Gardening Advice
October 20, 2021
It’s time to think about our feathered friends. It takes more than just hanging a feeder or two. Small birds eat constantly during the day and they need to be able to find food 365 days a year. Here are five tips for making your backyard more bird-friendly.
Why Help Our Birds?
First, just being outside in the garden surrounded by birdsong is a wonderful way to spend the day. Listening to the chirping chickadees and loud laughing call of the pileated woodpecker while watching the goldfinches... more
October 19, 2021
Row covers are not only great for protecting your garden from frost but they also form an excellent chemical-free barrier for excluding many insects that threaten crops. We cover almost everything in our garden at first for one reason or another. See the different types of fabric row covers and their many benefits.
Row covers are fabric that protects your plants from icold temperatures, too much Sun, and insect pests. They screen out Japanese beetles, potato beetles, cabbage worms, leaf miners... more
October 18, 2021
When the weather gets cold, the inside air can get desert-dry. That’s fine for the succulents. They are survivors. As long as they have a warm sunny spot they love the dry conditions. See top succulent plants for those home.
Succulents are not one plant family but a wide variety of plants from many families that have the ability to store water for long periods of time. You probably already grow many of them.
Types of Succulents
Cacti, aloe, sedum, kalanchoe, hens-and-chicks, and jade plant are... more
October 15, 2021
Is your Christmas Cactus blooming in November? You probably have a Thanksgiving Cactus! Yes, there are multiple holiday cacti (including an Easter cactus). Here’s the difference—plus, tips on how to care for your holiday cactus to keep it blooming.
What’s the Difference Between the Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus?
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is the long-lived plant our grandmothers grew. I have a plant that came from one my mother-in-law grew from a... more
October 12, 2021
You can find fun gourds at markets in the fall. So what’s with these bumpy, weird-looking squash? Are pumpkins a gourd? Can you eat a gourd? How do you grow gourds? See different types of “gourdgeous” gourds—from bottle gourds to snake gourds to luffas.
What Are Gourds?
Gourds (Cucurbitaceae) are among the oldest cultivated plants. They were the early water bottles of the Egyptians (2200 or 2400 B.C.), and were traditionally used as utensils, storage containers, and dippers by indigenous... more
October 12, 2021
When you are shopping for spring-flowering bulbs this fall, keep an eye out for shallot sets. As you plant your garlic, make room for some of these tasty little onions, too. You can even interplant them in your flower bed alongside the tulip, crocus, and hyacinth bulbs. Their oniony odor can keep rodents at bay while giving you early shallots to enjoy.
What are Shallots?
Think of shallots as small, delicate, mild, sweet versions of onions without the strong, pungent, and sometimes hot taste... more
October 11, 2021
If you can’t visit the tropics, try growing your own citrus trees in containers! Dwarf citrus varieties will grow year-round if kept in the right conditions. They all bear edible fruit and have glossy, evergreen leaves and delicious-smelling flowers. (The scent is heavenly!) Learn how to care for your indoor citrus trees.
There are many kinds of citrus that work well as container plants. Even northern gardeners should consider giving them a shot. Here’s a look at a few of the most popular ones... more
October 11, 2021
The squash is part of American history, having started as a native vegetable grown by the Wampanoag. Today, there are dozens of squash varieties, ranging in shape, size, and color! Here’s a quick guide to different types of squash for eating and cooking in all those fall and winter recipes!
This year, we had a bumper crop of winter squash to store (which made up for a poor harvest of summer squash and zucchini). The plants were content to stay in their own bed until the neighboring garlic was... more
October 8, 2021
As gardeners, we are connected to all people who have come before us, caring for the earth and learning how to best grow crops. Ready for the best gardening techniques? Let’s have a look at some age-old gardening wisdom that’s still relevant today.
A Long History of Gardening
Gourds, beans, and peppers were being cultivated in Mexico by 5,500 BC, and by 5,000 BC, maize was being grown in Mesoamerica and potatoes in South America. Success or failure of these crops had a major impact on people’s... more
October 6, 2021
Did you know that houseplants clean the air? We’ve long known that indoor plants improve our mood and reduce stress levels. There’s just something about having something green and alive that you care for which brings happiness. But did you also know plants purify the air?
During the colder months, we spent a lot of time indoors. Certainly, healthy indoor air is a top priority. Without proper ventilation, it doesn’t take long for indoor pollutants to build up to unhealthy levels.
Indoor... more
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Get inspired by Robin Sweetser’s backyard gardening tips and tricks. Robin has been a contributor to The Old Farmer’s Almanac and the All-Seasons Garden Guide for many years. She and her partner Tom have a small greenhouse business and also sell plants, cut flowers, and vegetables at their local Farmer’s Market.
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