RESOURCES

Books (all available at Tacoma Public Library)

Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer: a life changer. Kimmerer braids western scientific approaches and indigenous knowledge to demonstrate how humans can live in harmony with other plant and animal beings. "All flourishing is mutual".

Gaia's Garden, Tobi Hemenway: this was my (any many others') gateway drug to ecological gardening. In particular, it was the first time it dawned on me that growing my own food is just as/if not more important than planting natives.

Grow a Little Fruit Tree, Ann Ralph: a great fruit tree pruning method that keeps the tree shorter than you so that you can easily harvest the fruit.

Urban Foraging, Lisa Rose: did you know you can eat a lot of the weeds in your yard? Don't be surprised when I knock on your door and ask to harvest the chickweed in your lawn.

Education

Dirt Alert: here in Tacoma, we live with the legacy of toxic waste. You may qualify for free soil testing to measure the lead and arsenic levels through the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department's Dirt Alert program.

Emergence Magazine and Podcast: my favorite podcast, join me in exploring the confluence of ecology, culture, and spirituality.

Harvest Pierce County: this program of the Pierce Conservation District provides great begining gardening classes.

LANDBACK Magazine: published by NDN Collective, inspiring and informative magazine featuring indigenous authors exploring the Land Back movement.

Introduction to Permaculture, Oregon State University: are you interested in learning more about Permaculture? This is a free online place to start.

Pierce County Master Gardeners: go-to source for plant information including natural pest management.

Xerces Society: great resource for pollinator plant information.

Plants and Materials

Burnt Ridge Nursery: long time mail order edible plant nursery. Also sells at the Olympia Farmer's Market.

Calendula Nursery: You can purchase native plants as well as some of the fun edibles I like to work with.

Chip Drop: free arborist wood chips! You have to receive a full truckload (around 20 cubic yards) so if you have a driveway or large parking strip, this is a great option.

Grit City Trees: free street trees in Tacoma.

One Green World Nursery: mail order from Portland, great source for perennial vegetables.

Northwest Meadowscapes: awesome source for meadow seed mixes.

RainTree Nursery: long-time trusted mail-order nursery in Morton, WA with a focus on bare-root fruit trees.

Siskiyou Seeds: awesome mail-order seed supplier.

Tagro: if you don't have space for a chip drop, Tagro will deliver wood chip mulch by the cubic yard. They don't advertise wood chips (arborist mulch) but if you call, they have it. I do not recommend using TAGRO soil products containing bio solids (sewage sludge) due to the risk of it containing contaminants such as PFAS.

Wild Dreams Farm: my favorite source for seeds! Located on Vashon Island. Seeds are available via mail, farmers markets, and other retailers. 

Using Your Harvest

American Aronia Berry Association: if I put an Aronia in your design yard/ here's what to make with the berries (muffins!)

Food in Jars: great resource for preserving your harvest.

Zero Waste

A Drop in the Ocean: local milkman style delivery zero waste shop.

Home Exchange: non-monetary way to find vacation homes. Contact me for a referral code.

Recompose Ecological Death Care: human composting is a great way to keep giving back to mother earth after your death.