Neely Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden

06/10/2026

Growing in the Garden:
🌱 Our fig tree is bursting with its first sweet miracle, beans are scaling new heights on the trellis, and lupines are radiant in full bloom, poised to spread their beauty. Peonies are thriving, standing tall with support, as the neat rows of crops stretch towards the sky, reminding us that every seed holds the promise of growth! 💫

06/09/2026

🌱 Meet Jacqueline, a Master Gardener Intern joining Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden this year. Last month, we explored the power of two different methods of thinning carrots in this raised bed. Half were cut and the other half were pulled. Both methods flourished - and we're thrilled to see that the carrots that remained from the pulling recovered quicker than those left after cutting! Join us every Tuesday, 10am to Noon, weather permitting, until mid October to discover what methods we're trying next and watch your own gardening dreams take root! 🌻

06/09/2026

If you live near Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden in Kent you might be eligible for free Japanese beetle treatment on your property.

Are you in a Japanese beetle treatment area? We are still accepting treatment consent forms! Go to agr.wa.gov/beetles to see if you are in a treatment area and give consent today. Or keep an eye out in your mail for another treatment consent form arriving this week.

06/08/2026

Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden is run by Master Gardener Volunteers. We work hard to be an open to the community classroom all year long. Drop by on Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon to ask about the WSU Master Gardener Program in south King county.

🌱 Grow, give, and make a difference! Volunteer with the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program and help educate communities on sustainability, climate resilience, and local food access. No experience needed—just a passion for learning and giving back! Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort open soon. Find more info at https://extension.wsu.edu/king/mg-home/join-us 🌎✨

06/08/2026

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) continues to treat
properties for free to protect the community from the invasive Japanese beetle
in King, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties.
Many properties have still not signed up to have their properties treated. It is
not too late to be part of the solution and sign up for a free yard treatment.
Every untreated property can become a haven for the beetles, enabling them
to establish here permanently.

06/05/2026

What is soil health?

Last month we hosted KCD to answer that question for our local community. 🌱 It's the ability of soil to perform key functions that support agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and resilience against disturbances, while maintaining its own health through nutrient cycling and regeneration.

06/04/2026

Meet 'Nora Barlow', a stunning columbine variety with multicolored, star-shaped flowers. Named after Charles Darwin's granddaughter, a British botanist, this beauty was introduced in the 1980s and has since become a popular choice among gardeners 💐

06/03/2026

The Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden showcases wonder and beauty at every turn. Currently, columbines are in bloom, lettuce is thriving in the beds, wasps are present in the sage bush, and the water fountain in the Fairy Garden is operational, catering to the drinking needs of pollinators.

06/02/2026

Meet Regina, a shining star among our Master Gardener Volunteers, spreading joy and kindness at the Neely-Soames Homestead Demonstration Garden! On this day, they were busy harvesting spinach for the Kent Food Bank, a true labor of love! You'll often find Regina in the Food Bank Garden, Herb Garden, and rocking their latest hand-embroidered gear, inspiring us all to make a difference! 💚