44th Spring Lane County Home & Garden Show

44th

March 8 -10

PRESENTED BY

Celebrating

l Exhibitor Directories

l Home & Garden Articles

l Seminar Schedules

l Show Map & Features

l Speaker Highlights

Show Hours

Friday 12 noon – 9 pm

Saturday 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

Fairgrounds - Eugene FREE! Parking

Admission $5 or FREE! Admission with 3 cans of food to benefit FOOD for Lane County

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer!

Ciscoe Morris Northwest’s Favorite Gardener!

Don Engebretson The Renegade Gardener!

IT’S EASY TO SPOT the NW Natural home.

That’s because natural gas is there when you need it, even during a power outage. There are models of natural gas fireplaces, water heaters, ranges and cooktops that can keep performing when you need them most. And with a natural gas generator, you can power your furnace and other non-natural gas appliances without ever stepping outside to add fuel. Something to think about next time you get left in the dark.

Find out more at nwnatural.com/appliances.

Dream. Imagine. Create. Learn. Grow.

Welcome to the 44th Annual Lane County Home & Garden Show presented by NW Natural.

Forty-four years of encouraging our guests to Dream, Imagine, Create, Learn and Grow. It must be working because we see you, our guests, and our exhibitors Stepping into Spring at the March show each year!

Dream about the potential of your current home or garden. Since most of us are staying put in our current home, why not make it better? We all do it. Years go by and that despised mint green bathtub becomes a part of the family. But with 200 home and garden companies all under one roof showcasing their expertise, materials and products – why not explore the possibilities of a remodel or wholehouse renovation with our experts?

Imagine how you want to live. Not to impress others, but yourself! Make a list of what is driving you crazy about your current home. Utilize the show to interview and select the right experts to kick start your home or garden projects.

Create a file of inspiring rooms, colors, materials or gardens. Take measurements and photos. Make a list of spaces that go unused or underutilized. Be realistic about your home’s problems and deferred maintenance. Decide on a budget and timeline. Be sure to survey your garden for opportunities to expand your living space with a patio cover, outdoor kitchen or an ADU.

Learn from the seminars - kitchen and bath remodels to garden design and starting seeds. Plan your visit to the show around 47 seminars and happenings on page 8. Bring your questions, so you can leave with the answers. Between the seminars and exhibits we hope you will find everything to successfully launch projects this spring.

Grow something! Growing great tomatoes will be easy after attending a workshop with Joel Karsten, the Straw Bale Method Pioneer. For those of you bitten by the travel bug, enjoy Ciscoe Morris’s presentation, “Must-See Gardens from Around the World!” The Renegade Gardener, Don Engebretson, returns with his comical “Garden Blunders,” “Myths and Mayhem” and “The Birds and the Bees!” Gardening writer Mary-Kate Mackey will share how to “party ready” your garden as a stage for this year’s special occasions. And John Fischer will share how easy it is to grow berries and fruit trees organically!

Many homeowners only improve or remodel when putting their home on the market. Your home is your nest and you deserve to enjoy it more! It is our hope that this spring we can take you closer to creating your dream home and garden.

Cheers to creating a nest that you REALLY love!

Karen Ramus, Show Director

The Final Straw

Learn to grow more veggies, herbs, and flowers with Joel Karsten’s straw bale gardening seminars.

By Jon Bell

Joel Karsten remembers seeing it to this day.

As a young boy growing up on a crop and dairy farm in Minnesota, he noticed a bale of hay next to a barn. Growing out of it were some of the biggest, greenest thistles he’d ever seen. There was obviously something about the hay bale that was allowing the thistles to flourish.

Fast-forward a few years, through a horticulture degree at the University of Minnesota and the purchase of his first home, and Karsten found himself wanting to plant a veggie garden. But there was only an inch of topsoil in his yard. He

didn’t have money to buy and build raised beds either. What he did have was the memory of that hay bale and the thistles.

“And I thought, ‘Why couldn’t I use bales like that to grow my vegetables?’” he says.

And that, along with some experimentation, research and good old-fashioned horticultural know-how, is how Joel Karsten became one of the pioneers of straw bale gardening.

Pretty much exactly what it sounds like, straw bale gardening is a method of growing vegetables, flowers and other plants in bales of straw. The bales, which can be any kind of wheat, oats, barley, rye or baled grasses, first get conditioned

with the addition of a traditional fertilizer, which adds nitrogen and other nutrients to fuel the decomposition process in the bale. Doing this creates a warm, nutrient-rich substrate ideal for growing plants. According to Karsten, it’s essentially a self-contained compost pile.

“It’s really fundamental biology,” he said, adding that it takes about 12 days after adding the fertilizer for a bale to be conditioned and ready to use. To be safe, he recommends targeting your planting date about 20 days before the average last frost date based on your zip code. According to the National Gardening Association, the average last frost date for Eugene is usually around May 22, though that can change every year, so it’s best to watch the weather forecast closely.

Karsten says the benefits of straw bale gardening are plenty. For starters, straw bales are just another form of container

gardening, so they’re good for keeping your garden tidy or for use where space is limited. Straw bales retain moisture well, so watering is minimized; it’s also easy to run drip lines to them. Straw bales are also better for limiting soil-borne diseases and weeds, in part because they are used for only one or two years before they are composted and replaced.

“A diseased leaf on a tomato plant will fall into the soil in a regular garden and harbor there. It gets into the soil and can get splashed back onto plants,” he says. “With straw bales, you are creating new soil every two years.”

Because of straw bales’ height, home

Joel Karsten has straw bale garden converts in no fewer than 60 countries around the world, from across the U.S. and Europe to Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond – a testament to how versatile straw bale gardening is.

