SPRING GARDEN CHECKLIST
*Sent to us from our friends at the
Herb Companion.
PRUNING CRABAPPLE TREES AT THE HORT FARM
Great time at the UVM Hort farm on Saturday, March 27. Curator
Mark (coyote) B. and his sidekick Paul led the pruning workshop, attacking some crabbies on the west side that really needed attention. About 20 people attended, including a gaggle of master gardeners.
The important points laid out by Mark were:
1. Cut all deadwood and crossed branches.
2. Think of where each branch will be in five years. Have a reason for each cut.
3. Only chop 25 or 30 per cent each year to reduce trauma.
BENNINGTON COMMUNITY GARDENS ROCK!
*Nice story about the Bennington community gardens from
horticulturist Shelly Stiles, who is the district manager with the Bennington County Conservation District. She also recounts memories of a gone but not forgotten community garden in NYC; the growing of a hardy orange, golf-ball size, that smelled like warm honey, and the rose that
Babe Ruth planted.
You can link to the Bennington Banner article here.
GORGEOUS GARDENS AND GREEN LIVING SHOW SUMMARY
*One of the reasons I started this blog was because I felt the Vermont gardening community did not get enough press. The
Gorgeous Gardens show is a great example. While there was plenty of coverage on the front end, there has been scant coverage on the back end, after the show. Sometimes I can't make a show but would love to read all about it, as if I was there. Details on how the 'Gorgeous' show went are almost non-existent, but the
Rutland Herald comes shining through. Here's a nice
wrap-up of Saturday's gathering from
Susan Smallheer at the Herald.
MAPLE CREEMEES AT BRAGG FARM IN EAST MONTPELIER
*We took a family trip to Bragg Farm on Saturday, March 13 and enjoyed some ultrayummy maple creemees, which are made with grade B syrup.
Jeff,
Barb and crew made us feel like we were visiting relatives. Going for a ride ? Keep them in mind.
Here's a
great piece about the Bragg's from one of our favorite new Vermont blogs, Happy Vermont.
Last year. our small white crocuses were up by March 26. What about this year?
SURPRISE!
March 12, 2010. Crocuses spotted facing east. Little purple and yellow buggers. Way early!
COFFEE GROUNDS AND GARDENING
* As a working gardener, I delight in being able to use natural sources as fertilizers and soil enhancers. I care for a number of rhododendron sets, and often recommend or actually use coffee grounds in place of, or along with, Muracid. Here is a
nice article from Kathy LaLiberte, Director of Gardening at Gardener's Supply. She describes the different ways that she uses coffee grounds around the flower and veggie gardens, and also the compost pile.
In The Garden is back!
WJOY-AM 1230 - Thursday mornings from 9-10 starting March 4 through October.
* You know spring is right around the corner when you hear
Charlie Nardozzi and
Ginny McGehee talkin' gardening, food, baseball among many other subjects on Thursday mornings. Their first show in 2010 was March 4, and they covered seed starting, Christmas Cacti, the Yankees (woo-hoo), and the Philly flower show, along with numerous other tidbits. They are a wonderful precursor to another exciting growing season!
BLOG OF THE MONTH IS...
*...
Dave's Garden. All we can say is - WOW!
TOP 10 RULES for SPRING GARDENING
*Just for kicks, we subscribe to
HGTV.com and were sent
this nice article complete with great spring garden photos.
