Home and Garden

By Andrea Knepper, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont Amaryllis bulbs and blooms make popular and appreciated holiday gifts. Gifted in full bloom to brighten the winter months or lovingly tended to bloom after the new year, amaryllis add vibrant color and joy to the dreary season. Amaryllis are commonly available during the winter holidays…

Winter is the perfect time to observe and learn about Vermont’s bird species. “Winter bird feeding is a great way to observe and learn about our year-round bird residents and winter visitors,” said Jillian Kilborn, Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s bird project leader. Bird feeding tips: The right mix: Black oil sunflower seeds are popular, but…

By Deborah J. Benoit, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont Fall foliage color has peaked, and leaves are falling. Temperatures are dropping, and it’s time to put the garden to bed. It is also a perfect opportunity to prepare for spring. What you do this fall can provide significant benefits when the garden wakes up…

By Ann Hazelrigg, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Vermont     When the weather turns cold, four common insect invaders may appear uninvited in your home. None of them breed in the house or cause any damage to humans, pets, food items, or structures. These nuisance pests are looking for a warm, protected place to overwinter…

  Starting Jan. 1, 2024, a new state law will prohibit the sale of specific mercury-containing fluorescent lightbulbs in Vermont. Restrictions include the sale of general purpose, indoor/outdoor, residential, and business mercury-containing four-foot linear, compact fluorescent, and twist-based fluorescent lightbulbs. Twist-based (GU-24) Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) are also restricted from sale, according to a Nov. 14 news…

By Nadie VanZandt When planning this year’s vegetable garden, consider companion planting with flowers and herbs. It’s a rewarding way to attract pollinators, manage pests and promote biodiversity in your garden. The practice will improve your soil’s health and the quality of your harvest. As an added benefit, you might enjoy gathering bouquets of fresh-cut…

By Bonnie Kirn Donahue Bonnie Kirn Donahue is a UVM extension master gardener and landscape architect from central Vermont.  One of the great joys and challenges of gardening is seeing creatures inhabit and eat from our gardens. However, in some cases, animals and insects are unwelcome visitors.  Woodchucks, deer and cabbage worms can be relentless…

By Vern Grubinger Blueberries are a popular backyard fruit. Once established, they will provide lots of delicious, healthy berries for many decades with proper care. To succeed with blueberries, plant winter-hardy varieties and maintain soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Mulch every few years with several inches of wood chips or sawdust. Apply a non-nitrate…

False hellebore is a poisonous lookalike If you are outdoors foraging for wild leeks, also known as ramps (Allium tricoccum), health officials want you to be sure you don’t mistake the ramps for a poisonous lookalike plant called false hellebore, pronounced faals heh-luh-bor. The young leaves of American false hellebore (Veratrum viride) can resemble the edible…

By Andrea Knepper Editor’s note: Andrea Knepper is a UVM Extension master gardener from Bolton.   Many gardeners find ways to invite beneficial insects into their spaces by planting native pollinator plants, mulching and avoiding pesticide use. Another way to support a healthy beneficial insect community is a bug hotel.  Bug hotels provide a variety of…

  There are simple steps you can take to minimize the spread of disease  As more people start raising their own backyard chickens — whether to enjoy the ultimate in local eggs, or just for fun — it’s important to know the health risks associated with poultry so you can take basic steps to protect…

By Deborah J. Benoit Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM extension master gardener from North Adams, Massachusetts, who is part of the Bennington County Chapter. Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate a return to gardening than to share its magic with children? It’s not too early to start planning now.…

By Deborah J. Benoit Editor’s note: Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension master gardener from North Adams, Massachusetts, who is part of the Bennington County Chapter.  Terrariums are miniature gardens in lidded, clear-glass containers. Their closed environment requires little care and only occasional maintenance.  The container can be a jar, a glass globe or…

By Deborah J. Benoit Editor’s note: Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension master gardener from North Adams, Massachusetts, who is part of Vermont’s Bennington County Chapter. You’ve probably seen African violets (Saintpaulia) with their neat rosettes of fuzzy leaves and clusters of purple flowers. Native to Africa, the species were discovered in 1892 by…

By Deborah J. Benoit Editor’s note: Deborah Benoit is a University of Vermont extension master gardener.  During the holidays, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) show off in shades of red, pink, and cream. They’ve been hybridized to decorate our homes during a season when the garden outdoors is fast asleep. Most people treat them as a holiday…