Gardeners Journal

This year, I resolve ...

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Start exercising, lose weight, clean the closets .... Why do most New Year's resolutions focus on things you should do, and not things you want to do? Instead, we decided to come up with some garden resolutions that you'll want to keep! strong { font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: normal; color: #76aa34; line-height: 1.25em; }

Fire and Resolutions

2011-12-29T08:00:00.002-05:00

On the shortest day of the year, the employees of Gardener's Supply gather for a moment of personal reflection. Each of us writes one of the year's regrets on a scrap of paper. Then, Jim Feinson, our company president leads us into the crisp December air, where a copper fire pit blazes. We toss our regrets into the fire and toast marshmallows in the flames. We also write a personal

Red-Carpet Plants

2011-12-26T08:22:00.001-05:00

The announcement of award-winning plants might not generate the buzz of the Academy Awards — at least not among the general public. But if you're a gardener who likes to stay on top of the latest and greatest, then perusing plant awards offers a glimpse into what to expect at garden centers this spring. The Jack Frost brunnera, a prize-winner in 2012, is a shade-tolerant perennial with

Amaryllis, Again

2011-12-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Many people wonder if you can get amaryllis bulbs to rebloom. Yes! It's easy because amaryllis are forgiving plants. Amaryllis thrive best in bright, indirect light. Amaryllis benefit from a summer outdoors. For best growth and bloom potential, remove them from pots and plant them in the ground. "The flowers faded months ago, but I can't bear to throw it out. I'd like to save it

Save a Seed or Two

2011-12-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

I'm finally getting around to tidying up some of my flower gardens, and one of the benefits of my tardiness is that there are plenty of seedpods filled with ripe seeds. In a matter of minutes I collected hundreds of seeds for replanting. Saving seeds is one of gardening's best-kept secrets. When else in life can you get something for nothing? Some seeds, like these from a columbine

Green Thumb Challenge

2011-11-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

In partnership with the Green Education Foundation, we are proud to announce the 2011 winner of the Green Thumb Challenge: Growing Green, a program at Andrew Cooke Magnet School, in Waukegan, IL. Learn about the rehabilitation of the greenhouse at Andrew Cooke Magnet School. In partnership with the Green Education Foundation, we are proud to announce the 2011 winner of the Green

Using Essential Oils

2011-10-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Essential oils can improve your mood and clear your mind with plant-derived fragrances. For instance, choose peppermint to cheer holiday gatherings, lavender to bring deep sleep, and orange to freshen the air. Use our Essential Oils to create spa-inspired gifts, such as soaps, room fresheners, bath salts and salves. Essential Oil Essential oils can improve your mood

Thank You, Gardeners!

2011-10-24T08:00:00.006-04:00

As Product Testing and Research Coordinator, I test, test, and retest our products in the backyard of our headquarters in Burlington, VT, to make sure they work for our customers. Harvest results from one of our testers, Lucinda Trombly, who lives in Fort Collins, CO. As Product Testing and Research Coordinator, I test, test, and retest our products in the backyard of our

Update: White-Nose Syndrome

2011-10-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has decimated the bat population in the eastern U.S. since 2006. There are no solutions yet, but there are reasons for hope. Nina Fascione, executive director of Bat Conservation International, gives an update on the disease. Little brown bats with white-nose syndrome. Photo courtesy Nancy Heaslip, New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Made in the USA

2011-10-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

From time to time, a customer will ask us why more of our products aren't made in the United States. The fact is, we try to buy from producers and manufacturers here in the U.S., and we get more of our products from the U.S. than any other country. The crew at our manufacturing facility in Georgia, VT, where our carts are made. This team also makes our Raised Bed Corners, Forever

Refresh Your Home for Fall

2011-09-26T08:00:00.005-04:00

Looking for ways to refresh your home for fall? We asked designer Stephen Saint-Onge for some inspiration. Here are his tips: Stephen says, "As the days get shorter, lighting becomes an even more important design element. Chinese Lantern LED Lights add warmth and are perfect for the fall season." Stephen Saint-Onge Stephen Saint-Onge, is a designer who is all about helping

