The Webster Viridarium
Looking for a lovely place to take a stroll? Consider visiting Sara’s Garden Center in Brockport. Not only can you walk through their beautifully landscaped grounds, you can take their gorgeous plants home with you. They have a great selection of difficult to find perennials and native plants, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff to assist you.
Garlic Harvest
If the top two leaves of your hardneck garlic stalks have turned brown it’s time to dig them up.
To avoid damaging the garlic bulbs, we use a decent sized trowel and place it in the ground about three inches from the garlic plant’s stalk. With a gentle tug, we pull up on the stalk while simultaneously tilting the trowel back and allowing the bulb to pop free.
Don’t wash the bulbs, just knock off any large clumps of soil. Place the harvested garlic in a single layer or hang them in small bundles. They need a warm but shaded spot that is well-ventilated. A covered porch, shed, or garage are ideal.
Once the stems and roots are entirely brown and crisp, the garlic is ready to be trimmed. Cut the stems about one to two inches above the bulb and trim the roots to about 1/4 inch.
Store the cured bulbs in a cool, dark, and dry location with good air circulation (typically a mesh bag). Hardneck garlic can be stored for two to four months, but in the right conditions it may last longer.
Seed companies database
We’ve put together a database of seed companies from across the United States and Canada, all with their own unique varieties of seeds. There are a surprising number of options available. The seed companies represented do not sell GMO seeds and many offer a wide variety of heirloom, open pollinator (non-hybrid), and organic seeds.
Attracting Ladybugs to your garden
Our suggestions for bringing some helpful visitors to your yard this summer.
Monty Don’s New Book: British Gardens
Monty Don’s massive new 456 page book, filled with Derry Moore’s photos of spectacular British gardens was released on May 5th.
From the northern tip of Scotland down to the southern Cornish coast, Monty visits numerous glorious gardens including Northumbria’s Alnwick Gardens, Beatrix Potter’s Lake District farmhouse and the rewilded walled garden on the Knepp Estate.
Can’t wait for Monty’s book to arrive!
Mosquito Control
One of the more surprising realities of life in Western NY is the growing popularity of mosquito control services. Thanks to heavy advertising by unscrupulous companies and little mention of the dangers of spraying to pollinators and other insects, serious damage is being done to our environment everyday.
Before selecting a landscape service, consider avoiding companies that promote insecticides.
A swallowtail in our garden here at Shortmeadow this past July.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook
Contains step-by-step advice for successfully growing 32 vegetables; scores of time saving tips and proven veggie-growing techniques; more than 150 stunning, full-color photos; insightful and entertaining anecdotes from experienced gardeners; recommended varieties; essential reference tables and charts; dedicated pages for recording ongoing observations; and much more!
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Flower Gardener’s Handbook
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, America’s longtime trusted gardening resource, shares with you how to grow more than 30 stunning flowers throughout the year. Gorgeous photos accompany expert guidance and inspirational ideas, providing gardeners of all experience levels with the tools for success and creative enjoyment.
The Complete Gardener: A Practical, Imaginative Guide to Every Aspect of Gardening
The most comprehensive, practical, and highly illustrated book Monty has ever written, it covers what he believes are the most important aspects of gardening. Organic techniques have always been at the core of his practice, but this new edition picks up on another key principle: the need to provide habitats in your garden for local wildlife.
Life-Changing Homes: Eco-Friendly Designs That Promote Well-Being
The dozens of spaces featured in Life-Changing Homes urge readers to think differently about their own lives and what might be possible, and the gorgeous photography and thought-provoking writing share the inspiring stories of those who have made the change.
