the world (another perk of the job).

“I love to find out where things come from,” she says. “To find the good sources you have to go places, not wait for catalogs to come to you.”

Much of the furniture is one-of-a-kind — and comes with a story that Jeri or her staff are happy to share.

Merchandise hails from places like Bali, Vietnam, Indone-sia, France, Mexico and elsewhere.

A lot of her stuff comes from Asia, but Jeri says it’s also thrilling to find things made in North America.

Worldly offerings are interspersed with creations by Washington artists, chairs from Chicago and concrete sculp-tures from Canada.

Much of the furniture is not only original, but made from recycled and/or renewable materials.

There is a wonderful America line of furniture made out of old wine barrels and packing crates.

Another line is from Thailand and made out of old, teak farm carts and parts of teak buildings.

“Would you believe they used to use teak for everything, even building rail fences?” Jeri asks.

Six years ago she and her husband were in Thailand where the furniture was made and they imported containers of it. There are a couple of those teak benches, fence posts and rails currently for sale at the store.

Brightly painted furniture from Indonesia is made out of recycled mahogany from old buildings.

Not much about Over the Fence is predictable — other than there are always amazing finds — and Jeri says she is compelled to have something for every pocketbook.

“I think of the store as an adventure,” she says. “Having a retail business is like put-ting together a puzzle.”

It’s easy to tell that Jeri is still having a lot of fun with her not-so-small business venture.

She recently put together a free-formed, solid bamboo daybed to display the store’s new line of spun bamboo bedding and scarves — all organic, even the packaging.

And while Jeri has much planned for the coming year — including construction of a Web site where they can sell merchandise online — one thing that won’t change at Over the Fence is the great service and that origi-nal gazebo.

The store is open seven days a week.

For more information about Over the Fence, phone 360-681-6851 or drop by 112 E. Washington St. in Sequim.

“You have to listen to customers if you want to reach a broader population,” says Jeri Sanford, owner of the popular Sequim home and garden store, Over the Fence. Much of the store’s furniture, like this large piece, is one-of-a-kind. The cabinet was brought back from Bali and made from old Indonesian teak boats “Original is just more interesting,” Jeri says.

Turn to page 5 to see more of Over the Fence’s pots.>>

Above: These large, colorful rugs are reversible and made from recycled plastic. They can go indoors or out and the material won’t fade in the sun, Jeri says. Top right: Etched glass tables were created by a Washington artist. They are made of 6 layers of glass and come in three different sizes. Right: Over the Fence has a vast selection of pots housed outdoors, turn to Page 5 to learn more.


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oGREEN

Antique and second-hand stores are a won-derful way to recycle.

These stores sell good quality, used items passed from person to person, and in the case of antiques, from generation to generation.

No new materials are used to create them, and even though items are technically “old,” they are brand new to the buyer.

Antiques come with a story — some can be shared with us by knowl-edgeable dealers and some we can find only in the recesses of our own imagination.

When you buy dura-ble, used items, with a proven ability to last, rather than inexpen-sive new products from foreign manufacturers, you’re helping reduce the burden on our land-fills because, let’s face it, poorly made items often end up in the trash.

All of the second-hand treasures on this page can be found at The Stuff Brokers, located at 315 E. First St. in Port Angeles

For more information, phone 360-477-1748.

PhotograPhy by Jennifer Veneklasen

Golden gator bookends can add some sparkle and personality to your bookshelf.

Colorful tins are an inexpensive way to add retro flare to the kitchen or to use as storage.

James Johnson, owner of The Stuff Bro-kers, holds up the back of a wood carving for sale at his store. It is signed by the artist, E. Cobain Jr. of Montesano, Wash.

The front of the carving, shown above the larger photo, depicts a 3-D elephant with a glossy finish.

Johnson tirelessly researches many of the items in his store and this piece was no

exception. He found a Cobain in Montesano and gave him a call to learn more.

The man said he was the grandfather of the artist and incidentally, also of legendary Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain.

Johnson says they spoke for a while and the last thing the man said to him as he hung up the phone was:

“Kurt didn’t commit suicide.”

Artwork covers every square inch of a wall space at The Stuff Brokers.“I’m addicted to paintings,” says owner James Johnson, admitting that much of the space in his home is also devoted to storing artwork.

< Kurt Cobain connection

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Haitian artworkIn Haiti, the traditional art of

converting oil drums into wall sculpture is a true mark of man’s imagination and resourcefulness in the face of dire economic cir-cumstances.

Using 55-gallon oil drum cast-offs, the artist first removes both ends of the drum, reserving those for smaller sculptures.

He stuffs the drum with straw, igniting it to burn out any residues. When cooled, the art-ist slices it down one side and pounds it into a flat canvas.

With a stick and chalk, he then draws his intended design onto the metal sheet.

Finally he applies a hammer and chisel to the task — cutting, shaping and contouring the piece to its completion.