Making Pepper Jelly

2011-09-20T08:15:00.001-04:00

Inspired by the variety of salsas and moles in central Texas, where Gardener's Supply photographs our summer products, I planted several varieties of chile peppers in my garden. I planned to preserve their flavors for the winter months ahead, and to share my newfound culinary interest with my northern friends and neighbors. The results of my first try at jelly making: beautiful and

Why Bats are Beneficial

2011-09-14T08:37:00.009-04:00

Our new lineup of products includes the Beneficial Bat House. Why "beneficial"? Because there are many ways that bats help gardeners and farmers. It's worth the effort to welcome bats to your yard. The Beneficial Bat House will accommodate about 30 bats. Our new lineup of products includes the Beneficial Bat House. Why "beneficial"? Because there are many ways that bats help gardeners

After Irene

2011-09-07T21:08:00.000-04:00

In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the first reaction — for many people — was stunned silence. It's hard to take in the fearsome power of nature and the shocking devastation. It's easy to feel helpless and small. But eventually, you snap out of it and ask: "How can I help?" The team from Gardener's Supply arrives in Waterbury.Updates on FacebookFor more photos and information, visit us on Facebook.

When to Prune Raspberries

2011-09-06T14:49:00.000-04:00

Berries are the essence of summer, and for the past few weeks I’ve been immersed in berrydom. Earliglo strawberries seem long gone; in their wake came black currants, red currants, gooseberries, blueberries, and raspberries. A row of unpruned Fallgold raspberries. See a photo of the pruned row at the end of this post.Berries are the essence of summer, and for the past few weeks I’ve been

Simple Roasted Tomatoes

2011-08-29T07:00:00.002-04:00

A farmer here in Vermont once told me to eat one of her just-picked heirloom tomatoes with only a sprinkling of sea salt. She said it would be a life-changing experience — and it was. Freshly harvested plum tomatoes become more intensely flavored in my simple technique. Athough fresh tomatoes are available year-round, I enjoy them most during the summer,

Service and Sustainability

2011-08-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Gardener's Supply is in business to spread the joys and rewards of gardening. One of the ways we do that is working with groups that teach young people to garden, such as the Green Education Foundation and, locally, at the Sustainability Academy, an elementary school here in Burlington, VT. Planting a new garden at the Sustainability Academy. Photos by Andy

Attract Bug-Eating Birds

2011-08-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

There are many reasons to make your yard and garden more welcoming to birds. But here's one more: pest control. Most backyard birds eat a combination of seeds, berries and insects. A rose-breasted grosbeak There are many reasons to make your yard and garden more welcoming to birds. But here's one more: pest control. Most backyard birds eat a combination of seeds, berries and

A Mosquito Lure in Your Laundry Basket?

2011-08-02T08:00:00.010-04:00

Using a lure made from a blend of eight chemicals that mimic the odor of smelly socks, a researcher in Tanzania recently built a trap to attract and kill mosquitoes. It turns out that human foot odor is irresistible to mosquitoes. Using a lure made from a blend of eight chemicals that mimic the odor of smelly socks, a researcher in Tanzania recently built a trap to attract

Gardening for Good

2011-07-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

With Grow Bags, you can put a garden almost anywhere: on a deck, balcony, porch or parking lot. A group of young people from Minnesota has started a program that shows urban residents how it's done. Here's their story: The Gardening for Good team with a set of Grow Bags at Urban Baby, a north Minneapolis nonprofit that runs workshops and provides educational material to mothers and

Pretty Poison

2011-07-25T08:49:00.013-04:00

A walk through a lovely meadow can quickly turn painful if you unwittingly brush against certain plants. Many of us learned to recognize poison ivy and poison oak by the admonition, "Leaves of three, leave it be." But wild parsnip is another one to watch out for. Wild parsnip, growing in a meadow. A walk through a lovely meadow can quickly turn painful if you unwittingly brush

