Gardening Tips & Techniques

It’s true, the skin color is tempting, though deceptive, because skin color often turns the color of maturity 4+ weeks before maturity is reached— though honeynut, with her built-in ripeness indicator below, is a fabulous exception! She is finally ripe once all the green has turned a deep pumpkin-y caramel color. Most winter squash skins … Read more

You have to worry about managing cultures, sterilizing grains, making spawn, mixing substrates and trying to do it all without introducing contamination that could ruin your whole project. Of course, if you love growing mushrooms as much as I do, all those complicated terms sound like music to your ears! But if you are new … Read more

I’ll never understand why garlic scapes aren’t more popular. Outside of the community of garlic growers, most people I talk to have never even heard of them! Most grocery stores don’t sell them, though if you are lucky you may be able to find them seasonally at your local co-op or farmers market. We link … Read more

Bamboo, with its elegant and serene presence, has long been a favorite in both outdoor gardens and indoor spaces. Growing bamboo in pots is a fantastic way to bring this touch of natural grace into your home or onto your patio. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about nurturing bamboo … Read more

I’m going to show you how we plant onion sets and then dig up big onions when they’re ready! Growing onions overwinter is a great way to keep gardening all year long. Onion sets are planted in the Fall and then harvested in the late spring. How to Plant Autumn Onion Sets for a Bountiful … Read more

Excessive aquatic plant growth is a common complaint and may interfere with desired uses of ponds. Phosphorus and nitrogen typically drive aquatic plant growth, which may persist while nutrient levels remain elevated. This publication will assist landowners, pond managers, farmers, producers, and municipalities how (a) land-based actions throughout the watershed can reduce external nutrient and … Read more

Ann is an avid gardener, cook and garden writer, and a Vermont Certified Horticulturist. She tends to her old farmhouse and organic homestead where she raises blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and elderberries, as well as fruit and nut trees. Ann grows vegetables and herbs in raised beds and containers that are tucked into a lush landscape … Read more

Potatoes are in the Solanaceae family, also known as the Nightshade family. The pretty purple flowers that grow from potato plants are a good reminder that potatoes are cousins to eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. Here’s something you probably already knew: the part of the potato plant we’re interested in eating grows beneath the surface—it’s the … Read more

Daffodils are one of the most beloved spring flowers, lighting up gardens and landscapes across the country with their cheerful yellow, white, and bi-colored blooms. While daffodil bulbs are easy to grow, proper planting depth is key to ensure these beauties put on their best show each spring. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything … Read more

Tulips are a classic spring flower that brighten up gardens with their cheerful blooms. While most gardeners plant tulip bulbs in fall you may find yourself with leftover bulbs in winter and wonder if you can still get them in the ground. The good news is yes you can absolutely plant tulip bulbs in January … Read more