Need some holiday cheer?

PASCO -- Sending packages of gifts and goodies to friends and family this holiday season?

It's never too early to think about snow removal.

Cold weather is at our doorsteps.

RICHLAND -- To mark National America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, Richland Public Library Children's Department employees will hand out reusable shopping bags for each recycling pledge turned in.

A sure sign of Halloween is a profusion of bright orange pumpkins everywhere.

The heater likely came on for the first time in months a week or so ago.

Curious about ornamental grasses? Enjoy tabletop water gardens but want to make your own? Planning your next vegetable and herb garden?

It's autumn and temperatures are falling.

Mulching is one way to use nature's leafy gift. Another is to use the leaves as organic matter in compost piles. It's free, nutrient-rich, made on the premises and good for the environment.

The Mid-Columbia Koi and Pond Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the home of Don and Joann Sayler, 2718 S. Everett St., Kennewick.

Why a moss garden, you ask?

LACEY -- Whether you are an artist, a gourd afficionado or are just plain curious about gourds, you'll find everything you want at the Washington State Gourd Society's fall show Oct. 4-5 at the Thurston County fairgrounds in Lacey near Olympia.

Do you show no fear when it comes to wrapping a bike? A set of golf clubs? A bandsaw?

WALLA WALLA -- Owners of eight Walla Walla homes are inviting you into their kitchens on Oct. 5 for the sixth annual Kitchen Tour.

WALLA WALLA -- There have been a lot of new homes built in Walla Walla over the years but they've never been on parade before.

The Tri-City Rose Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Richland City Shops building, 2700 Duportail St.

Learn how to winterize your pond and roses, create stepping stones or superlight planters, divide perennials or plant bulbs for spring color at the Fall Garden Fest on Oct. 4.

When it comes to raking up leaves, there's simply no easy way, until now.

Whether you're planning on building new, looking for remodeling ideas or looking to the future, you'll enjoy the 2008 Parade of Homes.

Fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use a quarter of the energy of standard light bulbs and can last for years before needing to be replaced.

They stack up in corners, get leaned against garage walls and piled up on shelves. They're the plastic pots, trays and six- and four-packs that held the flowers, shrubs, veggies and herbs you've bought over the years.

You can use a lot of words to describe ornamental grasses -- tall and plumed; short and mounded; tufted, arching and upright; variegated, striped and solid colored.

A lot of words to describe ornamental grasses — tall and plumed, short and mounded, tufted, arching and upright, variegated, striped and solid colored. But there’s one descriptive word that fits them all — carefree.

There's still time to win that backyard of your dreams.

Everyone -- from Benjamin Moore's Aura to The Home Depot's Freshaire Choice -- is advertising their paints as low VOCs or no VOCs.

The Mid-Columbia Koi & Pond Club will meet in August and hold a free class on pond water management in September.

PROBLEM: Ultraviolet rays fading your drapes and sofa.

BOISE -- Trees are the middle child of home landscaping.

Are your apples amazing this year? Expecting a tremendous crop of tomatoes? Is your mint plant magnificent?

Wouldn't you love to come home and relax to the sight and sound of trickling water?

JOHN DAY, Ore. -- Want to peer at the sun through a solar-powered telescope, learn how to live off (the electrical) grid and cook with sunlight?

There are few homeowners who forego decorating for Christmas, so why should July 4 be neglected?

If you're in the market for an interesting and fragrant plant for your landscape that prefers poor, dry soil, hot summers and benign neglect, look no further than lavender.

Could your landscaping use an upgrade?

A Hobbit house, a riot of colorful roses and water features are some of the highlights of the Academy of Children's Theatre Secret Garden Tour on June 14-15.

HERMISTON -- Sweeping views of the Columbia River, masses of rainbow-colored blooms, garden art and found objects are just some of what you'll enjoy on the P.E.O. Chapter DR garden tour June 14 in Hermiston.

YAKIMA -- Pacific Northwest cactus expert, Ron McKitrick of Yakima, is offering free tours of his prickly Hillside Desert Botanical Gardens now through the end of June.

Brightly colored flowers, shimmering ponds, abundant vegetable gardens and charming garden decor -- you'll see it all on the Lower Valley Garden Tour on June 14.

Cooking outdoors is quickly getting in full swing.

Winner of the Mid-Columbia Earth Month aluminum can recycling contest was Burbank Elementary School with 517 pounds of cans. Earth Month sponsors and Pacific Recycling will be sending the school a $300 cash prize.

Guys, we have a few words for you: Man up and grab yourself a feather duster.

Is your lawn looking brown and thin? Does your string trimmer jam instead of spin? Are insects taking over your turf?

Want to know what bugs are eating your tomatoes, why your birch tree is dropping leaves or when to spray?