NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – In springtime, a gardener’s thoughts turn to planting and all that goes along with it. Plant supports might come as an afterthought, but they’re often the hidden heroes in the garden. While many plants have strong stems and can stand up on their own, others, particularly[Read More…]
In the Garden
Spring garden chores, planning for more
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – This was supposed to be my very last gardening column, but (spoiler alert) it is not. I started writing a gardening column in 1998 and wrote weekly for 25 years. Then in late 2023 I dropped down to once a month. I liked the extra time[Read More…]
Getting ready for spring in the garden
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Spring is in the air. While it’s still too soon to plant, there’s plenty to do, even before the snow has entirely cleared, to get ready for the upcoming growing season. Before setting foot in the garden, sort through garden tools and other equipment. Make a[Read More…]
Sheet mulching for lawn-to-garden conversion
SOUTH BURLINGTON – many home gardeners are looking for ways to repurpose some turfgrass into perennial beds. The easiest and most efficient way to accomplish this is to use the sheet mulching method. Sheet mulching does not use any chemicals, employs sustainable materials, naturally reduces weeds and maintains moisture, all[Read More…]
IPM is key to safe, sustainable gardening
BURLINGTON – Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a holistic approach that gardeners can use to reduce pesticides when managing insects, diseases and weeds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines IPM as “a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic,[Read More…]
Tillandsia, the world of air plants
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – You’ve probably seen them attached to magnets or posed on driftwood. You may have even wondered if those cute, spiky air plants that grow with no soil really are living plants. The answer to that question is, yes, they are, though they are different in many[Read More…]
Combat high prices with a garden
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – It seems to me that the prices of many things have gone up significantly in recent times. One way to combat that, as a gardener, is to start plants by seed instead of buying plants that someone else has started, watered and mothered for months. Many[Read More…]
Spring cover crops for vegetable gardens
SOUTH BURLINGTON – The ground may still be covered in snow, but now is an excellent time to start planning to improve the soil in vegetable gardens for the planting season ahead. Cover crops are effective tools in the gardener’s toolbox for soil improvement. While some are food crops, they are[Read More…]
Late winter is best time for pruning
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in the garden until spring. Late winter is often the best time to prune many deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re still dormant. Pruning during dormancy poses less stress on trees and shrubs[Read More…]
Fight winter blues with plants
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Adding a bit of greenery to surroundings might help chase winter blues away. Each year, shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures send many retreating indoors. Less exposure to sunlight brings with it reduced levels of Vitamin D and a potential imbalance in bodies of serotonin and melatonin,[Read More…]
Grow gourmet mushrooms at home
FAYSTON – Growing mushrooms at home doesn’t require special equipment or prior experience. Fresh mushrooms can be grown with an at-home mushroom growing kit. Mushroom growing kits require minimal space and time, making it possible to grow your own food year-round, even during the cold Vermont winter months. Mushroom kits are[Read More…]
Gardening journal is a simple tool that pays off
FAYSTON – Many home gardeners rely on memory and tradition to guide the timing and layout of their gardens. People remember when lilacs bloom, know where to put peppers so they get enough sun, and estimate the optimal timing for fertilizing. However, we don’t have to rely exclusively on memory[Read More…]
