Houseplants are hot again! Led by millennials, more people are buying and growing houseplants to create a green oasis in their homes. And why not? Having houseplants at home, and at work, purifies the air, reduces blood pressure, raises attentiveness and well-being, reduces anxiety and increases productivity. Houseplants are a Godsend, especially for people in […]
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With the holiday season upon us, there’s a scurry of activity to find the perfect gift for the gardener in the family. Gardeners can be picky gift receivers so it’s sometimes a struggle to find the right present. Based on 35 years of giving and getting gardening gifts, here are some of my favorite ideas […]
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Now that the garden chores are finishing up for the season, it’s time to turn our attention to the garden shed, garage, basement… you know, wherever you store your tools and garden supplies! If you’re like me, I just throw tools, stakes, watering cans…. into the garage in summer always thinking I’ll clean it up […]
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In many parts of the country, October is time to tidy up and wrap up the garden. (Apologies to those warm climate gardeners still growing strong into the winter). As plants are slowing their growth and dying, there’s lots of chores and cleaning out to do to get ready for winter. Perennial flower gardens need […]
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September is a beautiful month in Vermont to get married. Recently my niece decided to, not only get married in September, but to do it at our house. We were happy to help her and her husband create a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony and celebration at our home. We were particularly happy to help with […]
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There’s nothing like seeing VELCRO® Brand Garden Products in action. Recently I spent 2 days shooting promotional and educational videos for VELCRO® Brand Garden Products at a nursery in New Hampshire. It was sunny, hot and fun! Many gardeners know about the versatility, ease of use and durability of the VELCRO® Brand Garden Ties. I’ve […]
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One of the treats of growing up an Italian-American was eating my mother’s homemade sauteed hot sausage and fried peppers, with Italian bread. The sausage was hot, the Italian bull’s horn peppers were sweet and it everything was dripping with basil infused olive oil. Yum! I’m a vegetarian now, but I still enjoy those sweet […]
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Early summer is lily time. While many gardeners grow daylilies, in this blog I focus on the bulb lilies such as Oriental, Asiatic, Trumpet and Tiger lilies. These lilies really put on a show. They range from the Oriental lilies with “knock your socks off” fragrance, to the multi-colored Asiatic lilies that dazzle a garden, […]
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It’s tomato growing season across the country. Whether you’re just starting or are getting ready for the first harvest, we’ve all got tomatoes on our minds. Growing tomatoes properly will help ensure that you get a tasty, productive harvest. It all starts with planting in full sun on fertile, well-drained soil. I like using raised […]
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Many gardeners love the lush English Cottage Gardens. On my garden tours to England we visit spectacular flower gardens highlighted by tall perennial flowers. These perennials stand out in the crowd providing height in the back of the garden and an exciting focal point. Some of my favorites are dahlias, delphiniums, lilies and hollyhocks. When […]
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Vining plants offer multiple uses in the landscape. They can flower and provide beauty, have attractive foliage, block unsightly views, provide privacy and give you shade. But when growing your vines you’ll need to provide the best support. Some vines can grow into monsters and need strong posts, wires, walls and structures to keep them […]
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Before spring really gets going, it’s time to take care of the fruit trees in your yard. Whether it be a dwarf apple or large peach, fruit trees need annual care to grow properly and produce. Spraying dormant deciduous trees with a summer horticultural oil spray when temperatures are above 40°F is a good way […]
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Winter is all about the potential, and seeds are a garden’s potential. I love perusing seed catalogs and seed racks this time of year looking for the new, unusual, heirloom and exotic flower, vegetable and herb seeds. But before we go buying tons of seeds to grow in our gardens this year, it’s good to […]
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The holidays are a tough time to think of just the right gift for a family member or loved one. If the person on your list has a green thumb and likes to garden, that helps! There are lots of choices for the gardener, especially if they’re a DIY kind of person. With the holidays […]
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While gardeners in warm climates of Florida, Texas and Southern California are busy planting winter crops, many other gardeners are wrapping up the garden season. That means getting organized. But whether you’re actively gardening right now or not, organizing your tools is always a good idea. In the off season it allows you to make […]
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