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Don’t put the garden to bed
As frost settles over the garden, the urge to cut, rake , and tidy everything away can be hard to resist. I believe some things are better left standing, some are worth bringing indoors, and a few unfinished jobs can simply wait for spring.
Growing wine caps in the berry patch
Mushrooms have been my favorite part of fall since I was a boy exploring the woods. This year, my spouse and I expanded our mushroom growing efforts with a new bed of wine caps in the berry patch.
Late summer inspiration from Kingsbrae Garden
Kingsbrae Garden in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, offers 27 acres of formal gardens, colorful perennial borders, woodland trails, and playful surprises. A late summer visit provides plenty of inspiration for gardeners to bring home.
Quick crops for cooler days
The vegetable garden may be winding down, there’s still time for one more harvest before the snow flies. With a little compost and a few quick growing, cold tolerant crops, newly vacant beds can enjoy a productive second act.
Infinite garlic
Each summer’s garlic harvest holds the beginnings of the next, creating a delicious cycle that can continue year after year. Follow along as I harvest, cure, and store our hardneck garlic, and select the best bulbs to plant again in the fall.
Japanese beetles, meet your match
Japanese beetles are a scourge for many gardeners in New England. I discuss the Japanese beetles introduction to North America and some methods that I use to manage their numbers and reduce their destructive impacts on my garden.
Bottling the spirit of summer
Elderberry blossoms are fleeting, but their delicate fragrance can be preserved long after the flowers fade. Follow the process from garden to bottle and discover a floral spritz that tastes like summer.
A garden shared
A thriving garden belongs to more than the gardener, and provides food and shelter to spiders, caterpillars, wasps and countless other small creatures. I reflect on the beauty of sharing the garden and learning to see its insects as neighbors rather than intruders.
Midsummer peony fireworks
June’s garden delights continue. This week has kicked off one of the most anticipated spectacles of the year: the arrival of peony blossoms.
In the thick of the growing season
By early summer, the garden is bursting with flowers, vegetables, weeds and a growing list of chores. In this piece, I embrace the busy rhythm of the season and turn unwanted weeds into a simple DIY plant feed.
A home for the night shift
Biting insects may be an unavoidable part of a Maine summer, but bats can help keep the nighttime swarm in check. This week, I install a bat box while exploring how these remarkable garden neighbors support a healthier backyard ecosystem.
Roses rebooted
Roses may sometimes be dismissed as old-fashioned and fussy, but today’s cultivars offer beauty, resilience, and a place in nearly any garden. With thoughtful planting and a little seasonal care, these timeless flowers can remain among the most rewarding plants you grow.
How do you like them grafted apples
There are thousands of different varieties of apples, and only a handful are available at local garden centers. I discuss the process and joys of creating your own grafted apple trees, opening up a world of heritage and rare apples to the home gardener.