Growing herbs is the easy part. The real magic is in the harvest. Most people use the “just cut and come again” harvesting method, and it’s no wonder some of the basil turns scraggly, thyme gets woody, and garlic chives give up on life. But if you harvest with a little strategy, your herbs will …
Gardening
Sweet potatoes are great—they’re like the utility knife of root veggies: dependable, versatile, and ready for all your stews and fries. However, growing them can feel like adopting a high-maintenance pet that needs its own yard, playpen, and daily sunbathing schedule. If you’ve ever wanted to grow sweet potatoes but felt like you needed a …
Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating and beautiful creatures on earth. They fly from flower to flower collecting nectar, pollinating plants and trees in their path. What a joy to watch! They can hover for up to 30 seconds at a time while they feed! These tiny birds love tube-shaped flowers that are brightly …
Although a staple in the produce section of the supermarket, cauliflower is less often seen in home vegetable gardens, due to how difficult it can be to grow (or so I’ve noticed among my own community). Like other brassicas, cauliflower is a cool-season vegetable that is a heavy feeder and susceptible to significant damage from …
While we all appreciate a garden bursting with vibrant color, the most memorable outdoor spaces go beyond the visual—they delight all five senses. A truly captivating garden doesn’t just look beautiful; it smells intoxicating, feels inviting, sounds alive, and sometimes even tastes sweet (hello, edible herbs!). This season, enhance your garden’s sensory experience by planting …
Once you finish planting your spring garden, feeling proud for not procrastinating this year, you can finally relax. Seedlings are poking out of the soil. Flower buds are starting to bloom. Then bad news strikes: a frost advisory! Giving your plants an early start in spring has many advantages, but the season’s unpredictable weather may …
Many invasive plants started innocently, as ornamental landscape plants in gardens or as agricultural or other functional plants. Only after these nonnative species were introduced did we realize their aggressive nature in this new environment, as they rapidly spread and outcompeted native plants. In addition to damaging native ecosystems, invasive plants in New Hampshire also …
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? The answer to this question depends on whether you are a botanist or a chef. Human beings have been naming and classifying things around them since they first learned to speak. Indeed, language may have developed partly out of our need to describe and identify things we …
Landscaping under any tree can be challenging, thanks to the dense shade cast by the branches and the abundance of thick roots in the soil. But black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) seem to be in a category all their own; nothing will grow anywhere near them! Although landscaping under black walnut trees may feel like …
Everybody loves dahlias! They certainly have a way of capturing the imagination. With their colorful petals and unique shapes, dahlia flowers come in a variety of shades, such as red, pink, yellow, orange, and purple. But to grow these gorgeous flowers, you should consider using a good fertilizer and apply it at the right time. …