Phenology, as simply defined by Merriam-Webster, is a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (such as bird migration or plant flowering.) Growing Degree Days (GDD) is a tool used in this study that calculates the accumulation of warmer temperature days over a season. In the field of horticulture and your gardens, thisContinue reading “Growing Degree Days- How We Know When Plants Will Flower”
Author Archives: Barking Dog Gardens
A New Season And A Visit With Sylvan Nursery
Well after last week we were all convinced Spring was here and we were madly scrambling to catch up and get out there. Then it snowed! The extended forecast looks pretty good, but sometimes I just need to tell myself to slow down and get a grip. We are not behind and the garden is not passing us byContinue reading “A New Season And A Visit With Sylvan Nursery”
Healthy and Sustainable Turf Care
You have seen Alden Johnson of Barrett Tree East quoted in this newsletter before as he is a Certified Arborist and works for one of the best tree companies in the Boston area, with whom I almost exclusively work. I sat down with Alden and their new turf expert, Kyle Peigh, at distance and with masks, a few weeks ago toContinue reading “Healthy and Sustainable Turf Care”
Van Berkum Nursery – Growing Perennials the Right Way
Two weeks ago I ventured up to Deerfield, NH to meet with John Gedraitis, the General Manager of Van Berkum Nursery. Many of us in the field of horticulture in New England consider them the best growers of perennials, and a great supplier of some not so easy to find native and non-native plants. The nursery wasContinue reading “Van Berkum Nursery – Growing Perennials the Right Way”
Mad Mics Mulch, Some Of The Best Mulch You Can Put In Your Garden
Anyone who has known me long enough or has read anything I have written over the years, knows that it doesn’t take much to send me on a rampage about bad mulch or the improper application of mulch. Rest easy, because today I am going to talk about some beautiful mulch products, from a local company, that areContinue reading “Mad Mics Mulch, Some Of The Best Mulch You Can Put In Your Garden”
Thoughts On Growing And Some Favorite Trees From Grelen Nursery In Orange County, VA
Maybe you have wondered where the tree you planted in your garden last year was grown, or how long it took to become the 8′ adolescent sitting in that newly created bed. You may have purchased it from a local nursery or had a contractor install it, but it probably wasn’t grown around here. While there certainly areContinue reading “Thoughts On Growing And Some Favorite Trees From Grelen Nursery In Orange County, VA”
Unusual And Special Gifts For The Gardener In Your Life
We are deep into the holiday season, and it has been a bizarre season largely in lock-down. For years I have gotten questions about great gift ideas for gardeners and the garden, so here is a list of some not so typical ideas. There will be no fur-lined waterproof clogs, monogrammed leather gardening aprons or self-sharpeningContinue reading “Unusual And Special Gifts For The Gardener In Your Life”
Reflecting On A Bizarre Year In Our New England Gardens
We are solidly into our late fall weather after that stunning stretch of 70º weather two weeks ago, oh, and that freak-show of a snow storm with sub-freezing temps for Halloween. I heard from a lot of you who trudged outside in the snow with brooms, hockey sticks, bamboo stakes and telescoping poles(?) to gently knock theContinue reading “Reflecting On A Bizarre Year In Our New England Gardens”
Saving Money And Having Fun By Propagating Your Annuals
First, thanks to many of you who attended to my pruning class online the other day at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Your comments and thoughts are well appreciated. If you missed it, you can find the video available online for the next two months, including the Q&A at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. For the modest cost, itContinue reading “Saving Money And Having Fun By Propagating Your Annuals”
The Science and Art of Watering the New England Garden
Watering has been on every gardener’s mind all summer. Some have been dealing with water bans for months, while some have been fortunate enough to water as needed. I have made it a focus of all my newsletters this season, as it is the single most important aspect to the health of your living plants rightContinue reading “The Science and Art of Watering the New England Garden”
Barking Dog Gardens - Gardening in New England 