NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – If seeing strawberries at farmers markets and roadside stands starts a dream about harvesting this sweet, juicy fruit, give it a try. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are a perennial fruit hardy in United States Department of Agriculture Hardness Zones 3 to 9, depending on the variety.[Read More…]
In the Garden
July Flowers Worth Growing
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – July is a great month for blossoms but only if you have planned for that to happen. Many gardeners go to their local nurseries in May and June, selecting plants in full bloom. But when July comes along, those gardeners are tired or hot or at[Read More…]
Saving Seeds from Vegetable Crops
SOUTH BURLINGTON – Saving seeds from vegetables crops is a fun and easy way to benefit from nature’s generosity. With a little knowledge and some advanced planning, restocking a seed supply for next years’ planting should have no cost. When purchasing vegetable seeds this year, recall that some varieties were[Read More…]
Helping to Keep Gardens Healthy
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Every gardener wants a healthy, productive garden whether they’re growing vegetables, berries or flowers. While some problems are outside our control, there are a number of things to do to help keep a garden healthy all summer long. Start with healthy soil. Have a soil test[Read More…]
Milkweed is not a Weed at All
NORTHFIELD – Milkweed may seem like a weed because of its name, but it’s actually an incredibly important plant. The leaves of milkweed are the primary food source for monarch caterpillars. The flowers provide nectar for the adult monarch butterfly and countless other pollinators and insects. The monarch (Danaus plexippus),[Read More…]
Strawberry Season is in Full Swing
BURLINGTON – There’s nothing like the taste of a fresh-picked strawberry. Sweet, juicy and flavorful, it’s the first fruit to ripen on our local farms, and this year’s crop is a good one. The buds that produce strawberries were formed last fall. Growers then tucked the plants away under a[Read More…]
Rail Trail Signs Ask for Identification Help
BURLINGTON – Visitors on Vermont’s rail trails this summer will notice new signs asking for their help identifying a fast-growing introduced invasive tree called tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This tree is the preferred host of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive sap-feeding insect that poses a serious threat to Vermont’s vineyards[Read More…]
Red Clover is State Flower of Vermont
PANTON – Introduced to Vermont by European settlers, red clover has become an essential part of the state’s landscape and identity. Designated as the state flower in 1894, this pinkish-purple bloom symbolizes Vermont’s deep agricultural roots, particularly its dairy farming heritage, and serves as a living tribute to the land’s[Read More…]
Alternatives to the Standard Tomato Cage
MONTPELIER – For some people, tomatoes are the pinnacle of summer gardening. Who doesn’t love fresh from the vine juicy tomatoes? Tomatoes can be easy to grow with some inexpensive equipment and a little know-how about this crop. First, when choosing a tomato variety, recognize there is a distinction between[Read More…]
June: Gardening in Difficult Conditions
CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – The very last day of May this year surprised me: we got three inches of rain in a little over 12 hours. Although not unheard of, it came after a month when we often got an inch or two of rain over a two or three[Read More…]
Growing Watermelon Needs Rich Soil
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – There are few things as refreshing on a hot summer day as a slice of watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus). At over 90 percent water, watermelons are a tasty way to keep hydrated with an added bonus of vitamins and minerals. For those who would like to try[Read More…]
Hildene is Vermont Historical Landmark
PANTON – Perched on a hill in Manchester overlooking the Battenkill Valley lies Hildene, the Lincoln family estate. Originally built by Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, the property features a stately mansion and expansive gardens. Due to its significant historical importance, this Vermont landmark has drawn the[Read More…]