Setting up a straw bale garden, complete with irrigation drip lines, is an easy approach to gardening.

gardeners don’t have to bend down as much to tend to them. And because you can often start your plants a little earlier in the spring in a straw bale – due to the warm conditions inside – you get a longer growing season and more yield per plant.

Karsten says straw bales work great for most herbs – though not rosemary – and all kinds of vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and leafy greens. Two to avoid: onions, unless you’re in the south, and corn. Karsten has

also had luck with watermelons and musk melons.

Straw bale gardening has grown wildly popular all over the world, especially as more and more gardeners have jumped on the social media bandwagon. Karsten himself has a 24-bale garden at his home in Minneapolis, and he’s written five books about the method.

“I have people tell me all the time that they’re never going to grow in soil again,” Karsten says.

Joel Karsten, at the Home & Garden Show

On the Main Stage! Book Signings to Follow

• Straw Bale Gardening 101 -Fri. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm -Sat. 11am, 2pm & 5pm -Sun. 11am & 3pm

• Joel will also be available in a Lobby Exhibit to answer Garden & Lawn Questions all three days of the show.

Because they create a warm compost, straw bales allow you to plant your starts earlier in the season.

Show Speakers

Don Engebretso, The Renegade Gardener

Don , is a nationally recognized authority on landscaping and garden design. He has published five books on gardening and landscaping. For over a decade he was a field editor and garden scout for Better Homes and Gardens and garden editor and columnist for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. For four seasons he was the gardening expert on HGTV’s TIPical MaryEllen show and served as landscaping consultant and on-camera garden design expert for the PBS Television series HOMETIME. His articles on gardening, landscape design, and the landscaping industry have appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, Garden, Deck and Landscape, Northern Gardener and the Seattle Times. Don is a six-time winner of the Garden Writers Association Garden Globe Award for excellence in garden writing.

Speaking All 3 Show Days!

Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer, Author and Blogger

Joel is a farm boy who grew up tending a soil garden like other gardeners have for centuries. He shook up the gardening world with his first book describing his breakthrough Straw Bale Gardening concept. The New York Times called Straw Bale Gardening “a revolutionary gardening method” and his ideas have been enthusiastically embraced globally, making his books best-sellers in many languages. Karsten earned a BS in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota and spends his summers tending his vegetable garden, doing research, and experimenting with new ideas and methods he can pass along to his followers. Discover more information about Karsten and his revolutionary methods at StrawBaleGardens.com

Speaking All 3 Show Days!

Book Sales and Signings to follow each presentation

Ciscoe Morris

Author and the Northwest’s Favorite Gardener

Well known in the Pacific Northwest, Ciscoe Morris appears regularly on KING5’s New Day Northwest with Margaret Larson and on KING5’s Take5 news show. His popular “Gardening with Ciscoe” show with Meeghan Black aired for years on KING/KONG TV and on Northwest News. His book, Ask Ciscoe, was a national best-seller and his latest book is Oh, La La! When he is not speaking or writing, he is often gardening at his home in northeast Seattle or off hosting a garden tour somewhere in the world. Thanks to all those Brussels sprouts he eats, he is even better looking in real life than on TV.

Speaking Saturday & Sunday! Book Sales and Signings to follow each presentation

Joel Karsten

John Fischer, The Relaxed Gardener

Show Speakers

Retired Meteorologist, Master Gardener, Radio Host and Garden Writer John’s career as a meteorologist allowed him to share his passion for year-round gardening. Upon his retirement from KEZI-TV, John became a perennial favorite at all of the Eugene Home Shows. With nearly 84 edible gardening, composting and irrigation talks under his beard, John continues to delight and entertain gardeners with his relaxed organic garden gospel!

Speaking Friday & Saturday!

Mary-Kate Mackey

Award Winning Garden Writer and Author

Mary-Kate offers great ideas for problem-solving in the garden. She’s an awardwinning writer and the recipient of eight GardenComm media writing awards. Mary-Kate’s byline has appeared in numerous national publications, such as Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Sunset, and This Old House, and she’s a contributor to the Sunset Western Garden Book and Sunset’s Gardening in the Northwest. She’s a lively and engaging speaker, who has presented talks at most of the major garden

Since 1982

44th

PRESENTED BY

Friday, March 8th

1:00 pm Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

2:00 pm Common Gardening Myths & the Mayhem They Cause

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

2:30 pm Viking Ocean & River Cruises – Explore the World

DIG by Gary Smith, TravelPerks, Nation’s #1 Cruise Agent

3:00 pm Grow What You Like to Eat - Veggie & Fruit Selections, MAIN Growing Techniques, Irrigation & Pest Control by John Fischer, “The Relaxed Gardener”

3:00 pm Big Ideas for Bathroom Remodels

REMODEL by Don Delaplain, Revision Design Build

3:30 pm Five Easy Ideas for a Healthy Garden

DIG by Mary-Kate Mackey, Award Winning Garden Writer, Author of The Healthy Garden – Simple Steps for a Greener World

4:00 pm Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

5-7:00 pm Pizza Making Demo’s with Gozney Patio Pizza Ovens North Patio by Viking Sewing, Vacuum, Spa & Stove

6:00 pm Gardening for the Birds, Bees, and Butterflies

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

6:30 pm Moles, Voles & Gophers - Driving You Crazy?

DIG Tips to Regain Your Sanity & Yard! by Grant Williams, Ultimate Pest Control

6:30 pm Disaster Kitchens - Awful to Amazing!

REMODEL by Castile Kitchen & Bath

7:00 pm Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

Entertainment, Seminars & Workshops

DIG into Dirt Garden Stage

Room 4-West off South Lobby

MAIN Stage

Room 1 off North Lobby

PROJECT Stage

Room 4-C off South Hallway

REMODEL Stage

Room 4-East off South Hallway

Saturday, March 9th

10 am - 4 pm 4-H Small Animals “Show-N-Tell”

PROJECT by Extension Service - Lane County 4-H Youth

10:30 am Drying Herbs & Soup Seasonings - Fresh from the Garden!

