Pacific Northwest
August, 2011
Regional Report
Favorite or New Plant
Sweet William
I love the clove-scented flowers of sweet William (Dianthus barbatus). Sweet William readily self-sows and mine comes back year after year even after a harsh winter. As long as you plant it in well-draining soils, provide full sunshine and good air circulation, sweet William will perform well. I like to shear mine back after the first flush of bloom to encourage a second flush of bloom later in the season.
Clever Gardening Technique
Garden Glove Care
To clean my gardening gloves after working in muddy soil, I simply use a bar of soap and wash my hands while wearing my gloves. Once the gloves are clean, I remove them and set them in a warm location to dry. Leather gloves will dry stiff, but once you put them on again they will soften up in no time flat!
