The hot topic on the garden lecture circuit these days is native plants, along with the birds and insects that depend upon them for sustenance. These are the pollinators that everyone is talking about! And this is more than a foodweb – it is the underlying support for the world as we know it. Per…
Plan design changes to the garden on paper Schedule a design meeting with Deanna now Fertilize houseplants with a weak solution of fish fertilizer every other week to support new growth Repot or divide overgrown houseplant specimens using fresh potting soil Monitor houseplants for signs of pests such as aphids, scale, spider mites and whiteflies…
Amaryllis bulbs are a popular holiday gift and are easy to care for. They should be in bloom around Valentine’s Day, just when we all need some cheer and color. I like to pot up each bulb in a 6″ round pot, with one third of its neck exposed, using regular organic potting soil. To help…
Here are three more native woody plants that attract overwintering birds in our area: Viburnum trilobum, Cranberry Bush Viburnum, sports a clear red berry resembling a cranberry that persists in the cold weather. It is low in lipids, so birds like Cedar Waxwings will choose it in late winter when they are desperate…
In late fall after leaf drop, we test the garden soil of our compost tea clients to determine the level of active soil biology. That means the quantity of microscopic organisms that do so much good all season long. We are looking for a minimum level of 600 parts per million on the microorganism count. We’re…
There are some wonderful garden lectures coming up in just a few weeks: Grow Native Massachusetts has a free lecture series in Cambridge that kicks off on Wednesday, February 5 with superstar speaker and scientist, Doug Tallamy. Doug’s new book will debut at this event. More info here! Groton Garden Club and Nashua River…
Cover all tender roses (David Austin and hybrid tea types) with cones of compost as frozen bare ground emerges between snow storms Cover heaths, heathers, and lavender with evergreen boughs to prevent winter desiccation (the discarded Christmas tree is perfect) Dress exposed perennial beds with salt marsh hay once the ground is frozen to prevent…
Picea omorika branch Evergreens star at this time of year, and nothing beats a tough, hardy Serbian spruce. Deer do not seem to browse them! You can choose from Picea omorika ‘Pendula’ with graceful swooping branches or the straight species. Both have a narrow framework, adaptable to a range of growing conditions, and max out at 30′…
Drain hoses and store indoors for winter to prolong life Store garden tools Service any power equipment Walk through the checklist above for putting the garden to bed Clean up any remaining spent vegetable crops completely Set out shrub protectors for vulnerable foundation plants to protect against falling snow and ice Create containers of…
Deanna is ready and willing to meet with you in your garden to discuss spring 2020 planting. For most projects, that process begins with design. “Why now? Shouldn’t we wait until spring?” As our season ends, Deanna looks forward to some less hectic winter time to design and plan with you, without the pressures of…