DIG by Shirley McSilvers, Master Food Preserver

11:00 am Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

11:30 am Native Tree ID - Bring Tree Photos & Foliage

DIG by Carrie Mack, Extension Small Farms/Forestry Program

12 noon Common Gardening Myths & the Mayhem They Cause

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

12-4pm Fix-It Fair - Bring Textiles, Garden Tools & Small Appliances

North Patio Needing Repairs – Free Admission from North Parking Lot Room 2 by Eugene ToolBox Project

12 noon Disaster Bathrooms – Sad to Stunning!

REMODEL by Castile Kitchen & Bath

12:30 pm Top 10 Hottest Travel Destinations in 2024

DIG by Gary Smith, TravelPerks, Nation’s #1 Cruise Agent

1:00 pm Ciscoe’s Favorite Gardens in the World

MAIN by Ciscoe Morris, Garden Expert Author of “Oh, La La!” & “Ask Ciscoe” Book Sales & Signing to Follow

1-3:00 pm Pizza Making Demo’s with Gozney Patio Pizza Ovens

North Patio by Viking Sewing, Vacuum, Spa & Stove

1:00 pm What to Know About Adding an ADU – Get the Facts!

REMODEL by Jason Kaminski, Kaminski Construction

1:30 pm Emergency Preparedness -

DIG by Katya Davis & M.L. Church, Master Food Preservers

2:00 pm Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

2:00 pm Big Ideas for Kitchen Remodels

REMODEL by Don Delaplain, Revision Design Build

2:30 pm Party Perfect Gardens--Easy Tips to Make Your Garden Shine

DIG by Mary-Kate Mackey, Award Winning Garden Writer, Author of The Healthy Garden – Simple Steps for a Greener World

3:00 pm Gardening for the Birds, Bees, and Butterflies

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

3:30 pm Post Ice Storm Damage - Removal or Restoration?

DIG by Alby Thoumsin, Certified Arborist, Sperry Tree Care

4:00 pm Growing Carefree Fruit & Berries OrganicallyMAIN Peaches, Kiwis, Plums, Figs, Raspberries & Blackberries! by John Fischer, “The Relaxed Gardener”

4:30 pm Garden Detective - Questions, Mysteries & Problems!

DIG by Shirley Betournay, Master Gardener

5:00 pm Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

5-7:00 pm Pizza Making Demo’s with Gozney Patio Pizza Ovens

North Patio by Viking Sewing, Vacuum, Spa & Stove

6:00 pm Top 10 Gardening Blunders – and How to Avoid Them!

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

Sunday, March 10th

11:00 am Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

11:30 am Seed Starting - Tips & Tricks!

DIG by Christina Bixel, Master Gardener

12 noon Top 10 Gardening Blunders - And How to Avoid Them!

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

12 noon Disaster Kitchens - Awful to Amazing!

REMODEL by Castile Kitchen & Bath

12:30 pm Growing an Edible Garden in 10 Steps

DIG by Juliet Bender, Master Gardener

12:30 pm Intro to Canning - Basics to Get Started

PROJECT by Celeste Percy & Julia Haven, Master Food Preservers

1:00 pm Stump the Chump Game Show with Ciscoe!

MAIN Solve Ciscoe’s Tough Stumper Garden Questions & Win! by Ciscoe Morris, Garden Expert Author of “Oh, La La!” & “Ask Ciscoe” Book Sales & Signing to Follow

1-3:00 pm Pizza Making Demo’s with Gozney Patio Pizza Ovens

North Patio by Viking Sewing, Vacuum, Spa & Stove

1:00 pm Big Ideas for Bathroom Remodels

REMODEL by Don Delaplain, Revision Design Build

1:30 pm Sour Dough Starter with Tasty Samples

PROJECT by Sandy Scheetz, Master Food Preserver

2:00 pm Gardening for the Birds, Bees, and Butterflies

MAIN by Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener

2:30 pm Fire Risk Reduction in Homes & Gardens

DIG by Lauren Grand, OSU Extension Forestry Faculty

3:00 pm Straw Bale Gardening 101

MAIN by Joel Karsten, Straw Bale Gardening Pioneer Book Sales & Signing to Follow

Kitchen

Bathroom

Blunders, birds and bogus gardening beliefs

Gardener Don Engebretson sheds some humor and truth on what really works in your garden

By Jon Bell

Say you just got a dwarf conifer tree from a local nursery and you’re about to plant it. It needs fertilizer first, right?

Or maybe you’ve got a big, old tree in your front yard right next to your window, blocking your view and screening out natural light. You’ve got to leave it there, not cut it down, right?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, you might want to talk to Don Engebretson, a longtime gardening writer and gardener who’s come to be known throughout the industry as the Renegade Gardener. His specialty, aside from Minnesota-focused gardening books and pithy columns that make fun of silly gardening trends, is pointing out gardening blunders and injecting long-held myths

with a good dose of truth.

Case in point: the old belief that all plants should be fertilized at the time of planting.

“No, wrong,” says Engebretson, who got his love for gardening from the men in his family, including his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, all of whom had great gardens. “This used to be true, some decades ago, but that was before the advent of slow-release, granular fertilizers. These days, any potted plant you purchase has a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the potting soil. It was added by the grower at the time of potting. So, don’t fertilize a new plant when you plant it in your garden. The plant doesn’t need it. If you typically fertilize your plants, wait, and then fertilize new plants the first spring after planting.”

