May 3-7—VIRTUAL—The Composting Association of Vermont and the Agency of Natural Resources will be hosting the Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS). This event will bring together leaders and learners from across the state to discuss creative ways to keep organics out of the trash and transform organics into valuable products. The free online summit is a great opportunity for anyone interested in how Vermont communities and organizations manage their food scraps successfully and overcome challenges.…

By Rachel Sargent Mirus On sunny, warm days, houseflies hatch and buzz around homes and offices. These flies complete aerobatic stunts that easily evade human efforts at swatting or shooing. That aerial agility, so frustrating to the would-be swatters, is thanks to a pair of highly specialized sense organs called halteres. Halteres are modified wings…

By Gary Salmon There is a line in the lyrics of this great Bee Gees song of the ‘70s that if I were an ash tree and John Travolta was singing it to me I would pay attention to: “Life goin’ nowhere, somebody help me.” Since emerald ash borer (EAB) began infecting Vermont ash trees…

You want to take advantage of the benefits of weatherization: a warmer home, savings on your fuel bills, fewer drafts. But the costs feel like a big unknown, and you’re not sure where to start. Upfront costs are a concern for most home improvement projects. Good news: Most Vermonters are eligible for incentives and low…

The value of the right lighting in a home is undeniable. Lighting can instantly transform a room and create the ambiance homeowners are looking to establish. Though it might be mostly seen as a way to create mood inside a home, lighting also can do much for lawns and gardens. Backyards have come a long…

Home renovation trends are ever-changing. Renovations that might have been de rigueur 20 years ago may seem dated now. Recognizing the potentially popular trends of tomorrow is a great way for homeowners to give their homes a fresh new look and put themselves in position to capitalize on those trends when they put their homes…

Home renovation projects are significant undertakings. Working with skilled and experienced contractors can ensure projects go smoothly and are completed promptly. Timing is a big consideration for homeowners as they begin renovating their homes, and the home improvement experts at HomeAdvisor note that the following are some general timelines for popular renovation projects. Home addition:…

By Karen D. Lorentz An application has been filed by Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners (KPSRP) for its master planned unit development (PUD) approval for the Base Camp at Bear Mountain project, the first development of slopeside units at Killington since 2006. The proposed community consists of  156 residential units. Application #21-011 seeks specific site plan…

By Polly Mikula Building a house was a bucket list item, something I hoped to be able to do at some point in my life when I had enough money, time and when I had found my ideal plot of land. I never dreamed I’d take on such a project in my 30s while pregnant.…

By Brooke Geery You did it! You moved away from home. Whether you chose out West, the big city, or overseas, you fulfilled your childhood dream of going somewhere else — moving for bigger mountains or opportunities. But, after being gone for many years, you may have come to realize (like I did) that the…

‘Bikes are the new toilet paper’ By Katy Savage As ski trails closed, and Vermonters were asked to stay home to help flatten the curve of infection, people have turned to biking— specifically, mountain biking. Several local store owners say they’ve seen record sales for mountain bikes this spring. Jean Pierre DeFrancesco-Sias, the general manager…

One of the greatest barriers preventing consumers from purchasing local food at farmers’ markets is the perception that farmers’ markets are too expensive. Many consumers report that they avoid purchasing local food at direct marketing outlets, such as farmers’ markets, for fear of high costs. Last year, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets…

By Dr. Leonard Perry Carrots are loved by many, useful in many recipes, nutritious, and they store well. They’re also one of the top 10 most economically important vegetable crops in the world. Follow a few tips, and carrots are easy to grow in home gardens. For the best results, pay particular attention to good…

By Dr. Leonard Perry As every gardener would agree, flowers provide color in the landscape. But it is an understanding of color and its uses that allows gardeners to make the most of their flowerbeds and to achieve pleasing results. Looking at plants as a painter (as the famous Monet did) isn’t that complex, and…

Submitted Fairy garden creation is a great way to get kids interested in gardening, while teaching them a useful skill such as how to grow and take care of plants. Gardening can be an enjoyable activity for adults and children alike. Gardening encourages creative thinking and can make for an eco-friendly activity as well. Adding…