When simply deadheading isn’t enough, here’s how to prune lilacs and rhododendrons that have become too tall.
Living
Because Gregory and Marilyn didn’t want to keep their treasures hidden in a drawer, or collecting dust on an open shelf where they could get broken, they incorporated an attractive solution throughout the inn: showcase closets. In the dining room, Gregory cut the center wood panel out of the door of a closet that had […]
The eGO Cycle is emissions-free, nearly silent, and easy to ride. (Remember how comfy the saddle seat of your childhood bike was? Well, here it is again.) This light, compact vehicle’s electric motor is 10 times more cost-efficient than a gas-powered scooter; a single battery pack will get you 20 to 25 miles per charge. […]
Organic lawns aren’t just healthier; once established, they’re less expensive and less time-consuming to maintain. Whether you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself, adopt a “buyer beware” mindset. When choosing an organic lawn care company, hire a NOFA-accredited firm — one that’s been trained by the Northeast Organic Farming Association and that agrees to […]
Read more: Five tips for organic lawn care Richard Shasteen, retired from a long career as a project manager for IBM, is ferociously proud of the lawn surrounding the home he shares with his wife, Darlene, in Milton, Vermont, on the edge of Lake Champlain. And he should be: The grass is about as green […]
Living
Boston’s Hidden Gardens
There was a time in Boston’s Back Bay and Beacon Hill when the tiny brick-walled spaces behind homes were unadorned places that held drying laundry, extra coal, and outhouses. The spaces remain, but when the doors swing open today, you will likely find a plethora of annuals, perennials, flowering trees, and evergreens that provide homeowners […]
(Read more about Ira and Ethan Allen in a Yankee Classic from 1981.) Vermont is different from the other five New England states. For one thing, as true Vermonters are very quick to point out, it was never one of the original 13 states. In fact, in 1777, a couple of years after the Revolution […]
Design
Mud Buddies: For Mud Season
More about mud: New England’s Fifth Season Mud Season Facts and Trivia Boots: These Timberland Earthkeepers for men (foreground) and women (background) are designed to leave a smaller footprint — environmentally, that is. Linings are made of recycled materials, and the outsoles are recycled rubber. All that and waterproof, too ($160 per pair). 888-802-9947; timberland.com […]
It’s time for spring cleaning, and I’ve learned that some of my favorite cleaning products can be toxic. What’s a good alternative?– M.R., Dover, VT Common household cleaners that contain chlorine, ammonia, and petroleum-based chemicals may contribute to respiratory problems, release harmful fumes, irritate allergies and chemical sensitivities, and burn skin or eyes on contact. […]
How To
Covered Bridge Driveway
The lone covered bridge in Whitingham, Vermont, is on Ed and Diane Takorian’s hillside property. With gable ends, Douglas fir decking, wrought-iron lanterns, and a too-real-to-believe artificial slate roof made of recycled tires, this 26-foot span is small but stunning. The Takorians could have built any old bridge — but Ed, a retired tool machinist […]
A popular garden piece gets refashioned as an entry hall mainstay in this simple DIY trellis coat rack project.
A greenhouse roof made from the lids of maple sap buckets just might be the most New England spring DIY home project ever.