And as for that big tree or shrub you

just can’t bear to cut down, even though it’s casting your home in darkness or littering your lawn with buds and leaves and all other kinds of detritus? It’s OK to cut it down or take it out.

“We’re afraid to cut down a tree or old shrubs,” Engebretson says. “We think that the deforestation of the Brazilian rain forest somehow relates to the evergreen in our yard that the previous owner planted four feet from the house. They do not relate.”

Myth busting

At the spring home and garden show, Engebretson will bust multiple garden myths for attendees and also point out the blunders that many home gardeners may make. And don’t feel embarrassed if he picks you out of the crowd and has a little fun with that overgrown tree in your

The Renegade Gardener has tips on everything from garden design and fertilizing new plants to adding bird baths to your yard.

yard or the tiny little beds you’ve got next to your house – beds that should be much larger to complement the home.

“Having beds that are too narrow limits the range of plants you can put in there,” Engebretson says. “I call it tutu landscaping, because they look like little tutus around your house. In a renovation, foundation beds around the home nearly always need to be expanded, made larger and wider. You’ve got to kick those small beds with a single rose in them out there and get a tree in there. It brings the scale of the house down to lawn level.”

Another myth that Engebretson likes to dispel is the idea that lawn fertilizers are a major cause of excess algae growth in lakes, ponds and rivers.

“False,” he says. “University studies found that nutrients from lawn fertilizers play a very small role in excess algae growth in waterways. What’s the main culprit? Organic debris, such as leaves, twigs, acorns, catkins and lawn clippings that wind up in the street. When it rains, all these organics get swept down into the storm drains found along residential streets. These drains lead directly to water

Down To Earth has been proud to offer premium organic fertilizers and environmentally friendly products to the home gardener and preserver for 47 years.

somewhere, be it a pond, river, stream or lake. The organic debris is packed with phosphorus, which leads to excess algae growth in these waters. So keep a clean street.”

The birds and the bees

In addition to busting myths and poking fun at blunders, Engebretson also knows a thing or two about gardening with birds, bees and butterflies in mind. He’s knowledgeable about the native plant species that will attract fauna to your yard, and he’s also well-versed in the various

bird feeders and baths that will bring you a big posse of feathered friends in no time.

“Having a bird feeder alone will double the population,” Engebretson says. “And always include a bird bath or two that you maintain. Change the water once a week. Put a feeder on one side of your yard and a bath on the other, and you’ll have birds flying back and forth across your yard.”

Don

Engebretson, “The Renegade Gardener” at the Home & Garden Show

On the Main Stage!

• Common Gardening Myths & the Mayhem They Cause

- Fri. 2pm & Sat. 12noon

• Gardening for the Birds, Bees and Butterflies

- Fri. 6pm, Sat. 3pm & Sun. 2pm

• Top 10 Gardening Blunders – and How to Avoid Them!

- Sat. 6pm & Sun 12noon

With The Renegade Gardener rebellion makes a garden better.

Global Gardens

Crowd favorite Ciscoe Morris shares some of his favorite international gardens and adventures at the show

By Jon Bell

Anostrich in hot pursuit near the Cape of Good Hope. Benedictine monks catching pirates off the coast of England. A watchdog cobra in a garden near Pretoria, South Africa.

There’s never a dull moment when touring glorious gardens around the world with the one and only Ciscoe Morris. The celebrated Seattle gardener, who’s also an author and regular guest on Seattle TV and radio shows, has led or participated in close to 25 international garden tours

around the world, from Australia and New Zealand to England, South Africa, Costa Rica and beyond.

“Oh, I’ve seen a lot,” Morris says. “There’s almost too many to remember. We do garden tours and we do a lot of other things too – lots of wine and whisky.”

The crowd favorite returns to the Lane County Home & Garden Show this spring with a showcase of his must-see gardens around the world. Among his favorite garden destinations? England.

“I always tell people, if you want to go see the best in the world, go to England,”

Morris says. “The English people have gardening in them.”

One way to start off a good gardening tour in England is to pair it up with the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual Chelsea Flower Show. Held in London every May, the show is packed with gardens, houseplants, scientific innovations, music and much more.

“It’s so fun,” Morris says. “And if you get burned out on all the gardening stuff, you can go outside and listen to the marching bands or have a picnic. It’s just so much

Popular garden personality Ciscoe Morris regularly leads garden tours around the world, including New Zealand.

Ciscoe Morris returns to the home show with tales of international adventure.

fun.”

Among the top gardens in all of England – and likely among the best in the world – is the Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Once a prison, the grand property was acquired by Vita Sackville-West and her husband, the author Harold Nicholson, in the 1930s. The couple turned it into a renowned garden with a unique style of garden rooms. Morris says the garden always has new and one-of-a-kind plants as well. The bad thing? Those plants are usually introduced at Sissinghurst and then not available in the U.S. for at least two more years.

“It breaks your heart because you know you won’t be able to get them for a couple years,” he says.

More English favorites

Another Morris favorite is the Great Dixter House & Gardens, a grand home and garden that was once the abode of renowned gardener Christopher Lloyd. In fact, Morris and his tour group once got a half-hour personal tour of the garden from none other than Lloyd himself, who happened to be on the grounds the day they were there.

Morris also recommends the Tresco Abbey Garden on the island of Tresco, off the southwest coast of England.

Once home to Benedictine monks who scanned the area for pirates and also saved people from shipwrecks, the property was converted into a singular garden starting in the mid 1800s. Because of the unique subtropical climate of the region, just about anything will grow. According to the garden’s website, it is “a sanctuary for some 2,000 specimens from across the southern hemisphere and subtropics, from Brazil to New Zealand, Myanmar to South Africa.”

“It’s full of all the most tropical plants,” Morris says. “You can’t believe they can grow them in England.”