Our Products, Your Ideas

2011-07-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

We love to hear and see how you use our products. You tell us when you call, you send e-mail, letters and pictures. We see your photos on our wall on Facebook. Check out some of the shots we've received in the last few months: We love to hear and see how you use our products. You tell us, you send e-mail, letters and pictures. More and more, we see your postings on Facebook. Check out

My Pesto Addiction

2011-07-14T08:00:00.006-04:00

I had homemade pesto for dinner last night. And the night before, and last weekend, too. Now that this year's crop of basil is up and growing strong, I don't mind using up the rest of last year's batch of pesto, which I froze in Pesto Cubes. A pesto seedling thrives in the warm summer weather. I had homemade pesto for dinner last night. And the night before, and last weekend,

Pole Bean Garden Art

2011-07-11T08:10:00.001-04:00

Because we are an employee-owned company, people who work here take the time to get to know the products. And sometimes we come up with a new way to use one of our "old reliables." A few years ago, I used the Bean Towers to create an archway at the entrance to my vegetable garden. Because we are an employee-owned company, people who work here take the time to get to know the

Gardening for Empowerment

2011-07-05T06:00:00.002-04:00

We're especially proud to be working with the Green Education Foundation, a group that aims to get kids interested in gardening. Passionate about preserving the world’s natural resources, Victoria Waters founded the Green Education Foundation (GEF) in April 2008 with the mission of providing free sustainability education resources to schools worldwide. What better way to connect kids to

Black Magic

2011-06-30T11:23:00.001-04:00

As I looked for flowers to complement some marigolds in a container planting, I stumbled upon Black Magic violas, the blackest flower I've ever seen. Most "black" flowers are very dark purple, but Black Magic is a pure matte black. Wow. Almost-black plants and foliage, clockwise from top left: Black Magic Viola, Sweet Caroline Purple Sweet Potato Vine, Colorblaze Dark Star Coleus and

Pesticide Ban Milestone

2011-06-27T07:00:00.002-04:00

Should your local government have the right to tell you what you can and cannot spray on your lawn and garden? Last month marked a milestone in that debate. Twenty years ago, Hudson, a town just outside Montreal, passed a law banning the use of synthetic pesticides on public and private lawns and gardens. Should your local

Caterpillars First, then Butterflies

2011-06-22T14:12:00.002-04:00

If you want to attract butterflies, it's important to think about caterpillars. My favorites, the moths, begin life as caterpillars, too. Start by choosing plants that will provide food for the hatching caterpillars. This is a promethea moth (woodland moth) that I raised from an egg. The caterpillar of the promethea moth. A luna moth that I raised from an egg.

Spring Forward

2011-06-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

In many parts of the country, it's been a rough spring for gardeners. Our hearts go out to the small farmers who are trying to make a go of it despite nature's challenges. We'd like to share this inspiring post from one of our Vermont neighbors, Mara Welton of Half Pint Farm. The Half Pint farmstand during drier times. Flooding during April. In many parts of the country, it's

Our Support Team

2011-06-16T14:49:00.003-04:00

Every year toward the end of May, there comes a day when I can sit back and admire the gardens I care for — whether my own, or my gardening clients — and give myself a little pat on the back. I feel immensely satisfied looking at the cleanly edged beds, newly mulched with leaf mold. The Jardin Birdcage Supports, shown here are among my new favorites. This huge peony plant is being

Funds for Flood Victims

2011-06-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

Like much of the nation, Vermont has been faced with extreme weather this spring: flooding, hail, high winds and more. Lake Champlain is at an all-time high, causing devastating floods along the shore. This week, we're joining singer Jamie Lee Thurston, who will perform a concert in support of Lake

Speaking Up for Pollinators

2011-06-08T12:59:00.002-04:00

I'm always surprised that not everyone knows about the decline of pollinators, such as bees, bats and moths. Of the estimated 240,000 flowering plants worldwide, 91 percent require an insect or animal to distribute their pollen to set fruit and seed. That represents one-third of all crops grown for people, including citrus fruits, almonds, berries, squash and cotton. Bee balm (Monarda

