What do caterpillars eat? The life cycle of a caterpillar is incredibly intriguing. It’s even become a famous and endearing story for kids (in case you don’t have little ones, it’s “The Hungry Little Caterpillar”). If you have ever had the joy of raising caterpillars, you will find it a beautiful thing to witness how…
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…
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…
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…
Petunias are such great flowers for landscaping! Brimming with brilliant colors and a delicate smell, petunia flowers are great for adding a splash of color to your gardens. Landscaping with petunias is as easy as it gets, as long as you plant them in a sunny spot and give them water and well-fertilized soil. Petunias…
There’s something magical about watching birds splash around in a backyard bath—it brings life, movement, and joy to any garden space. Yet, choosing from all the available bird baths can be tough. You can buy a stone bird bath or a concrete one. There are heated bird baths and bird bath heaters for cold weather….
Tired of weedy, bare patches in the shady corners of your garden? Shade-loving ground cover plants are the secret to transforming those tricky spots into lush, low-maintenance oases. These hardworking plants do more than look pretty—they act like living mulch, helping to suppress weeds, lock in moisture, and prevent soil erosion. And while it can feel…
There’s nothing quite like standing in the middle of a blooming flower field, where color stretches to the horizon, the air is rich with fragrance, and every breeze carries the buzz of pollinators at work. These vibrant landscapes are more than just beautiful—they’re a stunning display of nature’s artistry and ecological harmony. These breathtaking fields…