08/10/2007
And so my two year ordeal of writing 'news' updates ends. I am left to reflect on this 'news' section and all I have done to (hopefully) inform and entertain. I know without regret that it must now change to stay fresh. Some of these updates I've enjoyed writing and some have just been a pain. But all were done with a measure of reverence for this craft, for the love of gardening and landscaping.

I consider gardening to be a sort of a club; like writing, flying, woodworking, coin collecting. Gardeners have a common language and understanding that transcends the average person, not because we know more, but because of our participation in our craft. Sure, knowledge plays its part, but it is the regularity of exposure that makes the gardener. It seems, indeed, that experience is the best of teachers.

This website has probably been more vanity than advertising, but it has been fun to see my work online. Uncle Adrian has been the most patient, helpful and responsive webmaster and has portrayed my pictures in the best of light. In him I have found a very skillful friend and ally. But there is much more to my business and day-to-day work than these pictures can show on the computer screen.

There are no pictures of the miles of ditches and holes that I've dug in this unrelenting Washington ground. No pictures of the hundreds of hectares of lawns and beds that I have raked. Nothing shows of the many, many jobs that I looked at which never produced work. Certainly, pictures of the thousands of cubic yards of material that I've hauled on or off of the many places I've worked would be boring to see. No visual record of the over 187,000 miles that I have traveled in my trusty work truck, the Andrea Gail, the best damn truck ever built. There is no photographic evidence of, exactly, how many hundreds of millions of cuts I've made on the zillions of plants that I have known.

I definitely don't want anyone to see pictures of me crawling under a house into a foot of standing water to dig a drain sump (although it is kind of funny). Then there's the time I cut the rusting hulk of a Plymouth Valiant into pieces to drag it off the back lot of a yard. Some fun, that!

If I posted pictures of the hundreds of friends I've made in the last nine years, there'd be no room for the landscape shots. Also, there's no pictures of the people that I had to leave behind so that my business could continue, or of the ones who left me behind to carry on (though they are all still loved and missed).

Instead there are these beautiful pictures of beautiful landscapes and gardens and rooftops and ponds that make it appear that this is all I do; that this is all that I have done. I wish. These images are the exceptional exceptions of my labors, while most of my work is the routine, regular sort of work that would be vastly uninteresting to see on film.

So, as of next month, there will be more pictures and that which has been called 'news' will be seen only in a different weblogged location (shhhh.... it's a secret). The archived 'news' will still be here, somewhere, but my new writing projects insist that I divorce them from this website. It will be fun and I look forward to my new project. I will try to use a thousand words to paint one picture and it will not be called 'news'. Thanks again for reading along!

Frederick

06/09/200707
This is the next to last update in this website's current format. My 'swan song' is next, 'the fat lady' will sing, and this website will change. How it changes and into what form depends largely upon you. The off-site blog is almost in place and I look forward to the changes that they will represent. I am as curious as anyone as to what this will all mean in the long-term.

I was working last week at the soon-to-be-sold home of one of my finest customers, helping them spruce the place up as they pursued a job transfer to the State of Georgia (you will be missed, J+JJ; save a spare room for me next winter!). A rather large rhododendron needed an extreme makeover, and the lady of the house instructed me to attend to its needs in a severe manner. "You're very artistic, so make it look better," she instructed. It gave me pause, as it always does, when someone suggests that I am, in any way, an 'artist' of any kind.

I have always avoided the title of 'artist' in what it is that I do in the landscape, yet I am accused of it on a regular basis. I tend to think of 'art' in terms of a more substantial production of 'art', like a Pollock painting; a Monet; even a Subculture Joe (Seattle Art Historians take note). Vonnegut was an artist, as was Thompson. Hendrix, Mozart, Dylan and Sting, for sure. Even modern actors qualify at times (Hanks in 'Forrest Gump' / Bogart and Bergman in 'Casablanca'). But a guy with a shovel and wheelbarrow with rocks and soil and plants? Not in my mindset.

What I do is maximize the potential of any spaces outside of the home in an attractive manner. Period. How I accomplish this is based on my 'style' of landscaping and gardening (shamelessly stolen from every landscape that I have ever seen). Yes, 'artistic' principles of proportion, texture, color and form are there, but does that make me an 'artist'? I hope not.

I think of 'artists', mostly, as effete intellectuals, sipping their cappuccinos with a slim, tasteless cigarette waving in front of them, their turtleneck sweaters and berets covering their angst and expression as they howl and spit their distaste of 'the masses' as they try to impress the very crowd they so disdain. And I am so not like that.

I do what I do; I see the lines of form and balance the horticultural needs of real, living organisms against the backdrop of aesthetic beauty and simplicity. Nothing more. I like rocks, but, at the end of the day, they are just rocks (and I have found that rocks, as a whole, are very stupid). Yes, they can help to make a front yard look like the mountains, but they really are just rocks. And I am just in charge of placing them; they do all the work. They have to look and behave as rocks do. It could be said that the same is true for plants (generally, they're pretty stupid too, truth be told).

My favorite part of any new landscape construct that I do is the very first day. I am extremely good at making a big mess, and the first day is always a mess. The neighbors (and even the homeowners, sometimes) look at the material and mud and chaos and think, "Oh boy, this is just a big mess," and I love it. How could a beautiful, cost-effective resolution ever emerge from such disarray and messiness? "You've got quite a job there," some say. I respond, "Just a little light gardening." As a day or two (or several) pass, the lines become clearer; the intent more pronounced and, with a great deal of perseverance, my overall plan comes into view, the seeming chaos replaced by a beautiful yard and the overall pattern of thought and design becomes understandable to even the casual observer. The proof, as they say, is always in the pudding. Or in the mud, as the case may be.

And so I finish the project, and then I move on. There are other messes to be made, and I do look forward to making new messes. The mud is irresistible, and I want to conquer more of it in my sometimes futile attempts to bring order and health to otherwise sad landscapes, content to sit as long as anyone will let them. But I am there, pushing them and moving them and refusing to give them the lazy luxury of ugliness and non-productivity in order that they may look the best that they are able to. I like to imagine that the landscapes thank me, secretly perhaps, for causing them to rise to their highest and most beautiful state. We speak a common language; and we learn to understand each other.

But I am still not ready to call myself an 'artist,' and that is for sure. An artisan, perhaps. Or a craftsman, better still. There is space, and it must be filled with something (we either mow it or weed it). I will do my best to reflect the natural beauty of any given space and will use artistic principles and horticultural practices to enhance and improve any landscaping situation, because, again, that is what I do. But please don't think that I am an 'artist.' I don't even own a turtleneck.