Jeri Sanford, owner of Over the Fence in Sequim, began selling these Haitian wall hang-ings after she met a mother and daughter in San Francisco who were helping the original artists market their work.

“In this business the words ‘fair trade’ get thrown around a lot,” Jeri says.

“But these are real examples.”She devotes a large wall at her

store to showcasing the work.

AnyPotGo ahead, pick a pot

ver the Fence is known for its pots. Shown here is just a small sampling of the huge selection of sizes, shapes and

colors you can find there.“They are the perfect way to

dress up a home or garden,” Jeri says while point-ing to the large, dramatic collection of green pots.

Small pots sell for as little as $14 and no mat-ter what size you buy, they are guaranteed for life.

“They are all made in Asia because that’s where the masters are. This is the good stuff,” she says.

She purposely leaves them outdoors all year to prove they can take the freeze-thaw cycles of the Pacific Northwest.

photographs by Jenn ifer Veneklasen


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Now that the ground is thawing and spring is in the air, it’s time to throw open the windows and let the fresh air in.

When you’re venturing out to dig in the dirt, take a moment to bring the outdoors inside with the following tips.

Head to the local garden center and find all those special effects that stimulate your senses in the warmer seasons.

Look for a few fragrant herbs like sage, lavender and rosemary to place on your windowsills.

Hearty and relatively easy to grow, these herbs will add color and “home-made” aromas to your kitchen and even powder rooms.

In addition, they’ll help freshen and clean the stuffy winter air.Keep bright colors in mind, which can be introduced by forcing bulbs

indoors.Amaryllis, in full bloom will brighten any room. Paperwhites, with their not-so-subtle scents will refresh a dull room and

add life as they bloom and grow, almost before your eyes. Another seasonal plant that welcomes the season is the Christmas cactus.

You can use a variety of cacti and other green plants, large and small, from Ficus to African violets, to make the rooms feel like the great outdoors.

Whether it’s changing the light bulbs in your home or buying a lamp that specifi-cally designed to recreate the effect of sunlight, changing the lighting values in your home is a great way to bring the outdoors in.

Designers often suggest losing your window coverings altogether and instead opting

for a large hang-ing plant, or a series of them hung at varying heights in a window.

They will screen sunlight, thrive on the direct light and provide privacy.

Brighter spaces feel largerUse mirrors to add reflected light to darker spaces and to

visually increase room size. Take a trip to the paint store and freshen your decor with

brighter colors. Sometimes it takes just one wall with a contrasting out-

door color like cornflower, rose or tomato red to feel like you’re closer to Mother Nature’s gifts.

There are dozens of colors in nature’s palate that mimic bright sunshine, begonias, green pears, cut hay and more.

There are few easier ways to switch up your decor than with the accents.

Replace a dark, fall-themed print with framed photos of your summer garden or introduce florals and leafy patterns mimicking nature in your accent pillows.

And don’t forget the sounds of your garden — introduce water features to remind you of a backyard pond and time spent outdoors.

It’s time to pack away winter’s cold and freshen your home for spring.

The sights, sounds and smells of nature do wonders to bring the outdoors in.

Now that the ground is thawing and spring is in the air, it’s time to throw You can use a variety of

by bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideby bringing the outdoors insideWelcome warmer weather

photo by Jennifer Veneklasen

This bamboo, spout-and-pump fountain is available at Over the Fence in Sequim. It can be used in any bowl, big or small, to create soothing water sounds. “I tell people to rethink their salad bowls,” says owner Jeri Sanford, noting that there is no need to buy a new bowl to ac-company the fountain. It’s also easy to add foliage to adjust the water sounds or increase the outdoor feel. Fountain sells for $29.


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Each April the east Jefferson County community comes out for the popular kitchen tour put on by the American Association of University Women and University Women’s Foundation of East Jefferson County.

This year ten Kala Point homeowners offered their kitchens for the 12th annual tour, which raises fund for scholarships and education projects from ticket sales, raffles and sponsorships from local businesses.

The tour included a state-of-the-art kitchen with equipment and work space for two chefs, as well as a kitchen using environ-mentally friendly appliances and construction.

There were a wide variety of beautiful granite and fused glass counter tops, as well as a counter top made of cashew nut shell-based resins and recycled paper.

Other highlights on the tour were an indoor beach, a copper collection from Iran, hand-painted tile of a view of the Amalfi Coast, a bench made from the stern post from the Schooner Martha and an antique window saved from demo-lition in Baden-Baden, Germany.

For more information on the tour or how to get tickets for next year’s event, phone 360-379-9472 or click on www.aauwpt.org/kitchen_tour.htm.

A two-chef dreamThe Schneider kitchen provides work areas and equipment for two chefs. The island has three levels: the working and sink area, an elevated counter that hides the work area from the adjacent dining room and a fused glass seating area with attractive cantilevered mounting. Everything in this kitchen is state-of-the-art — from the gel mats on the work area floors, to the pull-out-drawer dishwasher. Beautiful wall and tile colors coupled with contemporary lighting create an elegant Northwestern ambiance.

