Backyard barbecues beckon and poolside entertaining reigns supreme every summer. After guests have had their fill of fire-licked grilled burgers, hot dogs and chicken, a refreshing dessert that won’t have summertime hosts sweating preparation can make for the perfect culinary capper. “Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars” marry tangy cream cheese with sweet and velvety banana pudding atop…

By Nadie VanZandt, UVM extension master gardener If your kale plants succumbed to cabbage worms, don’t fret. You can start a second planting in midsummer to enjoy a bountiful harvest in the fall. Kale is a good choice for succession planting because it thrives in cool weather, tolerates frost and matures quickly (40-65 days). This also applies to other plants with the…

By Bonnie Kirn Donahue, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont Like many things in nature, plants come in all shapes, sizes and growth tendencies. Some work best in an informal setting while others are ideal for a formal garden. Understanding the growth characteristics of plants can help you make the best choices for your garden aesthetic as…

Many of Vermont’s pollinator species are in peril, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. But a few simple suggestions can greatly benefit these essential pollinator species. “The majority of our flowering plants need pollinators in order to produce seeds,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. zoologist Mark Ferguson. “Vermont is home to hundreds of…

By Nadie VanZandt, UVM Extension master gardener Conserving water is always a good idea, and if the dry weather of the last two summers is any indication, such practice should become habit. Fortunately, you can learn from gardeners in arid climates how to successfully grow plants during droughts. These tried-and-true sustainable practices protect and insulate…

Caterpillar infestations target tree foliage Many Vermonters around the state are encountering gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar), which are caterpillars causing defoliation of their trees, according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.  This invasive insect arrived in the United States over 100 years ago and has been expanding its range ever since. Gypsy moth can be…

By Andrea Knepper Like me, you are probably getting ready to go to the local garden center and pick up some annual flowers to spruce up your landscaping. This year, consider planting some edible annuals instead.  The idea of incorporating edible plants into landscaping has grown in popularity in recent years. Increasing the diversity in…

By Bonnie Kirn Donahue Berry season in Vermont can feel like a beautiful, fleeting moment in time. How can we make it last longer? You may be familiar with common types of berries that can be grown here, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes and strawberries. Growing different varieties of these species is one way to…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Some of the items that you may have planted in your garden can be enjoyed beyond the time that you pick them to eat fresh. Most of us have limited space so why not grow things that can be frozen and enjoyed throughout the year? You just need to do a…

By Mary Ellen Shaw Well, planting time is just around the corner! On Memorial Day weekend garden centers will be overflowing with people who are full of enthusiasm. They are excited about planting flowers to beautify their yards and planting veggies to enjoy throughout the summer and into fall. I love gardening to the point…

By Bonnie Kirn Donahue, UVM Extension master gardener It’s spring and that means it’s time to get back into your flower and vegetable gardens. Once the soil has dried out in your flower gardens, remove any sticks, dried leaf debris and old mulch, being careful not to step on any emerging plants. Use this time to think…

By Judith Tremblay, Ext. master gardener intern Now that the warmer days of spring are here, it is not uncommon for cabin fever to be replaced with gardening fever. However, it is important to take a step back and consider what can successfully be grown in your vegetable garden. A good starting point is to identify…

Mothers selflessly devote themselves to their children from infancy into adulthood. A mother’s love never wanes, and she’s always ready and willing to step in and put her children first.  Mother’s Day is a great chance for men, women and children to honor the special women in their lives. Delicious homemade treats can show mothers…

By Suzanne Freitas, UVM Extension master gardener  Warm days may tempt you to work in the garden and remove winter mulch, but wait a bit longer. We still could have more snow and some very cold nights. Plants still need protection. The freeze and thaw cycles of early spring can damage plants that have survived…

By Lee Emmons On certain afternoons, if I time it just right, I may spot a brown creeper (Certhia americana) on the trunk of a tree in my front yard. Moving stealthily, almost imperceptibly up the tree, the brown creeper hunts for food amongst the bark. I watch this avian mission with a sense of…