by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – To me, this felt like the summer that never was. It was rarely hot and sunny. The rainy gray days felt more like those in Portland, Oregon, than in New England. Even so, the summer we had is largely over and it’s time[Read More…]

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Despite my best efforts to support monarch butterflies, this year was discouraging: I only saw two monarchs visit my gardens. I have a small bed just for milkweeds, both the common one and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). But no monarchs laid eggs there[Read More…]

by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Of all the wildflowers—or weeds, if you prefer—goldenrod (Solidago) is one of the most recognizable. Its plumes of bright yellow flowers atop tall stems bob in the breeze, making its presence hard to miss. If you have allergies, every[Read More…]

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Fall is a good time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs. Once the leaves have dropped you can see the form and the clutter, and decide what to take out. But before you begin, think about sharpening up your pruning tools, replacing blades,[Read More…]

by Ann Hazelrigg, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Vermont  BURLINGTON – A lot of Vermonters are noticing that their crabapples and apples (Malus spp.), in addition to many other deciduous trees, have dropped many of their leaves well before the first autumn frost.   This has been a common occurrence for[Read More…]

by Bonnie Kirn Donahue, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont   NORTHFIELD — Trees are critically important to life on earth. They help clean the air, transform carbon dioxide into oxygen, provide shade, cool temperatures, retain stormwater, raise property values, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and improve mental health.  Since[Read More…]

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I’m lucky. Unlike many houses built in the 1800s or early 1900s, mine had no invasive plants when I bought it in 1970, probably because it was built as a Creamery, or butter factory. Decorative plants were not needed. Most older houses are[Read More…]

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – As a Certified Senior Citizen I sometimes wonder if I am too ambitious in my garden. I have about an acre of gardens with 200 or more kinds of flowers and a good-size vegetable garden. These gardens please me greatly, and I visit[Read More…]

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I love to cook, and I love to eat. I got started gardening in the vegetable garden more than 70 years ago, in part, because everyone I knew loved to eat homegrown vegetables: raw in the garden, fresh in the kitchen or cooked[Read More…]

by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont  NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Plants may not be the first consideration in adding a personal touch to a dorm room, but they will add a touch of color and improve the mood of even the drabbest space. What makes a[Read More…]

by Bonnie Kirn Donahue, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont NORTHFIELD – Adding shrubs to your landscape can have many benefits. After being planted, they can live for many years. They visually ground gardens, adding structure throughout the year. Perhaps most importantly, they can provide food and shelter for small[Read More…]

by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Unlike the games of chance at our local fair, you always win when you buy a hydrangea. They generally bloom their fool heads off every year, even if you have poor soil and a poor track record in the garden. When I was[Read More…]