Winter may have settled in, but January is a surprisingly productive month for Massachusetts gardeners. While the ground is frozen and daylight is short, this quieter stretch is perfect for assessing your tools, planning your crops, and caring for the...
If your evergreens come out of winter looking brown, brittle, or scorched, you’re not alone. In recent years, Massachusetts gardeners have seen more winter damage on evergreens—especially broadleaf types like rhododendrons, hollies, and boxwoods. The culprit? Winter desiccation, a type...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2025 Expert Insights from Veteran Horticulturalist David Carpinella on Protecting Young Trees Osterville, MA – Following the mid-summer emergence of 17-year periodical cicadas, many oaks and maples along Route 28 have displayed stressed and dying branch...
We get it—sprinklers and irrigation systems seem like the ultimate summer shortcut. Just set it and forget it, right? But when it comes to keeping your newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials healthy and thriving, that approach often falls short—literally....
If you’re looking to add a bold splash of color to your garden during the dog days of summer, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) might be just the shrub you’re looking for. With large, tropical-looking blooms that last from midsummer...
If you’re someone who dreads the winter lull in your garden or wishes your landscape could offer more interest in the off-season, you’re not alone! The good news? With a bit of planning, you can enjoy a garden that looks...
If you’re looking for a perennial that brings your garden alive with color and activity, Monarda, commonly known as bee balm, is a perfect choice. This North American native is a true garden hero – beloved by hummingbirds, bees, and...
When planning a New England garden, you’ve probably come across terms like native, cultivar, and nativar. But what do they actually mean—and how do they affect pollinators, local wildlife, and your garden’s long-term health? Let’s break it down. What...
When you think of butterflies, you probably picture them fluttering gracefully from flower to flower. But did you know that before they become beautiful butterflies, caterpillars are some of the pickiest eaters in the garden? Unlike adult butterflies, who sip...
On April 1, 2023 Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy signed a proclamation officially declaring April to be Native Plant Month in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. June is National Pollinator Month and it’s the perfect time to celebrate not only pollinators but...
