It’s time to bring in the bounty we’ve grown outdoors and take stock of the season. In that spirit, I’m looking at the most successful new varieties I tried this season—the majority featuring compact, space-saving qualifications. One of the limiting factors in my gardening space is that I’m compelled to locate plants that deer eat […]
As the air turns crisp and winter casts a shadow on these early fall days, who can ignore the fact that everyday becomes shorter too? Will there be enough light on winter’s shortest days for your indoor plants? Although the quantity of solar radiation the earth receives just outside the atmosphere is nearly constant, the […]
It’s everywhere in the news—baby-boomers are aging. And coincidentally, there’s an increase in products that help aging bodies cope with gardening tasks. There are the scooters, like the “Deluxe Tractor Scoot,” which enables gardeners to work from a seated position, and “Gardener’s Kneelers,” which flips over to become a bench– both offered by Gardener’s Supply. […]
I began growing garlic many years ago; I’ve even won a blue ribbon for it at the county fair. Those were the days when I had an enormous vegetable garden and unlimited sunlight; now that my yard is smaller, and shadier too, I still make space for it. But as an adaptation to my new […]
If you’ve ever picked one, you know that nothing can compare with the flavor of a fresh strawberry. But growing strawberries in your backyard can be daunting. First, it requires large amounts of sunny space — at least one foot between plants, and three between rows. You’ll have to weed or mulch them, or risk […]
On a recent spring day, I had the opportunity to visit Planting Fields, located in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Once a remarkable private estate, it is now managed by the State of New York. Its name comes from the Matinecock Indians–the original cultivators of the fertile clearings above Long Island Sound. Although Henry Hudson stopped […]
What is the best way to start vegetables and annual flowers? Factors to consider include your available indoor space, your time, and the space and temperature requirements of the plants you want to grow. Some crops, such as peas, resent moving, and it’s best to plant them where they’ll stay. This is also true of […]
As we enjoy the lengthening sunlight of late winter, it’s hard to imagine being interested in shade. But if you’re planning to build a greenhouse, creating shade for the hottest days of summer should be on your list of considerations. While it’s possible to grow plants in hot greenhouse environments, high temperatures will limit the […]
One good thing about bone-chilling weather is that it provides a chance to peruse this winter’s crop of seed catalogues indoors. I’ve only begun, but my list is growing long… Johnny’s Selected Seeds have long-supplied Northeastern market gardeners with the best in vegetable seeds; they offered organic seeds before they were readily available elsewhere. I’ll […]
Like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson’s interest in gardening was influenced by European trends. His gardening mentor, Bernard McMahon, an Irish nurseryman and writer, was probably instrumental in encouraging that he build his own. Because Jefferson himself had travelled extensively in Europe, he had seen many greenhouses – freestanding structures later known as orangeries, which were […]
As the holidays approach, there is less to do in the garden, but more time to dream. My holiday assortment features practical gifts that encourage dreaming now and gardening later. Tubtrugs – These durable polyethylene buckets have become so essential, it’s an effort to remember how we managed before them. I use mine to haul […]
Despite juggling the demands of a busy military and political life, it seems that George Washington enjoyed his time in the garden, particularly in his greenhouse. The Upper Garden at Mount Vernon was first designed and built in 1763. Then, fifteen years later, he added a greenhouse, and two long, low buildings that were designed […]
