CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – If you like to hike or snowshoe in the winter, you might like to learn the names of the trees you see. Do so, and the trees will seem like your friends. No need to greet them as Sally and Bob, know them as sugar maple,[Read More…]
In the Garden
Building a dish garden
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – While indoor gardening helps stave off post-holiday blues and cabin fever, windows providing full sun can be scarce. Light stands take up needed space, so a gardener can build a dish garden. Dish gardens are collections of plants sharing a single container. Terrariums are enclosed dish[Read More…]
Can old seeds still grow?
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – It’s that time of year: seed packet displays are appearing everywhere, from grocery stores to farm and garden supply centers. Garden catalogs arrive in mailboxes daily, featuring common and exotic vegetable and flower seeds. There’s so much temptation. Most gardeners likely already have a collection of[Read More…]
It’s sharp to keep garden tools maintained
MONTPELIER – Home gardeners use a variety of hand tools to achieve their desired results for gardening and landscape maintenance. A quick search at any garden center or online retailer uncovers a vast diversity of equipment, implements, and gear. These include, but are certainly not limited to, shovels and hoes,[Read More…]
The winter garden, full of interest, beauty
CABOT – The winter garden is an underrated joy. Even in the deepest part of winter, a garden can be full of interest and beauty, full of different heights and textures and colors. If you would like to enjoy your garden year-round, the key is to incorporate trees, shrubs, and[Read More…]
Houseplant care during winter months
BURLINGTON – Winter has officially arrived, bringing unique challenges in caring for houseplants. At this time of year, we experience less intense and fewer hours of sunlight. For most indoor plants, the lack of daylight signals a special kind of dormancy called quiescence. During this period, plants conserve their energy[Read More…]
Looking back on 2025 and forward to 2026
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Overall, my gardens did well last summer despite the lack of rain, largely because of all that sunshine. Most of us had a wet spring and early summer, then a very dry summer and fall. For people planting new trees, shrubs and perennials it meant lots[Read More…]
Oh, Christmas trees
The Christmas tree is a well-known symbol of the holiday, but it wasn’t always so. Decorating with evergreen boughs dates back thousands of years to celebrations during the winter solstice, a reminder that life continued even in the coldest months. Decorating a tree at Christmastime originated in Germany. In[Read More…]
Holiday decorating, naturally
SOUTH BURLINGTON – Those decorating a home this holiday season should consider the bounty of garden elements and other natural options available to brighten up holiday displays. Many of these can be gathered up at no cost and, better still, can be simply tossed in the compost pile during clean-up.[Read More…]
Holiday gifts for gardeners
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – New England skies in winter are often cloudy and dark, accompanied by sleet, slush, rain or snow. The sun sleeps late and goes to bed early. Gardeners sometimes give up and go to Florida. Not me, but there is much I do to make the holidays[Read More…]
Considerations when giving holiday plants
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – During the holidays, an eye-catching display of plants may seem like the perfect gift solution, particularly at the last minute. Is the intended recipient a plant lover? Will they welcome the gift, or will it be something they’ll feel obligated to water (when they remember) and[Read More…]
Now is the time to rejuvenate houseplants
CABOT – After a long season of tending flower beds and veggie gardens, how are houseplants looking? If you’re like me, it’s been all too easy to ignore the indoor denizens, and they are looking . . . um, not the best. But never fear! Here are some ways to[Read More…]