Color splashThe attractive colors, suspended range hood and three sizes of plate storage are some of the features that distinguish Sigrid Cummings’ kitchen from others. The ceiling is recessed in order to feature the triptych windows and to mount lighting fixtures.

Family heirloom

The bowl holding fresh vegetables is a 1774

Pennsylvania pewter bowl that was a wedding gift to Normandie

Anderson’s ancestor. Normandie’s mother told her it

was once used to carry potatoes up from the cellar.

“The design of this house was driven by what we’ve learned

from our previous homes, about how we live and use space, as well as about new sustainably produced and environmentally

friendly materials,” says Normandie of their contemporary,

Craftsman home.

AAUW Port Townsend and UWF

Envy of the neighborhoodCheck out these innovative kitchen designs

Photo by Jeff Eichen

AAUW Port Townsend and UWF

KITCHEN TOUR

KITHCEN TOUR


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Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend of grow-it-yourself — GIY. From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new man-tra as folks turn “back to the future” to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good.

“It’s a resurgence of gardening for the greater good -— for the earth and our wallets,” says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and president of the Garden Media Group (GMG).

“The most exciting movement seems to be that gardening is popular again, particularly among younger homeowners,” she adds.

GMG’s gardening trends for 2009 reveal a resurgence in perennials, growing native plants, creating “blended” gardens using vegetables and herbs in flower beds, cultivating with best practices, planting to attract wildlife and going local.

“The urgent commitment to environmental sustainabil-ity and the basic desire to make our homes our havens is reflected in all gardening trends for 2009,” McCoy says.

What’s in: Eco-boostingWhat’s out: Conspicuous consumptionOne simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife with native plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. Look for eco-friendly plants which are drought- and disease-resistant, and require little care or chemicals.

What’s in: Grow-it-Yourself What’s out: Having someone do it all for youTranquil moments may be few, but the recent rise in garden-ing offers hope. It reconnects us with nature, family and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase in demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers mar-kets are seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.

What’s in: Blended gardensWhat’s out: Segregated gardensPlant mint and fragrant thyme varietals in between cracks of stone pathways and grow strawberries for a delightful edible groundcover around trees. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees provide color, privacy and fruitful bounty mingling among veggies and perennials. Garden centers are reporting an increase in demand for fruit-bearing shrubs like blueberries and raspberries as ornamentals.

What’s in: LocavoreWhat’s out: Big, carbon footprintBuying local is all the rage. Gardeners are aware of their role as naturalists and conservationists, and are looking for native plants that thrive in their own backyards. “Native plant cultivars are selected to perform better in specific areas under local conditions,” says Steve Castorani, from American Beauties Native Plants. “When you select a plant that is native to the local area, it will thrive with little to no water, fertilizer or effort.”

What’s in: WaterWhat’s out: WaterFor the first time, water is in and out. Bringing in fountains, endless waterfalls or fish ponds can bring in the soothing sounds of water and turn any backyard into a private oasis. “Water features such as fountains are showing up not only in the garden but on tabletops, and sometimes more than one in the garden,” says Jon Carloftis, a renowned garden designer. Plants that drink responsibly, like succulents, cactus, yucca and ferns, which are easy, con-serve water and add sizzle to your land-scape — the reason water, in part, is out this year.

What’s in: Outside insideWhat’s out: Outside onlyFrom bean sprouts on kitchen countertops to green walls laden with herbs and micro-greens, plants are decorating spaces as “art-in-motion.” Tropical plants like bromeliads and orchids create instant beauty and give a boost of oxygen and clean the air.“It’s easy to expand your home’s boundaries and add indoor

charm to your patio, deck and garden using great indoor plants like ferns and palms. And ornamentals continue to be fashionistas beautifying containers, landscapes, mixed or mass planted,” McCoy adds.

What’s in: Info lustWhat’s out: Lack of knowledgeLack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novices and experienced gardeners hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction are packing master garden classes for instruction and gardening “how-to” tips. Gardeners are gobbling up information from friends, classes and workshops, local garden media, magazines, the Internet and sharing their success stories with bloggers and friends.

What’s in: Quick and simpleWhat’s out: Over-the-top and complicatedAs time-starved consumers try to juggle busy schedules, most seek quick and simple solutions to meet their gardening needs. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces.Natural materials like cast stone and terra cotta containers and accessories are perfect eco-friendly accents. “Big and bold is ‘in’ and square is the new round,” says Peter Cilio, creative director for Campania International.

What’s in: Global colorsWhat’s out: Safe colorsThe 2009 color forecasters predict a funky mix of colors that reflect a jambalaya of world cultures. Today’s main color influencers are our global connectivity, cultural unity and environmental responsibility.“Colors are bold, crazy, exaggerated, and in-your-face, almost like pop-art, and reflect a playful spirit in the face of world events,” says Donna Dorian, former style editor of Garden Design Magazine.Be uber-trendy with anything red this spring from the Carefree Spirit shrub rose to the true red rhododendron “Trocadero.”

