CORNISH FLAT, N.H — It’s April, and spring has sprung. Or will soon. Winter always is a sneaky devil, coming back with hard frosts and even a foot of snow on occasion. There is much to do, but start slowly, not just for your back, which has been resting all[Read More…]
Henry Homeyer
Gardening in March
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Whether March came in like the proverbial lion or lamb for you, March is the time to pay more attention to houseplants. Instead of watering every Sunday, you probably need to water most things twice a week – except for cacti and a few plants that[Read More…]
Spring Is On Its Way
Here in Cornish Flat, this seems like an old fashioned winter. Temperatures have been consistently below freezing, and the ground has had at least a light covering of snow most of the time. No deep snow, the kind that insulates the ground and keeps tender perennials safe, but enough to[Read More…]
Looking Back on Gardens of 2024, Ahead to 2025
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I’m not a big fan of unrealistic New Year’s resolutions such as “keep my papers organized and desk tidy”, for example. But I do like to spend some time each January reflecting on the gardens of the past year and making decisions about what I will[Read More…]
Holiday Gifts for the Gardener
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I believed in Santa Claus longer than anyone I have ever met. Fifth grade, maybe sixth. To this day, some 70 years later, I still believe in the mystery and joy of giving wonderful gifts that suit[Read More…]
Final Garden Chores to Do Before Winter
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Winter is fast upon us. The shortest days of the year are ahead, but gardening is done for most of us. That being said, I still have flowers in bloom outside: my witch-hazel trees are showing gorgeous, twisty-petaled yellow flowers, even after a light snow and[Read More…]
Planting in October
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – For some of us, planting time is long past – but not for me. I am always busy in the fall, planting everything I can. It is almost time to plant garlic, which is my easiest crop of all. And I’ll soon be planting spring bulbs,[Read More…]
Fall Gardening Chores
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Despite some hot sunny days, Fall is fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about cleaning up the garden and putting it to bed. No, I am not suggesting you cut back all your perennials or pull all your vegetable plants. But October, the time[Read More…]
August in the Garden and Kitchen
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – It seems to me that summer has been zooming by. Of course, I did plant many vegetables two to three weeks earlier than usual and crossed my fingers that demon frost would not appear. It didn’t. We’ve had a very sunny summer and my garden is[Read More…]
Creating Better Environment for us, and Animal Friends
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. — There is much gloom and doom spread in the news and on social media. Many people believe that our ecosystem is irreparable: climate change is bringing death and destruction to many of the animals that we share the earth with. But some gardeners believe that although[Read More…]
Growing Roses and More
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – June is, traditionally, the month for weddings and roses. A coincidence? Perhaps. But here, in mid-summer, I still have plenty of roses blooming. Many modern hybrids keep on blooming, just like the energizer bunny keeps running. My mom was an organic gardener who loved her roses.[Read More…]
Pruning Fruit Trees: Now is a Good Time
by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – March, April and May are good months to prune your fruit trees. Traditionally farmers pruned their fruit trees in March. I think they did so because they had less other work they could do at this time of year: it was too early to[Read More…]