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Washington Expands Covenant Homeownership Program To Tackle Racial Disparities, But Critics Raise Concerns

Home Ownership Washington State

Washington state is pushing forward with a bold initiative to address persistent gaps in homeownership, particularly among historically marginalized communities. Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed House Bill 1696, expanding the Covenant Homeownership Program (CHP) — an effort that supporters call a critical step toward equity, but critics argue could drive unintended consequences.

The Covenant Homeownership Program, launched in 2024, provides financial assistance to first-time homebuyers in the form of a zero-interest loan, secondary to their primary mortgage. The loan covers down payment and closing costs, two of the most significant hurdles to homeownership for many families. Under the original framework, the loan could cover up to 20% of the home’s purchase price or $150,000, plus closing costs (if paid directly by the buyer). Borrowers are not required to make monthly payments, and the loan is only repaid when the home is sold or refinanced. Critics say it will never be paid back, and it’s a “reparations plan” paid for by real estate transactions (other home buyers).

House Bill 1696 makes several key adjustments. First, it raises income eligibility from households earning up to 100% of Area Median Income (AMI) to those earning up to 120% of AMI, thereby expanding access to a broader segment of potential homeowners. In addition, borrowers earning 80% or less of AMI could see their loans forgiven after five years, completely eliminating repayment obligations if they meet the income requirement.

“This is about creating opportunity for families who have been locked out of the dream of homeownership for far too long,” said Representative Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), the bill’s primary sponsor. “While this doesn’t erase decades of systemic discrimination, it moves us closer to fairness.”

The roots of the CHP trace back to 2021, when nonprofit organizations, recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on economic disparities, came together to brainstorm solutions to Washington’s stark racial and economic homeownership divides. Loretta Cael, director of Homeownership at Parkview Services, was part of those early conversations.

“We realized there were so many families — especially lower-income households and people of color — who were doing all the right things: saving, building their credit, staying financially responsible,” Cael told KOMO News. “But they just couldn’t clear that final hurdle.”

Rather than simply providing grants, the program requires participants to qualify for a mortgage, build a credit history, and demonstrate consistent savings habits. “These aren’t handouts,” Cael emphasized. “They’re hand-ups — tools for people willing to put in the work.”

However, not everyone is celebrating the expansion.

Some critics argue that targeting assistance based on historical disparities, even indirectly, amounts to reverse discrimination. Concerns have also been raised that increasing demand for homes through such programs could drive up property prices and closing costs — potentially making it harder for non-eligible buyers to compete.

Julie Barrett, founder of Conservative Ladies of Washington, warned that artificially boosting demand could fuel housing inflation. “You can’t just pour more buyers into a limited housing market without driving prices up for everyone,” she said.

Adding to the controversy, some opponents, including political commentators like Brandi Kruse of the [un]Divided podcast, have compared the program to a “reparations plan,” pointing to the loan forgiveness provisions and average assistance amounts of around $120,000 for eligible Black first-time homebuyers. Kruse recently described the policy as “insane,” suggesting it shifts an unfair financial burden onto other residents.

Program Funding and Oversight

The expansion also modifies the program’s governance structure, adding a representative from a nonprofit housing counseling organization to the Covenant Homeownership Program’s Oversight Committee.

One critical clarification emphasized by Rep. Taylor’s office: the program is not funded by Washington’s general taxpayer base. Instead, it’s financed entirely through a document recording fee collected during real estate transactions. Only those purchasing homes contribute to this pool — meaning that the program’s costs are borne by active participants in the housing market, not by the broader public.

As of early 2025, the Covenant Homeownership Program has already helped over 200 families across more than 20 counties in Washington achieve homeownership, signaling its early success despite lingering concerns.

The racial homeownership gap in Washington remains stark. Approximately 69% of white households own their homes, compared to just 34% of Black households. Even among families earning less than $50,000 per year, the disparity persists.

“We’re not immune to the impact of racism and discriminatory policies of the past,” said Rep. Taylor. “But Washington is showing that it is serious about correcting those wrongs.”

While practices like redlining and restrictive covenants were outlawed decades ago, their legacies continue to shape economic realities for many families. Proponents of HB 1696 believe that targeted interventions are necessary to dismantle the barriers that still exist.

“We’re not giving anything away,” Cael added. “We’re giving people access — something they should have always had.”

As Washington state moves forward with the expanded Covenant Homeownership Program, the true test will be whether it can deliver lasting, broad-based benefits without unintended side effects — and whether it can become a model for other states grappling with similar challenges.

Washington’s New $78 Billion Budget: Taxes, Cuts, And A New Direction For The State

Olympia Washington Forest

In a landmark move that reflects the changing fiscal landscape of the Evergreen State, Washington lawmakers have passed a sweeping $77.8 billion two-year state budget. The budget—which now awaits Governor Bob Ferguson’s signature—aims to tackle a projected $15 billion revenue shortfall over the next four years while funding a wide array of state services including K-12 education, mental health, corrections, and housing support.

The budget process brought heated debates between progressive legislators pushing for new taxes and conservative factions advocating spending restraint. Ultimately, the result is a hybrid approach that introduces $4.3 billion in new taxes, $2.7 billion in spending cuts, and increased funding in key areas like public education and law enforcement.

A Budget Forged in Crisis
With the state facing rising costs from inflation, increased demand for public services, and commitments to newly approved programs, legislators were forced to make difficult decisions. The final agreement passed narrowly in both chambers—52-45 in the House and 28-19 in the Senate.