What’s in: WorldlyWhat’s out: Cookie-cutterAmericans have embraced the world bazaar of vibrant col-ors, textures, sights and sounds. Asian, African, Indian and Mid-Eastern influences are showing up in patterns, textures and colors.When we travel, we tend to bring more of our memories home — creating escapist retreats.

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

— Margaret Atwood

“Gardening is a kind of disease. It infects you, you cannot escape it. When you go visiting, your eyes rove about the garden; you interrupt the serious cocktail drinking because of an irresistible impulse

to get up and pull a weed.”— Lewis Gannett

“The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always

optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look

forward to doing something better than they have ever done before.”

— Vita Sackville-West

“Gardening requires lots of water -- most of it in the form of perspiration.”

— Lou Erickson

“Your first job is to prepare the soil. The best tool for this is your neighbor’s garden

tiller. If your neighbor does not own a garden tiller, suggest that he buy one.”

— Dave Barry

“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky

as canvas.”— Elizabeth Murray

Top gardening Trends

a few ThoughTs on gardening

2009


wr itten by Jenn ifer Veneklasen

95123298

groceriesgrow your ownBleak

economy gives us

yet another opportunity

to grow.

hese days people are looking for ways to save money on everything and food is no exception.

When it comes to tightening the purse strings, food, unlike lattes, isn’t one of those things we can do without. So the challenge comes in rethinking how we get it.

A newfound frugality and take-charge attitude among many Americans has led to a resurgence in fruit and veg-etable gardening.

People are getting back to basics, growing and harvesting the food that will nourish their families and save a buck or two along the way.

Paying heed to this new trend, Bentley Garden Design in Sequim has expanded its services to include consultation, design and installation of vegetable gardens.

“I thought it would be a good idea because there is a renewed interest — vegetable gardening is hot,” says Sharon Nyenhuis who owns Bentley Garden Design with her hus-band Bruce.

Whether you’re installing a vegetable garden yourself or getting help from Bentley Design, Sharon says you’ll need three things:

1. Lots of sun.2. Healthy soil.3. Good drainage.

How to pick your cropsWe are blessed to live in an area where most vegetable

plants can flourish.One exception, Sharon says, are tomatoes which are hard

to grow because it never gets that hot here. Varieties such as early girl or cherry offer your best bet at tomato success.

Let your imagination go wild when deciding what to plant. Think about what you like to eat, and go for it.

Sharon offers some insight you should consider when planning your garden:

Corn takes up a lot of space, so be wary of putting it in a small garden.

Some vegetables and fruits, like strawberries and aspara-gus, are perennials and need to be planted off by themselves, Sharon says.

They need room to spread out and come back each year.Asparagus in particular gets better each season she says, and you’ll probably have to wait a year or two for the first crop.

Some plants, like lettuce, can tolerate a bit of shade in the heat of the summer, but most others need full sun.

For things that mature quickly, like radishes and leafy greens, it’s better to plant small batches a few times each sea-son. You can’t preserve lettuce by canning or freezing so it’s best not to have an over abundance.

If you want to can pickles on the other hand, you’ll want a large harvest of cucumbers.

To keep the soil healthy, add manure and compost every year, Sharon encour-ages. The one caveat to the manure rule is for potatoes.

Soil in the Pacific Northwest tends to be more acidic because of all the rain, she says, so you don’t need to add any-thing to the ground where potatoes grow — they like it acidic.

Sharon recommends seeds from Sunny Farms (Ed Hume are a good bet because they’re made for the Pacific Northwest) and also varieties from Ter-ritorial Seed Company that can be pur-chased online at www.territorialseed.com.

After the first year you’ll need to rotate your crops so that the soil doesn’t become depleted.

You can start planting certain veg-etables like peas, potatoes and onions as early as March, Sharon says.

But don’t worry if you haven’t yet, because it’s not too late, go ahead and plant them now.

Cool season vegetables like spinach, lettuce, carrots, broc-coli, cabbage and cauliflower can go in the ground in April and warm season veggies like squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and corn by the end of May.

Leafy greens and other cool season vegetables do particu-larly well here because of the cool climate — so they are a great bet for the novice vegetable gardener.

You won’t have to worry about a lot of garden pests here in the Northwest, Sharon says, but slugs can become a nuisance.

One way to get rid of slugs is to wonder out to your gar-den in the early morning hours, pick them off and dispose of the little creatures however you see fit.

Another option is to talk with your home and garden sup-ply store about what non-toxic slug baits they have available.

What meets the eyeFruit and vegetable plants are beautiful all on their own,

but if you want to doll up the practical garden, add flowers

around your bounty.Sharon recommends nasturtiums and pansies.If you are looking for a plant for your garden that will

spread like wildfire, produce decorative foliage, have an ocean of brightly-colored blossoms, and be tasty to boot, nasturtiums are a gardener’s dream.

