April showers bring May flowers (and muddy roads). Snow drops, crocuses, and winter aconite have been showing since the mid-March snow melt and daffodils are soon to blossom. We survived the late March ice storm and can begin early spring preparations. This means gardeners have lots to do to get the season started. Even the bees are beginning to forage for pollen and nectar. Along with early pruning and seed starting there is the necessary clean-up and garden preparations. In…
When our snow is replaced by slippery mud, it’s a sure sign that spring is almost here! We are now getting just over 12 hours of daylight per day and that stimulates new plant growth. It also makes our gardens irresistible on warmer days. Don’t be tempted to get too ambitious just yet, but there are several jobs that can be done before working in the soil. Houseplants and indoor sheltered garden plants will benefit from feeding now and some…
Leaves made the Green Mountains green all summer and now provide the great beauty of autumn across the Vermont landscape. Nature is now releasing leaves from the trees to add fertility and build soil. The key is to convert those rich leaves into compost, not remove them as is often the misguided custom. The second message this week is about the great importance of water to plants heading into winter. This article is all about not raking leaves and how…
Despite our recent wintery week April is National Garden Month so now is a great time to think about starting a garden and the planning and choices we can make. Most basically, “What should I grow?” depends on what you want to eat or to see in your yard, and the kind of work you can do. Soil & climate conditions in Vermont place some limits on our choices but we do have a great selection of hardy fruits, vegetables,…
Here we are… winter in Vermont with beautiful snow, cold nighttime temperatures, and there’s still plenty to keep a good gardener busy. If you haven’t ordered your garden seeds yet, that is your #1 priority! Look at the short list of local seed companies that I listed in the previous article (or any others that you like) and you can browse their online catalogs from the comfort of home. This is not the year to delay, the best varieties are…
We are in peak garden season and there’s a lot happening out there. While you enjoy some satisfying harvests and flowers stay alert to new pests showing up now so we can prevent serious damage. There are some great things that can be planted now too. Garlic harvest is almost here so let’s look at the best way to harvest, cure, and select next year’s crop? Weeds are growing too and it’s important to prevent them from producing seed that…
Heat & humidity are great for our gardens but can also trigger the appearance of numerous pests and diseases. Along with the great growth we’re seeing and early harvests of greens, peas, & summer squashes it’s time to keep a keen eye to detect and control any problems before they become serious issues. Healthy, well-watered plants can tolerate most pests and diseases, but plants may need our help when conditions in mid-summer are ideal for unwelcome insects or plant disease…
Composting is like printing your own money, maybe better! As a home composter you take your kitchen scraps and lawn wastes and turn them into “black gold” for free. I call it gold but it is so valuable and provides so many benefits that it’s actually better than gold. Gardeners, farmers, and landscapers all know about the amazing benefits of compost for gardens and lawns, the environment, and your local economy. With a vision for the future Vermont passed a…