“It’s probably not the budget that we thought we were going to be writing a year ago,” admitted Senator June Robinson (D-Everett), chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “But as we’ve grappled with the reality of the state’s fiscal situation, I believe we worked diligently to write a budget that addresses the challenges we have and continues to fund the core services that the people of Washington expect.”

Governor Ferguson, while withholding detailed comments on the revenue measures, expressed approval that the legislature reduced the amount of new taxes originally proposed. He noted his appreciation that the state’s savings account remains untouched, preserving reserves for future emergencies.

Business and Technology Take the Tax Hit
One of the most controversial elements of the budget is the $4.3 billion in new taxes—an effort largely focused on high-revenue businesses, financial institutions, and digital services. These include:

  • A 0.5% surcharge on businesses with annual earnings over $250 million.
  • Higher business and occupation (B&O) tax rates for wholesale and manufacturing sectors.
  • Increased retail sales taxes for software development, web design, and IT training services.
  • New taxation on digital advertising and nicotine products.
  • Adjustments to the capital gains tax and estate tax thresholds.
  • Additionally, Washingtonians will see increased state park fees, with the Discover Pass jumping from $30 to $45, and hunting and fishing licenses rising by an average of 38%.

Republicans decried the package as overly burdensome to everyday citizens. “They just took advantage of the situation to run taxes,” said Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R-Centralia). “I’m deeply concerned about the budget they came up with.”

Spending Cuts and Program Delays
In contrast to the tax hikes, lawmakers agreed to significant spending cuts totaling $2.7 billion. These cuts will most impact behavioral health services, early learning expansions, and certain programs supporting low-income residents.

One major casualty is the delay of expanded eligibility for child care and early learning subsidies. Originally scheduled to take effect by 2026, those plans are now postponed until after 2029—saving the state more than $1 billion. Washington’s early learning program for children under age three received no funding at all, though legislators signaled it could be revived in future sessions.

Other cuts include:

  • Delays in expanding foundational public health services.
  • Reductions in funding for behavioral health and higher education programs.
  • Scaling back abortion access funding.
  • Halting new long-term admissions at Rainier School, a facility for individuals with disabilities, as part of a phased closure plan.

Key Investments: Education and Public Safety
Despite austerity in some areas, the budget includes bold investments in others—especially public education and local law enforcement.

K-12 education, long a Democratic priority, will receive a major boost with $775 million allocated specifically for special education funding through 2027. Local governments will also get additional support to cover shortfalls from declining revenue tied to document recording fees—an important funding source for homelessness programs.

Another significant item is the establishment of a new juvenile rehabilitation center at Stafford Creek Corrections Center to alleviate overcrowding at the Green Hill School.

Local law enforcement agencies will benefit from $100 million in new hiring grants, an initiative closely aligned with Governor Ferguson’s public safety platform.

Legislative Highlights: New Bills Signed Into Law
In tandem with the budget’s passage, Governor Ferguson signed 26 new bills into law. These range from environmental protections to labor reform and legal modernization:

HB 1631 designates bull kelp as Washington’s official marine forest to promote restoration in Puget Sound.

SHB 1490 strengthens background checks for care providers by mandating fingerprinting and narrowing legal definitions.

SSHB 1524 builds on protections for isolated workers by expanding requirements for panic buttons and safety training.

HB 1133 tightens civil commitment standards for sexually violent predators.

HB 1156 allows volunteer firefighters access to retirement savings programs.

HB 1215 removes pregnancy-related language from health care directives to avoid misleading patients.

Several technical bills also modernize the legal code:

SHB 1205 criminalizes the distribution of forged digital likenesses.

SHB 1827 mandates educational improvements for incarcerated youth.

SHB 1281 and HB 1341 make critical legal and tax-related corrections to cannabis and service contract policies.

Bills like HB 1760, which exempts some manufactured home sellers from being classified as vehicle dealers, show an effort to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for nonprofits and affordable housing advocates.

Others, such as ESHB 1174, overhaul court interpreter rules to ensure better access for non-English speakers, while SHB 1606 seeks to restore state employees’ access to peer-reviewed academic journals—a service lost during the Great Recession.

Looking Ahead: A Budget Built for Flexibility?
Though the budget has its critics, supporters say it strikes a pragmatic balance between fiscal responsibility and progressive priorities. By preserving the state’s rainy-day fund—which is projected to hit $3 billion by 2029—the state retains flexibility for future economic turbulence.

Governor Ferguson has until May 17, 2025 to sign or veto the final bill. His decisions in the coming days could set the tone for the rest of his administration and for the state’s economic future.

As Washington moves forward, the question remains: will these measures be enough to sustain essential services while avoiding economic backlash from new tax burdens?

If Governor Ferguson signs the law, the Democrats will have passed the largest tax increase in Washington state history. One major critique is Brandi Kruse of the [un]Divided Podcast. She discusses the topic in her latest video below.

Seattle Residents Clash Over Affordable Housing Plan in Stadium District

Affordable Seattle Housing Disputes

A proposal to build nearly 500 affordable housing units in Seattle’s Stadium District has ignited debate among residents, reflecting the city’s ongoing struggle to balance growth, affordability, and urban planning.

During a public hearing, supporters of the project emphasized its potential to address Seattle’s housing crisis, which has been exacerbated by rising rents, a growing population, and limited affordable options.

“Seattle needs more housing, and including this in the Stadium District will bring almost 500 new affordable homes to the area,” said resident Jamie Lee, who believes the project is a crucial step in increasing accessibility for low- and middle-income residents.

However, not everyone in attendance was convinced. Some residents expressed concerns over the project’s planning and potential impact on the neighborhood.

