NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – It begins in December. By January, seed and plant catalogs arrive at your mailbox (or email) almost daily. Browsing through their pages provides a welcome escape from the garden-deprived days of winter. These catalogs contain a wealth of information to help grow a successful garden. The[Read More…]

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Streptocarpus (Streptocarpus) are commonly known as cape primrose, not to be confused with the common primrose (Primula vulgaris), a perennial plant that may be grown outdoors at home. While the two share some physical similarities, their care requirements are quite different. The common primrose in the[Read More…]

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I’m not a big fan of unrealistic New Year’s resolutions such as “keep my papers organized and desk tidy”, for example. But I do like to spend some time each January reflecting on the gardens of the past year and making decisions about what I will[Read More…]

BOLTON – Sprouts are a versatile, dramatic addition to foods that go far beyond the basic bean sprout. Sometimes seen as an addition to sandwiches, toppings on salads and garnishes on entrees, sprouts add crunch, flavor and color to a variety of dishes.  Adding sprouts to meals also enhances the[Read More…]

BURLINGTON – If the holiday includes a live, cut Christmas tree, many may wonder what to do with it after the festivities are over. Many towns, civic clubs and solid waste districts across Vermont now have disposal programs in place. Most offer curbside pick-up of spent trees so long as[Read More…]

BURLINGTON – The apple harvest is over, but there are still some important pest management practices to follow to ensure healthy trees in the spring. The pests we need to manage are not the little ones we typically see in the summer but are larger and fluffier and include rabbits,[Read More…]

BROOKFIELD – Tromping through our woods in December in search of a Christmas tree, I often notice an evergreen fern, one of the few green plants on the forest floor this time of year, other than young conifers. An easy fern to identify, it grows in fountain-like clumps and has[Read More…]

CORNISH FLAT, N.H. – I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I believed in Santa Claus longer than anyone I have ever met. Fifth grade, maybe sixth. To this day, some 70 years later, I still believe in the mystery and joy of giving wonderful gifts that suit[Read More…]

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Cold weather has arrived, and the garden has been put to bed for the season. That doesn’t mean there is no more gardening, the focus shifts from outdoors to in. Adding foliage plants to a home can help satisfy the need to be surrounded by green.[Read More…]

BURLINGTON – Live houseplants can make meaningful gifts during the holidays or any time of year for birthdays, housewarming, and other special occasions. Not only do houseplants improve air quality in the home but a growing body of research shows that the care of houseplants is associated with greater mental[Read More…]

BOLTON – Amaryllis bulbs and blooms make popular and appreciated holiday gifts. Gifted in full bloom to brighten the winter months or lovingly tended to bloom after the new year, amaryllis add vibrant color and joy to the dreary season. Amaryllis are commonly available during the winter holidays because they[Read More…]