Frederick

Special note to the Honorable Governor of the State of New Mexico (and Democratic Presidential Candidate) Bill Richardson:
Thank you for your letter regarding my concerns. I appreciate your response to my questions and issues regarding the state of affairs in the "Land of Enchantment." As I read your letter, I was seeing between the lines and think that you may have been encouraging me to, perhaps, consider running along side of you in the 2008 elections as your Vice Presidential nominee. I thank you for your veiled offer, but I must decline at this point as I have not yet given up on my potential bid for the Presidency as a representative of the 'Garden Party' in 2008. I will stay in touch regarding this issue.

05/08/2007
Just when it seems that winter would last forever, it is finally feeling like spring. The current weather is almost nice enough for me to forgive the state for the last seven months of monsoons, mud and misery. If only I could be on the golf course instead of working on this long, sunny spring day.

As far as May goes, this one is turning out very pleasant indeed. After the late start of spring last month I figure we've earned it. I love driving through the neighborhoods on these days and seeing almost everybody finally willing and able to go outside and work in the yard. I believe that there are few jobs as satisfying to do because, at the end of the day, one can look back and actually see the results of the hard work. A sense of accomplishment. From the simplest task to the largest project, it is still my primary motivation to continue doing what I do.

Weeds can still be treated now, and, with irrigation added, lawns can still be seeded. Time is running out, though. Three months of the longest days of the year are ahead of us and the rains will (hopefully?) be lighter and of less quantity. Right now is 'prime time' in the garden and yard. It seems to me that the plants are all blooming stronger and growing faster after such a hard winter, but it may be just my imagination. In any case, damage from said winter is starting to really show up, and diseases and fungus have been loving the cool, wet spring. Insects are still not being seen as much, and the winter may have been good for thinning them out. Keep a wary eye out for any sudden changes in plants that might occur as the weather dries out and warms up. This is also a great time to fertilize but only if there is adequate irrigation and the plants are not stressed.

On Saturday, I checked out the new exhibit at Weyerhaeuser's Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection called Sumi-e! It is a Japanese art form using charcoal based ink on rice paper. Very striking work, and in the outdoor museum setting of the Bonsai Collection, it adds an extra accent to the nice spring weather. It will be on display until June 14, so get there soon!

A friend of mine, who knows me well, told me years ago when I complained about "the busiest spring I've ever seen" that I said that every year. That friend was right, but I have noticed a direct correlation between the weather and my phone. On days like this, it rings incessantly; this year, more than ever. In January it is silent for days. Einstein observed that time is relative to speed. During spring rush I totally understand. Yesterday, it was April. Tomorrow will be June; the day after that, July. But, for today, it is still May. And there is work to be done.

Too much running around to be writing much, but work is progressing on the epic novel slowly but surely. The new working title is 'Gonzo in the Garden; In Praise of Mud.' I am currently studying a major chemical component of all mud called 'dihydrous monoxide' and will be writing about it extensively. I have found that if we can remove this abundant chemical from the mud, the mud solidifies. Dihydrous monoxide is in everything, and the sooner the government gets involved, the sooner we can remove this substance from our air, water and mostly, our mud. As I say in chapter 8, "All you need is mud; mud is all you need."

Frederick

4/17/2007
This is an unbelievably nasty spring. Who wants to go outside? Maybe one or two days a week are nice and then it's back to rain and snow and hail and cold. Yes, I complain about the weather a lot, but, really, this is the worst I've seen it this late into the year. I guess it's nice that blooms will last longer with the cool temperatures, and transplants and new lawns are happier, but I find myself remembering 2 years ago at this time when we were already seeing 70-80 degrees (21-26 C) on a regular basis.

In between the frontal bands of wind and rain, the sunny patches are good for weed control right now. The new weeds are soft and tender and are best treated with Roundup (as long as a few hours of dry weather can be counted on). Taking care of them now can help stop them from persisting into summer. Assuming we get a summer this year. The way the year's been so far, I have my doubts.

In other good news, orders for my book, In Praise of Mud, have been pouring in. What better way to wile away the hours than to curl up in an easy chair and glance out at the meteorological misery that is April while reading my fascinating ruminations on the garden and landscape? Other than vacationing in Mexico, I can't think of any. I should get busy finishing this wonderful novel before the critics start tearing it to shreds. As I wrote in Chapter 3, "Mud is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

Perhaps this weather based "delay of game" is a good thing. Maybe we'll be blessed with a long, dry and hot summer that lasts into December. We're certainly due. There's a lot of talk and politics surrounding the concept of 'global warming' in the media these days. Whether the extreme mood swings in the atmosphere are really symptoms of this or just the normal yet variable cycles of our planet remains to be seen and proved. I only know that I'm tired of all the cold rain and my sweatshirts are starting to look as if I was a part of the Lewis and Clark expedition when they reached the Pacific (Historical note: a very bad winter for them also).

As of June, it will have been two years that I've written semi-regular "news" updates to this website. After discussing it with Adrian, my editor and webmaster extrordinaire, we have decided that it will soon be time to change the format of this website. Since pictures do paint thousands of words, we will be posting more pictures here and, instead of the "news", we will be linking this website with another where I can write, rant and 'blog' to my hearts content. It will let me write more freely and update at my own pace rather than feel obligated to monthly updates that people may not be interested in reading. In addition, I would like to write about topical issues, social and political in nature, as well as the tidbits of gardening wisdom that some have come to expect. I have strong feelings about my chosen profession and the landscape industry. Undocumented workers, unlicensed companies and unresponsive government will all be fair game and I relish the idea of exposing the slimy, dirty underbelly of the business of gardening and landscaping in Western Washington. Of course I will still whine about the weather as well, because some things should never change. Until then, stay warm.

Frederick

03/01/2007
Groundhog Day. Valentine's Day. Presidents' Day. Fat Tuesday. The unofficial beginnings of spring and here we are watching the snow showers mix with rain and sunshine. The bulbs are just now thinking about unfolding and the flowering plums and forsythia refuse to show more than a hint of color. So much for an early spring. Indeed. "In like a lion."...

For now, the probability of a hard freeze is becoming less as we enter March, so it's a good time to prune the roses, begin transplanting shrubs and trees, and to plant bare root plants. Planting from containers now will give the plants ample time to set roots ahead of any potential dry times we have later this year. Lawns from seed could use just a bit more warm weather for quicker germination, but can be prepared in advance at this time (if it doesn't get too muddy).

Speaking of mud, I have learned a thing or two about it recently. It's funny how a person doesn't think about something until they have to. It's that way with me and mud.