“I think everybody in this room is in favor of affordable housing. I think that is a beautiful piece of wrapping paper that they’ve wrapped around a poor idea that has not been thought through,” said Jamie Fleming, another resident, questioning whether the project’s details had been fully vetted.

A Growing Crisis in Seattle

Seattle has faced mounting pressure to address its housing affordability crisis, with rents and home prices continuing to rise faster than wages. According to a recent report from the Seattle Office of Housing, the city needs tens of thousands of new affordable units to meet demand.

The Stadium District, located near major sports venues and transit hubs, has been eyed as a potential area for development due to its accessibility and central location. However, concerns about traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, and displacement of existing businesses have complicated past proposals for housing projects in the area.

City Officials Weigh In

City planners and housing advocates argue that projects like this are necessary to ensure Seattle remains livable for residents of all income levels. They cite similar developments in areas like South Lake Union and the Central District, where affordable housing units have been incorporated into rapidly growing neighborhoods.

While no immediate decision was made at the hearing, officials say public feedback will be taken into account before moving forward.

“This is just one step in a larger conversation about how we create more housing in Seattle,” said a city spokesperson. “We want to make sure we’re addressing concerns while still making progress toward affordability and sustainability.”

The proposal will likely undergo further discussion and potential revisions before it reaches a final vote. In the meantime, Seattle’s housing crisis remains a pressing issue, with policymakers and residents alike searching for solutions that balance growth with community needs.

The real question is, will Seattle ever have affordable housing? In my opinion, those days are over.

Overnight Storm Batters Western Washington

Seattle Weather Storm 2025

A powerful storm swept through Western Washington overnight, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that toppled trees, downed power lines, and left more than 130,000 customers without electricity as of Tuesday morning.

The storm, which peaked Monday night, unleashed wind gusts of up to 70 mph in some areas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The highest recorded gust was in Hoquiam, reaching 70 mph, while Boeing Field saw gusts of 60 mph. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport recorded a 52 mph gust—just shy of the February record of 53 mph set in 2008.

Widespread Power Outages

Utility companies across the region reported significant outages, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the dark. Puget Sound Energy had the highest number of reported outages, with more than 112,000 customers affected. Seattle City Light reported over 18,000 outages, and Peninsula Light Company said more than 8,000 customers in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula were without power.

A breakdown of outages as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday included:

  • Seattle City Light: 18,332 customers
  • Puget Sound Energy: 112,062 customers
  • Snohomish PUD: 6,756 customers
  • Tacoma Public Utilities: 1,199 customers
  • Peninsula Light Company: 8,100 customers

Officials warned that restoration efforts could take time as crews work to clear debris and repair damaged power lines.

Downed Trees and Road Closures

Numerous reports of fallen trees and power lines disrupted travel across Western Washington. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) issued a traffic alert, listing several locations blocked by downed trees, including:

  • NW 84th St & 1st Ave NW
  • SW Orchard St & Dumar Way SW
  • 47th Ave SW between SW Alaska St & SW Oregon St
  • 2nd Ave W between W McGraw St & W Boston St
  • 31st Ave SW & SW Myrtle St

In Seattle, a tree fell onto a vehicle near Aurora Avenue North and Whitman Place North, trapping three people inside. Seattle Fire Department crews responded quickly, using chainsaws to remove the tree and free the occupants. All three individuals were in stable condition, officials said.

School Delays and Closures

The storm’s impact extended to schools, with several districts delaying the start of classes due to power outages and hazardous conditions.

  • Highline and Northshore school districts: Two-hour delay
  • Vashon Island School District: 1.5-hour delay
  • McAuliffe and Smith elementaries (Lake Washington School District): Two-hour delay
  • Edmonds College: Closed due to power outages

Strongest Winds Expected to Subside

The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning through 10 a.m. Tuesday for Aberdeen, La Push, Queets, Bremerton, Seattle, and Tacoma. Winds are expected to gradually decrease throughout the day, though additional power outages and falling trees remain a concern.

Peak wind gusts recorded overnight included:

  • Aberdeen: 70 mph
  • Astoria: 68 mph
  • Destruction Island: 67 mph
  • Seattle and Olympia: 52 mph

Residents are urged to stay cautious of fallen power lines and debris, avoid unnecessary travel, and check with local utilities for outage updates.

This storm is a stark reminder of the Pacific Northwest’s winter weather volatility. Crews continue working to restore power and clear roadways as communities recover from the storm’s impact.

Stay safe, Seattle!

Seattle Officer Dismissed After Fatal Incident Involving Graduate Student

Seattle Police

Seattle’s interim police chief, Sue Rahr, has terminated officer Kevin Dave following a city investigation into the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India. The incident occurred in January 2023 when Dave, responding to an emergency call, struck Kandula with his patrol car while she crossed the street in a marked crosswalk.

The Seattle Office of Police Accountability concluded that Dave had breached multiple department policies, notably the requirement for the safe operation of police vehicles. Investigations revealed that Dave was traveling at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone without a continuous siren at the time of the accident.

The case gained international notoriety following the release of bodycam footage from another officer at the scene, Daniel Auderer, who made insensitive remarks about Kandula’s death. Auderer suggested the department could simply settle the matter financially, noting Kandula’s life “had limited value.” This statement, along with his laughter caught on the recording, fueled public and community outrage.

Despite the King County Prosecutor’s Office deciding against felony charges for Dave in February 2023, citing insufficient evidence of intentional disregard for safety, the incident led to severe repercussions. Dave was fined $5,000 for negligent driving, and the global outcry prompted further scrutiny and calls for accountability.

