Ask a master gardener: How to help bumblebee queens overwinter

Wild bees are important pollinators for our crops, gardens and wild plants. In Vermont there are over 350 types of wild bees, including 17 different species of bumblebees.

Summer ends and all those lovely annuals we’ve grown so fond of will soon come to an end, too. But it doesn’t have to be.

It’s a good time to step back and think about the bigger picture. A question to consider is why do we clear out our gardens before the winter? What’s the purpose?

Milkweed is a critically important plant for the monarch butterfly, which is threatened with extinction.

Common invasive species that you might find in your garden or landscape often started out as decorative landscape plants. Plants like knotweed, goutweed, burning bush and Japanese barberry were once imported for their attractive and vigorous garden charac … (read more)

Cucurbits are easy to grow but they are threatened by a number of unfortunate pests that can make growing these fruits and vegetables much more difficult.

While you are waiting for the plants to fruit, it is important not to make too many changes so that the shrubs can focus on berry production.

Peaches are one of the more surprising fruits that grow in Vermont. Easy to pick and fantastically juicy, peaches are beautiful, fuzzy globes to look forward to each summer.

You don’t need a lot of land to have a garden. It doesn’t even matter if the usable space in your yard is the size of an area rug or if you live in a second floor apartment with no yard.

Think that a shady area can’t have a garden? Think again! Shade gardens can be fantastic places to showcase foliage color, texture and flowers, too.

A cutting garden provides a home-grown source of material for fresh flower arrangements.

Growing flowers, vegetables and berries for eating is fun and nourishing, but what about growing them to make colorful dyes?

Wondering when to plant your tomatoes? Confused about composting? Or maybe you need some advice on caring for your lawn.

But before you grab a spade and head for the backyard, put pen to paper and make a plan. 

Do you spend a lot of effort to get rid of the moss you find in your lawn? Knowing the benefits of moss may convince you otherwise.