Just because we’re in the middle of summer, and produce is already finding its way to the table, that doesn’t mean the time for productive plantings has passed. A number of vegetables grow very well into autumn. In fact, farmers can put plants in until August and enjoy heartily growing vegetables we...

As you harvest the first tomatoes of the season, you may notice that some of the fruit is not perfect. Blossom end rot, a physiologic disorder, results in dry, sunken, brown areas on the blossom end or bottom of the fruit. Blossom end rot also can occur on peppers but often is on the sides of the fr...

Heavy rainfall followed by flooding in early July had a devastating impact on communities throughout the Northeast. Not only were buildings, roadways and bridges damaged, but vegetable gardens were impacted as well, leading many home and community gardeners to ask “Are my vegetables, berries and edi...

Ah, August. Summer is in full swing, but autumn is already peeking around the corner. The rewards of gardening are everywhere. Fruits and berries are ripening, as are vegetable crops. It’s time to begin harvesting and enjoying that fresh, home-grown flavor. Is there anything better than the taste of...

You patiently waited until the danger of frost had passed to plant your tomatoes. And you installed a sturdy support system in anticipation of healthy, robust plants. But there are still some things you can do to ensure the harvest of your dreams. If you’ve had your soil tested, you’ll know exactly ...

Much is said about self-sufficiency when it comes to growing your own food, whether that’s fruits and vegetables or livestock for meat. But there’s another important part of our diet that can’t be overlooked: beverages (and specifically, alcoholic ones). If you imbibe, you know there’s nothing sweet...

Here are a few ideas of fun projects to do with your children during summer break. Sunflower House This is an easy activity, but requires a bit of patience for the sunflowers to grow to their full height. Your children will have fun making their own special area in the yard. Mark out an area in the ...

A cutting garden provides a home-grown source of material for fresh flower arrangements.It might focus on one type of plant, such as a spring cutting garden featuring a variety of daffodils or tulips, or include a season-spanning variety you can cut throughout the warm-weather months. Whatever flowe...

Growing flowers, vegetables and berries for eating is fun and nourishing, but what about growing them to make colorful dyes? Natural pigments in these can be harnessed to dye fiber or fabric. Indigenous people throughout history and across the globe have made pigments out of plants and minerals, add...

Do you want to enjoy fresh, home-grown veggies this summer? Perhaps you’d like to adorn your home with fresh-cut flowers. Whatever the reason, this year you’ve decided to start a garden of your own. But before you grab a spade and head for the backyard, put pen to paper and make a plan. Dream as big...

Summer bulbs, which are planted in the spring after danger of frost, extend the garden’s blooming season well into summer until frost. Their glorious and often fragrant flowers and plants continue to provide nutrients and shelter for our treasured pollinators. Most bulbs planted in autumn that bloom...

Gladiolus are as American as apple pie. Generations of gardeners, from Maine to California, have tucked these summer-blooming bulbs into their gardens in spring and been delighted by the gorgeous flower spikes that appear just a few months later. Buckets of long-stemmed glads are a late-summer tradi...

By now, even if you don’t practice composting, you know what it is and how it works. Compost itself is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30% of what we throw away, and could be composted instead, according ...

As April focuses on gardening with kids, it makes me think about the fun my sisters and I have with houseplants and perennials. I come from a long line of gardeners, some from necessity, some for the beauty and healing qualities of gardening. My maternal grandmother was an avid gardener and had a sp...

April is Kids Garden Month and what better time to share your love of gardening with a child? From learning what it takes to grow your food to spending time with family to encouraging a child’s curiosity, gardening has many benefits. Starting with small projects based on your child’s age, ability an...