Testing for Success

2011-06-02T10:22:00.001-04:00

We're always looking for ways to improve our products, so we test, test and retest in our "backyard" here in Burlington, VT. It's a great way for us to review existing products and develop new ones. Tomato Success Kits, thriving in the heat of Sun City, AZ. Virginia Adams of Sun City, AZ, one of the many gardeners across the country who are testing our products. We're always

Easy Beans

2011-05-31T08:10:00.000-04:00

Beans are one of the easiest crops to grow in a home garden. Plant a bean seed, and it will almost certainly grow and produce a generous crop with little effort on the part of the gardener. And although most gardeners have tried bush beans, fewer have tried pole beans. A crop of pole beans grows in the Bean Grow Bag. Beans are one of the easiest crops to grow in a home garden. Plant a

Marigold Makeover

2011-05-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

When it comes to annuals, gardeners can get a little, well, snooty. Some disdain any plant that's not a perennial. But the fact is, annuals provide some of the best non-stop color in a garden. Sure, they only last one season, but they bloom more than any perennial ever could. This is what my friend Kathy came up with when I challenged her last year. Sweet. I tried something with a

Fill Gaps with Greens

2011-05-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

It's the time of year when you might see gaps in your vegetable garden. Maybe a broccoli plant died or the beets have been harvested. Make the most of that space by planting a few salad greens, which are more tolerant of shade from neighboring plants. Lettuce seedlings are tucked into an open strip along a raised bed. It's the time of year when you might see gaps in your

Inspiration: Where to Find it

2011-05-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

Have you been to the garden center lately? It's the time of year when the greenhouse benches are overflowing with amazing annuals in all colors and textures. It can be a bit overwhelming, yes? I was walking through our garden center in Burlington last week, looking for respite from the April showers that have continued into May. It's always a treat to see the greenhouse benches are

Keeping Pets Out of Garden

2011-05-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

I'm looking for a simple, attractive, 3 ft. (total above ground) fence to keep our dogs out of certain landscape beds. The iron fencing I've seen is too elaborate and costly. Cheap wire fencing looks cheap. Any ideas? -Kathleen Border Fence In looking through comments that appear on article about keeping dogs and cats out of the garden, I found this: I'm looking for a simple,

New Potting Soil

2011-05-13T14:36:00.001-04:00

The secret to beautiful pots and planters? Feed them regularly. Easy to say, but hard to remember. With our new Energized Potting Mix, your plants will get fed all season long. The only thing you need to do is water. With Energized Potting Mix, these Rim Planters can go all summer without additional fertilization. The secret to beautiful pots and planters? Feed them regularly.

Teaching New Gardeners

2011-05-09T12:00:00.002-04:00

Since we launched the Kitchen Garden Planner in 2009, we've been hearing how people use it. Beginners find it helpful when starting a garden for the first time. Meanwhile, avid gardeners use it to create complex designs and keep records. Recently, we heard that the Peterson Garden Project, a community garden in Chicago, is using our online tool. LaManda Joy, founder of the Peterson Garden

Themes for Annuals

2011-05-04T20:00:00.001-04:00

My house is on a fairly busy street, so I like to do something special with the strip of garden that borders the sidewalk. I plant tulip bulbs for a spring show, but summer is reserved for annuals. One of my most successful and unusual plantings was a "hedge" of Redbor kale and cardoons, shown here in early summer. I used white petunias to keep things interesting early on, while the

Keep Your Pond Clean

2011-05-02T08:10:00.001-04:00

All gardeners want to be green — except when it comes to water. Whether you have a fountain, pond or a small reflecting pool, chances are good that at some point you'll have to deal with nuisance algae. To keep ponds clear, begin treatment early in the season, before problems arise. All gardeners want to be green — except when it comes to water. Whether you have a fountain, pond

Grow Your Own Blueberries

2011-04-27T16:00:00.000-04:00

Blueberries are pretty easy to grow, but people often get confused about soil acidity (pH). "Oh, you can't grow blueberries unless you have acid soil." True, blueberries thrive in soil with a pH of 4.0 to 5.5, but it's not something you can't manage with soil amendments. Early-season blueberries, before they grow plump, ripe and blue. In the unlikely event that you have too