South African adventures

Morris has also been to several amazing gardens in South Africa, including the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which sits above Cape Town on Table Mountain. There’s a popular cable car ride, a tree canopy walk and more than 22,000 plant species, many of them rare and endangered.

“That’s a good garden to see,” Morris says.

And since you’re in the area, check out the Cape of Good Hope if you can. That’s where Morris was once chased by an ostrich.

“The guide said not to mess with them,

especially if they have orange feet,” he says. “If ostriches have orange feet, it means they’re in heat and the males think you’re competition. There was one following me and I had to start running away.”

On another private garden tour in South Africa, the homeowner warned Morris about a particular creature in the garden. The home was in Pretoria, which is known as being a bit of a rough community crime-wise.

“She said, ‘Before I lead you in there, I have to tell you one thing – there’s a cobra in my garden. I leave it in there because all the bad guys know it’s in there, so they

leave me alone,’” Morris says. “There were a few people who ended up not going on that tour.”

Morris regularly leads garden tours around the world. He’s got trips coming up in Sicily and Malta, and you can find out what else he has on the horizon at ciscoe.com or nwtravel.com.

Ciscoe Morris, at the Home & Garden Show

On the Main Stage! Book Signings to Follow

Travel with Ciscoe to his Favorite Gardens in the World - Sat. 1pm

Stump the Chump with Ciscoe & Win Prizes & Plants! - Sun. 1pm

One of Morris’s favorite gardens is the Tresco Abbey Garden, which is home to some giant Gunnera.

At the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa.

The Evolving Kitchen

The liveliest room in the home is becoming more vibrant and luxurious

By Jon Bell

The kitchen’s not just for cooking anymore.

That’s been the case for years, as the kitchen has morphed from one of the most practical spaces in a home to one of the keys to entertaining, socializing and gathering. Now, however, kitchens are evolving even more and being elevated into the perfect blend of form and function.

“Kitchens have evolved from just a functional workstation into vibrant social spaces,” says Jason Kaminski, owner of Kaminski Construction in Eugene. “In line with this transformation, the remodeling trends for kitchens in 2024 center around the harmonious blending of func-

tionality, comfort and personal style.”

A big focus when it comes to kitchen remodels these days is the kitchen island. Once a simple workspace and storage option, now kitchen islands are taking on much more important roles.

“Kitchen islands are becoming increasingly multifunctional, incorporating builtin appliances, ample storage solutions and seating areas equipped with charging stations,” Kaminski says. .

Maximizing storage space and functionality is another key trend for 2024, according to Kaminsky, with the introduction of pull-out drawers, hidden appliance garages and clever corner organizers, all aimed at replacing cluttered cabinets.

Forrest Castile, co-owner of Castile Kitchen & Bath in Eugene, says a big

trend he’s seen with kitchen remodels is a move toward something more luxurious.

“More and more people are wanting the feeling and experience of luxury,” he says. “There are lots of products that have that feeling and they’re becoming more available. It’s like how stone and quartz countertops are now becoming the standard.”

Warming up

Castile has also seen a rise in the popularity of a uniquely Pacific Northwest style – mid-century modern but with a Northwest flair.

“In the Pacific Northwest, we see a lot of natural woods, and mid-century modern is bright colors and simple lines,” he says. “The Pacific Northwest version has more natural textures and wood tones with lines that are a little more complex and colors that are a lot richer.”

Castile isn’t the only one seeing a shift toward warmth and natural tones. Kaminsky has seen it too.

“One of the most striking trends is the shift toward warmer colors and the integration of natural materials,” he says. “Richly stained wood cabinets or creamy whites are paired with earthy-toned coun-

The show offers experts, materials and seminars on remodeling kitchens to create spaces with better traffic flow, function and style, as Gansen Construction did with this stunning project.

tertops, such as quartz, to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.”

The right lights

Another advent that has allowed some new creativity in kitchen remodels is lighting. Castile says kitchens used to be all about top-down lighting with limited options. Now, it’s all about layered lighting, with ambient lighting, task lighting, indirect lighting and other options that create spaces that are both functional and aesthetic. And it all can be controlled with dimmers and fixtures that allow tuning to the right tone.

“All of the lighting now is so tunable and gives so many different options,” Castile says. “Layered lighting is always good in a functional space. It used to be that we didn’t have many lighting options, but now, you can create different lighting schemes for different moods in the space. There’s a real richness factor.”

And even though there are trends that are catching the eye, Kaminsky says the most important part of a kitchen remodel is to make sure it’s still you.

“Amidst these trends, it is essential to

Path to success

No matter what style you go for with your kitchen remodel, you’re in for a bit of disruption. The kitchen is, after all, probably the most utilized room in your home. With a remodel, you’re likely going to lose it for two to three months if not more.

“There’s no sense trying to gloss over it,” Castile says. “It’s hard living through a major remodel.”

Some tips for getting through it? Set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in your home with a fridge, a place to wash dishes and some kind of cooking option, like a microwave, a hot plate or an outdoor stove. Plan on lots of takeout and restaurants, and know that there will be some added stress along the way.

And, of course, choose a solid contractor.

“Remember that your kitchen should be a reflection of you and your needs,” he says. “Infuse your personality through color, distinctive textures or pieces that resonate with your taste.”

“If you’re contemplating a kitchen remodel,” Kaminsky says, “partnering with a reputable and experienced contractor who not only listens to your vision but also possesses a deep understanding of the latest trends can make a significant difference in the outcome.”

