CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – July is a great month for blossoms but only if you have planned for that to happen. Many gardeners go to their local nurseries in May and June, selecting plants in full bloom. But when July comes along, those gardeners are tired or hot or at[Read More…]

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – The very last day of May this year surprised me: we got three inches of rain in a little over 12 hours. Although not unheard of, it came after a month when we often got an inch or two of rain over a two or three[Read More…]

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – In recent years there has been a push to reduce lawn and to substitute native trees, shrubs and perennials that support pollinators and birds. I am all for that. Entomologist Doug Tallamy’s excellent new book, “How Can I Help: Saving Nature in Your Yard” explains the[Read More…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]