Pansies are another edible flower that come in a variety of colors and add cheerfulness to the garden.

Both flowers can be sprinkled on salads or used to adorn other food platters.

Herbs also go well with veggies and are a treat not only for the taste buds but for your nostrils as well.

Plant rosemary, basil, thyme, sage or any of your other favorite herbs around veggie crops.

When teaching people how to garden, Sharon typically goes through an entire season with them, showing them what to expect as the weather changes.

She can do the same for vegetable gardens and even teach customers how to harvest if they want.

Beds and waterRaised beds offer good drainage and are easier to work

with than in-ground crops, Sharon says. Not only that, but you can adorn your

raised beds with decorative artichoke plants or sunflowers, archways and walking paths.

Of course there’s no need to get that elaborate, it’s just an option.

A 20-foot x 20-foot vegetable garden will feed a family of four, Sharon says.

“But they’ll have to experiment,” she adds, “because some families obviously eat more vegetables than others.”

Watering is one of the most crucial parts of vegetable gardening, and ironically, it’s also one of the hardest things for people to get right.

“Just pay attention,” she tells people. “Put your finger in the soil an inch deep and if it’s dry, then water.”

It really is that simple. Even if you have a so-called “black

thumb” or have never tried vegetable gar-dening before — don’t be afraid to try.

“Gardening isn’t like singing,” Sharon says. “Anyone can do it, it’s all about learn-ing. You have to have an interest, but after

that, you’ll get out of it what you put in.”And be patient.Sharon says to remember sometimes it takes a year or

two for soil to become optimal and you’ll have to keep experimenting with what works and doesn’t work.

Sharon recommends two books for the do-it-yourself vegetable gardener: “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades” by Steve Solomon, and “Joy of Gardening” by Dick Raymond.

For more information on Bentley Garden Design’s ser-vices, phone 360-683-4468 or click on www.bentleygarden-design.com.

The economy is tanking, grocery bills are climbing and food safety scares are on the rise.

For the 43 million Americans planning a vegetable garden this spring, growing your own is a matter of dollars and sense.

Food gardening will jump 19 per-cent this year over last year, accord-ing to a new survey by the National Gardening Association (NGA).

Homeowners with shrinking household budgets are looking for help in their own backyards.

Can planting a veggie patch really save you money?

Government agencies and garden-ing organizations say yes.

Every $100 spent on vegetable gardening yields $1,000 to $1,700 worth of produce, the U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture estimates.

That’s a serious hedge against sky-rocketing food prices, expected to jump another 5 percent this year.

You’ll get a half-pound of edibles from every square foot of ground devoted to backyard crops, NGA experts say.

Even a modest garden (15 by 15 feet) can produce more than 100 pounds of garden-fresh tomatoes, salad greens, vegetables and herbs.

Better flavor and bragging rights come with the harvest.

Planting a vegetable plot and keeping it productive isn’t that hard if you start small, keep the basics in mind and plant reliable varieties.

— ARA content

> Cabbage is a cool season vegetable that grows well in the Pacific Northwest environment.

Gardening isn’t like singing.

Anyone can do it.

— Sharon Nyenhuis

photo by Bruce NyenhuisSharon Nyenhuis performs routine maintenance on a client’s garden. Sharon owns Bentley Garden Design with her husband Bruce. “I’m the design and plant person and Bruce is the ‘rock guy,’” she says, referring to the intricate rock work he does for their clients. Sharon attended the horticulture program at Edmonds Community College and believes that done well, gardening is an art form.

The economy is tanking, grocery

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Read labels carefully. Look for key words including CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER Labels won’t tell you if a chemical is danger-ous to fish or animals or harmful to water supplies or envi-ronment. Chemicals can concentrate up the food chain to a toxic level in larger animals and can have long-term harmful effects with low exposure over long periods. Always buy and use the least toxic cleaners & pesticide you can.

Use less toxic alternatives. For household clean-ing, use baking soda, vinegar, salt and Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean windows, sinks, floors, ovens, drains, and bowls. Call (360) 417-2258 or go to www.clallam.net/EnvHealth for a Clean Green Recipe Card.

Pesticides can contain chemicals that are hazardous in large quantities. Pesticides usually contain deadly, toxic poi-sons- HANDLE WITH CARE or better yet, use natural, non-toxic alternatives.

More fertilizer does not mean green grass!Fertilizer runoff also feeds stream & lake algae blooms that die off, decompose and suffocate fish.

Create your own compost. Kitchen scraps (no meats, fats, or grease) and yard clippings decompose to form a nutrient rich mixture that: feeds the soil, retains moisture, prevents erosion, improves plant growth, reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides.