The beverage bar is quickly becoming a musthave for homeowners remodeling their kitchen. Project by Castile Kitchen & Bath

“The consult was relaxed, fun, informative, and I now have a great plan for my space. I’m excited to get started” –Leeann

Laser engraved grout patterns etched into our beautiful, lifetime-guaranteed acrylic wall surrounds and backed by

Memory

Bath Fitter offers hundreds of shower design options to fit your style, and high quality seamless walls to fit your standards. Why have over two million people brought Bath Fitter into their home? It Just Fits.

Natural gas offers comfort and convenience in any season and any weather

Natural gas is known for helping create homes in which people love to live. But creating a comfortable space is only part of the story.

That’s because many natural gas appliances continue to perform during a power outage. If you’re in the market for a new home or new natural gas appliances, there are a few things to check before buying if this capability is important to you.

Hot water when you need it

Whether for bathing, showers, or for any number of other household tasks, having hot water during power outages can’t be understated. A number of today’s tankless water heaters – in addition to their smaller size and ability to provide

near-instant hot water – are able to operate with a battery backup, so they can continue to provide hot water if the power goes out. Plus having a battery backup in your home could also give you the ability to charge smaller devices like laptops and cell phones during outages.

Turn up the heat

A natural gas fireplace can continue to provide warmth in a power outage. As you’re shopping, note that many modern gas fireplaces re-quire electricity to light the pilot. Look for a model that has a battery backup system for the ignitor.

Generate your own power

Don’t worry about the backup batteries and add a natural gas generator. You can

give your home the power to keep all your important systems running when the weather has other plans.

Preparing for year-round performance

There are a lot of manufacturers out there and even more high-quality options. With the right research and questions, you can create a home that’s ready for almost anything nature brings your way.

If you’d like to know more about the capabilities of natural gas and the products that use it, visit nwnatural.com.

Sublime surfaces

From natural stone and subway tiles to watercolors and pastels, a look at what’s trending these days

By Jon Bell

When it comes to tile, marble and other hard surfaces for the home, grey was big for a long time. But now, is grey going away? Not exactly.

“Greys are not completely out, but we are mixing more warm elements with the grey to soften things up,” says Shannon (Heil) Bechtel, a designer with Stone Works International in Eugene. “Before, most of the quartz was white with a

variation of grey veining. Now those veins are shades of golds and soft bronzes. They look great with wood-toned cabinets or hardwood floors.”

Indeed, it does seem that more colors are making their way into the palette of hard surfaces these days. Kimberly Montgomery, of Tile Craft LLC in Eugene, says pastels and watercolors are in vogue at the moment. Light pinks, blues and greens are showing up quite a bit, which Montgomery says meshes well with the Pantone

Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz.

Pantone is the company that came up with a unique color matching system that allows artists, designers, manufacturers and others to match colors no matter where they are. Each year, Pantone selects a Color of the Year, which triggers trends and styles throughout the design space.

All natural

While color may be king, it’s not all hit-you-over-the-head shades that are popular. Bechtel says warm tones and natural textures are in high demand. So is natural stone slabs and tiles.

“We are seeing a rise in the use of natural stone countertop materials: granite and quartzites,” she says. “Natural stone and natural stone looks are also coming back. Travertine is coming back into style full force. Anything in the light tan colors that can be mixed in is a hot seller.”

A few recent projects that Montgomery

has been involved with highlight another popular trend in surfaces at the moment – mural tiles and large-format tiles that are 24”x 48” or larger. One bathroom project featured a large-format tile for the countertop. Tile Craft custom-made the countertop with a drop edge, which allows the grain of the tile to flow down the front and side of the countertop. Another project used large-format tiles in the shower, adding a sleek and stylish look to a shower that was mirror imaged with two shower heads and matching benches on either side.

Hand-made tiles – or tiles that at least have the appearance of being made by hand – are making a splash. And the pe-

Gray and cream banded by a textured tile create a nature-inspired shower with wow.

- Project by Tile Craft

2024 tile trends include nature inspired jewel toned ceramic tile at Stone Works International.

rennial favorite subway tile continues to be a go-to for all kinds of surfaces, from walls and backsplashes to tiled nooks. Another project of Tile Craft’s used handmade-looking subway tiles in various shades of grey and offset by dark teakwood.

“The customer chose teakwood for the shelves and bench, which really sets off their tile selections,” Montgomery says.

Taking care of tile

While all kinds of tile can look great installed, it’s important to take proper care of it for a long and good-looking life. Montgomery says Tile Craft encourages people to use grout that has a sealant built into it for easy care. Doing so helps prevent stains.

She also says that ceramic and porcelain tile don’t require any special care, but natural stone needs a sealant.

“How often depends on the sealer you use,” Montgomery says. “We recommend a sealer once a year. We offer a cleaner that adds a little sealer every time you clean. We’ve noticed people are having a hard time finding cleaners that are effective yet safe for their tile and grout, so we now stock some of these cleaners.”

Natural walnut cabinetry warms the gray-toned granite slabs in this remodeled bathroom.

– Project by Revision Design Build

Large format tiles are warmed up with wood plank ceramic tile.

-Project by Tile Craft

Nature Inspired Gardens

Natural landscapes invite birds, bees and beauty into our surroundings

By Jon Bell

Want to create more habitat in your yard for the birds, bees and native species? According to Abby Carroll, owner of Maidenhair Landscapes in Eugene, it’s easy. Just don’t do much.

“The easiest way to increase habitat in your yard is to be lazier,” she says. “Mow less often – research says every three weeks is ideal – save fall and winter clean-

up for the spring and let seedheads and foliage stand through the winter.”

Sure, there’s more to creating a beautiful, natural landscape or garden than that. But that’s a good place to start if you’re moving toward something more focused on native species and inviting in lots of birds, bees and insects. One main idea to consider is the most important components of garden wildlife habitat: food, water, shelter and space for animals to

raise their young.

