Latest Posts
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Holding On Until Spring: How Birds Survive Winter Weather
On frigid winter days, there are few things I appreciate more than the masterful inventions of insulation and indoor heating. I am grateful to have refuge from the elements and gaze outside, where there once was a sea of green leaves just a few… Continue reading
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Beginner Garden Contemplations on a Snowy Day
Despite the bitter cold that has followed us into February, I’m here to remind you that the growing season is just around the corner. Start planning your spring garden now! The snow will melt and spring will be here before you know it. Here are a few things… Continue reading
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Reusing Plant Growing Supplies – Good Environmental Stewardship or Asking for Trouble?
As plant people, I think we all try to be environmentally responsible. It is a natural extension of our bringing nature into our homes. The love for nature is what inspires us to cherish plants. We certainly would not want… Continue reading
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Money Might Not Grow on Trees, but Chocolate Does!
For a sumptuous celebration of Valentine’s Day, many may shell out for that gorgeous bouquet of flowers along with decadent chocolates arranged so artfully in their heart-shaped box. In fact, in 2023, Americans bought 58 million pounds of chocolate for… Continue reading
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Pragmatic Predictors, Pests, and Ecosystem Engineers
I am sure that many of us have a family of groundhogs that take residence under our sheds or in our yards. Understandably, they are disliked by many home gardeners, despite providing some pragmatic predictions about when spring will arrive.… Continue reading
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A Few Historic Barns of North-central Connecticut
This region of Connecticut is home to a rich tapestry of historic barns reflecting the state’s agricultural evolution. Plus, it is an area where I drive around a lot, especially with an eye toward interesting farms and farm structures. Here… Continue reading
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The Winter Garden: Selecting Plants to Brighten Up Short Days
While we wait for the hellebores, daffodils, and snow drops to appear in the spring, I can’t help but admire the plants still showing off their beauty during the winter months. If you are yearning for more winter interest in… Continue reading
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Seaweed—A Case of False Advertisement
Its name seems self-explanatory. A weed in the sea, right? Well, the compounded nature of this word doesn’t exactly paint an accurate picture. By definition, a weed is any plant which grows unintentionally – the keyword being “plant.” The kicker here is: seaweed is not even a plant at all. “Seaweed” is a general term to encapsulate two… Continue reading
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Is Your Soil Too Tired? Signs of Compaction and How to Fix It
From many homeowners, I hear some version of the same story at UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Lab: “I fertilized, I reseeded, I even watered more. The lawn by the driveway still looks tired and thin. What am I missing?” Often,… Continue reading
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Barn Cupolas and What They do
Cupolas are small structures built over a hole in the roof centerline to provide light, ventilation, a nice view or perhaps some decoration to the overall structure. While found on many kinds of buildings including the International Space Station, the… Continue reading
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