Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Spring Garden Tour and Tips

Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.

yellow and purple tulips in raised beds

This and That…

The garden is really starting to come alive!

The weather has been amazing this week for us in the Seattle area with temps in the high 60s and low 70s. We go crazy when the sun comes out this time of year. It’s like a holiday for us!

This is week 11 with the new knee. I had my last follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon and things look good. I should be finished with PT in 2 more weeks.

rose arches at Butchart Gardens

And to celebrate, we are taking Wildflower (our boat) out and spending a few weeks visiting Canada. One of my favorite stops is Butchart Gardens and I can’t wait for you to follow along.

I always get a little stressed when I leave the garden this long but we have just checked our sprinkler system and have made adjustments. So everything will get watered.

We also have a housesitter who will deadhead spent flowers, weed, and take a lot of pictures of the garden for me.


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bright bouquet of flowers

The Longbranch Foundation Auction

Our community organization had an auction last Saturday to raise money for children. It was very successful and a lot of fun.

This was a floral arrangement that someone had brought and I was the lucky one to take it home (thanks Sheryl)!

up-close view of pink lilies

The lilies are just gorgeous and so are all the colors in this bouquet.

dessert table at the auction

Here’s the dessert table. I took a picture because of how beautiful they made everything look. If you haven’t already figured out, the auction was a tropical theme.

The gluten-free coconut cake sold for $1,100!

centerpiece at the auction

bright colored tulips in the garden raised beds

Around the Garden and Greenhouse

I’ve been harvesting the tulips that are in the raised beds this week and let the neighbors know that they have until Tuesday morning to bring some flowers home with them before they’re gone.

Most of them that haven’t been harvested yet are pretty spent already.

I’m also hardening off the summer annual seedlings and geraniums this week that have been in the greenhouse. So far, so good! I’ll start transplanting them into the cut flower garden on Tuesday.

I watered the seedlings the other day with a BugHut product called Nutrition which should jump-start them with a 100% organic diet.

I used the De-Stressor on all the plants that are being hardened off right now to protect them from the cooler temps they’re not used to.

I’m using these products and others in my garden this year. BugHut products are eco-friendly, pollinator-friendly, have no harsh chemicals, are pet safe, and made in the U.S.A. If you’re interested in checking them out, use code shiplapandshells15 for 15% off your order.


Taking Down the Dogwood Tree

We had a beautiful pink dogwood tree. For the last two years, the tree stopped blooming and the leaves looked diseased.

Last week we had an arborist come look at the tree. It was decided that we would take it down.

It was diseased and pests had bored down the center of the heartwood.

The tree used to be in front of the left corner of the house. I’m not sure if we will plant another tree there.

It will be interesting to see how the limelight hydrangea and ferns do now that there is more sun in that space.



My Favorite Finds and Deals This Week

Antique Candle Co. sale buy 2 get 1 free

Antique Candle Co. Sale

Buy 2, Get One FREE ON EVERYTHING + FREE SHIPPING! 

Buy 2, Get 1 FREE is back, and this time they are including everything! 

ALL 16 + 8 oz candles, brass candles, candle refill kits, accessories + choose-your-scent antiques + more!

  • Buy 2, get 1 free
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From the Blog

colorful tulips in the raised bed cutting garden

What’s Growing in My Early Spring Blooming Garden

Are you ready to see my early spring blooming garden tour? It’s hard to believe that our first month of spring is already over. I’m so excited to share what’s growing in my blooming garden including early spring bulbs and spring-blooming trees.


May gardening to dos graphic

May Gardening Tips and To-Dos for the Pacific Northwest

Get your hands dirty this May with these gardening to-dos for the Pacific Northwest. From planting summer annual seedlings to preparing your garden bed soil, these monthly tips will help you create a thriving garden this growing season.


café au lait dahlia

How to Divide Dahlia Tubers in the Spring

Did you know that dividing your dahlia tubers every year has many benefits? I’ll show you my process for dividing dahlia tubers in the spring and explain the advantages of splitting these dahlia root clumps annually.



I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.

Until next time,

Wishing a week full of joy, kindness, and peace.


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3 Comments

  1. Your garden is looking so beautiful.✨. It is so good to be outside again. It feels like the garden woke up in a matter of minutes! Your boat trip sounds amazing! Have fun!

  2. Your garden looks so beautiful. Issn’t it wonderful to have nice weather this week. We waited a good long time for it. Hugs to you.

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