Do not apply pesticides when flowers are in bloom. Bees can pick up the pesticides and carry it back to the hive killing off the entire colony. No bees: No honey, No pollination, No flowers, No fruit.

Don’t pour used oil, anti-freeze or paint down a street grate, on roads or on the ground: It will end up in our water supply!

Old paint is very toxic- likely containing lead and mercury. DO NOT USE OLD PAINT! Take to the Moderate Risk Waste Facility Region Transfer Station

“Household Hazardous Wastes”

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• Household batteries

• Hobby chemicals

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easy ways to stimulate your home on a budget

1. Remove excess furniture: Provide relief to living and family rooms that have been over-taxed by excess furni-ture and accessories. Space is the basis for contemporary design and this look can be achieved by trimming down.

Breathe new life into rooms by cutting back on any-thing that has become a liability instead of an asset.

Remove that extra wing-back chair, the torn ottoman, those pillows that swallow up the sofa, and maybe even that old carpet so that you can actually see some floor. 2. Use inexpensive or handmade decorative piece: Fool guests by creating pieces of art for little or no money.

Look for branches that can be put in a vase, a painting from a garage sale or flea market, a beautiful fabric piece, or even a great piece of wallpaper that can be framed.

Find large pieces that make big statements. Light the art from the bottom with a small spotlight

that can be tucked behind the piece. Let the art be the star of the room.

3. Infuse natural light into the home: For an immedi-ate morale (and energy efficient) boost, bring natural light into the home simply and affordably, and watch spirits increase as the energy bills decrease.

Windows are a piece of art and can be used to show-case an outdoor tree or plant and create that seamless look between the indoors and the outdoors — but they must be clean.

According to a recent survey, almost half of homeown-ers (48 percent) would rather clean the toilet or shower than their outdoor windows.

For many that may be because of the time and effort that goes into the chore, but it can be simple and the results can be dramatic. 4. Give outdoor areas some incentives: Take the best of interior design outside.

Bring change to your home by styling the outdoor spaces using simple indoor techniques. Add an outdoor rug to soften the patio floor; bring in a side table as a focal point or even an outdoor leather ottoman.

Elevate the planter to the status it merits by placing it on a table instead of the ground. Add some decorative pil-lows to make the outdoor furniture more inviting.

If in the market for furniture, choose those pieces that have the flexibility to be used either indoors or out. 5. Bailout your backyard: No backyard challenge is insurmountable with these helpful hints for bringing quick relief to the outdoor areas.

No place to plant? Go vertical in your garden with trel-lises, walls, arbors and planters.

Use ivy, ficas, bougainvillea, night blooming jasmine, gar-denias, and other fragrant species to stimulate the senses.

Small spaces? Give the illusion of space by using a mir-ror to reflect and open up areas, adding an entirely new dimension.

With these easy tips, the indoor and outdoor spaces will look fabulous in no time.

Next on the to-do list: find an excuse for a party to show off the beautifully refreshed home.

5Decorative darlings

Above: You can find all sorts of beautiful little birdhouses, ranging from $29 to $45, at Barn’s Door. Although, customers have found more than they bargained for in the houses displayed outside. “Sometimes I have to tell people that I can’t sell them until the birds leave,” says co-owner Carol Girt. Right: It’s wine time! These clocks aren’t full of grape good-ness, but they will let you know when it’s cocktail hour. Below: It’s often difficult to decorate for the man of the house. To give a room that real masculine feel, these coat racks, shaped like fish, and shot-gun shell lights are just the ticket. All these items can be found at Barn’s

Door, 144 Benson Road in Port Angeles. Phone 360-452-2520 for more information.


955036966

Bedroom face liftRepositioning a bed against the largest wall

in a room can visually increase the room’s size and evenly redistribute floor space.

A made-over dresser with a mirror hung directly above it can turn another bedroom wall into a glamorous focal point.

You can easily paint mirror frames and dressers to match the room’s decor.

Choose paint by pulling favorite colors from a pillow, comforter or other bedroom piece.

Accent colors can be chosen by match-ing something you love to a paint swatch and then skipping up or down a couple color blocks on that swatch.

Scour local antique or second-hand stores for an old mirror — or just a frame — and paint it for an inexpensive mood lifter.

A sponge brush is a great tool for pushing paint into cracks and crevices like those often found on mirror frames.

A coat of white primer will make it even easier to see the spots you’ve missed.

It you only find an empty frame, contact the folks at Mathew’s Glass. They can easily create a mirror to fit in your new-found treasure.

Thin mirrors at Mathew’s Glass start at just $4.30 per square foot and $7.20 per square foot for a mirror that is .25-inches thick.

After painting a dresser, why not add new hardware and cover it with a cut-to-fit glass top or custom-cut mirror for a glamorous look?

For more information on cut-to-fit glass or mirrors, contact Mathew’s Glass at 360-457-5277 or stop by their store at 117 N. Lincoln St. in Port Angeles.

granite, marble and bamboo>>> Roji Home and Garden, at 114 Ruth’s Place Road in Sequim, has a number of hand-carved items that will

add something unique to your home. Bamboo fencing, granite fountains, bird baths, garden art and marble sinks are just some of the items the store hand picks and imports from China.

