This February, many of us are cocooned at home in the wake of snow and ice storms. We are drawn to activities that nurture the land and our families. But outdoor projects in are limited and garden care isn’t at the top of most people’s minds. Aside from the annual delight of daydreaming about––and strategizing...
It’s leaf-peeping season and nature’s multicolored masterpiece does not disappoint! Along with fiery vistas, ombre palettes, and pumpkin-spice beverages comes a plethora of newly fallen leaves. The annual conundrum has arrived: to rake or not to rake? THE CASE FOR CLEANING UP Blowing or raking the leaves away now looks tidy and keeps the...
So you’ve decided to create an outdoor gathering space? Wahoo! What better way to celebrate the landscape than by spending time in your yard? Now what? There’s lots to consider when setting up your plein-air retreat, but don’t worry; we’ve come up with a list of things to keep in mind while planning,...
It’s been a long, cold winter and we are all aching for warmer, sunnier days that bring on early spring flowers. And we’re not alone, early emerging bees, beetles, flies, moths and butterflies will be seeking the essential nectar and pollen from these early flowers. I learned the importance of native plants and their vital...
Good landscaping isn’t about taking a plot of land and turfing it with mono-green grass as far as the eye can see. (That’s called a golf course.) Good landscaping is about listening to your environment and carefully crafting a relationship that allows you both to thrive. For hundreds (if not thousands) of years, humans have...
If recent weather patterns are any indication, we’re gonna be getting some real snow this winter here in the Berkshires. Despite having our first big snowfall of the season, there’s still time to prepare your yard to avoid damage from animals and the elements, alike. Settle Snowfall Fears Your hydrangea blossoms may be the envy...
Over the past decade, succulents have undergone a resurgence in popularity. Thanks to thousands of indoor appearances in the Instagram feeds of popular interior designers and bloggers, it’s almost easy to forget that these are delightful outdoor plants that are easily grown in pots. Beyond their hardiness, ease of care, and adaptability to both sunny...
It’s easy to get excited at this time of year in the grocery store. Behold the green bounty—ramps, fiddleheads, dandelion greens, burdock root, oh my! But did you know that you can actually get many of these foods for FREE—potentially even in your own backyard? Yep, with a little know-how and some patience, wild foraging...
Ah, springtime in the northeast. Finally. The trees are budding, birds are chirping, the air is crisp and sweet—and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a buzzing little bee flitting about in all the fresh bloomage. For bees, it’s officially the start of their busy season—time to pollinate. Bees are invaluable to local plant life—one bee...
By Robin Catalano You’ve probably read that in the Berkshires and surrounding areas, if you don’t start your garden by Memorial Day, it’s a lost cause. But nothing could be farther from the truth! In fact, there are plenty of crops that grow better when sown from seeds in July, well after the threat of...