Mini Tunnels for Winter Crops

2011-04-25T07:34:00.001-04:00

Sometimes, our customers really "get" a product and take it in a new direction. Susan Pav, a gardener from Pennsylvania, took our Garden Quilt and used it to create mini-hoop houses so she could grow crops in the winter. She took photos of the set-up and tells how she did it: A set of four tunnels in my garden. Lifting the tunnel to check the plants. The tied-off end of

Earth Day Acts

2011-04-19T09:44:00.004-04:00

At Gardener's Supply, we believe gardening nourishes the body, elevates the spirit, builds community and makes the world a better place. And there’s no better day to put those words – our mission – into practice than Earth Day, April 22. Members of the Marketing team weed the Children's Butterfly Garden at the Ethan Allen Homestead as a volunteer project in 2010. At Gardener's Supply

Why I Grow Food

2011-04-18T09:21:00.001-04:00

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that the choices that I make on a daily basis affect the world beyond me. They affect people that are close to me, people that are thousands of miles away and they also affect the environment. Mike Lieberman in his first garden, on a fire escape in New York City. Learn more about Mike in his blog, Urban Organic Gardener. It's often

The Best Solar Lights

2011-04-14T20:00:00.001-04:00

In the past few years, solar lighting technology has improved dramatically. What's more, you can find cheap solar lights in more and more stores. But, why bother with a solar light that won't last more than a season or two? Our all-year, all-weather lights are a better value. In the past few years, solar lighting technology has improved dramatically. What's more, you can

Restoring the Gulf Coastline

2011-04-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

Louisiana's Coastal Roots program is using gardening to restore the coastline damaged by last year's oil spill. How? Since 2000, the program has taught thousands of children how to grow native plants to help restore coastal forests, wetlands and shorelines. Middle school and preschool students at Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School in Lake Charles, LA, team up to plant bald cypress

Grow Towering Tomatoes

2011-04-07T08:00:00.003-04:00

When you start talking tomatoes with gardeners, there's always someone who's looking for a taller support. Our answer: Stacking Tomato Ladders. When installed, they give you 6.5 feet of vertical growing space. Stacking Tomato Ladders When you start talking tomatoes with gardeners, there's always someone who's looking for a taller support. Our answer: Stacking Tomato Ladders.

Spring Pruning Basics

2011-04-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Pruning is one of those things that intimidates new gardeners — even some of us who've been doing it for a long time. True, you can do a lot of damage if you go about it in the wrong way. And if you want to take on complex pruning jobs — such as restoring fruit trees or shaping hedges — it makes sense to get a good book on the subject. I recommend Lee Reich's book, Pruning. But, with a few

My Grow Camp

2011-03-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've always wanted to grow more fresh, backyard produce for my family. So last spring, I set up a Grow Camp. The results were great, and we enjoyed plenty of vegetables all summer. This month, we're getting ready for another season of Grow Camp harvests. Here's my Grow Camp last summer. I decided to add the optional Grow Camp extension, which doubles the growing space. I've always

Repot a Tomato Seedling

2011-03-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

When it's time to repot your tomato seedlings, go deep. In other words, plant it so a couple inches of stem is buried. How do you know when it's time for repotting? Do it when your seedlings are about 4″ tall — or have their second set of "true" leaves. What is a "true" leaf? It looks like the leaves on the mature plant. When it's time to repot your tomato seedlings, go deep.

New Colorful Windowboxes

2011-03-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

If you're ready to be stylish and bold, check out our Self-Watering Windowboxes in two new colors: lime green and grape. Working with our friends at Proven Winners, we searched for the perfect blend of plants, inspired by these new windowboxes. Plants for the grape Self-Watering Windowbox: Diamond Frost euphorbia, Tapien Blue Violet verbena, Dolce Blackcurrant heuchera, Soprano White

Bedbugs are Back

2011-03-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

Yes, reports of bedbugs are on the rise. But the good news is that organic formulations, such as our Organic Bed Bug spray, are effective on contact, and it appears that the insects don't develop resistance to them. Active ingredients: clove and peppermint oils. Adult bedbugs are about a quarter inch long. Organic Bed Bug Spray works with clove and peppermint oils. Also available:

How Much Soil Do I Need?

