Ask a Master Gardener: Is it too late to prune fruit trees?

This time of year, when plants are normally in their dormant stage, usually finds gardeners conducting late-winter pruning of apple and other fruit trees.

Cold frames allow for the early planting of spring vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, carrots and cabbage by protecting them from frost and cold temperatures at the beginning of the season.

Many gardeners start vegetables, annual flowers and herbs from seeds, either indoors or directly in the garden. However, have you ever considered growing your own perennials from seed? 

The holidays are over, and we find ourselves in the cold, dark days of mid-winter. As a gardener, you may feel that the planting season is so far away. Don’t worry as you can start many plants indoors by seed soon.

If you’ve purchased perennial plants or started them from seed, you’ve likely seen notations such as “hardy to zone 5” or “USDA Zones 4a-9b” on the package or in the product description.

There’s nothing like creating a salad of freshly harvested greens you’ve grown yourself from seed.

Every gardener has a fall to-do list to complete: pulling annuals, raking leaves and storing hoses and other garden tools. They aren’t the most exciting tasks, but planning for your spring garden now saves time next year.  

With cooler temperatures , we have to say goodbye to our beautiful summer annuals. Still, you can try container plantings.

When classes resumed in late August at Beeman Elementary School in New Haven, it was time for pulling potatoes.

Of all the wildflowers — or weeds, if you prefer — goldenrod (Solidago) is one of the most recognizable. Its plumes of bright yellow flowers atop tall stems bob in the breeze, making its presence hard to miss.

Reap & Sow Farm co-owners Matt Lasser and Josh Fisher have spent the past four years tending to a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers at their Monkton spread. Now, the duo plans to use their farming expertise to help residents and organizatio … (read more)

Fall is the time of year we generally begin to put our gardens to bed. I have recently changed my garden practices considerably since learning that our gardens can be important havens for pollinating insects and other wildlife during every season of the y … (read more)

If you want to add a touch of architectural interest to your shade garden, look no further than the graceful silhouette of Solomon’s seal. 

One of the great joys and challenges of gardening is seeing creatures inhabit and eat from our gardens. However, in some cases, animals and insects are unwelcome visitors.

Container gardening is a good option if you have limited space or want to be able to alter your environment by moving pots around.