My "spring training" has begun, and the routines of raking and pruning are exchanged for digging, shoveling and hauling. Normally stable soil, when mixed with water and agitation (such as wheelbarrows and/or power equipment), instantly turns to a substance with the consistency of cookie-dough. It is in this substance that I have been working in this week, as the snows fall and the average daily temperature hovers near 40F (4C), and I cannot help but to respect my opponent as I reflect on my daily work.

I have begun writing my next novel entitled, In Praise of Mud, which will reveal my innovative and progressive landscaping techniques when dealing with immense amounts of mud. "When life gives you mud, make cement." As soon as the mud stops being walked on and churned it immediately begins to settle. The particles of sand, silt and clay in the soil align themselves into layers and the water starts to drain away. I have installed entire lawns with sod, literally "floating" the slabs of turf on liquid filled soil. Within a day or two, the lawn could be walked on. The downside of muddy soil is the extra time it takes to move it around and to move through it. I have also found that adding dry soil to mud only creates more mud. Truly amazing stuff.

The occasional sunbreak does feel good for a minute or two and Daylight Savings time is near. And St. Patrick's Day too. Here comes spring!

Frederick

01/25/2007
This is an open letter to anyone who actually made the bet with me after my last update regarding an early spring: the check's in the mail.

Drenched in November's record rains, the landscape was covered with water. Whipped by December's power-killing winds, the landscape was covered with trees and branches. Chilled with January's arctic cold, the landscape was covered with snow. Yesterday, the landscape was covered with sunshine and 55F (13C). I am hopeful that this is the beginning of spring more than just the end of winter, but after what we've been through, all bets are off.

It will be months before the full effects of this winter may become evident. Roots loosened by the wind or damaged by rain and cold may not be able to survive into the summer. If the affected plants survive, their weakened condition may invite more disease or insect problems, depending upon the upcoming spring and summer weather. Please let me know if you see any unusual changes in trees and shrubs and I'll be glad to check them out for you. Also, please remember that if a plant dies completely before I see it, sometimes all that I can tell you is that it's dead.

Despite the harsh weather, I am close to wrapping up my winter pruning and cleanup of yards. As much as I love summer, I enjoy working in the landscape during the winter. I get to see plants in their dormant stage and assess how they've grown in the previous year and prune them as needed for the growing season to come. It's quieter than summer and often I am the noisiest thing in the landscape. And even though the days are shorter, the winter light is easier on my eyes than the glare of the summer sun. I will confess that I have thought once or twice this winter about moving back to Florida and I still might check with my friend who works for Disney about helping me find a job there (Hi, GR!). It's always good to look around at one's options.

I find myself thinking more and more about what I will do, someday, when I am done landscaping. Rest assured, I have many productive years ahead in my chosen vocation, and I have no real intent to change careers at this time. There will come a day, however, when I'd like to do something else. I guess it's just something to think about as I rake and prune the winter away. After 25 years tending the earth I have learned that anything we really want to do in life is still hard work. I have a couple of writing projects that might be fun to develop, but, again, I know that writing, like landscaping, involves a lot of concentrated effort to be successful. For now, I'm having fun doing what I do, and my favorite landscape is still the next one that I will do.

One of the heralds of spring around here is the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle (Feb 14 -18). Weyerhaeuser's Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection will have a display there at Booth #2250, but I'm not sure at this point whether or not I will be assisting them this time. If you've never been to this event before, be sure to get your inspiration for spring and summer while marveling at the unbelievable displays. It's usually well worth the tedium of driving and parking in Seattle.

Checking my mail this month, new reader NR asked, "How did you learn how to landscape?" The short answer is "practice, practice, practice." The long answer is a bit more complex. I started out in my profession by working with plants and many greenhouses and nurseries. Back then, I really didn't want to be a landscaper, but it was fun to be involved with the plants used in the composition of a landscape. From there, I branched out (pun intended) to maintaining the plants in the landscape. Later, after being worked to death by a few landscapers (thanks, TJ), I became more interested in the process of building and creating landscapes as plantings. Eventually I began to appreciate the other elements of the landscape (rocks, stones, water) and began drawing inspiration from my days hiking in the mountains and the woods. Finally, I recognized the importance of the surrounding environment and buildings in relation to the part that I was installing. Now it is second nature to me. I look at the area to be improved and it is easy for me to see the potential landscape appear in my mind's eye. After I listen to my customers' ideas and wishes, the project develops almost on its own, and I simply make it so. Esoterically, it is very much the same as composing a painting or a photograph. There are elements which combine to create an image and a theme, and realizing the picture is a variable process that is influenced by style and intent. That and a lot of practice. Thanks for asking, NR, and thanks for the good words.

Lately, I've noticed the songs of the birds sounding different; happier, maybe. I am hoping that they know something I only suspect and that spring is not far away. Wanna bet?

Frederick

12/06/2006
Some news updates just seem to write themselves. With my obsession with our weather, last week's (and month's) weather makes writing this update almost effortless.

First, a comment about the last entry to this page. The picture was of Mt. St Helens, even the topic was loosely about Mt Rainier. I took that picture from a friend's airplane in the dry spring of 2005 (thanks, JA). The 'big story' turned out to not be Mt Rainier erupting, but the almost constant rains of November.

Just short of being enough to wash Olympia out to sea, it was, nonetheless, a record breaker. In over 115 years of weather recording here, November was the wettest month in Washington ever recorded. Wow! This will be one to tell the grandkids. The misery was compounded at the end of the month with by a quick freeze and snowfall which gave me an unexpected few days off. I'm glad it's over. Back to work.

Fall and winter cleanup and pruning will have me busy for a while and, as always, I am enjoying this dormant time of the year as much as possible. In its own way, though I prefer the spring and summer colors, Washington can be peaceful and serene in December. The air is clean and fresh and staying warm is easy with a rake in one's hands.

As my friend EB and I raked up debris from his cool garden with its 100 ft river gurgling around us, he mentioned some recent advice he heard from the gardener Who Shall Not Be Mentioned Here (whose name rhymes with 'discosaurus'). That gardener suggests leaving the plants' own dead debris as a sort of mulch for insulation against the winter's cold. On the surface, this makes sense. But let's think it through.

If we get a prolonged and/or severe cold snap (10-20 F / -12 to -8 C), buds, shoots and crowns would be more protected. But how often do we get those temperatures for more than a day or so? And if we do, will surface insulation really help? Plants understand the weather and are pretty much hardened off by this time. My feeling is that the risk of wet, dead debris around the live parts of the plants causes more problems than protection. Insects and disease hibernate and incubate in all the debris. Besides, the landscape and garden look better cleaned and tidy as opposed to messy and rotting during these short days.