Everything is hand carved, says owner Emily Hu, and the store also specializes in custom items. If you want a particular figure for your outdoor fountain — a cat for example — Roji can help make that a reality.

Their bamboo fencing is kind of like a wood, she says, in that it is sturdy and the color will change slightly over time.

Fencing panels come in five different designs and three different sizes ( 3-foot x 6-foot, 4-foot x 6-foot and 3-foot x 4-foot).

Emily says some people use the bam-boo fencing panels as interior decora-tion for their homes.

Interior sinks from Roji Home and Garden are available in granite and marble. Many sit on top of counters and will add an elegant, classy touch to any bathroom or kitchen.

Stop by the store, located inside the Carlsborg Industrial Park, to browse their large selection.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment on Sunday and Monday

For more information, phone manager Anna Hu at 360-683-1078.

> Bamboo fencing panels come in five designs and three sizes.

> Salmon fountain made of hand-carved granite


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^ Have a heartThese plant stands can be displayed empty and still look attractive, or use them to show off a potted decoration. Available at the Port Townsend Antique Mall, 802 Washington St., they also come apart for easy storage.

Port Townsend treasuresWhat’s old to one is new to another at these antique stores

photographs by tr isha McMahon

Outdoor themeAdd a rustic touch to a room by hanging old showshoes on the wall. They can be found at many antique shops, including Ms. Bee Haven Antiques, 1020 Water St., Port Townsend, where the above showshoes were seen.

< Serving guests in styleThis a find you will want to keep. This serving set — including the tray, cups and pitcher — is in excellent condition and was spotted at Finders Keepers, 909 Water St., Port Townsend.

Calling music loversWhether you are a music lover or not, an array of old sheet music on a side table can become a conversation piece as guests flip through the songs. This sheet music was found at April Fool & Penny Too, a consignment shop located at 725 Water St., Port Townsend.

Seeing red >These four glass plates can easily be paired with a set already in

your kitchen. The bright, red color catches your eye, whether in the store or in the home. Find them at Ms. Bee Haven Antiques,

1020 Water St., Port Townsend.

Holiday decoratingDecorative displays don’t always require a lot of effort. Take a nice plate and add some decorations around it to create a seasonal display, such as this spring setting found at Olympic Antique Shop, 215 Polk St., Port Townsend.

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all lanterns for $5, a blender for $3, appliances and building supplies 50

percent off retail value — these are just some of the items available at the Clal-

lam County ReStore Home Improvement Warehouse, 728 E. Front St., Port Angeles.

The store is one of over 600 Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the United States and

Canada, with 14 located in Washington alone.Habitat ReStores are retail outlets where quality, used and

surplus building materials and furniture are sold at a frac-tion of normal prices.

All money raised through the stores directly benefits Habitat for Humanity affiliates in their respective counties and helps build affordable homes in the community.

Habitat, a nonprofit builder of affordable housing, helps people who earn 25 percent to 50 percent of the area medium income to own their own homes.

Through volunteer labor, donations of money and materi-als and partner families who invest hours of labor — called “sweat equity” — Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses.

The houses are then sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.

Inventory at the 8,000-square-foot ReStore in Port Ange-les includes an array of home improvement items, including building materials, appliances and furniture, all available for 25 to 75 percent less than retail prices.

The ReStore, a nonprofit organization, opened in Port Angeles in December 2008 and sees about 130 visitors each day.

Upon entering the warehouse on Front Street, you find furniture right up front, with tables, chairs and entertain-ment centers arranged in welcoming arrangements.

Appliances and home building supplies are found further back, marked at bargain prices.

With an inventory that can change daily, some customers visit the store frequently to see what great finds they discover.

Even if the store doesn’t have what you are looking for that day, you might still be in luck. Someone could donate that very item you want the next day, week — who knows.

“If you need it and we don’t have it, you can leave your name and number and we will call you if the item comes in,” explains store manager Bob Eichhorn.

“We let our market dictate what we provide.”The ReStore accepts and sells a variety of home improve-

ment items, including appliances, cabinets, carpets, doors, flooring, furniture, garden tools, hardware, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, windows, sinks and toilets.

But the most popular items are furniture and appliances.There is always a need for donations, but as people do

less remodeling and upgrades on their homes, they in turn have less items available to offer.

“Our real driver is donations,” volunteer and former board president Jim Taft says.

Donations come from individuals in the community, as well as local businesses, contractors, builders and remodel-ers, who will donate used items, seconds, overstock items and salvageable building materials.

All donated items and sales from the Clallam County ReStore benefit Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County.

Those wishing to donate can drop off items at the store during business hours or can schedule a pick up. The ReStore offers scheduled pick-ups on Mondays and Tuesdays, but can also schedule pick-ups on other days if necessary.

