Vermont Garden Journal

Lots of folks have welcomed new dogs and cats into their homes in the past year or two. Learn how to keep your new additions to the family safe from potentially toxic holiday house plants and decorations.

From burlap wraps to A-frames, we'll learn how to protect new fruit trees and shrubs from winter winds and snow.

Learning some techniques to protect crocus and daffodils can keep them safe from critters and you'll get to enjoy their blooms next spring.

It's simple: when the soil in your raised beds and gardens is healthy, your flowers, veggies and herbs will grow better. Learn five techniques to keep the 'soul of your garden' in good shape.

You can carve pumpkins and then treat the outside and inside to prolong its spooky life.

These flowers are easy to grow and critters tend to leave them alone. Plus, they are late-bloomers and can last after the first light frost.

As you take stock of your lawn and gardens in the first days of fall, look around, take notes and plan out what you like to add next year. This is the perfect time to head to your favorite garden center for stock up on plants, shrubs and climbing vines.

It will soon be time to plant garlic but you can also put in some unusual onion varieties now and enjoy their mild flavors soon!

While fall produces garden color from hardy mums, tree and shrub foliage and asters, nothing beats the knock-out colors from zinnias. Now is a good time to take stock of your zinnia flowers, explore other varieties and plan on seed-saving and purchasing for next spring.

It's apple season! In grade school, you may have heard of a character called Johnny Appleseed. Most of what you learned is true, as he was a real person who did travel the Appalachians and Midwest states, planting apple orchards from seed. We'll separate some facts from fiction.

Certain plants can be rehoused indoors over the winter. We'll learn which ones make good candidates for the move!

Learn some techniques to determine when your squash and melons are ready to pick!

Late summer vines like clematis are really thriving in the heat. Some varieties can take over and be too aggressive. Learn which summer vines are beautiful and won't crowd out your garden and lawn space.

If you like big, colorful and showy flowers and your late summer gardening is suffering from a power outage, turn up the wattage by growing hardy hibiscus.

Move over, peppermint and spearmint! Try different varieties, like apple mint and banana mint, that won't take over your garden space.