I suspect that 'discosaurus' is just lazy and doesn't enjoy working outdoors at this time of the year. To me, the risks of winter debris in the yard outweigh the possible benefits, so I will continue to remove anything dead from around the plants. Also, if we wait until the weather gets nicer to clean up, we might be ripping and tearing the tender tops off of the new growth of spring.

That being said, and even though I'll bet on an early spring every time, I cannot assume any liability for what the weather will do. As we've seen recently, anything can happen.

I'll close by wishing all a peaceful and happy winter holiday season and hopes for a promising year to come. My next entry will be in - aaargh! - January!

Frederick

10/15/2006
A tiring summer now behind us and I'm still not done with all my summer projects. Fall is definitely underway so inevitably I am planning fall and winter maintenance knowing that I still have to get those undone tasks and projects finished. Weather permitting, there is still time for last-minute lawn seeding.

October tends to be a transitional month around these parts, and this year it is right on schedule. Nice, sunny days are mixed with gloomy rains and much cooler nights. Frost becomes likely as the month ends. Layers of clothes and raingear go off and on as the weather's mood changes, and by November I will have resigned myself to the lack of warmth and sunlight for the next several months, and the raingear becomes the rule, not the exception.

Although, this winter's forecast for our area appears to be warmer and drier than 'normal'. Whatever. Again, I find great amusement in comparing the actual weather with the supposed forecasts. Ask me in a month or so. Hopefully our mountain snows are substantial and next year's water supply assured. As of this writing there has not been much rain and the ground is still relatively dry. Who knows, the forecast may be right after all.

In my constant search for 'news' to put on this particular page, I have found a new place to fill part of the void that L+R nursery left when they closed. While Lloyd Enterprises will still haul smaller and large loads of soil and material for me, Apple Valley Recycling in Fife at 7519 Valley AV E. is open to both take brush and prunings and sell soil, bark and rock for my smaller jobs. Between them and Barker Enterprises in Sumner, I will still be able to complete the smaller, local jobs that large landscape companies can't or won't. I enjoy doing big jobs too, but I get a lot of satisfaction from the smaller, custom jobs that I have become known for being able to do.

In what could become the biggest 'news' of the year, our own Mt Rainier has recently issued a few small tremors to remind us that is very much an active volcano. I'm still digging through the debris of the last few major eruptions from this sleeping giant. I am constantly amazed at the sheer volume of material that moved through the Puget Sound area all those years ago and still interferes with my shovel and pick (Bonney Lake's motto should be "Because all the rocks had to be piled somewhere").

So, in honor of the potential for "The Big One" from our mighty volcano Tahoma, I am offering a special on all landscape reconstruction when, not if, the rocks and mud are done pushing through our region and into the Pacific. I will take 20% off all new lahar and volcano repairs made necessary by that most beautiful mountain and its unpredictable, muddy issuances. This offer does not apply to all current mountain deposits (though I will certainly help with those at my regular rates) and does not apply to the cost of the equipment and/or dump fees. Lava removal and house rebuilding sold separately. Tax to be added at the time of final invoice unless Olympia gets pushed out to sea. I hope that it doesn't happen. Then I'd be doing nothing but big projects well into my retirement, and there would be no more smaller, custom work to be done.

Frederick

9/4/2006
What an unbelievably terrific summer this has been! Dare I say, almost too hot and dry? I will not. Despite the demands of water, heat stress affecting our plants and the thousands and thousands of Washington acres burning, this has to be one of the best summers I've ever seen here. Flowers and fruit have been plentiful. Trees and shrubs have grown rapidly and fully and I predict a serious amount of pruning for them this fall and winter. There's been so much sunshine and heat that even I, faithful lover of warm weather and long days, must admit to being almost ready for the rainy season to begin. Almost.

As the alders and Indian plums begin to drop their leaves, the euonymous and maples begin to color up, the days get shorter and the shadows grow longer, I notice that the summers seem to go by more quickly every year. What do you mean, I must be getting older? No way. It's still September 4, 1998. That's me, papers in hand after getting my business license, getting ready to affect every landscape I can for years to come. Only a few streaks of gray in my hair, it remains thick, and I feel young and punchy, free of the municipal shackles after a stint working for the City of Seattle.

Eight years now, and I hardly ever think about the last 'real' vacation I took those many years ago. I do not in any way miss my old job at the Seattle Center (What? A Great Place?) with its soul killing, mind numbing routines and many political back stabbings. I don't miss mowing the beat up lawns under the Space Needle before and after my brutal commute into and out of the city. I will never miss being on my knees, a union gardener pulling weeds around the Key Arena.

I have learned much in 8 years and have grown both personally and professionally as I have charted my own course from those dull and boring days. Boredom, now, is a rare commodity in my life. Sometimes a little too exciting, I still enjoy most of what I do nowadays, and look forward to more challenging projects, beautiful landscapes and interesting people as I begin my ninth year in business.

I'm not sure that this entry qualifies as 'News', but I must admit that I never know if what I write about ever belongs in this section (is it news, A, or is it a 'blog'?). (Webmaster's note: News or blog? A bit of both, I would have to say...does that make it "blews"?) I thank my writing coach, Val Dumond (valdumond.com), for encouraging me to write whatever I want to write and to let the readers sort it out. That being said, I will not be quitting my 'day job' anytime soon. I am always open to hearing from any readers who have any questions or topics that they wish to have discussed, and I'm even open to sharing this space with any writers who would like to write about any newsworthy gardening or landscape issues. Of course, the entry must first pass my review, but my standards are obviously not that high.

There is some actual gardening news that I will share in this entry. The weather is just about perfect now for planting lawns from seed, and I've already started doing so. Weather permitting, this can be done successfully through October. Also, as nurseries close out their stock, this is a great time of year for planting trees and shrubs. They will have the next 6 months or so to establish their roots and will be better able to withstand next summer's stress. Smaller nurseries and garden centers can yield some great deals on plants in the next month or so, and it's worth the time to check in regularly.

Speaking of nurseries, I would like to say good-bye and thank you to my friends at L+R Nursery and Landscape Materials here in Federal Way who are closing their doors for good this week. Raquel and her crew have been like co-workers to me and I will miss their positive attitudes and readily available landscaping supplies. My job will become more difficult as a result, and I have hopes that their fine business will find a new location somewhere nearby in the next year.