Find great bargains on home products and benefit Habitat for Humanity

Continued on next page >

^ Shine your lightAt only $5 each, these decorative wall lanterns at the ReStore in Port Angeles are an inexpensive way to decorate the exterior of your home.

< Blow you awayThis glass vase, available at the Furniture and More Store in Port Townsend for $45, can work by itself as a centerpiece or be accented with other decorative items.

Cool off with a cold drinkThis pitcher and glass set at the Furniture and More Store in Port Townsend is perfect for sitting outside and drinking iced tea.


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By making donations to the ReStore, the housing and building materials are kept out of landfills.

“Everything that comes here gets reused. It doesn’t end up in the dump,” Bob says.

Inventory changes seasonally based on the donated items, which is another reason to frequently check the store.

As people do spring cleaning and take advantage of nice weather for gardening and yardwork, prepare for home and garden decorations, furni-ture and equipment to make their way to the ReStore.

Hours for the ReStore in Port Ange-les are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Scheduled pick-up hours for dona-tions are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Furniture and More StoreOver in Port Townsend, the Habitat

for Humanity of East Jefferson Coun-ty’s Furniture and More Store offers additional home products, with a focus on household items and collectables.

The store at 2001 W. Sims Way is filled with quality furniture, tables and chairs, antiques, China, dishware, lamps, and other household items.

Donations and proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of East Jeffer-son County.

Store manager Vicki Lucas says that this year, the county’s Habitat will house four families — up from two families last year.

“The need is so great here,” she says.Like its Port Angeles counterpart,

the Port Townsend location offers scheduled pick up for large items, or donors can drop them off at the store.

Hours for the Furniture and More Store in Port Townsend are Wednes-day, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donations can also be dropped off during store hours and also on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For information about Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County and its ReStore in Port Angeles, contact the ReStore at 360-417-7543, or the Habitat for Humanity office at 360-681-6780. Visit them online at www.olypen.com/hfhcc.

For information about the East Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity and its Furniture and More Store in Port Townsend, contact the Habitat for Humanity office at 360-379-2827. Visit them online at www.habitatejc.org.

The two stores can also provide you with information about making donations.

Spruce up the room >If you are looking for furniture for the living room,

this coffee table was found at the Furniture and More Store in Port Townsend. Priced at $150, it

was on sale for $95. The chair in the background was priced at $195, on sale for $95.

Relax a while >Sit down or have a rest on this futon,

available at the Furniture and More Store in Port Townsend for $125.

^ Illuminate the roomIn addition to furniture and appliances, an array of home improvement items are available at the ReStore in Port Angeles, including these ceiling lamps, available for varying prices.

^ Great finds >Furniture and appliances are two of the

most in-demand items at the ReStore in Port Angeles. Donated items typically sell for 25 to 75 percent off retail value.


a garden for anyone

HeatherOnce planted, these low maintenance plants only need pruning and mulching maybe once a year. There are numerous varieties available that will each bloom at different points during the year. Heathers are also available in a diversity of foliage and flower colors, meaning that the garden will be filled with color during fall, summer and other seasons.

RhododendronAs the plant that is the state flower (coast rhododendron) the rhododendron is an excellent pick for a garden. Rhododen-drons do well in Washington’s slightly acidic soil and its filtered sunlight. Varieties range in size anywhere from 2 feet to 20 feet, so you are bound to find the size that fits your garden. Like the heathers, different varieties of rhododendrons bloom at different points during the year. Plant several and you can have rhododendrons in the summer and even in winter.

CeanothusThe ceanothus is a hardy plant with a long blooming period – about three months. It is just now coming into its blooming season with tiny flowers produced in clusters and should bloom until the end of June. The ceanothus can thrive in a Washington garden and is strong enough that one could essentially “plant it and forget it.” Varieties range in size from 3 feet up to 12 feet.

ErysimumAlso known as “the common wallflower,” erysimum is a perennial that can seed itself. It is a short, hardy plant that can grow in full sun or shade. One of the most common varieties – “bowles mauvre” – produces a nice, purple shrub. The erysimum can bloom for a long time and requires little watering.

Just plant them and forget about them.

Such is the sentiment some people have for tending gardens.

Maybe they don’t have the time to dedicate to cultivating a beauti-ful garden or just don’t think they have the green thumb to create the desired results, but they still want a nice yard.

While no plant can truly be “planted and forgotten,” some come pretty close.

Mike Henery, owner of Henery’s Garden Center, 406 Benedict St., Port Townsend, pointed out a few of the many plants that will thrive in Wash-ington’s soil and weather with limited care.

Henery’s Garden Cen-ter can help you with your gardening needs with two North Olym-pic Peninsula locations — in Port Townsend (360-385-3354) and in Sequim at 1060 Sequim-Dungeness Way (360-683-6969).

photographs by tr isha McMahon

Gardening made easy

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