The Kandula family has filed a lawsuit seeking over $110 million, citing the severe emotional distress and pain Kandula suffered prior to her death. The family’s legal action, along with ongoing public criticism, continues to put pressure on the Seattle Police Department and local governance to address concerns over police conduct and the safety of community members.

Nathan Young Biography

Homeless

Nathan Young has always had a heart for helping others. After college, Nathan decided to serve in the Army. Upon returning home, he started running a hotel that was once used as a retirement home. Nathan used this endeavor to support his desire to help anyone with whom he came into contact. 

His opportunity to help people began sooner than he had expected. A sober living house was located close by the hotel. Those who were staying at the sober living house would be kicked out for drinking alcohol. Looking for a place to go, they would come to Nathan’s hotel, where he would take them in, requiring little or no payment for their stay. To help these people even further, he opened two sober living houses and provided treatment options for those who wanted it, for which he paid the majority of the cost.  

As time progressed, he decided to help others who were in other unfavorable situations. He hired ex-convicts who had difficulty finding jobs after they left their halfway houses. He also allowed those who were homeless or almost destitute to work for him. 

Unfortunately, Nathan Young met his own share of hard times after losing his girlfriend to an overdose.  

With the start of 2020 and the frightening uncertainty of COVID, most of the surrounding hotels were being forced to shut down. After running the hotel since 1996, he was laid off from his position due to economic hardships related to the pandemic. However, he didn’t let this setback stop him from continuing to help others. 

Still, he felt compelled to help those with substance abuse disorders, especially after his personal loss. While he owned the sober living house, he wanted to expand and open a clinic as well. However, he was under the belief that one person could not own both facilities at one time. So, he asked his friend, Marc, to purchase an outpatient clinic during the summer of 2020.  The clinic started out with only ten clients but grew as Nathan’s reputation for being tenderhearted towards those struggling with addiction came to the clinic. 

Nathan’s kindhearted nature continued to shine through even as he continued to face financial hardships. In 2022, the health insurance company, Aetna, stopped providing payments for supporting the clinic. As Aetna was providing the clinic’s main source of revenue, this was a hard blow. The smartest business decision at that time would have been to shut down the clinic, turning away all clients and terminating all of the employees, as Nathan would face significant financial loss if he continued to run the clinic. 

However, Nathan did not want to turn anyone away if he could help it. Instead, he continued to run the clinic, dedicating everything to assisting others, even though he was hemorrhaging millions of dollars of his own personal funds as the year 2023 progressed. Although he had to reduce the cost of overhead by terminating some employees and reducing salaries, he did all that he could to prevent the clinic from going bankrupt. As a result, he worked 16-hour days every day of the week for the majority of that year.  

Nathan’s growth and success boil down to the fact that his number one priority is helping others by loving and accepting them as they are. This is reflected in the care that his clinic provides as they prepare a personalized treatment plan that meets the client’s current needs, helping them start their recovery journey. The clinic refuses to give up on people, taking in clients even after they experience a relapse, destroy property within the clinic, or get into physical fights with other clients. Rarely will the clinic refuse to allow an individual to enter or reenter the program.

Because of the approach Nathan Young takes in the clinic, there is a high success rate as about 60% of clients remain sober for a minimum of six months. To accept more clients that are not able to afford treatment, overhead costs have been minimized as much as possible. A job mentorship program is also available to clients, giving them career opportunities that they may not otherwise have had due to their personal or criminal history. 

The program also helps them through the interview process despite their rough appearance. Alumni marketing is also a part of the clinic. This means that once a client becomes sober, they are able to market a particular product using their face which is then used in a social media advertisement. As their friends notice the fact that they are sober, they then ask how they achieved their sobriety, directing them back to the clinic. 

Nathan continues to help others who are underprivileged, including the homeless. He assists them in becoming sober, finding jobs, and renting their own apartments, helping them permanently stay off the streets. Nathan Young is a true example of someone with a heart of gold. 

Company Overview:

9 Silver is a premier employment agency based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to bridging the gap between talented individuals and leading businesses. Located at 1800 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028, and reachable at (323) 643-3171, they specialize in providing top-tier outsourced employment and human resource services.

About Us: 9 Silver’s mission is clear: to connect motivated, talented, and driven individuals with exceptional businesses, fostering opportunities for growth and excellence. They are committed to offering high-quality outsourced employment solutions and HR services, aimed at empowering both business owners and employees to achieve their fullest potential.

Nathan Young, the visionary founder and owner of 9 Silver, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the employment industry. His dedication to excellence and innovation in human resources has propelled 9 Silver to the forefront of employment solutions in Los Angeles.

Clinic Services They facilitate connections between job seekers and employers, ranging from temporary positions to permanent placements, ensuring that each match promotes mutual success. Whether you’re a professional seeking a better opportunity or a company needing skilled talent, 9 Silver is here to support and enhance your journey. [Website]

Plants To Feed The Birds By Bruce Bennett (WSU Certified Master Gardener)

Berry Plant

This month’s column was started during the first week of December while I was digesting the (hopefully) last turkey and cranberry sandwich of the season.  Looking out the living room window into the fog drenched back yard, I watch the robins making their own lunch on the very small yellow fruit of a ‘Golden Raindrops’ Crab Apple tree (Malus transitoria ‘Schmidtcutleaf’).  One of the reasons for the purchase of the tree was because of this very reason – the feeding of winter’s wildlife and the increased visual interest for me.  Spring brings fragrant white blooms to this tree.  Summer provides yellow-green deep-cut leaves and then transitions to yellow and orange in autumn.  After the leaves fall, early autumn provides a golden haze of tiny crab apples and, through January, the aerial antics of robins and other birds eating the fruit.  I suppose the heated birdbath also helps to attract them when other water sources are covered with a layer of ice. 

