Garden and potting sheds are as diverse as the people who own and use them. Charming and intriguing, these simple structures seem to beckon us to approach, peek inside and let our imaginations run wild. These small outdoor buildings also serve as a back drop for artists and artists at heart to express their own […]
“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” ~Chinese proverb~ Birds and birdhouses have always been a part of the gardening experience (examples of early bird houses in museums date as far back as the mid 1600’s) and can be enjoyed throughout the seasons in New England. The presence […]
Fall is in the air, and with the gardening season just about over, now is the time to make the most of nature’s bounty to fill our homes with the ambiance of autumn. Here are ten simple and affordable ways to subtly acknowledge the beautiful shift of the seasons that New England is famous for. […]
Vermicomposting is a self-contained and modified alternative or addition to traditional outdoor composting. It consists of using small worms and basic vegetarian kitchen waste such as: banana peels, wilted lettuce, potato clippings, apple cores, melon rinds etc. as “food” for the worms to break down into compost. Worm composting can be done year round inside […]
Want to set the mood in your yard? Try adding architectural elements in the garden. Whether your idea of a great garden area is traditional, folksy, modern, edgy or whimsical surprise, elements of reused, reclaimed, recycled and salvaged pieces among your plantings and surroundings can complete the look and feel of an area, transforming the […]
There’s something very satisfying about picking a perfectly ripe home-grown tomato from the vine to slice and eat while it’s still warm from the sun. When properly cared for, fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes may be enjoyed far into the fall—extending one of summertime’s simple delights for a few more precious weeks. Tomato Tips What kind and […]
There’s something special about purchasing the food that nourishes and sustains our bodies and souls directly from the growers who have carefully coaxed it from the earth. Every person who works closely with the earth invests not only their own time and energy but also a bit of themselves into what they grow—somehow making the […]
There is nothing like a good old-fashioned New England Strawberry or Blueberry festival. Though there are hundreds of fruit festivals, which celebrate just about any fruit imaginable throughout the New England area, blueberries and strawberries are two of the very few fruits that are native to our part of the United States. Because of this, […]
Want to add an interesting focal point to your garden area? Consider installing a backyard water garden. I installed my miniature backyard pond in one day with the help of a friend. Though we were both rookies at the time, we must have done something right, because eight years later my water sanctuary is not […]
There is nothing like walking out to the garden on a summer day to snip fresh mint for iced tea or tender chives for a sautéed meal. Once you have used ultra-fresh herbs for your recipes you won’t want to go back to using the store bought variety. I grow an outdoor herb garden, and […]
Q. I am crazy for herbs (cilantro, basil, parsley and mint). How can I get a head start on a great herb garden indoors that I can move outside when the weather gets warmer. Any tips for a year-round indoor herb garden? Answer: Herbs may be grown indoors year round, though they won’t be as […]
Almost all native flowering trees can be forced to bloom indoors, ahead of nature’s schedule. As soon as buds are visible—usually by early April here in New England—branches of flowering and fruit trees such as forsythia, willow, apple, cherry, pear, peaches and honey suckle may be cut to be placed in containers of water inside […]
