Canada Goldenrod Ragweed has no brilliant fall color; it simply balloons out to the 4’ x 4’ size. It has fern-like foliage similar to mugwort. This is the plant that makes people sneeze, not the Goldenrods! Ragweed is shallowly rooted, so you can easily remove it from the landscape before it seeds around. You’ll find…
Scraping of lead paint underway Several of our clients are having their homes scraped and painted this summer. For structures built before 1978, lead-based paint was used. What can be done about lead paint chips in the soil around foundations? Is it safe to eat herbs and plants grown in these areas? Painting companies should take precautions to…
We have been alarmed by recent news about the PFAS or “forever” chemicals that have contaminated drinking water at over 200 properties in the central Massachusetts town of Westminster. The culprit, in this case, is the local compost processing facility, Mass Natural, that has accepted biosolids for over 30 years. Biosolids is a marketing term…
Varieties of purple coneflower thrive in a Littleton garden This prairie native is fairly drought tolerant because droughty conditions are typical to summer on the plains! Blooming from July to September, it packs a great punch of color whether you prefer pale pastel or bright saturated tones in your garden. Its raised, mahogany-colored centers are a butterfly…
Now is the time when our standard practices of siting the right plant in the right place, topdressing with compost and soil amendments, applying compost tea, planting ground covers among taller perennials, shrubs, and trees, mulching, and use of drip line irrigation will pay off. But despite these measures, a Level 2 drought can be tricky…
A native of Shanghai, Yong grew up on a fruit farm outside the city. He founded three different businesses in China and Canada, with over 18 years of operating experience. At PBOG, he is in charge of corporate strategy and the internal management of the company. He believes that the Pumpkin Brook employees are the…
Patrol for scale on Magnolia, Holly, Rhododendron, and foundation plantings where air does not readily circulate and remove by hand where feasible Prune all spring flowering shrubs to create a natural shape, removing deadwood and crossing branches, creating air spaces, and lifting slightly off the ground Selected spring flowering trees can be pruned now Water…
I am pleased to announce that I have sold Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening to a new owner, Mr. Yong Sun, as of June 30th. I’ll be spending the summer training Yong and meeting our various clients as we make the rounds together. All staff will be continuing under Yong’s direction. Our services and the name of the company…
Get out and enjoy all the bloom in your garden Finish editing any spreading perennials Keep up with weeding, especially weeds with seedheads Finish mulching beds, or ideally plant spreading groundcover or short perennials to reduce quantity of mulch needed Finish planting by month’s end when the hot weather begins Deadhead peony, iris, roses, and…
Garden Craftsperson Do you have a few years of professional gardening experience under your belt? Come join our team of fine gardeners! Take sole responsibility for small sites or be part of a crew at larger sites. Full- or part-time position. Employment at Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening, Inc. Pumpkin Brook is an established company…