2011-03-17T08:00:00.001-04:00

Good soil is the single most important ingredient for a good garden. Raised beds give you an immediate advantage over a regular garden, because when you fill your raised bed, you can fill it with a blend of soil that's superior to the native soil in your yard. Soil that's loose and rich with nutrients and organic matter will allow the roots of your plants to grow freely, and ensure that they

Thin Out Your Seedlings

2011-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

Nobody likes to thin seedlings. It's fussy work, and always hard to decide which ones to save and which to toss. Here's and easier way: When the first true leaves appear, use a scissors to snip off the extra seedlings at the soil line. You'll be left with only as many seedlings as you need. Nobody likes to thin seedlings. It's fussy work, and always hard to decide which ones to

Revolutionary Compost

2011-03-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

We are happy to hear about a new composting program here in Burlington, VT: home pick-up of compostable kitchen scraps — by bicycle. The folks at One Revolution use special bike trailers to make pick-ups and deliveries — in all kinds of weather. We are happy to hear about a new composting program here in Burlington, VT: home pick-up of compostable kitchen scraps — by bicycle. A

Recharge Your Raised Bed

2011-03-10T08:00:00.003-05:00

If you have raised beds, there are a few tasks that will make your gardens more productive. Learn how to get them ready for the new season. Start by pulling any weeds that have overwintered. Then use a hoe to loosen and fluff the soil because winter snow and rain can compact it. If you have raised beds, there are a few tasks that will make your gardens more productive. Here's how to

Seed Tapes: Sow Fast, So Easy

2011-03-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

I love a neat garden that is intensively planted and incredibly productive. But I hate to plant microscopic seed, then go through the tedious process of thinning out the extras. Typically I waste a lot of seed when planting salad greens and carrots. And my back aches from thinning over-seeded beds. So, last year I was excited to test some special seed tapes. My 4 x 8-ft. raised bed.

Indoor Composting with Worms

2011-02-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Worms in the house? Yes, as long as they help with the housework. Our new Worm Factory houses 8,000 to 12,000 worms who will work tirelessly, night and day, turning kitchen scraps into rich compost. Once established the worms will compost 5 to 8 lbs. per week. People have been composting in worm boxes for a long time, but this four-tiered system makes the process more efficient and keeps it

Gnomes Take Hollywood

2011-02-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wondered what the decorations in your garden do while you’re busy elsewhere? The new Disney movie, Gnomeo and Juliet, imagines a world of star-crossed love among the statuary, where feuding ornaments stage midnight raids on rival gardens. Classic Garden Gnomes look right at home in any garden setting. Resembling vintage antiques, they’re made from cast iron

2010 Survey Results

2011-02-23T08:00:00.006-05:00

Last year, we asked people to rank the season on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor. Most folks say 2010 was just OK. Average rank: 6. The region that had the worst gardening year was in the South, specifically Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. They ranked the season 4.9. Folks in New England (RI, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT) had it best, giving a rank of 6.9. The "pizza garden" at the Miami Country Day School. Harvesting basil.

Introducing: Berry Beds

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last spring, my cousin Jeanne told me that she wanted to put in a raspberry patch. It's one of those things that sounds like a good idea — like running a country B&B. But I could imagine the patch, like so many I have seen, becoming an unruly, weedy mass that nobody wants to deal with. What Jeanne needed, I thought, was a raised bed raspberry patch. The Raspberry Bed includes built-in

Picking a Potato

2011-02-10T08:00:00.003-05:00

If you're shopping for seed potatoes, it helps to know how you like to eat them: baked, boiled, fried, hashed or mashed? Plant several varieties so you can try different cooking techniques. Elba Potatoes are considered an all-purpose potato. They are creamy when baked yet hold their texture when boiled. If you're shopping for seed potatoes, it helps to know how you like to eat them.

