Submitted Lightweight, breathable wedding attire can tame the heat of summer weddings. May, June and July consistently rank among the most popular months to get married. These months typically provide pleasant weather, and if it does rain, it’s often in the form of a brief thunderstorm. But summer weather can be extremely hot, and while…

KILLINGTON — The 9th Annual Rutland Summer Evening Bridal Show will be at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel on Thursday evening July 16. Join in the celebration with the best wedding professionals in the area! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Prizes are at drawn at 9 p.m. and include an overnight stay for two at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel,…

Submitted In Sweden, a bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe so she will never have to go without. Couples on the verge of tying the knot spend lots of time hoping their wedding days go off without a hitch. The threat of raindrops…

By Polly Lynn Wedding size determines a lot: the location, the venue, food and drink choices, and (of course) the budget. Given that, it seems that knowing approximately how large your wedding is going to be must be among the first decisions a bride- and groom-to-be must make. Is it to be an intimate affair…

Being asked to join a bridal party is both an honor and a responsibility. When asked to take on such significant and meaningful roles, men and women may recognize the honor but be unsure of what their responsibilities are as couples move forward with their wedding plans. Bridal party roles can vary depending on certain…

By Robin Alberti The first year that I tried growing my own garlic, I was surprised to find this thin (about the width of a pencil) light-green stem growing out of the top. It curled around as it grew and even made a flower bud at the end. It reminded me of something out of…

Submitted Help boost your soil with compost and other amendments, to get the most out of your edible or visual garden. Mother Nature provides plenty to grow healthy lawns, gardens and landscapes. But as many homeowners know, some lawns sometimes need a little extra boost to complement nature. Soil sometimes must be amended so plants…

Submitted Hanging items vertically frees up more space in a shed or garage. Despite other intentions, homeowners often turn their garages into storage centers for random, little-used items, leaving little to no room for the tools and even vehicles that actually belong in a garage. Such homeowners may turn to sheds to store their garage…

As Memorial Day approaches many in Central Vermont are getting excited about putting in gardens and planting flowers, ‘tis the season, and after a long cold winter we are all ready for some flowers! The Rutland County Humane Society would like to remind gardeners with pets, however, that there are poisonous plants to watch out…

Biosolids are an organic amendment available to gardeners. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, biosolids are carefully treated and monitored residuals formed at sewage treatment facilities. They may be recycled into fertilizers to stimulate plant growth. Biosolids may help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Biosolids can be safe to use, but homeowners…

Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide that can be used to combat a host of landscaping pests and diseases. Azadirachtin is an active component in neem oil that can be extracted to repel and kill pests. Studies have shown that neem oil is nearly nontoxic to bees, birds, fish, and wildlife. In addition, neem…

Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, UVM Effective control of animal pests is possible though your success will depend on your timing, method, and perseverance. A control that works for your neighbor, or that worked for you last year, may not work this time around. You may need to try a variety of methods and devices…

Submitted Curb appeal can set your home apart from others, and improving curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive. Curb appeal can help a home get noticed in a bustling real estate market. Curb appeal also can contribute to the aesthetics of a neighborhood for residents who plan to stay put, and many homeowners feel…

Some of the most popular gardens are plots designated for cultivating herbs and vegetables. Fresh produce is a great benefit of having a home garden, allowing homeowners to exercise control over which products to use to grow robust, healthy vegetables. Novice gardeners may not know where to begin when it comes to planting their first…

Photo by John Hall Salamanders like this Eastern red-spotted newt will soon be crossing Vermont roadways to reach wetlands where they will breed. You may have already heard the spring peepers or wood frogs calling in your backyard. Or perhaps you’ve noticed salamanders crawling over rocks in a nearby stream. The arrival of spring brings…