Weyerhaeuser's Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection has an interesting and beautiful special exhibit that runs through 9-27-06 called "Traditions and Transitions - Arts of the Earth" which features several artists' works of pottery and earthen ware. The crew at the collection has really done well in their collective pursuit of creating more of an outdoor museum environment featuring their world famous bonsai trees. I highly recommend a visit to Federal Way to see it. Check their website in my 'links' section.

"That's the news; here's the weather ..." Summer continues for a while, but the nights are getting chilly and fall is in the air. Apples need the chill to ripen, though, so I guess I won't complain too much at this time. I like apples. Now, where did I put that sweatshirt?

Frederick

8/9/2006
It is the very rare (or very new) gardener who has never lost a plant that they are caring for. It is most disappointing when you have watered and pruned and fertilized the 'perfect' specimen only to have it succumb to the unrelenting forces of nature. Often, it is what can only be described as 'operator error', but, occasionally, a plant will just die for no apparent reason. You did everything right; how could it just expire?

When I am called to investigate such a scenario, I must admit that I am somewhat amused at my customers' guilt and/or shame when they describe to me what, exactly, happened to that particular plant. I am always quick to point out that I have killed more plants than they ever will. Despite my best efforts, sometimes a plant will just give up, tired of my attention or something else (who knows what). Sometimes, even I don't know everything (gasp)! Plants, it would seem, generally tend to thrive despite us rather than because of us. We can do our best, I suppose.

Last year I was not paying close enough attention and several of my precious bonsai plants were suddenly host to both fungus and spider mites. By the time I caught the problem it was too late for a couple of them. A few recovered (barely) and even today show signs of that damage. Believe me, I'm watching them closely this year.

It was frustrating to me, to say the least, but I had to look on the bright side. I no longer had to fight to keep those plants alive. The extra space on my patio allowed me to purchase a few new plants that I would not have had room for otherwise. While I miss one or two particularly, I do not miss their fussiness and reluctance to my will.

To my credit, I've saved more plants than I've lost. Regular inspections, proper diagnoses and prompt, appropriate treatment has helped to keep many of my customers' and my own plants alive. In the landscape I use a formula to decide if a plant stays or goes: The 75/25 Rule. If 75% of the plant looks bad or is damaged, it is generally not worth keeping the other 25%. Better to end its suffering quickly then to drag out its demise and just wait for the landscape to look better.

Please don't get me wrong. It is important to try to save plants that are suffering or not doing well in their environment, but at some point, it can become an annoying chore that yields little results. As I like to say, it takes a tough gardener to make a tough landscape. We are merely stewards. Therefore, we must be tougher than our plants.

So we send the remains to the recycling dump and then we replant, resolute in our goals of beauty, health and enjoyment in the yard. Hopefully, we learn a little more with each loss and will either adjust our techniques or the planting environment and stay vigilant against future problems. Death in the landscape is a small part of life in the landscape. We must not let the occasional mistake or loss diminish our efforts. To do so would deny us the pleasure, however brief, of our plants and plantings.

The day is still long; the sun has warmed us to 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) and the night breezes cool the glow of a beautiful day. Who could ask for more? I look toward my plants and sense that they agree. Selah.

Frederick

Dedicated to Brian and John, so different yet the same. I would not be writing these words were it not for your support. Godspeed, my friends.

7/7/2006
The weeks just before and after summer solstice remain as my favorite time of the year, and this year these weeks have been as beautiful as the weather ever gets in our neighborhood. Record heat in June; a picture-perfect Fourth of July; who could ask for more?

The warm, humid spring turned into summer just as the calendar reached the longest day of the year. I am hopeful that this will be the trend for the months ahead. Too hot for some, the bright heat of summer supplies me with just enough seratonin to last me through the end of next January.

A sultry spring has started some fungus and disease problems on some plants and trees (watch your cedars), but insects, so far, don't seem to be any worse than normal. By now, regular watering in the landscape should have already been started. This is the time of year when plant growth is at its peak and extra water will help support lush and healthy growth and reduce stress damage.

Where watering is good, I have seen a lot more excessive, or 'rank', growth on trees and shrubs. While fall and winter pruning is still the best for structural pruning of deciduous trees, they can be clipped back a little now to maintain shape and lighten the canopies. Evergreens can be pruned back, clipped or sheared now but, as with fertilizer and pesticides, try to avoid the hottest part of the day in direct sunlight as sunburn and/or heat stress is more likely.

Also, with more activities outdoors, it is a good idea to remember and review basic safety rules for working outside. Summer will be safer and more enjoyable if you follow some commonsense guidelines (in no particular order):
Stretch before and after working. Don't overdo or push your physical tolerance limits. Use your legs instead of your back when lifting or shoveling. Never jerk, pull or push anything abruptly. Drink lots and lots of water. Wear sunscreen. Wear boots or sneakers, not sandals or flip-flops. Take breaks in the shade during the heat of the day. Avoid pop, tea, coffee, and alcohol. Drink more water. Never mow, weedeat or prune while drinking alcohol (you will regret it later). Don't allow people under the age of 15 to operate machinery unsupervised. Don't allow anybody to operate machinery without instruction and safety gear (hearing/sight/face/hand/body protection). Keep first aid supplies where you can find them quickly. Supervise small children around landscapes, water features, chemicals and machinery. Bend your knees and always follow through with your swing; the golf ball goes farther and seems to fly straighter.

After all the work is through, take time to sit and enjoy the yard. Have a cold drink. Practice your golf putt on the lawn. Relax awhile and enjoy the weather, Repeat this part as often as possible for the next few months.

As for me, when the work is done, it's a good time of year to re-watch "Caddyshack" and go embarrass myself on the fourth hole at Jade Greens again (very soon, DG).... Keep cool / stay safe / drink water / "be the ball".

Frederick

PS - Congratulations to the Weyerhaeuser PRBC staff for winning "Best Design" award at the Point Defiance show last month. Nice job! Also, Happy 60th to my friend, DD, the Leonardo Da Vinci of bonsai. Finally, old enough to be a decent tree!

Confidential to JDR - Reports that suggest that I may be running for President of these United States in 2008 as the 'Garden Party' candidate are premature and I cannot confirm them at this time. Honestly, I don't know how these rumors get started.

5/27/2006
It seems fitting to me that the Memorial Day holiday is celebrated during the absolute height of spring, the end of May. The work of spring has been demanding, and it's good to take a pause before the beginning of summer activities and reflect upon our work and our lives. Plants, gardens and landscapes are the keepers of our memories, and every year we remember by spending time with them. Because of our attention to them, they become 'touchstones', their growth and maturity reflected in our own lives. It is interesting to me when I drive past plantings I did twenty years ago on my way to my current job, and wonder what I will remember about this job twenty years from now.

