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

The Patio – Wild or Tame? By Deborah Clark NABBW’s Gardening Expert A few years ago I designed a front yard patio encircled by a low wall, in Phoenix where this is a popular style. A garden of native perennials and shrubs adorned the outer side of the wall and potted plants within. In such a climate the patio is like a room with no ceiling, and can be used any time it\’s not too hot outside. In the mid-Atlantic, like most other places, our weather varies more so our use of outdoor spaces is more complicated. We\’ve insulated and installed double-paned windows and a screened... Read More