Adult Spotted Lanternfly Photo: Lawrence Barringer wickedlocal.com This invasive pest may have migrated north from Pennsylvania this year. Please be on the lookout for the (rather attractive) Spotted Lanternfly. Click here for more info.
In October, we aim to finish all fall planting and transplanting by the end of the month. With warm soil temperatures, this is an ideal time to plant or transplant, as roots will readily establish given cooler nights and (hopefully) more frequent rain. We’ll wait until leaves are about to drop before transplanting shrubs and…
Rick Burnett has joined the Plant Health Care Department as PHC Technician and resigned from his role as Field Manager. You may meet Rick doing a spray route. Kimberly Kuliesis has resumed full responsibility for scheduling and also develops estimates and proposals. Please contact her with your special requests at <kimberly@pumpkinbrookorganicgardening.com> Meanwhile, Priscilla will continue…
In droughty times, many nutrients in the soil are rapidly depleted as plants attempt to adjust to adverse conditions. As we pull soil tests this fall, we find that Potassium is lower than desired on many test results. I want to repeat an article about the necessity for Potassium that I wrote in September 2013:…
We are back in a Category 2 drought situation here in eastern Massachusetts. It’s interesting to study the US map to note where the other areas of drought exist at this website. Pumpkin Brook has an emergency watering service available. We bring the water to you! Our spray trucks have 200 gallon tanks and long hoses…
As a Board Member of NOFA/Massachusetts, I will be participating in their Human Health and Climate Acton Challenge this month. This event combines personal commitment, public education and crowdfunding to raise awareness about how organic practices, especially agriculture, are linked to human health and the climate crisis. Many of our staff members will be participating…
This wonderful national nonprofit is offering a fall Literary Series of webinars on selected Thursday afternoons with garden authors. You’ll enjoy color photos and virtual tours of fine gardens around the country, with a chance for questions and answers. Can’t attend on a Thursday afternoon? Registrants receive a link to a recording after the event…
Identify and finish fall transplanting and dividing work Keep planting trees, shrubs and perennials until the end of the month Plant bulbs when soil cools, starting mid-month Test and amend soil in problem spots Begin cutback of frosted ferns and other perennials that mildew, blacken or drop leaves Let birds enjoy seedheads Pull spent annuals…
The following alert was prepared by staff at the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA): Above normal temperatures in July and August, and months of below normal precipitation led Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides to declare all of the state to be in a “Significant Drought- Level 2”. NRWA water monitoring staff and volunteers are…
Last call for bulbs! We have started our orders, but you can still add your wishes for daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinths and the like until September 15. Please contact Priscilla, phw@seedlingspecialist.com, for these last-minute orders. We’ll be planting bulbs between Columbus Day and Veteran’s Day.