And, speaking of memories, do you remember last year's inaugural presentation of the Point Defiance Flower and Garden Show at Point Defiance Park in North Tacoma? It was a great show. I have been asked again this year to assist my friends at Weyerhaeuser's Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection with the setup of their contribution to this now-annual event, which is happening June 2nd, 3rd and 4th. There is an incredible amount of garden and landscape talent and products on display, vendors and gardening organizations, and the beautiful grounds of Point Defiance Park. I think that it rivals the February gardening event in Seattle, and it's certainly easier to get to. For more details check out www.ptdefianceflowershow.com.
It will be a memorable experience. I hope to see you there!

Frederick

5/10/2006
Chemicals.

All landscapes and wondrous gardens need chemicals. Organic chemistry is still, after all, just chemistry and relies heavily on physical and natural laws. The word 'chemical' gets a lot of bad press, and I am here in defense of chemicals in the landscape.

I use a lot of the 'Roundup' brand herbicide at this time of year. From all I've read about herbicides, it is the best of the worst. Its advantage, supposedly, is that it kills the weed and then breaks down upon incorporation with the soil afterward. With my time as stressed as it is, I must trust the chemists at Montesano and the EPA to assure me of such. I do know that it works, especially at this time of year. Sometimes it becomes cheaper and more efficient to clear a whole area with 'Roundup' and start over than spend endless hours fighting an endless battle against weeds. Almost 30 years of weeding and my knees can't take it anymore; "nuke 'em til they glow"...... It does not work well, however, much past June around these parts. The weeds are too smart by the time summer's heat is upon us, and they don't die as quickly as they do now.

Another chemical which becomes important at this time of year is the age-old favorite, H2O, or water. The hydrogen and oxygen blend in a fluid dance which nourish and enrich growing plants. New lawns like extra water, and landscape plants and container specimens are best treated now with this precious chemical. Repeated applications (as needed (see:archives)) are recommended throughout the next 4 or 5 months. At this time of year, it becomes difficult to add too much of this chemical to almost any landscape situation. Remember, 90% of all landscape problems can be directly traced to inadequate watering. If you are not sure how to water in your situation, please call me.

Last, but not least, an important chemical in our landscapes is gasoline. Now, more than ever, the cost of running trucks, weedeaters, blowers, edgers, mowers, loaders, bulldozers, and other machines is steadily on the rise. Almost all of my suppliers and distributors are now reflecting this abrupt increase in the cost of fuel, and I regret having to pass this cost along to the cost of my jobs and projects. For the first time in my 8 years in business, I am beginning to add the costs of transportation into my final invoices, and I am not happy about this. I have prided myself on being a reasonably priced worker for what it is that I do, and do not enjoy charging more for a job than I think that it is worth, but the economic conditions at large have forced me to pay attention to the rapidly inflating costs of doing my job. My Congressional representative will most certainly hear from me.

Unfortunately, for me and my clientele, the costs are still here for us to reckon with. I apologize for having to respond to the economy at large, and hope that the increase in the cost of goods continues to be equal to the value of the finished product. I will not be adding any 'fuel surcharges' to my bills, as many of my suppliers have, and will not raise my hourly rates at this time, but I do feel a need to alert future landscape clients and my regular customers as to the rather volatile nature of my industry at this point in time. Rock, soil, equipment and plants are relatively inexpensive, but hauling them around costs fuel and time. I hope that the conditions which have caused this situation to occur will fade away soon, but fear that this is not a trend soon to be broken. Please direct all complaints to your Congressional representatives.

As for global warming and the landscape, here's my advice - don't go anywhere this summer. Save fossil fuels and decrease ozone depletion by making your backyard the destination for your summer vacation. Spend the necessary time and energy now and you can enjoy a natural, beautiful and fulfilling summer in your own yard without having to use all those nasty, polluting, highly flammable, explosive and carcinogenic chemicals which cost, at the time of this update, $3.05 per gallon, just to see the Grand Canyon or something. Much better to sit in the sun in the backyard for a few hours, listening to the garden, knowing that there's no need for a turn-signal.......

Frederick

04/09/2006
Thanks, Uncle Adrian. I needed that break. The season has started up right on time and I, as always, am falling behind already on my spring chores. This 'news' section is also a chore to me and it was fun to read Adrian's way-over-the-top-exaggerated frustration with all things outdoors. I wish that I could write like that. His landscape is actually better than he admits, but I don't bother telling him anymore. He's such the perfectionist. See you and yours in PO, Uncle A...

I truly love this time of year in Washington. This last winter, like a bored schoolyard bully, has eventually stomped away and spring can carelessly play again, free from the endless torments of cold and rain. Me too. I love to play out in the yard. My bonsai are springing to life, people are calling, and I am fully awake.

So much to do; hopefully, the winter's work is done and the yard is ready for spring. If not, this is the time. If so, transplanting, replanting and seeding is almost guaranteed right now. The warmer, longer days and intermittent showers get the landscape into a hyperactive state; flushes of growth appearing almost daily. Wait much longer and summer stress becomes more likely. It's just a few little showers, Adrian; trust me, it's OK to go outside now.

As I said, I am overwhelmed by the amount of work that I have to do at this time. Your patience will be generously rewarded and I will thank you in advance for being nice to me as I answer everyone who calls in the order that the calls are received. I generally try to work on one project at a time, but must interrupt at times as scheduling situations arise. I will get everything done and what I can't, I will do later. There are very few orphans in my landscaping family.

I like to think that, as a gardener, I am exempt from the pressures and demands of a hungry spring, demanding my total attention like a newborn, denying me my precious sleep. But that's the way it is. I bought into this repetitive season 28 years ago and now have few regrets. Being a part of this yearly ritual is a privilege to me, and I, secretly, enjoy the pressure. I might appear grumpy, but it is a result of the intense connecting and calculating that spring forces me into. I have to be the eye of the storm; the calm center. It's hard work.

I'm looking forward to a fun and challenging summer, and hoping that everyone's spring work leads to a little summer's rest (mine included)...