After that, Carroll says it’s important to plant a wide range of different plants, including lots of natives, that bloom and fruit at different times of the year.

The plants don’t all have to be native species, but many of them should be. Carroll says Maidenhair shoots for about 70% natives when designing landscapes for folks in the Eugene-Springfield area. That kind of ratio often provides the most successful habitat for birds and insects.

“In our climate, most natives go dormant in the summer,” she says, “so it’s nice to supplement with other plants that are beautiful and fragrant in the summer months.”

The bigger picture

Gary Braun, principal of Braun Landscape in Eugene, says when he’s designing a landscape, he takes inspiration from what’s already nearby.

“When we design and install a Northwest, natural-styled landscape, we design elements in the garden that borrow from and compliment the surrounding landscape,” he says.

For Braun, adding an organic path into the garden is a must because it calls visitors to explore.

“That means using lines and forms in the design that enhance nature, creating a sense of oneness and making one feel seamlessly connected to the natural world,” he says.

“For plant selections, we like natives, creating a habitat for the birds, bees, and insects,” says Braun, who likes to make plant selections in collaboration with the

A tapestry of flowering plants creates a happy habitat for birds, insects and homeowners too. Project by Maidenhair Landscapes.

For attracting hummingbirds, colorful salvias and fuchsias work wonders.

“We really like to focus on habitat gardens that offer year-round beauty for humans but that contribute to the local ecology as well,” Carroll says.

Thinking about a beautiful garden for humans as well as the local ecology means thinking about the bigger picture. For example, many native birds feed on native insects, and many native insects feed exclusively on native plants.

“With pollinators, people focus on bees and butterflies,” Carroll says. “But it’s really important to also provide plants that feed caterpillars and larvae and insects in all the different phases of their lives so that it’s good for the insects but also the birds that eat them.”

It’s also helpful to think of native plants and how they behave differently than some ornamental plants. Natives might spread on their own naturally; some might also seem messier or less floral than other species. But Carroll says that, as natives, that’s just how they should be.

“Planting natives is about feeling connected to something greater than ourselves and being connected with all these other living things,” she says. “But also making our spaces beautiful, too.”

At the show, there will be plant sales by several nurseries offering a bounty of plants, from fuchsias to salvias, to create a backyard pollinator buffet. Rosie Sullivan of N&M Herb Nursery says: “One exciting new plant introduction at this spring show will be Royal Red Iochroma Fuchsioides. It’s going to be a spectacular plant to draw more pollinators into a garden.”

This stone path pulls visitors into the garden to enjoy flora and fauna.

Project by Braun Landscape

homeowner to create a space that delights the family as well as the bees.

Gardening for Good

Author and gardener Mary-Kate Mackey on acting, writing and the power of a healthy garden

By Jon Bell

Back in the mid 1970s, Mary-Kate Mackey had a good run as an actress in California working in commercials. But whenever she would show up for an audition, she’d have to keep her hands out of sight.

“I was the only person I knew who gardened back then,” she says. “I’d go to auditions and have dirty gardener’s hands, so I’d have to hold them behind my back. I may have missed out on some roles because of that.”

No matter. Mackey still landed parts and still gardened, a pastime that sprouted from a love of the outdoors she’d developed growing up on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. She later moved to a cabin in the hills above Stanford, California, but found herself somewhat depressed. Noticing this, her boyfriend brought home a shovel, a trowel and a copy of Sunset’s “Western Garden Book” – all of which opened up the

world of gardening for Mackey.

She kept gardening even after she moved from California to Eugene to raise her kids, bringing with her not only a green thumb but a bit of writing experience from being an English major and also doing what seemingly everyone else in California had been doing at the time – writing a screenplay. Mackey then put her wordsmithing to work writing up a brochure for a neighborhood garden tour aimed at raising funds for the local public radio station in Eugene, KLCC. She had suggested the idea for the tour, but the response had been tepid, at least at first. The station was hoping to raise $3,000 from the tour; it brought in more than $20,000.

“I felt vindicated,” Mackey says.

After that, Mackey delved deeper into the world of garden writing and journalism, sending query letters to magazines, starting a weekly writing group and eventually teaching as an adjunct professor in the School of Jour-

Mackey says a healthy garden has diversity in color, form and size of plants.

Mary-Kate and Ciscoe enjoying the spring show plant sale.

Mackey’s latest book is “The Healthy Garden.”

Plants can create a welcoming entry.

nalism at the University of Oregon. Her writing made its way into publications like Sunset, American Gardener and This Old House, and her writing book, “Write Better Right Now,” was published in 2016.

The Healthy Garden

Mackey continues to garden – her daughter got married in her garden at home in 2022 – and she continues to write. In 2021, her second book came out. Called “The Healthy Garden,” the book brought Mackey together with Kathleen Brenzel, the longtime garden editor for Sunset. The two had each had their own ideas for books: Mackey wanted to share the gardening insights of a range of experts, while Brenzel wanted to write about the health benefits of gardening. Instead, they combined the two concepts into “The Healthy Garden.”

Divided into three sections, the book looks at what makes a garden healthy, what health benefits come from gardens and how people can make a bigger difference in the world through gardening. Seeded throughout is the “Gathering of Gardeners,” short, advice-filled profiles with experts Mackey interviewed. The book shares insights on everything from native plants and healthy soil to how gardeners can continue to pursue their passions as they get older.

Mackey says she’s always learning something new about gardening and she enjoys sharing that knowledge with people through her writing and through her talks at shows like the Lane County Home & Garden Show.

“I’m always still learning, that’s my biggest thing,” she says. “One thing I’ve learned over the years is to garden with Mother Nature rather than against her. If you think you can leave nice big spaces in between plants with nothing in between, well, good luck with that because nature’s going to fill it in. Nature bats last, so always be on nature’s team.”

