February forced forsythia There is a lot to be said about forsythia, some good, some not as much. Our forsythia is a bush (Asian in origin and in the olive family) that produces beautiful yellow flowers in late April or early May. It was named after William Forsythe, a Scottish botanist and one of the … Continue reading Forsythia Wars →

Sweet corn, variety Incredible By some standards I have a big vegetable garden but by others it is rather modest. It is big enough to have a small patch of corn, small being the key word. Traditionally corn is planted right around Patriots Day. In 1775 many Minutemen put down their hoes as they were … Continue reading Planting Corn and Grass →

I was up early this morning watching the BBC Gardener’s World on Brit Box. This is an very popular gardening show in the United Kingdom. Patty and I first became aware of it when we were watching TV in Cambridge, England. I have been hooked on it ever since. I do have to pay a … Continue reading Garden Planting, Part II →

Rain was forecast for this afternoon, and as I write this blog post it is coming down. So after a cup of high test coffee early this morning I ventured out to join the black flies, with a goal of creating a new perennial garden. After edging, fertilizing, liming, and cultivating, the garden was ready … Continue reading A New Perennial Garden →

In the middle of April the cold frame was full of early season seedlings. This is the time of the season when plants are being transitioned from the greenhouse to the cold frame and then eventually on to the open garden. the plants that were in the cold frame in mid April are now growing … Continue reading Transition Time →

A double five foot row of Snow peas beginning their upward growth. The unpainted boards sunk into the soil are rot resistent and hold the green painted pine above the soil level. This structure should be useful for many years to come. As is the case in most of my projects around home, they take … Continue reading Snow Peas and a Sandwich Board →

Potted pansies on the porch. Sometimes you just have to stop and smell/appreciate the flowers. Here is what is blooming in our yard this morning. PJM Rhododendron Andromeda Magnolia Apricot Peach Daffodils Forsythia Rhubarb. This is not in flower but it is a sure sign of spring!

My favorites. Incredible on the left (a mid season corn) and Quickie (an early season corn) on the right. I garden in southern New Hampshire, on the north side of a ridge overlooking the Merrimack River valley. All of this location information is important because each element contributes to the microclimate of my vegetable plot. … Continue reading Corn and Witch Grass →

Carrots are planted in this raised bed. The soil has finally warmed up enough to plant some of the early season crops that can stand cooler temperatures. In this raised bed I planted two varieties of carrots. My old standby Royal Chantenay is planted in a few rows while a new hybrid called Envy is … Continue reading Planting Carrots and Potatoes →

The almost finished cold frame. Seedlings that have been started in the greenhouse have lived a pampered life. The temperature is warm, there isn’t any wind and they get plenty of water and fertilizer. When it is time for those seedlings to go out into the garden, the shock of the outside environment might be … Continue reading Cold Frame Construction →