I mention this crab apple as an example of getting the biggest bang as possible for your garden design buck; greater visual interest as well as a way to keep birds in the yard throughout the year.  The deal is that you feed them now and they feed on the insects in your yard for the rest of the year.  Some, like hummingbirds, will stay year-round while other ‘snowbirds’ will remember this back yard next winter.   This is also a garden design decision.  What plants will be placed beneath the spreading branches?  What other plants in the yard will echo the gold tones of the leaves and apples of ‘Golden Raindrops’?  Ornamentals and/or natives?  A ground cover or grass or gravel?   It is possible to exercise one’s artistic skills and still help to protect and diversify nature with the same thoughtful actions (And, in answer to one reader’s question, all plants mentioned in these columns are hardy to our hardiness zones).  If you want to help the birds in your yard during those harsh winter months, there are a number of native and non-native shrubs and trees that will help provide food and shelter for them, with the addition of extended visual interest for you during our dreary winter months.

For taller native plants, consider the Eastern and Western Serviceberries (Amelanchier canadensis and utahensis).  Depending on the cultivar, they will grow to 6’ – 15’ and will hold any uneaten berries through the winter.  The Western Staghorn Sumac (Rhus glabra) (shown above) has a good-looking autumn color and will attract many varieties of over wintering birds.  Your cold-weather buggies will quickly recognize the natives and take a bit longer to learn about the other ornamental berries in the yard. 

Winterberry Hollies (Ilex verticillata) are natives whose cultivars can have fruit that range in color from yellow to orange to red.   They are deciduous and scene stealers in autumn and winter, especially when backed by taller, contrasting plants. They are adaptable to both wet and dry soils.  Remember you will need both male and female (dioecious) plants for fruit production. This will be true for many berry-bearing plants.  It is why I continue to mention the idea of gardeners doing their research before making plant purchases.  

For non-native food sources, consider fruitful, deciduous Japanese Barberries.  The are many varieties which offer leaf colors from chartreuse to orange, red and burgundy and sizes from 1’ – 10’ tall.   Excellent for full sun, this shrub has few invasive tendencies in western Washington.

The Beauty Berry ‘Profusion’ (Callicarpa bodinieri) has the WOW factor you want in the way of a winter berry-bearing shrub that will feed wildlife and have your neighbors taking a second look at your yard.  Another excellent family of plants are the viburnums.  Both deciduous and evergreen, for sun or shade, these shrubs are workhorses in the landscape with dark blue fruit that will feed your birds.

And, although related to neither berries nor seeds, think about adding a heated feeder for the Anna’s Hummingbirds that stay with us year-round and are joined by Rufous and Calliope hummingbirds for summer before again migrating to Mexico in September and October.

Look at providing your wildlife with a smorgasbord of meals and increased landscape interest by adding some seed-producing perennials to your landscape.  Obvious candidates include ornamental grasses, Coneflowers (shown at left), Coreopsis, Tall Phlox, Asters, Black-eyed Susans, Globe Thistles and Sedums.  There are a number of annual plants that will also nourish your garden wildlife.  I don’t use many annuals in the yard, but, the ones that do come to mind include Marigolds, Cosmos and Sun Flowers. Feed your birds this winter and they will feed your sense of winter whimsey and eco-accomplishment.           

A Couple of Random Thoughts………..

Did you realize that, even in winter, you can still get answers to your indoor and outdoor plant and disease questions from the Master Gardeners of King County?  They are available to assist you year-round with your horticultural conundrums.   Send your questions (and photos) to them at:  extension.wsu.edu/king/ask-a-master-gardener/ and keep our local gardening volunteers mentally stimulated, rather than hibernating. 

And, let’s not forget to reserve a day (or three) between February 19 & 23 for the NW Flower and Garden Festival.  This is the second (after Philadelphia) largest horticultural extravaganza in the country.  The acres of display gardens and vignettes are spectacular and the 400 plant and other vendors, with their well-grown new plants, garden art, etc., should not be missed.  Probably the best feature is the excellent selection of 130+ seminars on a wide variety of topics.  All this and other daily events for just the cost of a ticket.  For more details, visit the event’s website at www.gardenshow.com.  I expect to be at the Washington Master Gardeners Booth (#2158) during parts of the Festival.  Feel free to come by, say Hi! and, whether I am there or not, ask your horticultural questions to the experienced veterans of the program.  Until next month, Happy New Year and Happy Gardening!  

Additional Reading

Erickson, Laura. 100 Plants to Feed the Birds: Turn Your Home Garden into a Healthy Bird Habitat. 2022.  North Adams, MA:  Storey Publishing.  

Shewey, J, & Blount, T. Birds of the Pacific Northwest.  2017.  Portland, OR: Timber Press. 

Tekiela, Stan. Birds of Washington Field Guide. 2022. Cambridge, MN:  Adventure Publications.

Waldon, Robert. Feeding Winter Birds in the Pacific Northwest. 1994.  Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books. 

Contributing columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a WSU Certified Master Gardener, Certified Professional Horticulturalist, garden designer and lecturer.  If you have questions concerning this article, have a gardening question or two to ask concerning your own landscape or want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact him at gardenguy4u@gmail.com

May In The Seattle Garden By Bruce Bennett

Seattle Gardening In May

This month, I have taken to sitting on the back deck with my morning coffee in-hand and enjoying the fresh emerging beauty of springtime across the landscape.  The new ruby-tinted foliage of the Andromeda/Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub ‘Variegata’ (Pieris japonica) echoes the red flowers of the ten-foot-tall Rhododendron ‘Vulcan’ and the newly opened buds of Azalea ‘Hino Crimson’. 

