Author Archives: dirtynailz

 Here’s Elderbery with some timely vegetable gardening advice: During the last week of June and the first week of July, give or take some days, I know it is time to be vigilant, on the lookout for squash vine … Continue reading →

Last August, I told you about efforts now underway to restore the majestic American Chestnut. Castanea dentate once dominated the forests in the eastern part of the country, but in the early 20th century, chestnut blight destroyed nearly all of … Continue reading →

The hummingbirds have found the feeders at our new house. A while back, I wrote a post about how I was hoping I would have them this year after we moved last September. I find hummingbirds fascinating, and consider their … Continue reading →

I did something the other night that I seldom do: I actually sat through an episode of DIY’s “Sweat Equity.” In this episode, two suckers…er, I mean, a lovely couple, wanted to turn the barren back yard of their cookie … Continue reading →

A few years ago, I started experimenting with alliums. They’re perfect plants for that period when the spring bulbs have gone by but the summer plants aren’t blooming yet. They come in so many variations of color size and form … Continue reading →

Here’s HerbDoc with a  fascinating use for one of our most common wild plants: Botanically known as Impatiens aurea, Jewelweed is a member of the genus Impatiens and is widely distributed throughout New England.  It’s actually listed as a wildflower … Continue reading →

Isn’t the above clematis a thing of beauty? It’s one of the Montanas, growing with obvious gusto on a fence not too far from where I live. Whether you say Clem-A-tis or CLEM-a-tis, chances are if you’re a gardener, you … Continue reading →

For me, this is a wonderful, but also frustrating time of year. It’s too early here in Rhode Island to plant anything other than cold weather crops like snap peas and lettuce. But I have all these seedlings busily outgrowing … Continue reading →

It’s really kind of amazing. Every year on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, thousand (yes thousands!) of people converge on the University of Rhode Island’s East Farm for the annual Spring Festival. The main attraction is the chance to … Continue reading →

How do you like the trees in the above photo? They are zelcovas, and someone pruned them like this a few months  ago. I guess “prune” is an understatement. The limbs are now stumps –  fuzzy stumps with emerging foliage. … Continue reading →