All Things Gardening

Your garlic, shallot and onion plants might need protecting from the leek moth

This pest feasts on members of the allium family, like onions, garlic and leeks. The leek moth larvae feed on the plants' foliage and that can affect the plants' growth. They can also get into your garlic bulbs and compromise the storage life of your allium.

Your garlic, shallot and onion plants might need protecting from the leek moth

This pest feasts on members of the allium family, like onions, garlic and leeks. The leek moth larvae feed on the plants' foliage and that can affect the plants' growth. They can also get into your garlic bulbs and compromise the storage life of your allium.

Plant your own mini meadow full of lupines. The bright, colorful spires will attract pollinators.

These wildflowers can be naturalized and grown in your garden and are great are attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Using the ancient practice of hügelkultur, you can build a raised garden with old logs and leaves

The practice of using rotting logs and wood and plant debris to create a raised garden bed is ancient. You can grow plants, veggies and trees using hügelkultur.

Rappelling from your rooftops, chewing tree leaves; the spongy moth caterpillar and how to combat them

They're baaaaack and more voracious than ever, it seems! Lymantria dispar dispar, known as spongy moth larvae, have hatched and are very hungry caterpillars, indeed. Learn ways to lessen their impact on your trees.

Don't let your garden become a woodchuck salad bar! Several fencing solutions to deter wildlife.

In the case of gardens and raised beds, fencing does create good neighbors and keeps wildlife away from your freshly-grown vegetable plants.

Double or single, fringed or twisted, the species tulip comes back year after year

Traditional tulips are gorgeous and colorful but might not grow well or come back year after year in Vermont's climate. Instead, try planting low-to-the-ground, hardy species tulip bulbs for a pop of color and incredible variety year after year.

'About to bloom, and exhale a rainbow: the peony!' Learn to grow this flower, revered in haiku

Much adored and written about in Japanese haiku, the peony blooms beautifully in our region, too. Learn the different hybrids to plant and then enjoy the breathtaking peony all season long.

Learning the keys to succession planting to get several crops and season-long harvests.

With a bit of planning and know-how, you could be mastering a small garden plot with season-long harvests of all sorts of vegetables!

Don't let the red lily leaf beetle derail your lily-planting plans this spring.

Though a certain critter can bug your lily plants, they are easy to eradicate. So replant the trumpet lily you may have received for Easter holiday or try these other lily varieties that do well in our region. These lilies will add color, fragrance and pizazz to your lawns and gardens.

Hollandaise or butter? Plant asparagus crowns now and enjoy the tender stalks for decades

Though it takes a couple of years to mature and begin to produce stalks, planting asparagus this spring could set you up for plenty of this quintessential early season veggie for decades.

A juicy tomato this summer begins with starting sturdy transplants now.

Nature's parka? Those fuzzy catkins on pussy willows protect the flowers underneath.

Fuzzy, gray catkins provide protection for the early spring flowers that bloom on pussy willows. Planting them in your garden and landscape can provide a food resource for not just pollinators but birds as well.

Don't sit under the (smaller) apple tree with anyone else but me! Tree varieties for your tiny yard

Many apple trees can grow to 40 feet tall. If you're looking for a more diminutive tree that bears fruit and is easier to prune and care for in your smaller yard, try these varieties.

The latest, hottest, brightest annual flowers to plant this spring

Bright oranges and yellows, plus a sunflower with multiple blooms on each stock are just a few of the new annuals to try out this spring in your gardens and landscape.

Add color and depth to your gardens and landscape with potted ground covers and green flowers

Greenery like oxalis and green-hued hardy annuals, like Bells of Ireland can add beauty to your gardens.

Fancy up your fruit-growing this summer and plant fig trees in containers

If you plant them in containers and over-winter them indoors, you can grow figs in Vermont this summer.

Vines full of leafy greens can be yours this summer when you plant this spinach.

Malabar spinach and cucamelon are just two unique vegetable that grow well in our region in small spaces in bright, full sun. These vining veggies are easy to plan for and plant this spring and summer.

More pruning techniques to create fuller and more productive fruit trees

Even in frigid temps, layer up, grab your pruning shears and head to your apple and pear trees to begin shaping them now...

Learn which trees and shrubs you can prune now for more fruits and flowers this spring

If you prune this time of year, you create an invigorating process. This means anything you prune will send out more shoots and more branches.

Be it barrelled, bunny-eared or moon-shaped, a little water and your brightest room can help an indoor cactus flourish

A bright room and a slightly forgetful personality (hint: you don't need to remember to water it a lot!) is all you need to be a successful cactus plant-owner.

When you're seeking a new houseplant, consider a succulent

Succulents are hearty and easy-to-grow in the right conditions. Choose your brightest room and keep the soil well-drained. Some indoor succulent varieties can grow to tree-sized plants.

Anise-flavored basil, spicy peppers and grill-able eggplant are just some new veggie varieties to plant this spring

Some tips on how to comb through seed catalogs and find new varieties of vegetables to grow this year.

Were you gifted a flowering plant for the holidays? Here's how to keep some hardy ones blooming

Some holiday flowering plants can last through the winter and even be replanted outside next spring. Others just aren't hardy enough to survive outdoors here but you can enjoy their blooms indoors for a bit this winter.

Stuff some seed packets in a stocking and other great gift ideas for the gardeners on your list

Harvest bright berries, rough seed pods and green boughs for holiday decorations

Snow-covered pine boughs and bright red berries can make beautiful, natural holiday decorations for your home. And you can harvest many items from your own lawn and garden to create wreaths, swags and centerpieces.

