Moving to the Olympia Area

21 years ago

Hi,

I am moving to the Olympia area from Colorado Springs effective the middle of next week. We won't be buying a house until we know the area better, so we will be renting for the first year or so. The place we will be renting is on 0.4 of an acre, with most of it either grass or evergreens. (Need to speak with the landlord about potential garden locations)

My husband and I are very excited to be leaving the arid side of the rocky mountains. Colorado Springs gets an annual rain fall of 17 inches - most of it in the summer. Yes, I know that Washington has its annual drought in the summer and am prepared to water. At least I won't have to water in the winter.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for good nurseries in the Oly area?

How about any gardening clubs or organizations to join?

I have purchased several PNW gardening books to help me prepare for PNW gardening. I have been living under drought conditions for the past 25 years. Do any of you have any special advise?

Thanks a bunch,

CyberGardener

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

Ron_B
21 years ago
You don't say which books you have. What about Prinzing, 'Northwest Gardeners' Resource Directory'? Might be right up your alley.
cybergardener
Original Author
21 years ago
Hi Ron,

The NWGRD is on my want list. I have been hoping that they would come out with a 10th edition before I moved up there. Alas, I will end up getting the 9th edition anyway.

Other books I have:

Gardening Month by Month in Washington and Oregon
by Alison Beck, Marianne Binetti

Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades: The Complete Guide to Natural Gardening
by Steve Solomon

Perennials for Washington and Oregon
by Alison Beck, Marianne Binetti

Plant Life: Growing a Garden in the Pacific Northwest
by Valerie Easton, Richard Hartlage

The Year in Bloom: Gardening for All Seasons in the Pacific Northwest
by Ann Lovejoy

Gardening Month by Month in Washington and Oregon
by Alison Beck, Marianne Binetti

Annuals for Washington and Oregon
by Alison Beck, Marianne Binetti

Tree and Shrub Gardening for Washington and Oregon
by Marianne Binetti, Alison Beck

Thanks,

CyberGardener
Related Professionals
St. Louis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Greenville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Wenatchee Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Monroe Landscape Contractors · Charleston Landscape Contractors · Des Moines Landscape Contractors · Lincoln Landscape Contractors · Toledo Landscape Contractors · Youngstown Landscape Contractors · Fort Myers Architects & Building Designers · Panama City Architects & Building Designers · Aberdeen Architects & Building Designers · Bartlesville Architects & Building Designers · Hartford Architects & Building Designers · Kingman Architects & Building Designers
Ron_B
21 years ago
Sunset 'Western Garden Book' may be of interest. The Prinzing will have nurseries and clubs. 2 Olympia area dealers I know of that I consider noteworthy are F.W. Byles Co. (a maple specialist) and Steamboat Island nursery (eucalypts, other stuff. Had Grevillea 'Porrinda Constance' at this year's Florabundance arboretum sale, earning her a gold star in my book).
boxofrox
21 years ago
If you have an interest in rhodies, I highly recomend Downs Rhododendrons which is south of Olympia. They have a better selection than most. I live nearer Seattle, but I drive down for the specific ones I want. They have a great picture archive on their website as well.
Ron_B
21 years ago
So, you've been driving down to Downs?

Down to Downs

Where the rhodies are bright

Down to Downs

Where I can indulge my fancy's flight

Down to Downs
cybergardener
Original Author
21 years ago
Okay, looks like my Book shopping list contains:
1) 'Northwest Gardeners' Resource Directory'
2) Sunset 'Western Garden Book'

My stores to shop list contains:
1) F.W. Byles Co.
2) Steamboat Island nursery
3) Downs Rhododendrons

Ron, you're funny

Any other suggestions?

CG
Ron_B
21 years ago
Olympia Farmers Market.
ian_wa
21 years ago
Guess whose garden those Grevillea 'Poorinda Constance' cuttings came from (gloat gloat)... of course I got mine from the esteemed Colvos Creek Nursery.

As for books.... how about the tree and shrub book by Grant & Grant (I forgot the title but it is pretty good).

There are some other nurseries around the Olympia including one on Boulevard Rd. and one on Mud Bay Rd. However they do not usually offer very many interesting plants. Actually you do occasionally find a few interesting things at the Bark and Garden Center on Mud Bay Rd. just because it is so big.

The farmers market is a great place to shop for plants and a lot of fun. A number of specialists from rural areas bring their plants down to sell. It is (or was when I was there) the second largest market of its kind in the state after the Pike Place Market in Seattle. It is open Th-Sun 10-3 April-Dec.
garden_of_mu
21 years ago
Olympia is a great town for gardening. If you're here in time don't miss the Garden Rhapsodies tour. Its an annual event that pairs classical music and gardens and is always so interesting and inspirational. People are unbelievably creative here. It's July 30th this year and you can get more info here. I highly recommend it.

We have some great nurseries here too. Bark & Garden on Mud bay Rd. is excellent for all the basics. They have a wide selection, but are not known for their rare or specialty plants. Steamboat Island Nursery has a good rep, as do The Perenniel Gardener and Fairie Herb Gardens. And definitely the Farmer's Market. You'll find alot of plant sellers there, and so much more as well.

Welcome to town!

Mike
cybergardener
Original Author
21 years ago
Thank you everyone. Last year when I vacationed in Olympia we went to the farmer's market. Wonderful place. I am looking forward to seeing the other places as well.
ruth_thegirlpoet_com
16 years ago
black lake organics (collective)
burnt ridge nursery (specialty fruits and nuts
rising river farms
grub (non-profit: Garden Raised Urban Bounty
southbay soil company (small new biz in oly, specialty soil mixes !)
wild thyme farm in oakville (a beautiful and unique place
herbnwisdom.com (contact renouned local ethnobotanist Marisha Auerbach for workshops and specialized training in Northwest native gardening and design. She lives at wild thyme farm)