Wild bees are important pollinators for our crops, gardens and wild plants. In Vermont there are over 350 types of wild bees, including 17 different species of bumblebees. Bumblebees are efficient pollinators that are especially important for spring crops, such as early blooming berries and tree fru...

October 12 is National Farmers Day every year, and every year, one day doesn’t seem like enough time to thank them for all that they do. Out of curiosity, I searched “What does a farmer do?” Oddly enough, one of the first links that popped up came from Indeed – that’s right, the job search site. The...

It’s the time of year when strangely-shaped, multi-colored, warty gourds begin to appear in gardens, markets, CSA boxes and on front porches. If you planted any type of gourds in your garden this year, enjoy peeking under leaves now to see what variations have developed. Decorative gourds belong to ...

There is a difference between planting an orchard that survives and one that thrives. To create an orchard that grows well and produces quality apples, a number of considerations should be addressed before any trees are planted. Choose the Right Site The site chosen for an orchard can mean the diffe...

A good plant parent does all the right things. They provide their plant babies with the right amounts of sunlight and water and fertilizer (and maybe conversation). This time of year can be a little tricky, though. Those plants have been enjoying outdoor life all summer, but what is the best time to...

This vibrant orange squash is the hallmark of the autumn season. As the golden days of October fade away into clear, light blue skies, crisp windy afternoons and the fiery colors of changing leaves, pumpkins begin to dot the landscape. As porch decorations on your neighbor’s home. In large bins at l...

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the rabbit’s “natural geographic range in the Western Hemisphere encompasses the middle latitudes.” In the East, rabbits are found in parts of Africa, India and Asia. Domesticated rabbits descend from the European rabbit. Rabbits are a welcome addition to any fa...

It’s almost that time again. The days are growing a little shorter, a little cooler. Apple cider is becoming more prominent at the grocery store and orchards. Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. And soon, it will be time to rake leaves (or not). The folks at the Farmers’ Almanac have come up wit...

September is National Chicken Month, and those of us that already raise these feathered friends know how awesome they can be. They all have their own personalities and can either frustrate you or make you laugh. They provide eggs and meat. They serve as pest control. But more than that, they can als...

Become an adaptive gardener! Gardening is an activity that most of us do because we want to. We do it because it’s pleasurable, healthy, puts fresh produce on the table, beautifies our environment – and the list goes on. However, when the breathing gets more difficult or the knees or back give out, ...

Conservation is a collective responsibility shared by individuals across the globe. Protecting the planet and ensuring its future has never been more important, as various organizations and environmentalists warn that, without immediate action, many of the more harmful effects of climate change coul...

It’s September, and to many gardeners, that means it’s time for end-of-the-year garden maintenance. This includes cutting back plants, clearing out leaves and composting most of the vegetation that grew this season. Before continuing the normal routine, it’s a good time to step back and think about ...

Okay, so the difference between summer squash and winter squash isn’t that big. The biggest difference is simply the amount of time they spend on the vine. Summer squash varieties usually only spend between 40 and 60 days on the vine, making their skins more tender. Winter squashes can spend 120 day...

It’s about time to get started on your autumn garden. While it’s viable to find starts at the local farmers market, or the nearby hardware store, nothing is more rewarding than starting your entire garden from seed. That’s why we’ve decided to put all those preparations in one place. We’ll discuss w...

Milkweed is a critically important plant for the monarch butterfly, which is threatened with extinction. The monarch caterpillar uses milkweed as its primary food source, and its powerful flowers provide nectar for countless butterflies, bees and insects. If you stop and observe a milkweed plant in ...