Falling through ice is a common winter safety concern. Learn one man’s survival story, plus our ice thickness safety advice.
Gardens
Gardens
Is the Ice Safe?
According to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of solid, bluish-black ice should be present before individual foot travel across a frozen body of water is considered safe, and 8 to 10 inches of solid, bluish-black ice is recommended for snowmobile or ATV travel. And all ice […]
Gardens
Identify Animal Tracks
A dusting of snow reveals prints, a sign our woodland creatures are still active. Use this chart to identify animal tracks in the snow. See the other 42 reasons to love winter!
Flowers are the perfect holiday gift for the person who has everything, but nobody wants to give a present that’s going to die after a few days. Follow these tips to make flower arrangements last longer. 1. Purchase the freshest flowers possible. Avoid flowers that are weeping, have discolored petals or are fully open with […]
Gardens
Force Amaryllis Bulbs to Bloom
Add a little color and beauty to your surroundings this winter by forcing amaryllis bulbs to bloom.
Gates, arches, arbors, fences, bridges, stepping stones and paths signal to us that there is something beyond our line of view that is worth exploring. They stand in all their glory silently beckoning visitors to enter and see what surprises await. A space with flowers becomes a place for flowers when it is framed by […]
A single milkweed seed abruptly landed
in a field at Sachuest Refuge in
Middletown, RI
Photo/Art by Scott & Zoe/Botanical/Getty Images If the holidays mean leaving your houseplant collection alone while you visit your family in far places, water each plant well, move it out of direct sun, encase it loosely in a clear plastic bag with a few air holes punched in it, turn the thermostat down to 60 […]
Gardens
Garden and Potting Shed Styles
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 […]
Gardens
Birdhouses in the Garden
“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 […]
Gardens
Start Composting with Worms
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 […]