3C
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015
in the
garden
with
Cathy Peterson
Q: This seems to a different sort of winter, with
moderate temperatures. Does that present opportu-
nities for coastal gardeners?
A: Coastal gardeners can take advantage of those
moderate temperatures, particularly home gardeners
using greenhouses, hoop houses or window boxes,
but I would still pay close attention to frost this early
in the year. Also, it has been my experience that these
mild winters prevent a garden pest die-off so l plan to
be more vigilant in spring when we start our vegetable
garden, and to keep an eye out for chewing insects and
slugs.
Q: What’s the most recent gardening book you’ve
read that you would recommend?
A: While I wouldn’t call it so much a “gardening book,”
my go-to guide at the park is Jim Pojar and Andy MacK-
innon’s “Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast,” Lone Pine
Publishing, 1994. Just last week I had a discussion with
a visitor about the different lichens and moss found at
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. My Pojar and
MacKinnon definitely informs me and helps me sound
informed!
I also am a great fan of plant collector and author Dan
Hinkley and keep a couple of old Heronswood Garden
catalogs around for inspiration and quick reading.
Q: What is your favorite plant?
A: That’s hard because we can grow so much here. I
would have to say that I am a big fan these days of har-
dy and disease-resistant plants. I’ve been growing a big
herb bed for a couple of summers now, and have en-
joyed having a mix of flowering herbs that attract polli-
nators, and savory herbs that taste good in our food. I’ve
also made a concerted effort to have different varieties
of catmint for their beautiful flowers, as well as a reward
for our two hardworking mousers.
Q: What is your most significant coastal gardening
failure?
A: About 10 years ago, my friends and I swapped
plant starts that have since grown out of control. One is
JOSHUA BESSEX — The Daily Astorian
Education Program Coordinator at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Cathy Peterson stands along the
Fort to Sea Trail. Peterson is a Master Gardener.
cious grower in my ornamental beds is Crane’s Bill gera-
nium. With its pale pink flowers and ability to fill in blank
spaces, Crane’s Bill seemed like such a good idea. What
was I thinking?!!!
Photo courtesy Cathy Peterson
A photo of Cathy Peterson’s son and daughter, Ben and
Jenna, in the family garden, about 10 or so years ago.
curly germander, a tough little herb that deer hate, but
also appears to be impossible to curb. The other vora-
Q: What part of your personality is reflected in
your garden?
A: My practice to “collect” stories and memories in-
forms how I have gardened. For instance, there’s a Jap-
anese maple that a family friend gave us when our son
Ben was born. Now 19 years later the tree has withstood
a move, and anchors our front yard with interesting col-
or, intricate branching and the capacity to survive our
clumsy pruning attempts with patience and grace. We
have another tree in our front yard, a Cercidiphyllum or
Katsura, with heart shaped leaves that smell like brown
sugar in fall. Friends gave us the tree when our daughter
Jenna came into the world. After 15 years, it’s tall, dra-
matic and spectacular year-round.
Cathy Peterson is a Master Gardener and the education
program coordinator at Lewis and Clark National Histor-
ical Park. She formerly wrote a gardening for The Daily
Astorian.
Technology
TODAY’S
By JESSI LOERCH
The Daily Herald
EVERETT, Wash. — Lisa
CUTTING-EDGE IDEAS ARE AT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY
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A Spot locator is helpful to
hikers and others who may
become lost.
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Call for help
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AP Photo/The Herald, Joe Dyer
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In this Aug. 2, 2012 photo, a search and rescue volunteer glides down to the ground on a
line from a Huey helicopter as part of a training exercise at Taylor’s Landing Search and
Rescue Facility in Snohomish, Wash.
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hours.
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Inside: Shellfish farm copes with chal
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Industry spotlight:
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The January edition
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NEWS
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NEWS
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BOAT OF THE MONTH
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