These plants are color counterpointed by the whites of the shrub New Zealand Pittosporum/ Kohuhu ‘Variegata’ (Pittosporum tenuifolium – pictured right), COSTCO-size pots of cascading green and white Wintercreeper ‘Emerald Gaiety’ (Euonymus fortunei) and the upright exclamation points of Sweet Iris ‘Variegata’ (Iris palida). 

Later in the season, the flowers of Crabapple ‘Golden Raindrops’ (Malus transitoria) and Mountain Laurel ‘Olympic Fire’ (Kalmia latifolia – pictured left) will repeat this red  and white color combination.  The views and scents carried on the warming air make the work of gardening worth all the effort.  The background of deep burgundy leaves from the Purple Smoke Bush ‘Purple Robe” (Cotinus coggygria), added to the blooming bulbs and emerging hostas, make all the colors in the yard POP.  All this botanical wonder tells me we are in ‘the lovely month of May.’ 

We have passed the final major hurdle of winter – the Last Frost Date.  Depending on your local micro-zone, this date is somewhat flexible.  Even my own North Seattle dates will vary from one year to the next.  These days, I’d say that April 15 – 20 is appropriate for most USDA Zone 8/9 plants.  However, do remember that frost dates are based on historical climate data and are not set in stone.  Over-all climate change will have these dates moving earlier in the year. The probability of frost occurring after the spring frost date or before the first autumn frost date is 30%, which means there’s still a chance of inflicting itself upon our yards before or after the stated dates!  Always keep an eye on your local weather forecast and plan to protect tender new plants accordingly.  Regardless of when the big box stores and garden centers begin selling herbs and vegetable starts, for me, the planting of warm weather taste-treats, such as basil, cilantro and the all-important tomatoes, does not happen until after May 1.  As many of you already know, I’m a thrifty (AKA cheap) Connecticut Yankee and don’t intend to spend the money on these cold-tender plants more than once a year!

I usually say that I have a large ornamental and perennial garden. The fact is the entire area around the house is garden, with the only lawn to be seen in my surrounding neighbors’ yards (Hmmm, we may need to take a look at the topic lawn alternatives in the future – what do you think?).  In order to stay on top of gardening tasks, my wife and I keep a loose schedule of jobs to be completed. By the end of March, the planting beds have been spring-cleaned and last year’s perennials cut back, as well as the shrubs that that flower on new wood. There is a bit of bed edging to do and fertilizers or compost to spread.  In April, we transplanted and divided everything that needed it and, of course, started to add new plants to the ever-changing landscape.  Let’s face it, gardens are never done!  They continue to be works-in-progress and teach us that Life is all about change.

Now, it’s May and I can totally enjoy the beauty of last year’s work and this spring’s recent efforts.  The biggest job on the May ‘To-Do List’ is mulching. I think there will be some two yards of medium-ground bark mulch in my near future.  Remember, that one important reason to mulch is to keep the soil cool in the summer and retain moisture. If you are looking forward to planting annuals, let the soil warm up a bit more.  If you plant your annuals too early in cold soil, they will just sit there doing nothing until a bunny (Easter or otherwise) comes along to eat the tender growth. It’s best to wait until May 15 to plant annuals in the ground. While you are waiting, though, if you haven’t already done it, plant your pots. Soil in pots gains heat much quicker than ground soil, so, plant them. I usually do mine by the end of April. Should we get a frost warning, move them into the garage overnight or stick a garden stake in the center of them and throw a tarp, sheet or piece of plastic over their heads to make a temporary cloche.

As the bulbs finish flowering here and there in the yard, they should be deadheaded.  Cut just the spent flowers or entire flower stem off, but never the leaves. Cutting the leaves off prematurely will prevent the bulb from completing its photosynthesis process which allows the plant to convert the sun’s energy to necessary nutrients. In other words, the bulb will weaken and eventually disappear if you continue to cut off its green leaves. Wait until the leaves turn brown. You can fold the leaves with a rubber band to make browning leaves less noticeable.  Planting your bulbs among later emerging perennials (I like hardy geraniums for this job) and groundcovers will also help to camouflage the withering leaves.

During April and May, you have been enjoying the blooms of all early flowering shrubs. May is the time to prune those shrubs if you want to reduce their size or otherwise change their shape. Also check for damaged, diseased or crossing branches and cut them out.  If you pay attention to your azaleas, lilacs, rhododendrons, etc., you will notice that shortly after blooming they start setting next year’s buds. If you prune these shrubs in July, which many people do, you will get few-to-no flowers next year. Prune them shortly after they finish flowering before they set those new buds.

Now back to the mulch. Choosing the type of mulch to use is also a topic for another article. However, whatever you choose, wait until the soil is warm, then add two to four inches. Spread it carefully around your emerging perennials and shrubs and newly planted annuals. The mulch will not only make your garden look finished, it will also keep the soil cool in the heat of summer, help retain water, prevent weeds and add organic material to your soil. After spreading my mulch over a planting area, I like to use a pre-emergent, such as corn gluten, to prevent/reduce weed seed from germinating without damaging other plants that are already growing.  When your neighbor’s dandelion seeds blow into your garden, the pre-emergent will stop them from developing for up to three months. Just remember not to spread it anywhere you are counting on certain flowers to self-seed.

