Planting a bare-root tree or shrub is easy! There are just a few tricks you should know. These instructions should help. If you have any questions, stop by the nursery or give us a call! Unpack your plant. Remove it from the bag, and loosen or remove any tightly-wound tags or stem tapes. Carefully untangle […]
Looking for plants that hummingbirds love? Anna’s hummingbirds, the only species to overwinter rather than migrate south, will especially appreciate these cold season bloomers. During the long months of January, February, and March, nectar is less abundant. But with spring in the air, this is the perfect time to plant your garden for next year’s […]
Venture Out Plant Nursery is open all year round, and we’re excited to share the magic of the holidays with you! Starting November the day after Thanksgiving, locally sourced Christmas trees will be available. We also have delightful ornaments, woodland-themed holiday décor, a hands-on wreath-making class, marshmallow roasting (on weekends only), and more. There’s something […]
Winter on Whidbey Island can be hard. Short days, gray skies, and dormant plants can make for a gloomy garden. But your landscape doesn’t have to be all bare sticks and dark conifers! There are plants, shrubs, and trees that take a back seat all summer to showy perennials, just so they can shine in […]
We love Japanese Maples. These deciduous trees provide year-round interest, offering a wide variety of colors and texture in the spring, summer, and fall, with elegant branches visible in the winter. Stop by the Nursery today to find your next fall favorite. Will it be the plum-colored Purple Sentinel? A blushing Red Emperor? A sneak-attack […]
Hard-packed clay soils are a challenge. Clay is a common occurrence in Whidbey Island landscapes, and it poses unending challenges to local gardeners. Clay soils become mucky and wet in winter rains, then hard as concrete in summer drought. The wet winter clay mud can drown plant roots, whereas the bone-dry summer clay is difficult […]
Hot afternoon sun, salt spray, strong winds, and sandy soils pose a special challenge to Whidbey Island’s coastal gardens. Luckily, some beautiful plants can thrive even in these tough conditions! Here is a list of plants for coastal landscaping that are typically in stock at Venture Out Nursery. Groundcovers for Coastal Conditions Sedums: Tough, deer-resistant, […]
Even with nine months of rain, Pacific Northwest summers can be challenging for gardeners because of the lack of water. Any plant will need a few years of water to become established, but once they are, there are a number of plants that will thrive without much irrigation. Here are a few ideas for shrubs, perennials, and […]
Soil is the key to plant growth. Turning poor soil into healthy soil can be tedious, but your garden will benefit from the effort. Here are some tips on making better soil conditions for your plants. Adjusting Your Soil pH – If your soil pH is off, we recommend adjusting it. If your soil pH […]
Gardening in the Pacific Northwest is challenging. First, we find plants that grow with limited sun exposure. Second, we consider our environment. We share this beautiful scenery with many animals, most importantly, deer. With this being the case, we now have limits on plants for our gardens. As garden experts, we recommend plants for this […]