Gardening 101

Don't Forget About The Indoor Garden Patch!

Those year-round plants often get neglected during vacation season.

While gardeners reap the benefits of long, warm days tending to the outdoor garden, landscapes, and lawns, it's often easy to forget about those indoor plants that give residents loyal and continual pleasure 12 months of the year. While the vegetation inside appear to be maintenance free, the “indoor landscape” has requirements that need to be met to keep them happy and healthy. The good news is, following some of the basic tips below and applying some preventative care, many common problems can be avoided or corrected. Fertilizer Believe it or not, summer is the time that that indoor plants need fertilizer the most. The long days with extended sunlight create key opportunities for plants to thrive. Don’t deny plants the food they need to …

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The Battle with Beetles

Keep beetles at bay with these helpful tips.

Typically in this part of Massachusetts, adult beetles are expected to arise from the ground around the 4th of July. Well, they have arrived and are as hungry as ever. Emerging to feed and reproduce, these beetles are typically about a half an inch in length and have a shiny green color with bronze colored wings. They have been known to feed on over 200 different types of plants, but favorites include vegetables such as greens, lettuces, beans, eggplant, and peppers. They also have quite an appetite for roses, flowering shrubs, trees and just about anything with foliage. The Facts and Taste Buds of the Beetle Generally, the adult Japanese beetles are active for a period of about a month, during which they feed, mate, and lay eggs. When …

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Mosquitoes Beware!

The garden can be a valuable weapon in the fight against mosquitoes.

Mosquito season has arrived in New England, marked by an incessant buzzing from dusk until dawn. A common carrier of both EEE and West Nile, these insects can become more than a garden nuisance. There are many ways to shield and protect the body from these summer pests that include insect repellants, foggers, mosquito traps, protective clothing and more, but there are many surprisingly organic remedies many gardeners may not realize are right at their fingertips that can also help prevent and reduce mosquitoes. Water Reduce any standing water. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. A female mosquito can lay up to 400 eggs at a time but needs a water source to lay them in. When the larva hatch, they live in water for 7-14 days before …

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Gardening 101

It's Never Too Late To Plant

Perennials can be planted throughout the passing seasons.

Test your Patience with Perennials July is a great time to consider long-term plans for the garden. Take a minute to look at the landscape and try to recall which months has blossoms and which periods looked a little bare. Are there times in between weeks, months or seasons when the garden could use a little more oomph? Examine the colors thriving throughout season. After a close inspection, it may be determined that there are some times of the year to add certain colors to the yard. This might also be a good time to consider adding more perennials into the scenery. While creating a garden with perennials is an exercise in patience, it can also pay off for years to come. Why Perennials Unlike annuals that can bloom all summer long, …

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Gardening 101

Hydration is Vital to Plants, but so is Timing and Quantity

Here are some tips to help protect plants during heat waves.

  Summertime temperatures have started to soar, with several days topping out at 90-plus and more such days likely on the way. While many people feel uncomfortable in such heat, plants are more tolerant and can thrive in such conditions as long as they are well cared for. Without proper attention, however, containers, window boxes, hanging baskets, flower gardens and the lawn may suffer damage. Here are some tips on how to help the garden beat the heat. Containers: Container-based plants are often the most at jeopardy in high heat. The reason for their elevated risk is that the planters hold limited moisture and during a heat wave they can heat up and contribute to accelerated evaporation, leaving the plants super dry. Two telltale signs …

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Gardening 101

Fireworks in the Garden

Use this Fourth of July holiday week to review garden designs and add last minute touches.

  The 4th of July is right around the corner, and whether hosting company or celebrating elsewhere, now is the time to finish your garden with a pop, bang and wow of color. Many gardeners consider the 4th of July to be the height of the season; and believe it or not, days are already getting shorter as the season creeps toward fall. So leading up to the forth, take a quick walk through the gardens, review the initial design and look for plants that maybe just didn’t turn out as planned. Remember to take a holistic view of the garden. This is a personal paradise and notice what colors might still need to be added to achieve that individual haven. After review, pay a visit to the local greenhouse, nursery or garden center. At this time of …

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Gardening 101

Fungus Is Among Us

The unusually damp conditions and chilly temperatures can draw trespassers into the garden.

  The recent wet weather and cool nights have unfortunately created the perfect growing environment for unwanted garden guests: mildew and fungus. Sam Bradford of Wilson Farm’s Garden Shop has heard many stories from customers. “It seems like overnight we’re getting reports of powdery mildew (a type of mildew), and many customers are rushing in to find out how to treat it.” says Bradford. Unfortunately mildew and other funguses are difficult to treat after they have infected plants. The only way to treat for fungus is to do is through prophylactics. Some fungi can be so potent, that it can wipe out many crops. Many local residents may recall the tomato blight of 2010 and that it wiped out entire crops at local farms. The only farms that …

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Gardening 101

Try Steak for Father's Day; Beefsteak That Is

Introduce Dad to the garden with an organic Father's Day gift

Is your dad a big fan of steak? Does he like them juicy, and a bit red in the middle? Well this is the perfect time of year to plant some steaks for dad - Beefsteak Tomatoes of course! If your dad has a green thumb, or simply just loves his tomatoes, a tomato plant might be a fantastic Father's Day gift.  Container or Garden? Containers Containers offer the convenience and flexibility to transfer if necessary. This route can be advantageous in extreme weather conditions and the ability to finely control water and soil conditions. One thing to keep in mind when choosing a container for a tomato plant, however, is the final size of the plant. “I’ve seen tomato plants that can produce up to 20lbs. of tomatoes." says Sam Bradford, manager of …

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Gardening 101

A Week of Remembrance

Create a Garden Container for a Passed Loved One

Memorial Day is approaching, and while it does mark the unofficial launch of the summer season, the weekend is also designated as a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed. Their resting places are often significant commemoration sites for the ones left behind as a symbol for their presence in the world and many family members feel peaceful contentment by their visits. This week is the perfect time to create a remembrance garden for loved ones and many will find personal contentment not only by its presence as a lovely accent, but also in the planning and crafting of the container. The process is somewhat similar to a container garden for the home, but there are some features to keep in mind when preparing a remembrance …

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