Search Results for 'By Jill Severn' | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

The JOLT’s readers have enjoyed “Jill Severn’s Gardening Column” most Fridays since April 2, 2021. In all, she produced more than 230 pieces for Thurston County readers. more

By Danny Stusser | 7/24/26 | 9 comments

Squirrels, slugs and AI in the garden

Squirrels don’t just eat nuts; some of them are nuts. In my yard, there is one particular squirrel that is definitely ... more

By Jill Severn | 5/22/26 | 1 comment

Botanists consider this tomato perfectly normal, but not everyone agrees.

The annual tomato gamble

Every spring, there are more tomato varieties for sale than the year before. You could spend the whole month of May researching ... more

By Jill Severn | 5/15/26 | 7 comments

A "Welcome to Prairie Appreciation Day!" sign is put in place at Glacial Heritage Preserve on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

An amazing Prairie Appreciation Day

Thurston County’s Glacial Heritage Preserve is an 80-acre property purchased in 2005 and set aside for permanent protection of a ... more

By George Walter | 5/14/26 | 6 comments

There are many recipes for stuffed zucchini blossoms online. But first, remove the bee.

Garden advice we can live without

I once had a neighbor who earned a Master Gardener title by attending a series of classes. She had never grown a single broccoli ... more

By Jill Severn | 5/8/26 | 2 comments

Mayor Andy Ryder holds the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation alongside Family Education and Support Services board member Jill Severn, left, and Executive Director Shelly Willis at a Lacey City Council work session on April 28, 2026.

Lacey City Council marks Child Abuse Prevention Month

In a reminder that healthy communities start with healthy children, the Lacey City Council proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/5/26 | 1 comment

Plant now, harvest will come sooner than you think.

A proclamation for the month of May

Earth Day was an occasion for local, state and national proclamations. All the best towns, cities, states and service clubs have proclamations ... more

By Jill Severn | 4/24/26 | 2 comments

If this photo had a soundtrack, you’d hear the happiness.

Happy Earth Day

On this year’s Earth Day, environmentalists are discouraged by our president’s climate change denial, his phobia about wind turbines, and his ... more

By Jill Severn | 4/22/26 | 6 comments

Olympia City Council members posed with Family Education Support Services (FESS) representatives holding pinwheels the city council proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month at a meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Olympia proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

The Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/17/26 | 3 comments

Dogwood

Even the most nature-oblivious people can’t help but notice that a lot of trees are blooming this month. Cherry trees are the most ... more

By Jill Severn | 4/17/26 | 4 comments

Getting organized in the garden

When I was a beginning gardener my garden was often — maybe even usually — a mess. For me, youth and orderliness were poles ... more

By Jill Severn | 4/10/26 | 3 comments

Two months of bird watching joy

Birds are beautiful, amazing creatures, and it’s a joy to share the Earth with them. And for everyone who loves them, the months of April ... more

By George Walter | 4/2/26 | 5 comments

A woman holds up a "Big Beautiful Bill" sign at the "No Kings" rally at the Washington State Capitol Campus on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

'No Kings' III

It takes nerves of steel to maintain equanimity during yet another American war in the Middle East; a violent campaign against immigrants; a resurgence of … more

By Jill Severn | 3/30/26 | 10 comments

The rush of high water at Tumwater Falls, and a flood of chaotic news: each is a metaphor for the other.

Readers respond

Two weeks ago, I invited readers to write about what you hope for after President Donald Trump leaves office following the 2028 ... more

By Jill Severn | 3/20/26 | 4 comments

Daffodils are a joy to see, and easy to grow. Deer and moles don’t eat them, they’re not fussy about soil, and they often live longer than the people who plant them. There are early, mid-season and late varieties that bloom from late February until May, in a range shapes, sizes and shades of yellow and white. Bulbs are planted in the fall, and the flowers are admired starting the next spring. Someone planted these along the edge of the Chehalist-Western Trail years ago.

The happiness of daffodils

First, a few lines from the poet William Wordsworth ... more

By Jill Severn | 3/13/26 | 3 comments

Fifty stars for 50 states, 250 years of our nation’s history. What have we learned so far?

What comes next?

Americans may be deeply divided about President Donald Trump, the state of our nation, and the war in Iran, but we probably all agree on ... more

By Jill Severn | 3/6/26 | 5 comments

Skunk cabbage’s aroma is a bit controversial, but the sight of it in early spring is always a joy.

Arrivals and departures

March has arrived, February has departed. We waited — sometimes patiently, sometimes not — for ... more

By Jill Severn | 2/27/26 | 3 comments

Slugs and the circle of life

When the temperature is above freezing, slugs and snails are venturing out in our gardens. Now is the time to get rid of them, before they get ... more

By Jill Severn | 2/20/26 | 2 comments

Downtown Olympia is still popular, and the parking proves it.

Downtown discomfort

A recent column about an incident involving a homeless man in downtown Olympia drew a provocative comment from a ... more

By Jill Severn | 2/13/26 | 10 comments

Is it spring yet?

Is this an early spring, or just a tease? If it is just a tease, it sure is a good one, both indoors and ... more

By Jill Severn | 2/6/26 | 2 comments