As you decorate for the holiday season, keep pets safe by knowing which plants and trimmings might be toxic

Lots of folks have welcomed new dogs and cats into their homes in the past year or two. Learn how to keep your new additions to the family safe from potentially toxic holiday house plants and decorations.

Shield your new trees and shrubs from harsh winter winds and snow

From burlap wraps to A-frames, we'll learn how to protect new fruit trees and shrubs from winter winds and snow.

As you plant bulbs before the ground freezes, protect them from mice and voles so your flowers will bloom next spring

Learning some techniques to protect crocus and daffodils can keep them safe from critters and you'll get to enjoy their blooms next spring.

Soil is the soul of your garden. Keep it healthy with these five tips.

It's simple: when the soil in your raised beds and gardens is healthy, your flowers, veggies and herbs will grow better. Learn five techniques to keep the 'soul of your garden' in good shape.

A new way to carve your pumpkin and make it last past Halloween

You can carve pumpkins and then treat the outside and inside to prolong its spooky life.

Plant Montauk daisies for blooms that last right up until (and even after!) the first frost

These flowers are easy to grow and critters tend to leave them alone. Plus, they are late-bloomers and can last after the first light frost.

Stock up on plants, shrubs and flowering vines now and be ready for next season

As you take stock of your lawn and gardens in the first days of fall, look around, take notes and plan out what you like to add next year. This is the perfect time to head to your favorite garden center for stock up on plants, shrubs and climbing vines.

Grow some 'walking onions' and shallots now to add delicious mild onion flavor to your life

It will soon be time to plant garlic but you can also put in some unusual onion varieties now and enjoy their mild flavors soon!

Seed-Save This Year's Zinnias For Planting Next Spring

While fall produces garden color from hardy mums, tree and shrub foliage and asters, nothing beats the knock-out colors from zinnias. Now is a good time to take stock of your zinnia flowers, explore other varieties and plan on seed-saving and purchasing for next spring.

Johnny Appleseed's Contribution To The American Landscape

It's apple season! In grade school, you may have heard of a character called Johnny Appleseed. Most of what you learned is true, as he was a real person who did travel the Appalachians and Midwest states, planting apple orchards from seed. We'll separate some facts from fiction.

Moving In; Bringing Your Outdoor Plants Inside For The Fall And Winter

Certain plants can be rehoused indoors over the winter. We'll learn which ones make good candidates for the move!

Beyond The Thump; How To Tell When Your Squash, Pumpkins And Watermelons Are Ready To Harvest

Learn some techniques to determine when your squash and melons are ready to pick!

A Perennial Climbing Vine You Can Bring Indoors This Winter

Late summer vines like clematis are really thriving in the heat. Some varieties can take over and be too aggressive. Learn which summer vines are beautiful and won't crowd out your garden and lawn space.

Dial Up The Drama In Your Late Summer Gardening With These Brightly Colored High-Wattage Blooms

If you like big, colorful and showy flowers and your late summer gardening is suffering from a power outage, turn up the wattage by growing hardy hibiscus.

'Encroachmint:' When Your Mint Plant Takes Over Your Garden (And Some Varieties That Won't!)

Move over, peppermint and spearmint! Try different varieties, like apple mint and banana mint, that won't take over your garden space.

A Bad Case Of Spots; How To Deal With Powdery Mildew And Other Icky Plant Diseases

Heavy rains and cooler weather can cause certain plant and root diseases in your gardens and raised beds. Take stock of your plants now and learn methods to rid them of any plant and leaf diseases that could affect your crops.

Want Blooms In Late Summer? Plant These Three Flowering Shrubs

Once lilacs, forsythia and rhododendrons start to fade, you might miss seeing colorful blooms in the late summer. There are a few flowering bushes that do show their colors this time of year and they do well in our climate.

Keeping Larger Animals From Your Garden's Bounty

Lessening the chance of rabbits, woodchucks and deer nibbling on your growing garden means more produce on the kitchen table for you.

Maybe They're Just Thirsty! Tricks To Keep Chipmunks From Eating Your Strawberries

Squirrels, chipmunks, moles and voles can wreak havoc in your flower and vegetable garden. These small animals can be controlled with a variety of organic methods, like spicy repellents and even squirt guns!

Quash The Squash Bugs And Cucumber Beetles

Right about now, the zucchini squash and cucumber plants that you planted in your gardens and raised beds this spring are really taking off. Lurking underneath the leaves, however, you may find some pests that could thwart your bountiful zuke and cuke harvest.

The Fungus Didn't Get Them First; Invasive Caterpillars Defoliating Trees

As the hot sun beats down and afternoon rain showers quench our gardens, up in the canopy of our hardwood trees, an invasive species is having a field day.

Just Peachy! You Can Grow Your Own Peach Tree And Enjoy Local, Tree-Ripened Fruit

Can you picture yourself reaching for a tree-ripened peach grown in your own yard? Follow a few guidelines, like finding the right peach tree variety and the right sight, and you'll be on your way to enjoying a local, tree-ripened peach in Vermont!

Move Over, Hosta! Let These Perennials Shine In Your Shaded Garden Spots

Many flower gardeners plan out their growing spaces and even then, they realize some areas are challenging. What to plant in the part of your garden space that gets barely any sun and is quite frankly, kind of soggy?

Add The Floral Poetry Of The Lilac To Your Yard And Garden

Revered in poems from Walt Whitman to T.S. Eliot, the lilac is a beautiful symbol of spring in New England. You can grow the traditional lavender-hued variety, which can grow quite large or branch out and try smaller varieties in many colors!