Frederick

*******

Regards To -

1. Hertz Equipment Rental, 6th Av Tacoma - (253)-564-3478 / Bob, Jeff, and crew...... for saving the day again and again. This is why I keep calling you!
2. Marenakos Rock Center - 30250 SE High Point Way, Preston, WA. 98050, (425)-392-3313 / Sean, Ellen, and crew.... for putting up with me.
   Also - check out their Stonearium at 3220 1st S, Seattle, WA, (206)-340-0081. In addition to seeing some of Marenakos' stock, there is a gallery of very interesting and attractive art pieces made from stone. Well worth the trip. Ask for Kentaro. He's quite the artist.
3. Alert reader PA who recognized Mark Twain as the sage behind last month's quote. PA wins everything offered in the fine print and I hope a good time is had by all.
4. My daughter, Kiona Barbara. I'll pick a dandelion flower for you this spring.
5. The Karjala Boys; Irrigation Geniuses. Thanks for your good words, Kevin and Ron. Let them water your landscape by calling them at (253)-927-0874 or (206)-824-6711. A great example of how every business should be run.
6. Last, but certainly not least, a hearty "Adios y vaya con Dios" to my job-shadowing friend Tziggy, the Wonder Dog... the rocks and soil won't be the same without you, lad. Take care, young Jedi; I wish you well and will miss your support and 'style.'

*******

Next Month - Why I didn't write about ponds and global warming in this update and what you can do about it.......

03/24/2006
Since Frederick has found himself with an overabundance of homeowners demanding his time, he has commissioned me, his humble webmaster, to write this one update. Apparently our favorite plantsmith's excess work is imparing his judgement, but it's too late now.

I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a gardener. I am, in fact, rather known for the uncanny ability to turn the greenest of leaves brown, and bring all but the most patient of gardeners to their knees. I do not feel any particular kinship with the poor, doomed vegetation that has the misfortune to be purchased by me. The desparate, pleading cries for water and fertilizer are all too easily drowned out by the siren song of bits and bytes whizzing across the ether.

My condition, therefore, has led me to be somewhat knowledgeable as to what I should not do in the care of my yard, which I will humbly share with you:

• When planting my newest acquisition smack dab in the middle of Indian Summer, I should not expect it to survive very long without water...apparently these guys have a fairly difficult time watering themselves.
• You know those neat little two-gallon flower pots you can find in the Garden Center at Lowe's? Don't bother - expecting those little suckers to be low maintenance is like expecting your '88 Yugo to be considered a "classic".
• If you just put in a lawn, don't forget to fertilize it. Of course, for someone like me, walking down the fertilizer aisle is like dropping me into the middle of Moscow and expecting them to take me for a native. So, thanks to my ineptitude at remembering directions, my lawn, once so rich and green, now looks like I've spiked the sprinklers with Drano.
• Don't expect anything to prune itself. I know, I know, I was shocked too when I found this out.
• Any goodwill or positive thoughts you think towards the expensive plantings in your yard immediately get rerouted to the weeds. This is the real reason why I can kill one out of every three flowering cherry trees, but am unable to remove the scotch broom without explosives.

Well, there you have it. My one consolation in all of this is that at least the yin to my gardening yang is only a phone call away....believe it or not, Frederick actually has started to pull me out the horticultural abyss. I'm sure he'll be able to help me out here too, after giving me the requisite lecture about winterizers and waterings and "as needed" and prunings and on and on. Hey, who knows - I might actually be able to keep my lawn green eventually.....stranger things have happened.

--A

02/22/2006
During a conversation with a friend last week, he seemed surprised that I am, as an outdoor worker, an amateur meteorologist as well. In this most beautiful and dynamic part of the world, how could I be otherwise?

In January, we were drowning. Last week, winter hit us with a cold and windy left hook which served to freeze most of January's water solid. Last February at this time we were almost basking in 70 degree sunshine. As I write, both the temperatures and rainfall have returned to 'normal.'

I pay close attention to these differences and take some delight in mentally recording and analyzing each season of each year as they unfold. I guess I like to think that by studying the patterns of our atmosphere I will somehow be able to gauge each and every day of the weather which covers all of us and influences our work and our lives, but my results have been about the same as the TV weather folks - about 50/50.

I love the "Weather Channel" and am endlessly fascinated by repeated loops of the "Doppler Radar." There is artistic poetry and movement in the colored bands of the various echoes within its TV display.

We measure our work, our play and our life experiences based upon the weather, so I cannot apologize for being a 'weather geek.' I have added a link to a great website for any other weather lovers, the "National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration" (NOAA). Sometimes, I like to put a dramatic piece of music on my stereo and set the Doppler loop to 'repeat' and gaze for hours at its colorful dance. Weird, perhaps, but inspirational in its own way.

This 'tribute' to our northwest weather may seem to be out of place on a landscape gardener's website, but I insist that it is relevant. A hard winter means that we may have to replant our yards in the spring; a spring freeze might kill buds and blooms already expanding. A wet summer would increase disease and pest problems, and a mild fall might extend our growing season. The variables and variations make predicting the weather difficult around these parts, and sometimes I remain only to see what happens next. After 30 years, I've seen almost every face of this region's weather, and I think that its unpredictable nature is what gives our area its magnificent beauty.

Of course, I have my favorite and least favorite conditions of weather, but as a golfer I once knew said, we have to play through them all. So I continue to watch Rich and Rick and all the others take their best shot every morning and make-believe that I know, exactly, how their collective weather forecasts will influence my day, not quite removed from the sweep of the radar. But as a pilot friend of mine observed, "We don't fly through the forecast, we fly through the weather......" Thanks, RB.

Also, in my business news, I want to wish a hearty 'bienvenidos y gracias' to my newest friend, Tziggy... Dude; you rock. Thanks for your help and support. I think that I might have quit by now if not for you. Seriously. Looking forward.

This month's mystery quote - Who said, "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it." ? The first correct answer wins an all-expense paid trip to Fiji (minus airfare, lodging, accomodations and spending money).

Next month - "How adding a pond to your backyard may affect a positive shift in 'global warming' ."

Frederick

01/15/2006
It has been four months since I updated the 'news' section of the website. You'll excuse me for not updating sooner, but I've been vacationing in the Bahamas, basking in the tropical sun.... In my dreams.

No, I've been out in the rain, slogging it out like everybody else. A mild fall let me continue construction projects into November, and I've been running behind on my list of yard pruning and cleanup work ever since. This last four weeks have been just plain cold and wet, but a few hours of pruning and raking certainly help to warm the days. This is what I get for cursing January in my last 'news' update. The Pacific northwest is famous for rain; always raining, lots of rain, constant rain. Sometimes, especially in January, this can be true.

There are some things I like about January, though. The days are getting a little longer. The hellebores, bodnantense, hamamelis, and autumnalis are in bloom. Next summer's water is piling up in the mountains. Uh... the ground's softer. Uh... That's about it.