I think of March, April, and May as the building block months for gardens. When the above-mentioned tasks are completed and the mulch is spread, I see the hard work of the new gardening season is over (and I can rest my back). The remainder of the growing year consists of, basically, general light maintenance, watering, insect/disease vigilance and the all-round sensory enjoyment of what has been created (preferably from the back deck with a cup of coffee, in-hand of course).  Happy gardening all!

Contributing columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a WSU Master Gardener, lecturer and garden designer. If you have questions concerning this article, have a gardening question to ask concerning your own landscape or want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@gmail.com

Break the Stigma Seattle: The Importance of Talking About Mental Health During Mental Health Awareness Month

Protecting Your Mental Health Seattle

Encourage those struggling or in crisis to call 988 for help.

By Dr. Carl Janzen, Associate Director of Primary Care, for Optum located in Seattle.

Seattle, known for its coffee culture, great restaurants and vibrant tech scene, is also home to a growing concern: mental health. As Seattleites confront life’s challenges, like all Americans, they face unique obstacles that impact their well-being.

Many are struggling with mental health issues such as increased anxiety and depression. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during late June of 2020, 40 percent of U.S. adults reported they were struggling with mental health issues or substance use. These abnormally high numbers have disproportionately affected younger adults, racial and ethnic minority groups, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers.

Locally, like adults, youth are struggling too.  Although a Washington State Healthy Youth Survey in 2023 shows that the number of youths in King County struggling with mental health issues is on a slight decline, there is still room for improvement.  According to the survey, the number of 10th graders feeling like they have no one to turn to when depressed in King County is still 9.6% compared to 12.3% statewide. 

Furthermore, those with depressive feelings is 23.5% locally compared to 29.9% statewide, and those feeling nervous, anxious and on edge are 60% compared to 61.7% statewide. Data Dashboard – Healthy Youth Survey (askhys.net)

Poor mental health among adolescents can impact many areas of a teen’s life and increase stress on families. Making sure teens feel connected to school and family is very important in helping them grow into healthy adulthood.

May is recognized as Mental Health Month, an opportunity to learn about mental health conditions and treatment options. Although exploring mental health treatment options, which includes psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy), medication, or self-care, can be confusing or difficult, is an important part of mental health care.  Some important messages to remember this Mental Health Month are:

  1. You are not alone. Millions of people in the U.S are affected by mental illness each year. By acknowledging how common mental illness is, we can better understand its impact and reduce the stigma.
  2. Self-care such as practicing yoga or meditation, eating well-balanced meals, staying physically active and getting plenty of sleep, are healthy ways to help cope with stress so you can better take care of yourself and in turn, be in a better position to help take care of others.
  3. Connect with others by talking to people that you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Conversation is a powerful coping tool that may help manage stress and help promote resilience.
  4. Consider talk therapy, which may be an appropriate option for you. Telemedicine can be a tremendous help to people particularly for people who are unable to get in-person treatment.
  5. Educate yourself by talking to your doctor or using online resources. The more you know, the more you can dispel misinformation or myths that can increase the stigma around mental illness and hold people back from receiving the treatment they need.
  6. Talk to your child about mental health. Feeling connected to family and school can have a significant impact on their mental health, so communicating openly and honestly with your child provides them with a sense of connectedness.
  7. If someone you know needs help, listening to them in a comfortable and non-judgmental way can be a good place to start. It’s important to genuinely express your concern and avoid blaming, criticizing, minimizing or assuming things about their experience.
  8. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
  9. Optum Disclaimer: If you or someone you know have thoughts about suicide, seek help right away. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

Mental Health Month is a good time to have discussions about mental health and do your part to break the stigma.

The Garden Guy Chooses New Plants for 2024

Flowers Photo

As a home gardener, one of the satisfying rituals of spring is finding new garden treasures; those plants that are making their debut in the retail marketplaces. They are generally sports or hybrids of plants that have been on the market for years, with the new ones having a different sense of style and usage to them. Or, they can be new hybrids. Whether larger or smaller in size; darker, lighter or variegated leaves or larger flowers; etc., all have the ability to add something ‘extra’ to the humble part of your landscape that cries out to be noticed. A little dramatic? Perhaps. But, you get the gist of what I’m saying. No part of a landscape needs to be boring. It is worth too much in the way of underutilized garden space, monetary value and in satisfying your aesthetic senses to be just ‘Okay.’ A new vignette may be just the thing to enliven the space and create a smile on your face on your face when gazing at the site.

This year, growers and hybridizers seem to have outdone themselves and have brought a bumper crop of hundreds of new (and, of course, improved) plants to garden center shelves and tables. Although I have not actually viewed all of the new candidates, what I have seen at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, area plant trials and wholesale growers’ beds, have provided me with several contenders for your attention. My prime considerations for Western Washington new plants-of-note include drought and heat tolerance (after root systems are established), disease resistance, low maintenance and, of course, presence in the garden. This year, my candidates for your horticultural scrutiny include perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees (sorry folks, I don’t do annuals). Seek them out, do your own research and evaluate their worthiness for that needy spot in your own yard…….

Artemisia x ‘Silver Lining” (White Sagebrush/Wormwood)

My top perennial choice doesn’t have much in the way of flowers, but, the foliage is a solid winner. A hybrid of two North American natives (the clumping Alaskan artemisia and the Western US artemisia) uses the best of its parentage to create a spectacular, durable foliage perennial. The broadly dissected silver leaves are showy from spring to fall. The mounded, low-wide habit maintains excellent form all season and resists opening up, like ‘Silver Mound’. Use this new perennial as a filler, color transition divider or backdrop in a landscape of flashy colors and or as spiller in mixed containers. Its yellow flowers are held on tall scapes and I would cut them off. In addition to its durability and excellent summer heat and drought tolerance, this artemisia will not rambunctiously spread through the garden as does its cousin, ‘Valerie Finnis.’ ‘Silver Lining’ forms a non-stoloniferous 15″ tall x 36” wide, winter deciduous ground cover with cutleaf silver foliage. Best results will be in average to dry soils, either sandy or clay. If those resilience attributes weren’t enough, this plant is also both deer and rabbit resistant.

