Rabbit feeding on tree bark in winter, causing trunk damage above the snow.

Winter Plant Protection: Don’t Let Winter Catch Your Garden Off Guard

by Amanda Rose Newton, Ph.D. Winter has a way of reminding us who’s really in charge of the garden. One day, the landscape is looking tidy and ready for its winter rest. A few snowstorms, gusty winds, and hungry rabbits...

Best Plants for Attracting Birds in New England

by Amanda Rose Newton, Ph.D. If your bird feeder is the busiest spot in the yard, imagine what could happen if the rest of the landscape joined in. Bird feeders are a great way to bring feathered visitors closer, but...

Uncle Mike’s Monthly Gardening Tips: October

October is the time to prep your garden for winter. Uncle Mike shares tips for fall cleanup, watering, plant protection, fertilizing, repellents, mulch, compost, and more....

Ferns Indoors & Out: A Guide to Growing, Caring for & Overwintering Ferns

With their graceful fronds and incredible texture, ferns can bring something special to nearly any space. Indoors, they add lush greenery to shelves, hanging baskets, and bright corners. Outdoors, hardy ferns can transform shady areas of the garden into layered,...

Harvesting, Drying & Storing Herbs for Winter

A productive herb garden can keep giving long after the growing season winds down. By harvesting and preserving herbs before cold weather arrives, you can enjoy the flavors of basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, mint, parsley, and more throughout the...

Libra in Bloom: A Floral Arrangement Inspired by the Scales

Libra season (September 23–October 22) is associated with balance, beauty, and connection. Represented by the Scales, Libra is known for being charming, social, and diplomatic, with a natural appreciation for harmony and aesthetics. This zodiac-inspired floral arrangement brings those qualities...

Gray Birch (Betula populifolia)

Best Native Trees for New England Gardens

When choosing a tree for your landscape, there are plenty of reasons to look close to home. Native trees are species that have grown naturally in our region for generations, making them an important part of New England’s forests, wildlife...

Uncle Mike’s Monthly Gardening Tips: September Garden Must-Haves

You’ve probably heard us say that fall is for planting, and September is one of the best months to put that advice into action. Cooler days put less stress on many plants, while the soil is still warm enough to...

RTF Sod being cut

RTF Sod: A Tougher Lawn for New England

If you’re starting a new lawn, replacing tired turf, or repairing an area that has seen better days, sod gives you one big advantage: an established lawn almost instantly. But the type of sod you choose can make a big...

straw hay mulching

Straw vs Hay: Choosing the Right Natural Mulch for Your Garden 

Straw is generally better than traditional field hay for garden mulch because it contains fewer viable seeds and is less likely to introduce weeds. Salt Marsh Hay is the exception. Although technically hay, its seeds are adapted to salty coastal...