So instead of grousing about January and the weather, I'll stay indoors today and check my mailbag to answer any emails....

PA writes: "Yes, its January, and I would think you would have some spring suggesstions for your clients...."

True. There is still time for winter pruning and cleanup of the yard in anticipation of spring. Most deciduous trees can be pruned now, and it is a good idea to do this sooner than later. As the spring nears, dormant buds will begin to swell and are more easily damaged during pruning. Evergreens can be pruned now also, but heavy pruning should wait until active growth resumes. Pruning is an important part of maintaining a landscape, but we must always prune for a reason. Proper pruning techniques direct the size and shape of trees and shrubs, enhance the health and vitality of plants and improve buds, blooms and fruit production. Raking leaves and debris now removes hiding places for pests and helps keep the yard looking tidy. Now is a good time to assess your landscape and yard and start planning this year's projects to remedy problems or make improvements. Also, make sure you program your gardener, landscaper or plantsmith's cell number on your phone's speed dialer for any horticultural situations that you may need help with. Thanks for the good words, PA.

Email all questions, comments, suggestions, concerns, complaints, rants, raves, 2 cents worth and 10 dollar words to me at 'fwheelehan@cs.com'. I'll try to respond after I've hung out the raingear and wrung out my gloves.

Frederick

09/18/2005
And September is half over again; summer chores and projects still undone and winter fast approaching. In our Pacific Northwest, it seems, we tend to associate summer with outdoors work like gardening and landscaping. Rightly so. It's one thing to tear up the yard in the dry season, knowing that we still have a few months to clean up and rebuild, and quite another to think about slogging through November, December and January trying to finish our work with cold rain and wind for our backdrop. I won't even mention snow or ice.

I have learned to enjoy working on landscape projects throughout the winter. It was a great feeling of achievement to rebuild a rockery in the record rains of November 1998 or to renovate a landscape complete with an intricate water feature during the dark, cold December of 2002. Granted, the scant 8 hours of 'daylight' somewhat restricts the schedule, and the chilly drizzle makes getting out of the truck almost the hardest part of the day for me. But getting the work done in the winter months makes the following spring and summer something really good to anticipate. The yard is ready and waiting to be enjoyed as the first glimmers of spring and/or summer appear.

These days, as the leaves start to turn color and begin to fall, I find myself thinking more about the next growing season and how I only have a few months ahead to get anything done; scarcely enough time before the busy time of the year begins anew.

Thirty years since I arrived in this verdant Washington State from Florida and seven years since I began my own business, I remain, mostly, undaunted by the oncoming winter months. With plenty of building, pruning, planting and planning to do despite the shorter days and longer nights, the winter weather here doesn't bother me much anymore.

Except for maybe January. I'll admit that sometimes I can really hate January in Western Washington. Then all I want to do is go back to Hollywood. But deep down I know that January, too, shall pass; I'll still be here in the spring.

Frederick

08/08/2005
I am often asked "How much should I water?", in regard to plants and lawns at this time of the year. My answer is, invariably, "As needed." Technically true but not very helpful when trying to keep the yard and garden alive and happy in this, the driest part of our northwest's year.

It's a good answer, though. It requires the individual to use their powers of observation and creates a sense of paranoia which ensures that one is always checking water needs, and that is my point exactly. There's no formula as to the amount and frequency of watering, but by studying the variables of any given landscape, it is possible to figure out.

The weather forecasters call for 'rain', but the amounts at this time of year are generally insufficient other than to knock down the dust and wet the leaves of thirsty plants. Cloudy and/or misty days are great, however, for watering because of lower evaporation (even if your neighbors look at you kinda' funny). But don't rely on a forecast of 'rain' to soak the garden enough to matter. Try not to water in the heat of the day - early mornings are best; evenings are second best. Watering dry plants in the middle of an eighty degree day can shock them more than the heat.

In my world, there are two types of watering; 'survival watering' is enough to keep plants alive through the summer - 'optimum growth' watering is what it takes to make plants grow and flourish throughout our hot and dry months.

Sun exposure, wind, types of plants, reflected light and heat, soil types and other factors all affect a plant's needs for water. For first-year plantings, I recommend treating plants almost as if they were still in containers (daily watering in hot weather). First-year lawns are still mostly shallow rooted and are more susceptible to heat-stress. Extra watering is recommended.

Irrigation systems work well for established lawns and plantings, but additional water may be needed as conditions demand, especially for first-year landscapes. After a few years, plantings are considered 'established' and are better able to withstand our dry summers, but some heat-stress related problems are normal. Generally, established plantings will make it to the fall rains just fine. Extra water will let the newer plantings survive long enough to become established.

Container plants and annual baskets will need daily watering (depending on exposure). Whatever you do, don't fertilize anything unless you're watering enough and then fertilize lightly (or not at all) as temperatures get into the eighties. Plants need water more than anything at this time and fertilizer can do more harm than good; if you're unsure, then DON'T.

Again, there are no hard and fast rules for adequate watering. Regular observations, understanding of your particular growing conditions and a vigilant awareness of the weather can all help to keep your garden and landscape lush and healthy through our most beautiful summer months

07/10/2005

Well, here we are again in a classic western Washington summer; 60 degree clouds and drizzle. It's hard to take after two glorious summers in a row, but I guess we should have known that 'real' summers couldn't go on forever in this state. The good news is that it looks the drought predicted in February has been averted (I told you so); the bad news is that weeds, insects and diseases are flourishing this year. On top of that, the dismal weather tends to discourage the extra effort gardeners need to keep up with all of the environmental changes in the landscape.

As for me, I remain undaunted by the weather in my efforts to beautify America one landscape at a time during this, the brightest time of our Washington year. I have been blessed with a full schedule since early March and the jobs continue to roll in. I appreciate everyone's patience and hope that my work is worth waiting for. This is my seventh year in business and have hopes that it will not be long until I am able to hire some help to assist with my many projects - I know; I've been saying this for a couple of years. We'll see. A boy can dream, and I do. Again, we'll see.

Response to this website has been very positive. I am excited by the idea of displaying my works in a public format and look forward to its growth and development as more pictures, links and "news" items are added. I wish to sincerely thank my friend and 'webmaster extrordinaire' Adrian for his irreverent assistance and awesome creativity in this website's existence. He is really good at what he does and, for the right price, may be able to assist you and/or your company in a similar fashion. He can be reached at 253-862-3878 for more information.

Feel free to contact me anytime if I can answer any questions, help with any projects, or provide copious amounts of brilliant conversation. I look forward to hearing from you!

Frederick - 7/10/05