With such bleak times, people are motivated to plant vegetable gardens. What better way to save is there to save money and get healthy at the same time? Many folks don’t realize it, but with the Pacific Northwest’s temperate climate, vegetables can be grown year around. I’ve actually had collards, kale and mustard greens all winter! They are just now beginning to go to seed.

So get out there and build a raised bed. If this is too much of an undertaking for you then perhaps try container gardening. Whatever you do, plant something!

We’ve currently got garlic, onions, beets, basil, nasturtiums, radish, beans, peas, corn, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, peppers, sage, chives, oregano, mint, brocolli and cucumber. Prices range from just $1 up to $4 for 4″, 6″ and 1 gallon pots. Come see us!

All Hebe originated in New Zealand. There are between 90 and 100 species of Hebe and literally hundreds of cultivars available at nurseries. Hebe like well draining soil and more sun than shade. Some will get by in a partially shaded spot but most want lots of sun. They are evergreen and one of the best things about them are that they flower in very late summer or in the fall when most of the garden is finished flowering. The flowers can be white, pink, or purple.

Many Hebe can’t take temperatures much below 25 for a prolonged period so in this last hard winter many of us lost our Hebe. A good rule of thumb is the larger the leaf the less hardy the Hebe. Variegated ones are also less hardy than the rest. You might want to put the largest leaved ones in a sheltered location near the house out of the wind.

Wait another week or two before cutting back your Hebe because if we have another freeze the black, frost-bitten part of the Hebe may protect the tender part that could still be alive. In a week or two if you see new buds opening up on part of the plant you can cut it back to the new buds. If you don’t see anything poking up from the old Hebe in a few more weeks you can pull the plant out entirely.

The great thing about Hebe is that they all like the same spot in your garden so now is a great time to try out a new one you may never have had before, and luckily for us we only get killer winters every five to seven years! They are also very affordable.

We have many variety of Hebe at the nursery from which you can choose your replacements!