Location
Kettle Falls, Washington
School
Union Institute & University, Stetson University
Expertise
Composting, Firewise best practices/home and landscape, Winter-sowing
- Katharine has been a Certified Master Gardener since 2019.
- Her seven years of experience as an Airbnb Superhost taught her a lot about house cleaning and home maintenance.
- She posts on social media about gardening 365 days a year.
Experience
Katharine Hansen, PhD, has identified as a writer since third grade, when a story she wrote was published in the school newspaper. Today, she is an online educator, author, and content provider. For 18 years, she provided content for Quintessential Careers before its sale in 2015. Katharine has authored nine books in the professional development space. A seven-year venture as a five-star short-term rental superhost and her training as a Master Gardener have ignited her recent writing passions. She writes gardening articles for two Eastern Washington publications and was nominated for 2024 Washington Master Gardener Communicator of the Year.
Education
Katharine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in humanities from Stetson University, DeLand, FL, and a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies from Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH.
House Digest uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
-
Gardening Hacks
By Katharine Hansen
While these two plants might look good together, their vastly different care needs will make it nearly impossible to thrive in the same garden bed.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Garden
By Katharine Hansen
Landscape fabric may be the go-to weed blocking solution for many gardeners, but this ground cover option looks gorgeous while naturally keeping weeds at bay.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Edible Gardening
By Katharine Hansen
Expand your summer berry patch for free. Discover the step-by-step method to easily multiply your favorite raspberry plant using simple backyard division.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Flowers
By Katharine Hansen
If your hanging basket looks like it needs something, and you've tried everything you can think of, this one accommodating move may be the right solution.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Exterior Remodel
By Katharine Hansen
There's no need to choose between style and strength. This exterior finish gives you the warm look of wood with the long-lasting durability of concrete.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Home Goods
By Katharine Hansen
This kitchen tool from the 1800s is now a collectable that's perfect for any coffee nook or cafe corner. Plus, it won't crowd your countertop space.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Trends
By Katharine Hansen
Cabinet trends come and go, often becoming so common that they're permanently associated with the style of their decade. This unique wood is a perfect example.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Gardening Hacks
By Katharine Hansen
If you're looking to give your plants even more of a boost without adding more fertilizer, this leafy tea made from a common plant could be just what you need.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Gardening Hacks
By Katharine Hansen
Landscape fabric is a great idea in theory for keeping weeds at bay. However, one organic alternative offers unique advantages in your landscape.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Edible Gardening
By Katharine Hansen
This easy-to-grow perennial from the mint family is known for its fragrant qualities. In fact, its name derives from the Greek word meaning "aromatic herb."
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Landscaping
By Katharine Hansen
A green, grassy lawn is not the only path to great curb appeal. Try these 5 landscaping ideas that lend themselves to stunning and eco-friendly displays.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Flowers
By Katharine Hansen
If you're looking to bring more vibrant color, refreshing fragrance, and helpful bees to your garden, this lesser-known annual is perfect for the task.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Edible Gardening
By Katharine Hansen
If you're feeling like your retaining wall is looking a little stark, this gorgeous herb can help to soften the edges with its trailing growth.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Home Goods
By Katharine Hansen
If you're looking for some genuine '60s vibes, this Finnish brand's patterned enamelware could be just what you need to spice up your kitchen.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Houseplants
By Katharine Hansen
If you're growing tired of boring pots and planters, consider turning your orchid into a unique display using this centuries-old Japanese technique.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Home Goods
By Katharine Hansen
These vintage pepper mills could easily be mistaken as works of art, each a little wooden sculpture. Most of the pepper mills were crafted in teak wood.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Gardening Hacks
By Katharine Hansen
Garden seeds can be stored for a few years if stored properly, but this easy hack can double their shelf life — and you may not need to spend money to do it.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Garden
By Katharine Hansen
It's said that what is old becomes new again, and that is certainly true of this plant trend, which revives an aesthetic that was popular in the 1800s.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Home Goods
By Katharine Hansen
These trays are nostalgic '70s and '80s items, made by a beloved company that closed its doors in the '90s. Now rare, these premium pieces fetch a pretty penny.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Flowers
By Katharine Hansen
If you're looking to add some more unique shapes to your pollinator garden, this pretty, bluish purple bloom is sure to help you shake things up.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Gardening Hacks
By Katharine Hansen
If you're looking to boost your garden's health and reduce the amount of yard waste that ends up in a landfill, consider adding this leftover to your compost.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Garden
By Katharine Hansen
We can often find inspiration in old-school gardening practices, but this one has fallen out of favor over the decades because of its effect on soil structure.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Shopping
By Katharine Hansen
A rubber garden hose is a yardwork staple, but there may be a more green option. Check out this alternative that might be better for the environment.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Gardening Hacks
By Katharine Hansen
This game-changing gardening hack has been giving home growers larger and sweeter tomato yields for decades, and it's so simple, anyone can make it work.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Edible Gardening
By Katharine Hansen
If you need to give your tomatoes a boost, this soil amendment can help your plants better absorb the nutrients that are available in the soil.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Landscaping
By Katharine Hansen
If the transition between your gravel path and the yard feels a bit too harsh, these herbs can create a smoother look and survive in harsh conditions.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More
-
Exclusives
By Katharine Hansen
When choosing a window treatment, you rarely consider how easy it is to clean, but expert Ashley Matuska Kidder told House Digest which is simplest to maintain.
By Katharine Hansen
Read More