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…
Thank you for a great year! In your honor, we are making donations to the following nonprofit organizations: Northeast Organic Farming Association – Massachusetts Chapter Native Plant Trust Toxics Action We wish you and your family all the best for the Holidays and New Year – All of us at Pumpkin Brook Organic Gardening…
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′…
Dormant pruning can occur from November through April, so we will be completing some of these tasks on plants that have lost their leaves (deciduous) when weather conditions permit. This is the prime time to prune apple orchards or any fruit tree, dogwoods, Japanese maples, and viburnums with densely structured branches. Below 20 degrees, we do…
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…
If you’ve noticed any tunneling or perhaps a missing plant or two this fall, voles may be the culprits. They enjoy tunneling in soft, moist soil and can eat plant roots that are in their way. Lawns and beds are favored habitat, particularly if surrounded by lush vegetation. Sometimes voles are a problem around drip…
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…
Here are some things I’m thinking about that we are able to do in the near future for you. Let me know if you would like our help with any of the following: Gnawing creatures under the snow or “buck rub” from deer – protect tree trunks with mesh supports or pebbles and hardware cloth.…
Cut down perennials in stages as foliage blackens or flops over Dormant pruning season begins when leaves are off the trees, with structure easily visible Refresh containers for fall with hardy material that can withstand the occasional cold night Remove spent annuals planted in the ground Dig and store tubers of dahlias and gladiolus after…
New England is blessed with white, black and red oaks along with other occasional species such as chestnut oak. Their fall color is just now beginning to show up as russet, scarlet and gold. All oaks are extremely valuable plants for wildlife. Entomologist Doug Tallamy notes that the leaves of one oak tree will support…