Category Archives: Uncategorized

I was not dissatisfied with last year’s potato crop, but now I’m ready for something different. It seems that everyone is selling “Yellow Finn” and “All Blue” and “Red Pearl,” and they are all fine cultivars. But I like to … Continue reading →

HerbDoc just loves her mason bees: I’ve always wanted to keep bees and even went so far as to take the beekeeping course two years ago.  Unfortunately my husband is highly allergic to beestings, and I was never able to … Continue reading →

Recently, I came across a thought-provoking piece in the latest “Organic Gardening” magazine. The article explores the ornamental plant growing industry and the chemicals used to produce those perfect little plants we see in flats at nurseries. It seems that … Continue reading →

With new apps coming out every day, I thought I would take a look at a couple of new offerings that pertain to trees. The one everyone’s talking about right now is “Dirr’s Tree and Shrub Finder.” It costs $14.99. … Continue reading →

We gardeners plot and scheme and plan how best to manipulate nature so we can grow our vegetables, and nature often throws us curve balls such as cold temperatures and drought. But sometimes, the surprises are pleasant ones. Take my … Continue reading →

Throughout my Master Gardener  training, and later, in a more focused advanced course on weeds and invasives, the mantra of every instructor was “seek and destroy.” I don’t know how much money is spent by state and federal governments on … Continue reading →

I remember during my Master Gardener core training course, when the mere mention of groundhogs, (or “woodchucks” here in RI) would send my classmates into a frenzied discussion of how to get rid of them. I heard people who I … Continue reading →

The above orchid is Phalaenopsis “Little Sunny.” It was a door prize at an orchid club meeting, and when I won it, it had two healthy-looking leaves, but not much else. I had no idea what the flowers would look … Continue reading →

HerbDoc is all in a tizzy over a new cuke: I love fresh cucumbers, especially the pickling varieties, but since we have high humidity here due to the proximity of the ocean, I’m often plagued by powdery mildew.  Weekly spraying … Continue reading →

HerbDoc has a warning for you, our dear readers: A very disturbing report aired on our local news recently.  Apparently the Price Rite grocery store in Cranston, RI,  was carrying quarter ounce bags of the flower heads of Arnica right … Continue reading →