by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – Once again it is time to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Gardeners are easy to shop for because there are so many good things to shop for, and they will probably be pleased with whatever you choose. As a shopper,[Read More…]
In the Garden
Holiday Plants are for Enjoyment and Gifts
by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – As the days grow shorter, the wintry winds of December will bring with them a host of holidays—and holiday plants. Walk into most stores, and you’ll see shelves of poinsettias, holiday cactus and amaryllis among many[Read More…]
Growing Greens in Winter
by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – There’s nothing like creating a salad of freshly harvested greens you’ve grown yourself from seed. The good news is, this is one crop you can grow year-round, indoors, safe from nibbling rabbits in fair weather and[Read More…]
Beatrix Farrand was Pioneer in American Landscape
by Nadie VanZandt, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont PANTON – A prominent figure in the history of American landscape design, Beatrix Farrand née Jones (1872-1959) was the mastermind behind the idyllic grounds of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden on Mount Desert Island in Maine and Dumbarton Oaks Gardens in Washington,[Read More…]
Houseplants are Entering Period of Rest
by Amy Simone, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont SOUTH BURLINGTON – Those lovely houseplants that clean the air and add beauty to our homes are primarily tropical natives. In the spring and summer, we can (sort of) convince them that they are still swaying in the breeze on the[Read More…]
Reflections on 25 Years of Writing a Gardening Column
by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – On November 8, 1998, my first gardening column appeared in my hometown paper, The Valley News of West Lebanon, N.H. Since then I have written over 1,200 weekly columns and answered countless questions from readers. I am 77 years old, and plan to[Read More…]
Prepare Fruit Trees for Winter
by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Autumn is well underway. The leaves are falling, and it’s time to put the garden to bed in anticipation of the coming season. If you have fruit trees in your garden, especially young ones, preparing them[Read More…]
Late Fall Chores in the Garden
by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – For many of us, November is a drab and dreary month: days are short, gray skies the norm. Flowers are largely gone, the soil is soggy and a drizzle or a downpour is common. Soon snow will not be unusual: we’ve already seen[Read More…]
Garden Journals Should Have Seven Essentials
by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont NORTH ADAMS, MASS. – Whether you choose a ready-made book, a calendar with plenty of room for notes or a three-ring binder to keep it all together, there are some things you’ll find incredibly helpful to keep track of in[Read More…]
Fall Pruning
by Henry Homeyer CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I asked an experienced arborist the other day what he thought about pruning apple trees in the fall. His answer was the same as mine: “Prune when you have time and the pruners in your hand.” Yes, March is a good time to[Read More…]
Plan in Fall for a Spring Garden
by Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Every gardener has a fall to-do list to complete: pulling annuals, raking leaves and storing hoses and other garden tools. They aren’t the most exciting tasks, but planning for your spring garden now saves time next[Read More…]
