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…]

PANTON – Research shows that spending time in nature enhances our physical and mental well-being, so it’s no surprise that gardening offers similar benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety and negative thoughts. Gardening is an all-around wonderful activity for the body and soul. Gardening offers access to sunlight, nature, physical activity and[Read More…]

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – We’ve probably all run out to the garden on a fall evening as the temperature drops and a frost warning is issued. We throw a sheet over our fruit-covered tomato plants to eek just a little more growing time from the rapidly evaporating season. Ghostly visions[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…]

CABOT — Most of us were taught to clean up gardens in the fall. Our parents, grandparents, and the neighbors who hired us as kids would tell us to cut everything to the ground, and rake out any remaining debris. Lately, you may have seen articles saying the opposite: leave[Read More…]

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – They’re the most familiar of fruits, but how much do you really know about apples?  Apples (Malus domestica) are members of the rose family (Rosaceae). So are crabapples, pears, apricots and cherries. If looking for a native apple tree, apples aren’t native to the Americas. They[Read More…]

NORTHFIELD – When the air becomes cooler, and leaves begin to turn colors, it’s time to gear up for fall garden maintenance. Or is it? If you’re interested in doing more sustainable fall garden maintenance, then fall might be less busy for you than usual. The first big thing to[Read More…]

PANTON – An excellent choice to consider for late-season interest in the garden is the New England aster, a North American native plant with many benefits. When other plants start to wither, New England asters bloom with brilliant shades of violet and purple daisy-like flowers prolonging the color in your[Read More…]

NORTHFIELD – When the air becomes cooler, and leaves begin to turn colors, it’s time to gear up for fall garden maintenance. Or is it? If you’re interested in doing more sustainable fall garden maintenance, then fall might be less busy for you than usual. The first big thing that[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…]

BURLINGTON – With our recent rainy weather and storms, I am not surprised that we diagnosed late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in the University of Vermont Plant Diagnostic Clinic in late August. So far, it has been found in a garden and a high tunnel only on tomatoes although this aggressive[Read More…]

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – For those looking for a low-labor, chemical-free method to help eradicate weeds and soil-residing pests in the garden, the answer may be solarization and occultation, often referred to as tarping. Tarping covers the soil with plastic, clear or opaque, depending on the method used. Solarization utilizes[Read More…]