Seedbed Troubleshooting Causes Gardeners to Become Natural Technicians By Deborah Clark NABBW’s Gardening Expert These days when we\’re more and more inundated with technology, we can lose touch with the natural world. When I just think of all the computers I interact with on an average day – scanning groceries, pumping gas, text messaging on my cell phone, surfing the internet, answering email, driving my car, using Facetime on my iPad to connect with faraway family, punching phone buttons to get help with a bill, using the remote to watch TV, programming the dishwasher, turning... Read More

Sowing Seeds Indoors By Deborah Clark NABBW’s Gardening Expert Once upon a time, I lived in a very cold place where the winters (measured by the first and last frost dates) lasted from Aug. 15 to June 15. This was back in the old days. This was back in the old days. I understand that Burlington winters haven\’t been so bad in the last few decades. As a budding (no pun intended, of course) vegetable gardener, I did what I had to do: started seeds indoors. Back then, I rented a community plot and also plowed up the back yard and grew vegetables galore – enough to can tomatoes... Read More

Waiting for Blooms By Deborah Clark NABBW’s Gardening Expert When you\’re 5 years old, one year is a fifth of your life – a full 20 percent. But when you\’re 50, it\’s only one-fiftieth of your life. Just the blink of an eye. This is why gardening gets easier as you get older. So much of gardening involves waiting and watching. When you\’re older, your sense of time expands, and waiting becomes easier. I remember planting flower seeds when I was 8 years old. I bought them myself at a corner dime store. The seed package showed the most beautiful blue morning... Read More