Stunning color isn’t limited to flowers — houseplants can also put on quite a show. Here are 5 of the best houseplants for winter foliage.
Living
Two recent homesteading books from New England authors give you the 101 on all things homegrown, homemade, and do-it-yourself. The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-How Vermont author Andrea Chesman teaches readers the essentials of jellymaking, fermentation, sourdough, fresh-cheese preparation, even basic butchery, in this easy-to-follow guide. (Storey, 2015) Homesteading: A Backyard Guide to Growing […]
Gardens
Back to the Garden
Feeling DIY Curious? Sample a world of new skills at these popular festivals. Common Ground Country Fair Third weekend after Labor Day | Unity, Maine The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association offers a multitude of apprenticeship, support, and educational programs for new and established farmers. The organization’s annual Common Ground Fair brings it all together […]
Gardens
Dark Days Bring Alluring Flowers
I took this photo to show how some flowers are beautiful in the gloomiest of times. This photo was taken outside of my school on a rainy day in Gilford, NH.
An unusual summer delight this year in Pemaquid. The milkweed flowers in the harbor field were covered with the beautiful dance of native butterflies
Three seasons of work is revealed inside the farmer’s freezer. Even as my pastures are sealed inside a white vault of snow, and the garden, too, huddles in a bunker called “winter,” so my basement contains a microcosm of the farm at large. All that I’ve raised—the meat and produce of both venues—is held in […]
Have you ever thought about doing something completely different? The Bath Sweet Shoppe in Bath, Maine, is looking for a new owner. In all the many years we’ve been moseying around New England in search of interesting, sometimes unusual, properties available, our most memorable are those whose new owners completely changed their lives. We recall, […]
Gardens
Make a Marimo Garden
Marimo is a tiny living ball of solid algae which requires minimal care and can live up to 100 years or more. Native to fresh water lakes in Japan, Estonia, Iceland, Scotland, and Australia, these fuzzy green balls are becoming popular house plants all over the world. Some people even refer to their marimo balls […]
Brighten the dark days of winter with these lamps — or, as we think of them, art that incorporates light. Lanse Stover LampsLanse Stover of Beverly, Massachusetts, has been a studio artist since 1985. That’s time enough to perfect his art. In this wall sconce, the ceramic base resembles wrought iron and the inside of […]
Gardens
Get Rid of Voles
We’d like to get rid of voles in our yard without using poison, as we have rabbits and other animals around. — M.S., Westford, MA Voles (field mice) build tunnels in the landscape and lawn and can cause considerable damage to root systems, stems, and other plant parts. Vole populations are cyclical and encouraged by […]
There are 3 common raccoon diseases to be aware of. Learn what they are, what to look for, and how to keep yourself and your pets safe.
Gardens
Raccoons | Fun Facts
Native to North America, raccoons are one of New England’s most recognizable wild animals. Learn more about these clever creatures from the New England Wildlife Center.