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Native Plants: Gardening Q&A with Bay Hay and Feed
Bay Hay and Feed is a wonderful, old fashioned farm store on Bainbridge Island. You’ll find everything from fresh eggs to gifts alongside a large plant nursery and feed store. Created by Howard Block and Ce-Ann Parker in 1979, Bay Hay and Feed has become a neighborhood staple. It is also known for the iconic Bay Hay Shirts. Located in a 1912 building, Bay Hay and Feed changed ownership in 2022 when longtime manager Els Heijne and her family took over. Sustainability is a big part of the Bay Hay story, and part of that is embracing native plants.
Read on for some expert tips from Els on how to incorporate native plant species into your garden.
What are the benefits of using native plants in landscaping?
You know your plants will thrive, if planted in the correct environment. Most natives need shade from big trees. Once established, those plants are great for the local animals and insects.
What is a small change gardeners can make in a larger space?
Plant trees! Plus, create a rain garden with the water run off from your roof. It’s important that we catch the water so it can go back into the earth rather than into Puget Sound. You can plant native plants in and around the rain garden, depending how much shade there is. If not, you can use blueberries, red and yellow twig dogwood and others that like wet feet.
What should folks focus on in springtime to set their yard/garden up for success during the rest of the year?
Mulch! That way, you might not have to water in the summer. Non-native plants do much better if they get fertilizer early in the spring. But make sure you use organic fertilizer.
What are some trends you are seeing with landscaping/gardening projects?
Pollinator plants are big. [You can learn more about supporting pollinators here.]
We recently heard about SEATAC’s new native species requirements. What can smaller businesses do to make an impact?
If it is all concrete around you and no shade, it will be hard to plant a native garden. Instead, create a rain garden or two to catch all that water that runs off your business!
Do you have any other tips or suggestions?
Don’t tear out a beautiful garden to install a native garden. Such a waste! If you have a lot of shade it would be great to plant natives but you can also add beautiful non-native shade plants in between, so your garden has more interest. Add pollinator plants to help the bees, butterflies and other insects and don’t clean up too much in your garden so beneficial insects can thrive.
Use organic fertilizer and don’t use bad chemicals to take care of an insect problem, weeds or fungus. You kill a lot of beneficial insects with that and poison the ground. There are a lot of products on the market now that are not bad for the environment.
A big thank you to Els and the team at Bay Hay and Feed! If you’d like to connect with them, you can visit them here on Bainbridge Island, visit their website, follow them on Facebook, or on Instagram. And, for more green living inspiration, check out our articles on eco-friendly home improvements and gardening benefits.
Gardening Benefits & What to Plant in Zone 8b
It’s that time of year when sunny days are becoming more frequent. Now is the time to get outdoors and start gardening! Gardening can benefit you in many ways, some of which we’ve highlighted below. Not sure what to plant here in zone 8b? Read on to learn more about that too.
Why Garden?
You might be wondering: what’s the point of gardening? Why should I invest so much time and money into a hobby that results in some fruits and vegetables? Actually, there are many health benefits associated with gardening, as well as many environmental benefits.
Health Benefits
There are mental and physical benefits to gardening. In regards to mental health, gardening can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, gardening can help reduce your stress levels. In fact, it has even been used in addiction rehabilitation programs. Studies have shown it can provoke positive feelings in patients, and it has correlated with program completion rates.
Physically, gardening is a great way to exercise and move your body. Additionally, gardeners experience the benefits of increased vitamin D. If you are part of a community garden, you can also reap the benefits associated with social gardening for overall improved health.
Environmental Benefits
Sustainable gardening is gaining traction and popularity in the gardening world. This form of gardening emphasizes organic practices and resource conservation. Gardeners can create nutrient-dense soil, use water conservation strategies, and help build a habitat that supports birds, insects, and pollinators.
By carefully selecting plants and materials to use, the home gardener can play a pivotal role in improving our climate. Check out this comprehensive list of sustainable gardening practices to get started.
