I was all set to write an article about alternatives to the Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), and to highlight why this is an important issue for your own yard. Instead, I found that someone else had already written this article! So, please read on. I was especially interested in Emily DeBolt’s comparison of foliage color on specific native…
Many questions have come in about pruning roses in fall. I’m not in favor of this action, since we don’t know what kind of winter lies ahead. Canes are often damaged in severe weather, and a cut made now won’t fully heal. There is the potential for further damage. Long, floppy vegetative canes won’t bloom…
Finish transplanting and dividing work by the first week of the month Cut back peony and hosta, plants that don’t “die well” and may transmit fungal diseases Leave perennial seed heads if you enjoy bird activity during winter – otherwise cut back now Leave hydrangea, tree peony, foxglove, hellebore, ornamental grasses, tall sedums, roses, perennial…
Reese has serviced our leaf shredder to make this annual chore go faster and to produce a small, evenly sized product. Shredded leaves are perfect for mulching garden beds that are planted closely, especially woodland gardens. Please contact Kimberly for an estimate, <kimberly@pumpkinbrookorganicgardening.com> as we’ll be rolling this service out soon!
Please be extra careful and check yourself, children and pets after walking or playing outdoors this month! Leaves are dropping early and coating the ground. Ticks prefer to hide in this type of moist, enclosed environment. Our tick and mosquito spray program using essential oils can help, so now is the time to sign up…
Looking around the garden, I notice that many native plants are vigorous despite the drought! Here are just a few: Solomon’s Seal – Polygonatum biflorum A staple of the shade garden, Solomon’s Seal blooms in May with dangling white bell-shaped flowers on an arched stem. In fall, leaves turn a lovely golden yellow. This plant…
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…
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…
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…
I was thrilled to learn recently that the native rose mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos, is returning to the shores of the Charles River! This plant is reclaiming space once taken by the invasive purple loosestrife. Now that the release of a beetle that eats the loosestrife has been successful in our area, native plants like this can return…