Ask a Master Gardener: How to grow African violets

You’ve probably seen African violets (Saintpaulia) with their neat rosettes of fuzzy leaves and clusters of purple flowers.

Do you admire orchids from afar but haven’t considered growing them or gifting them to a plant lover you know?

During the holidays, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) show off in shades of red, pink and cream. They’ve been hybridized to decorate our homes during a season when the garden outdoors is fast asleep. Most people treat them as a holiday plant to be enjo … (read more)

If you have a gardener (or garden lover) on your holiday gift list, you may be wondering what might make them smile during a season when the garden is buried beneath the snow.

There’s an old saying, “Good things come in small packages.” That’s certainly true of the tiny flowers that bloom in the spring. And fall is the perfect time to plant these bulbs.

Did you know that the composition of the soil in raised beds is vital to their success?

Before taking a rest from gardening for the season, have you thought of direct sowing seeds to grow a minimal-care garden next spring?

Garlic grows well in many different soils and climates, but only varieties that are hardy and adapted to the Northeast will perform well here.

It was a special day last summer when a young family was able to move into their brand-new Vergennes home — the latest project undertaken by Habitat for Humanity of Addison County. 

This autumn has surely been one of the most beautiful I can remember since Dick and I made our home in Goshen — over 25 years ago.

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.

Every year the Middlebury Garden Club gives awards to public and private gardens in Addison County. To be considered, a garden must be able to be seen from the roadside and cannot belong to a current member of the club. 

While doing your fall yard clean-up, envision and decide on an area for a new flower or vegetable garden or a space to relax.

Did you know that many houseplants sold in stores are actually tropical perennials?

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?