What to Plant in Zone 8b
The USDA developed a Plant Hardiness Zone Map to help gardeners determine what to plant and when for the greatest chance of plant survival. Bainbridge Island, and more broadly, Kitsap County, is a part of Zone 8b. By following the suggested planting calendar, your odds of growing a successful garden increase greatly.
April, May, and June are great times to plant asparagus, bok choy, lettuce, melons, herbs, and more. You can also check out this easy-to-reference Zone 8 Planting Schedule.
Pro Gardening Tips
Proper soil conditions are essential for a garden to thrive. First, ensure the bed is clear of rocks and debris, loosen the soil, and add some compost. A soil test is a great resource for understanding the soil’s makeup and pH levels. Next, choose your seeds or plant starts, noting the time of year to plant them based on zone hardiness.
Keep the planting bed clear of debris, and ensure plants have enough sunlight and water. Finally, make sure you’re doing what you can to attract pollinators. You can download this guide to selecting plants for pollinators. Additionally, check out this article for tips on pest control in the garden specific to the Pacific Northwest.
Additional Resources
Bainbridge Island has an amazing gardening support system in person and online. Check out Bainbridge Gardens’ website, stop by their shop, or read our interview with them for some quick, easy-to-apply tips.
Whether this is your first or fiftieth time planting a garden, take the time to appreciate the many benefits. We wish you a gardening season filled with beautiful flowers and a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Gardening and Landscaping Q & A with Bainbridge Gardens
From house plants to landscaping projects, patio planters to vegetable gardens, if you are starting a plant project, having the help of an expert can be vital. We received some wonderful advice about how to create a lush greenscape in any sized space from the experts at Bainbridge Gardens. They graciously made time to answer our questions.
A local favorite, Bainbridge Gardens is celebrating its 65th year in business on Bainbridge Island. The garden center is operated by the third generation of the Harui family in the Island Center, which has been in the family for more than 100 years. Read on to gain insights and tips for your next gardening or landscaping project.
What are some of the current landscaping and garden trends you are seeing right now?
Native plants have never been more popular, and for good reason! Native plants require less maintenance. Some are deer resistant. Once established, many can survive on rainfall alone. Natives are good for the planet. They provide a sustainable habitat for native wildlife, improve air quality, and reduce soil erosion.
Indoor gardening continues to thrive. We all have our favorite houseplants, and our horticulturist, Lisa, is always on the hunt for new varieties of those favorites to thrill houseplant collectors.
What is the best way to utilize a small space?
Grow plants up as well as out. Utilize hanging baskets and window boxes. Carefully choose plants that don’t grow too large or take up too much space. But feel free to have a few larger items like a citrus in a container or a potted tomato plant on a trellis to give your space interest.
What is a small change you can make in a large space that has the most impact?
Consider creating a thriving ecosystem in your landscape with a variety of plants and flowers that attract birds, bees, and butterflies. The activity of nature is amazing to be around.
What advice do you have for someone doing a first-time DIY landscape project?
Book an appointment with our horticulturist, Jenni, to give you ideas on what grows well in the various parts of your landscape and how to handle challenging scenarios, like a landscape near a beach or a very shady part of the garden.
What can you do during summer to set your yard/garden up for success during the rest of the year?
Well, although we hope that you set up your garden in the spring so you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor during the summer, you can start planning for the fall planting season. You can continue to plant vegetable seeds in the summer for a second crop in the late summer and fall.
Hot, dry summers seem to be the new normal. A planting tip from our horticulturist, Ax: When planting in the summer, dig a hole twice as wide as your plant and fill it up with water. Let it drain and do it again. Saturating the soil prevents the water from wicking away from your new plant during the first waterings. Remember to create a healthy medium for planting by adding one part planting compost to two parts existing soil and a little fertilizer.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Bring in your gardening questions. Bainbridge Gardens has Certified Professional Horticulturists on staff to identify, diagnose, and coach you through your plant adventures. We love sharing the joy of the garden!
A big thank you to the wonderful staff at Bainbridge Gardens! If you’d like to connect with them, you can visit them here on Bainbridge Island, visit their website, follow them on Facebook, or on Instagram. For more helpful tips, check out our article on eco-friendly ideas to improve your home.
