Living
Last spring I sent away for three bittersweet plants and received one male and two female plants. These grew high with great leaves, but no berries. What went wrong? — D.C., Pascoag, RI First of all, as pretty as their berries are, Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is widely considered one of the most threatening invasive […]
Early autumn in New England is generally considered an ideal time to apply fertilize shrubs and trees. Here’s why and how.
Every fall I buy beautiful hardy mums, but they don’t seem to survive the winter in my landscape. What am I doing wrong? — D.B., Cambridge, MA The chrysanthemums we see everywhere commonly called “hardy mums” are really not designed to survive our challenging New England winter climate — these are seasonal beauties bred to […]
Fifty tons of fieldstone were used in the foundation of this beautiful lake house. Jim Starkey and his apprentice, James Turner, built the columns, arches, and walls during the winter of 2002. Jim learned the trade from his father, Russell O. Starkey, a lifelong mason. “This house was an unforgettable project,” Jim says. “James lugged […]
Homes
New Hampshire Lake House
When fall comes to this lakeside family getaway in southern New Hampshire, the new color palette of golds and reds flows easily into the rooms, warming the space and creating new, enchanting views. The fireplace is amply stocked now, ready for chilly mornings when hot chocolate begins the day. Because the owner wishes to remain […]
Homes
Resources
Kitchen Mugs: Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA. 800-733-1830, 508-347-3362. osv.org Kitchen dining area Chairs: Barn House Lighting, Alton, NH. 800-481-4602, 603-875-6331. barnhouselighting.com Salt-glaze pottery: Salmon Falls Stoneware, Dover, NH. 800-621-2030, 603-749-1467. salmonfalls.comGet Our FREE Yankee Best New England Vacations Guide! Email(Required) Dining room Wall color: Benjamin Moore Imperial Yellow. Table and chairs: Little Barn Antiques, […]
Gardens
Landscaping for Tick Control
Read More: Protect yourself from ticks Protect your pet from ticks These key landscaping tips for tick control come from Connecticut’s Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven. Your primary goal is to manage tick and host habitats (including prime rodent nesting spots and hideouts) within the part of your property that your family members use […]
Homes
Resources
Builder: Art Carlucci Construction, Inc., Shaftsbury, VT. 802-442-2307; accbuilders.net Architect: David Shaughnessy, North Bennington, VT. 802-447-0970. Heating systems:Get Our FREE Yankee Best New England Vacations Guide! Email(Required) Buderus, Londonderry, NH. 800-283-3787, 603-552-1100; buderus.net HS Tarm, Lyme NH. 800-782-9927, 603-795-4740; woodboilers.com Windows: Marvin Windows. marvin.com Insulation: Corbond. corbond.com Foundation: Reward Wall Systems. 800-468-6344; rewardwalls.com Vermont Energy […]
Gardens
Resources for Lyme Disease
General Information & Advocacy American Lyme Disease Foundation, Lyme, CT Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, GA Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT. 203-974-8485 (Tick Management Handbook)Get Our FREE Yankee Best New England Vacations Guide! Email(Required) Greater Hartford Lyme Disease Support & Action Group, Farmington, CT Lyme Disease […]
When I sit on the couch in the evening, it feels as if gale-force winds are blowing through my drafty windows. What can I do to take the chill off ? — J.F., Bridgton, ME It’s all about drafty windows — they’re responsible for up to one-third of total heat loss in a home. And […]
“Nobody is a better landscaper than nature,” states Raina Weber, dirt-streaked and beaming, from her Housatonic, Massachusetts, native-plant nursery. It’s hard to believe that this hardworking young woman, executive director of the nonprofit Project Native, dropped out of high school and ran away to Hawaii, where she supported herself as a caretaker and by selling […]