Plant a Terrarium

2011-02-07T08:00:00.002-05:00

I love planting colorful and unusual tropical plants inside glass containers to create small, fascinating worlds. They invite you in for a closer look and provide a perfect escape from the cold weather outside. Terrariums are easy to care for and don’t require any special skills for success. I love planting colorful and unusual tropical plants inside glass containers to create

Seedstarting With Cowpots

2011-02-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

I worked for a summer on a dairy farm so I can attest to the fact that a cow produces a lot of manure. Matt and Ben Freund, the two Connecticut dairy farmers who invented biodegradable Cowpots, estimate that a cow produces about 120 pounds of manure per day. When seedlings are ready to be planted in the garden, the Cowpot goes right into

Perennials to Grow from Seed

2011-01-31T07:00:00.004-05:00

I can't help but cringe when I browse the perennial section of seed catalogs and see finicky flowers like Himalayan blue poppy without any comments about the challenges of starting them from seed or how many years it will take the plants to bloom. Some perennials are notoriously finicky to grow from seed; others are as easy to grow as cosmos and zinnias.

Leaf Season

2010-10-04T08:40:00.006-04:00

We try to take a day at some point during the fall to shred leaves, the key ingredient for something called leaf mold. We bring all the leaves we have and, if necessary, flag down a few folks going to the drop-off site with their leaves. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right:

Storing Squash for Winter

2010-09-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Acorn, hubbard, buttercup, spaghetti, delicata and golden nugget. Winter squash are truly beautiful and lots of fun to grow -- and good keepers for winter meals. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0.75em; margin-right:.25em; border:

Best Ways to Cook Potatoes

2010-09-20T13:56:00.007-04:00

If you had to limit your diet to a single food, potatoes wouldn’t be a bad choice. Baked, boiled, chipped, fried, mashed, roasted or scalloped — the lowly potato can taste completely and deliciously different depending on how it’s prepared. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right:

Best Zinnias for Cutting

2010-09-13T08:00:00.003-04:00

Some types of zinnias can be worked into a perennial border, but the full-size version belongs in a cutting garden, where the plants can focus on what they do best: cranking out big, bold, beautiful flowers. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em;

Will Raap Wins e-Town Award

2010-09-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Gardener's Supply founder Will Raap received an E-Chievement Award for his 25-year campaign to turn several hundred acres of forgotten land in Burlington's Intervale into urban farms that now provide more than 10 percent of the fresh food for Vermont's largest city. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top:

Invasive Plants

2010-09-06T08:00:00.003-04:00

As the world becomes smaller, more and more plants get transported across oceans to thrive in new environments. Some of these plants thrive too well. With no natural pests or predators, they become invasive. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom:

Rooting for Root Crops

2010-08-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

Recently, I harvested my first potatoes of the season. It’s one of my favorite gardening "chores." As silly as it may sound, to me it’s like a treasure hunt, running my hands through the dark earth in search of jewels. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom:

Charlotte's Legacy

2010-08-25T19:00:00.001-04:00

We were sad to hear of the death of Charlotte Valbert, one of our Garden Crusaders, who lead the effort to reclaim a blueberry garden in South Tacoma, WA. There are more than 20 acres of lovingly reclaimed, mature blueberry plants, and every one of those berries is free for the picking. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em;

So Many Vegetables ...

2010-08-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

If you find yourself with more vegetables than time, read my list of super-quick, after-work solutions that I use to save some of summer's bounty for cold winter days. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0.75em; margin-right:.25em;

Tomatillo Salsa

2010-08-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

A salsa recipe that's super easy and has a distinctive texture and flavor. The best part: It only has six ingredients. #blog-main { } #blog-main .image-right { float: right; width: 200px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; } #blog-main .image-left { float: left; width: 200px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px; } #blog-main .image-center { width: 400px; margin-left:

The Melon Bag

2010-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

We keep coming up with new ways to use our Grow Bags. Sarah, our display garden manager, wanted to try growing melons in the Potato Bag. Melons love heat, and she thought the black fabric of the bag would warm the soil. /*START inline box elements */ #blog-main .smallbox { background-color: #fcf5eb; padding: .75em; float: right; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom