Master Gardener Articles

Before you just blow or rake those leaves into bags or to the street, STOP! There is an alternative that will improve the environment, save you money, beautify your yard, and save pollinators & other important creatures, LEAVE THE LEAVES! According to US EPA reports we have 40 million acres of lawn...

Rather than adding them to our weekly trash collection, what can be a better choice? Relegating old jack-o-lanterns to a landfill places them in an anaerobic situation. There they can not break down resulting in methane. Here are a few option for our OLD pumpkins:

Natural Materials Look for rose hips, berries, nuts, pine cones and dried flowers. Use these in their natural state, or you might add a bit of color. Dab puff paint on the tips of a pine cone or an acorn cap to look like a small drift of snow. Tap an old toothbrush in white paint and lightly brush...

Cottage Gardens Settlers in America were limited in their seed choices. Were the best seeds saved from their past garden, or should they trade with a neighbor? Would the European imports grow under new conditions, or did seeds lose viability over the long ocean voyage? Beginning in the late 1700s...

You might be tempted to just toss your tools in the shed and call it a day, but dirty tools are like a bed and breakfast for plant diseases and fungi. By cleaning them now, you're doing your future garden a huge favor. Plus, there's nothing worse than trying to prune with dull shears or dig with a...

Choosing Your Seeds You can winter sow any seeds. The difference is when and how you sow them. Some trees and bushes need two (2) years of cold moist stratification. Some species need to be moist for a period but in warm conditions, and some seeds (paw paws) need to be moist before they go into the...

Lifelong Learning Gardening is a journey of lifelong learning, where every season brings new challenges, discoveries, and opportunities to grow alongside our plants. Fall, in particular, offers us a perfect time to reflect on what we've learned this growing season and prepare thoughtfully for the...