By Sally Ferguson – For a jump in the season, start your summer bulbs indoors. Bulbs and tubers such as canna, calla lilies, begonias, dahlias and gloriosa provide some of the most dramatic flowers in the summer garden. They’re very easy to grow, but they’re also very sensitive to frost. In fact, in the trade, … Continue reading Start Summer Bulbs Indoors
Potatoes and St. Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day remains one of our nation’s most celebrated holidays nearly 250 years after the first American celebration took place in Boston in 1762. While a few traditions have changed, the ceremonial planting of potatoes around St. Patrick’s Day remains strong, according to Burpee Chairman and CEO George Ball. “Customer interest in potatoes has … Continue reading Potatoes and St. Patrick’s Day
Snowmageddon
We are still in the midst of what is being called “Snowageddon” and “Snowpocalypse,” referring to the historical snowfall amounts of recent weeks. Our state is being referred to as “Alaskachusetts” with “The Boston Tundra” as its capital. The Weather Channel noted that our region has beaten the written record of more than one hundred … Continue reading Snowmageddon
Replacing Potting Soil in Containers
A suggestion from one of our readers: I have around 40 pots… and I change the soil in all but my three big whiskey barrels. For them, I weed out the roots and all the “junk” that accumulates in them through the winter, “stir it all up,” and then add as much “new” potting soil … Continue reading Replacing Potting Soil in Containers
Winter Moths
In addition to our outdoor decorations of wreaths, greens and berries, our house seems to be covered with winter moths. They are especially visible in the evenings around the front-door light. According to a recent UMass Extension Landscape message, the invasive species is distributed across Massachusetts. One of their research labs is working on a … Continue reading Winter Moths