Mary-Kate Mackey at the Home & Garden Show

On the DIG IT Garden Stage!

• Five Easy Ideas for a Healthy Garden - Fri. 3:30pm

• Party Perfect Gardens - Easy Tips to Make Your Garden Shine – Sat. 2:30pm

Backyard Retreat

UNCOVER THE MAGIC OF OUTDOOR LIVING

Hello,friends! Believe it or not, summer is coming, so it’s time to embark on a journey exploring the secrets to crafting a truly inviting outdoor sanctuary. We’ll be unveiling a few of the essential elements that distinguish a lackluster patio from a haven of serenity and joy. Each of these components is a pivotal piece of the puzzle, and vital to the success of your project.

1 SOFT PLANTSCAPES

Nature’s touch matters! Soften harsh textures with plants, transforming your patio into a lush sanctuary.

2 WEATHER-WISE TOUCHES

Design your patio to adapt to changing weather! Incorporate shade elements while ensuring ample ventilation for an enjoyable outdoor experience.

3 FIERY FOCAL POINT

Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces create a captivating ambiance, drawing folks together for heartwarming conversations.

4 COZY FURNISHINGS

Relaxation is key! Opt for cozy, casual outdoor furniture that harmonizes with your patio’s aesthetics and durability.

5 ENDURING SURFACES

Paving stones promise a lifetime of enjoyment, providing durability and timeless charm for your patio surface.

3

Fruit or foliage?

Get the best of both worlds with these Oregon-loving fruit trees

Onceupon a time, or in a kingdom many years ago, or in a house in Oregon right now, there was a disagreement (discussion) over what kind of tree to plant. One caveperson, royal highness, spouse, wanted a brilliant display of fall color. The other just wanted food that people, peasants, family could enjoy eating.

So, they called the wise man/woman of the village, royal horticulturalist, master gardener, to make the decision on what to plant – and all three said the same thing: “Everyone can have what they want if you plant the right tree(s).”

While many fruit trees produce good food, brown or gray fall foliage is the norm for Bartlett pears (the most common variety) and many apples. I will discuss a few exceptions in a moment, but first let’s get to the easy stuff. Peaches and nectaries and winter pears - Oh My! The display of color – orange and red like the scrumptious fruit displayed by peaches

and nectarines – makes them into a tree any front yard would be happy to welcome, summer or fall.

Fruit-loving passerby: “I didn’t know you could grow peaches and nectarines here.”

Curl Resistant Peaches: Small to medium prolific tangy fruit.

Oregon Curl Free:

Sweeter fruit. Both varieties produce for over a month. Peaches are best picked ripe or almost ripe right off the tree (the day before the squirrels or raccoons want to pick them).

Kreibich:

Curl resistant nectarine. It will ripen nicely if picked a little early. My trees took four years to start producing much fruit.

You: “Yes you can (obviously). I would only plant the curl resistant varieties though. That way there is no spraying.”

Meanwhile, three months later:

Color-loving passerby: “My, what brilliant color those leaves are. Can you tell me what type of trees they are?”

You: “Peaches and nectarines. I would only plant the curl resistant varieties though. That way there is no spraying.”

One caveat on peach and nectarine trees: They are not always symmetrical. One side will be larger, a branch or two will have a mind of its own and shoot off to the side. Branches will die each year for no apparent reason. With careful pruning, you can make them less unruly. But if you want something that matches the front yard clone tree in a comic strip, the winter pears might be easier to work with. Bosc, D’Anjou, Taylor’s Gold and Bradford all have nice color in my experience. My favorite eating pear, Comice, tends toward the yellow/brown spectrum, but

Certain varieties of peach trees do well in Oregon and will provide both sweet summer fruit and brilliant fall colors.

the taste makes up for it. There are many other winter pears, but descriptions focus on the fruit, and I don’t grow them–yet. The classic summer pear Bartlett is a good producer of sweet fruit and, later, brown leaves.

All pears are picked green and ripened off the tree. Tree-ripened fruit will get mushy. If you lift the base of the pear and the stem detaches, the fruit is ready to ripen off the tree. Summer pears can be put in a box and will ripen in a week or two. Bartletts are great for sun drying, as they are ready in August. Winter pears get picked and chilled for six weeks or longer. Then you take them out of the fridge as you need them to ripen in three to five days. They will keep well in the fridge, with Bosc and D’Anjou ripening in November and December. The Comice pears typically last into March or April. We have boxes of pears in the back of the fridge after harvest–not a second fridge. The crisper drawers are good too. After winter really sets in, I also store pears and apples in my (chilly, unheated) workshop. Inspect the fruit once in a while for rot problems.

Apples tend to have brown fall foliage,

but the red-fleshed varieties turn a brownish red, and Spitzenburg has more yellow leaves in the fall than other varieties. Oth-

er late-season apples, like yellow delicious and honey crisp, may stay on the trees for a time after the foliage is gone. Crab apples are famous for their blooms and fall color, but don’t provide much useful fruit.

Pears, especially Bosc and D’Anjou, have an interesting coarse branch structure that provides a lot of winter interest

too. And all fruit trees have beautiful blossoms in the spring, making them winwin-win-win four-season winners.

John Fischer

“The Relaxed Gardener” at the Home & Garden Show

On the Main Stage!

• Grow What You Like to EatVeggie & Fruit Selections, Growing Techniques, Irrigation & Pest Control - Fri. 3pm

• Growing Carefree Fruit & Berries

Organically: Peaches, Kiwis, Plums, Figs, Raspberries & Blackberries! - Sat. 4pm

John Fischer, “The Relaxed Gardener”

A passionate organic gardener and frequent speaker at the Home Show.

Nectarines ripen nicely if picked a little early.