Portland is beginning to see signs of spring as green shoots push their way through the soil, flowers bloom, and its native winged critters return to the city. Bats, like many birds, are migratory creatures that return to Portland in spring, around the same time our insect population rises. While easily associated with country living, many urban dwellers are unaware of the bat population in their area. However, some more...

The sun is starting to hang around longer, which means it’s time to begin preparing our gardens. As we make our gardening plans, you might want to consider bringing in some extra helpers to make this year’s harvest bountiful: mason bees. Whether you have fruit trees, a vegetable garden, or flowers, these bees will ensure you get the most out of what you are growing. While much attention has been paid to more...

The first shipments of chicks have just arrived in local farm stores, so it’s time to start building your new fuzzy friends a home. While a Frank Lloyd Wright knockoff might not fit the budget, what could be more Portland than building a chicken coop from upcycled materials? Upcycling, reusing old lumber and construction waste for better quality final products, is the perfect way to show our city’s love more...

Curious about chicken keeping? Neighborhood Notes presents the why and how of keeping a backyard flock. more...

The second week of 2011 there are three flood warnings and two storm warnings flashing little red triangles in the corner of my screen. In a macabre bit of irony, The Oregonian crumpled on my coffee table just told me “By 2015, typical Portland homeowners will have seen their monthly city utility rate rise from $42.58 to $116 in 15 years.” The solution is so obvious it’s almost like we’ve more...

Ecoscaping—used interchangeably with "naturescaping"—is becoming more and more popular in Portland and around the nation as sustainability, organic plants and vegetables, and being more earth-friendly become prevalent concepts in our culture. Essentially, ecoscaping refers to the process of transforming your yard and garden space from something that may have been non-organic and not so natural more...

‘Tis the season when the notion of evergreens conjures visions of cedar swags, juniper wreaths and noble fir Christmas trees. They’ve been a festive part of the holiday season for centuries, symbolizing new life and vitality. Now, there’s another evergreen spreading cheer and decking the halls around town. Yes, I’m talking about terrariums: the ultimate evergreens, always in season. Inspired more...

Vermiculture? You bet. Also known as vermicomposting, this process offers a fun, on-site and relatively easy method of transforming organic matter from the kitchen and garden into rich soil. Worms are useful in aerating soil—just dig a hole in your raised bed and you’re sure to come across a little guy doing his earthly work—and thrive by converting organic plant and food material into compost. The more...