Perennial runners-up include Agapanthus africanus ‘Bridal Veil’ (Lily-of-the-Nile), Brunnera macrophylla ‘Frostbite’ (Siberian Bugloss), Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Bit of Honey’ (Ox-eye Sunflower), Heuchera x ‘Forever Midnight’ (Coral Bells), and Teucrium fruticans ‘Harlequin’s Silver’ (Creeping Germander).

Panicum virgatum ‘Niagara Falls’ (Switch Grass)

This native from the Great Plains is an excellent grass in just about any landscape. With its late season seedheads and arching habit, ‘Niagara Falls’ is a good replacement for Miscanthus senesis. The powder blue leaf blades arch gracefully in the landscape, creating a soft cascading look. In early autumn, seed head plumes rise above the foliage creating a cream-colored cloud that gives the area texture and interest which will last through winter. Because of its foliage interest, this four-foot-tall grass is a multi-purpose plant that can be used in borders, containers, as specimen or in mass plantings. It is versatile and great looking, just what a plant should be!

It is an easy ornamental grass to grow in full sun to part shade and it will do well in just about any soil type in our part of the State. Remember to water it and cut it back in spring before the new growth appears and you have covered all of your maintenance bases. That’s right, save yourself some work and leave the buff-colored stalks to over-winter. In early fall, the seed head plumes that rise above the foliage will create a cream-colored cloud above the plant and will provide visual interest and bird habitat that will last through the winter doldrums.

Grass runners-up in this category include Amsonia hubrichtii ‘String Theory’ (Bluestar), Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Lemon Squeeze’ (Fountain Grass) and Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Brush Strokes’ (Little Bluestem).

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Eclipse’ (Big Leaf Hydrangea) is a shrub that has been receiving rave reviews from garden centers this spring. Probably because the shrub retains its dark foliage, rather than fading back to green, during the summer heat. The combination of the intense dark foliage and stand-out cranberry-red and white blooms makes for an excellent color counterpoint in just about any yard and, hopefully, a great dried-flower arrangement in a vase.

‘Eclipse’ is purported to have great disease resistance and low maintenance requirements. At three to five feet tall and wide, ‘Eclipse’ is size-appropriate for just about all smaller urban gardens. For its first three to five years, this hydrangea is a prime candidate for a porch or balcony container. After that, it will need annual pruning to keep it within bounds. As with most hydrangeas, this plant does best in morning sun and some afternoon shade. However, it can thrive in more sun in Western Washington if additional moisture is provided. ‘Eclipse’ is cold hardy down to Zone 5a and can take both our summer heat and winter cold snaps. If you are purchasing only one new plant this year, definitely consider the multi-faceted ‘Eclipse’ (and let me know how it does for you).

Shrub runners-up include Abelia x grandiflora ‘Angel’s Blush’ (Glossy Abelia), Calycanthus floridus, ‘Simply Sensational’ (Eastern Sweetshrub), Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Hottie’ (Panicle Hydrangea), Ilex x meserveae ‘Little One’ (Blue Holly), Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Midnight Cascade’ (Hanging) Blueberry and Vitex agnus-castus ‘Queen Bee’ (Chastetree).

Cercis canadensis ‘Garden Gems Amethyst’ (Redbud) is a new dwarf tree which also features dark leaves and is compact enough to grow in a pot. It’s a slow grower that can reach eight to ten feet tall and wide, which is about half the size of a standard redbud. It flowers in early spring, sparkling with pink blooms before the foliage appears. In summer, the leaves will hold their amethyst color through our heat domes.

‘Amethyst’ is one of those plants I’d call a ‘nativar’ (a cultivar of a native plant, a Redbud in this case) that is pollinator-friendly, making it increasingly popular with the bee-lovers of our area. This new hybrid attracts pollinators and creates the perfect conversation piece in a small landscape or on a condo patio in full sun to part shade. If you don’t happen to care for the look of dark foliage, a sister (cousin?) Redbud will be coming out that has leaves which emerge red and then turn green. It’s called ‘Garden Gems Emerald.’

Tree runners-up include Heptacodium miconioides ‘Temple of Bloom’ (Seven-son Flower), Hesperocyparis arizonica ‘Crystal Frost’ (Arizona Cypress) and Thuja standishii × plicata ‘Leprechaun’(Leprechaun Arborvitae).

Readers should remember that this list is totally subjective. It is based on the plants I have seen and liked for their hardiness, versatility and’ WOW’ appeal that the neighbors don’t have. Use this list to kick-off your own horticultural sleuthing of those new additions at your favorite garden center. The downside of new-plant shopping is to remember the qualities of patience and perseverance. As new introductions, these little treasures may not appear in your area for a while. Do ask the garden center staff if the plant in question can be ordered or your name added to a Waitlist. That tact has worked for me many times over. Best of luck with this annual rite of Springtime and the newfound joy in your little patch of heaven. Happy gardening all!

Contributing columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a WSU Master Gardener, lecturer and garden designer. If you have questions concerning this article, have a gardening question to ask concerning your own landscape or want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@gmail.com

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