Can a concept grown in Vermont take root in Costa Rica? Our founder, Will Raap, has found that the answer is yes, with some modifications. To produce crops at Finca Lagunita in Costa Rica, farmers have to employ special techniques, such as iguana fencing.  Over the years, Gardener’s Supply has successfully incubated and supported a number of complementary enterprises with improve-the-earth-through-business missions. Close to home, these have included Vermont’s first and now largest community Read more [...]

Take a slideshow tour through the garden of Vicki Nowicki, one of the 2009 Garden Crusaders. Her garden is in Downer's Grove, IL Vicki (right) and I in her garden. This past August, I had the great pleasure of spending a whole day with one of this year’s Garden Crusader award winners: Vicki Nowicki. It was exciting to visit her home just outside Chicago — ground zero for the sustainable landscaping business she runs with her husband — and to visit a few of the many interesting Read more [...]

The poinsettia has gotten pretty flashy in recent years. Not only are the colors amazing, some are dusted with glitter. Slideshow: Poinsettias for 2009 Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. Slideshow:Poinsettias for 2009 To see captions, click on the image. To share comments or explore further, go to Flickr. Wow. Poinsettias sure have changed. We just received a fresh shipment at our store in Vermont, and the variety is amazing. The range of colors Read more [...]

Challenged to find the perfect gift for the gardener or birdwatcher on your list? Can't think of what to put in your own Dear Santa letter? Garden Kneeler Nitrile Gloves Tubtrugs Challenged to find the perfect gift for the gardener or birdwatcher on your list? Can't think of what to put in your own Dear Santa letter? Shoppers come to our Vermont stores from all over the country, and they're looking for practical solutions Read more [...]

In the mid-1970s, the South Bronx was a symbol of urban decay. But José Soto had a new vision for his neighborhood. José Soto In the mid-1970s, the South Bronx was, literally, burning. There were 12,000 fires in one year and the area lost 40% of its housing. Meanwhile about 300,000 people fled the area. Many of the abandoned lots were havens for drug dealing and criminal activity. While the South Bronx became synonymous with urban decay and blight for many people, it was also home Read more [...]

Backyard chickens are back! Longtime expert Pat Foreman shows urban dwellers how to raise chickens in her new book, City Chicks. Pat Foreman, author of City Chicks   The cover of Pat's new book, City Chicks I first met Pat Foreman about 20 years ago, when she and her partner, Andy Lee, were living in Vermont. Will Raap, our company's founder, had recruited Pat and Andy to start up Vermont's first membership farm. Once the Intervale Community Farm was up and going, Pat and Andy returned Read more [...]