- Composting in Winter
Composting is one of the best things you can do for your garden and the environment. During the frozen months of winter, it can be… Read more: Composting in Winter - Winter Tool MaintenanceCleaning and carefully storing tools at the end of the growing season will protect them over the winter so that they are ready to go… Read more: Winter Tool Maintenance
- Soil Testing & Autumn Soil AmendmentSoil tests measure soil pH, and texture, as well as the abundance of various available nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. Some tests can… Read more: Soil Testing & Autumn Soil Amendment
- Putting the Garden to BedBrrr! Winter is just around the corner-–it’s time to put your garden to bed before it gets too chilly. Harvest as much as you can… Read more: Putting the Garden to Bed
- Garden Bed HoophouseAdding a hoop house over your garden bed can protect your plants from frost and help them get the sunlight they need during the colder… Read more: Garden Bed Hoophouse
- Planting GarlicGarlic is a delicious and hardy crop that requires relatively low effort to produce a bountiful harvest! Here’s a few important tips to remember when… Read more: Planting Garlic
- Planting Fall BulbsMost bulbs are generally low maintenance, just make sure to pay attention to the timing and spacing when planting. Fall bulbs should be planted when… Read more: Planting Fall Bulbs
- Seed SavingSeed saving is an ancient practice that allows us to influence the performance and quality of our future crops without having to rely on store… Read more: Seed Saving
- Season ExtensionThe goal of season extension is to stretch the active growing period earlier in the Spring and later in the Fall. You can do this… Read more: Season Extension
- Autumn/Winter Cover CropsCover crops are typically planted just after the last summer or fall harvest and are meant to cover the soil throughout fall, winter and early… Read more: Autumn/Winter Cover Crops
- Mosquito ProtectionMosquitoes are a major annoyance and health risk, but don’t let them stop you from having fun outdoors this Summer! To protect yourself and your… Read more: Mosquito Protection
- What to Plant NowLate August is a perfect time to sow cold weather crops like spinach, lettuce, beets, radishes, and carrots, excellent options for zone five gardeners. Check… Read more: What to Plant Now
- Canning & PicklingThe rewards of gardening can stretch far beyond just the warmer months. You can extend the shelf life of your food by canning and pickling… Read more: Canning & Pickling
- Pruning TomatoesPruning your tomatoes will ensure that your plants produce quality fruits and also prevents your garden from getting too crowded. Here’s a few important things… Read more: Pruning Tomatoes
- VermicompostingDid you know that you can make your own compost easily at home without having to spend on a complex set up and without a… Read more: Vermicomposting
- Harvesting & Using HerbsAdding herbs is a great way to bring flavor to any dish. Herbs also have various medicinal qualities and uses. You can harvest herbs regularly… Read more: Harvesting & Using Herbs
- Irrigation MethodsWhen it comes to watering your garden, you can’t go wrong with a hose or watering can, but if you’re looking to save some time… Read more: Irrigation Methods
- Rain GardensRain gardens are designed to give stormwater a place to seep slowly into the ground, preventing further runoff. Rainwater runoff often picks up pollutants like… Read more: Rain Gardens
- Trellising Tomatoes
Not only does trellising help to support tomato plants structurally, it also improves air circulation, reduces risk of disease, and keeps your garden neater! https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/three-ways-trellis-tomatoes… Read more: Trellising Tomatoes - Planting Summer BulbsAdding a burst of color and vibrancy to your garden is as simple as planting bulbs. These easy-to-grow plants provide stunning displays of flowers year… Read more: Planting Summer Bulbs
- Companion PlantingThe chemical compounds and defenses found in certain plants can have great benefits for other crops planted nearby. Certain crops can deter pests naturally, attract… Read more: Companion Planting
- How to WaterEvery garden is different! When watering, make sure to consider the size, species and location of your plants, as well as the size and makeup… Read more: How to Water
- Plant SpacingWhether direct sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings, it is important to properly space your plants within your garden in order to maintain healthy plants and… Read more: Plant Spacing
- Direct Sow vs TransplantsWhether to direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings is a great question to ask before planting your garden. Does it matter? Which one is better?… Read more: Direct Sow vs Transplants
- Spring Perennial CarePerennials are amazing for having a perpetual garden year after year. However, some key maintenance throughout the year can ensure happy, healthy plants, and Spring… Read more: Spring Perennial Care
- Preparing Your GardenSpring has sprung! Make sure you and your garden are prepared for the growing season. Here’s some important steps to help you get ready to… Read more: Preparing Your Garden
- Setting Up Your CompostComposting can be one of the most beneficial things you do for your garden, community, and planet. It is easy to get started, and there… Read more: Setting Up Your Compost
- The NectaryThere are so many factors that are affecting our ability to produce food. One large factor is the decline in pollinators due to things like… Read more: The Nectary
- Starting SeedsStarting your own seedlings this year? The thought can be intimidating for beginner growers, but there are many benefits: you can buy varieties that you… Read more: Starting Seeds
- Spring Planted BulbsWhile many flower bulbs need to be planted in Autumn for Spring blooms, there are some bulbs that need to be planted in Spring and… Read more: Spring Planted Bulbs
- Season Extension Workshop with Jim Dunn
- For the Love of GrubsThere are so many amazing insects that coexist with our gardens and whose presence is helpful to a healthy harvest. It is important to make… Read more: For the Love of Grubs
- Plant Disease & Management w/ Linda Svoboda Spring Green Thumb Workshop
- Spring Green Thumb Workshops
- Mason BeesSome of the earliest pollinators we will see in the garden are Mason Bees. Mason bees are not aggressive and have different nesting needs than… Read more: Mason Bees
- Beneficial PlantsThere are so many beneficial plants out there for a happy, healthy garden. Some revitalize the soil. Some attract beneficial insects such as pollinators. Some… Read more: Beneficial Plants
- Ordering SeedsIt’s time to think about ordering seeds and planning your garden for Spring! It’s always good to order seeds before the season starts. Prices might… Read more: Ordering Seeds
- 2023 Green Thumb WorkshopsVINES offers educational opportunities throughout the year called Green Thumb Workshops. These learning opportunities are available to everyone in our community for free. We do… Read more: 2023 Green Thumb Workshops
- Planning Our Garden SpacePlanning a garden can be daunting, but with a little preparation, your garden can grow into its full potential. Follow these links to find out… Read more: Planning Our Garden Space
- Checking Seed Viability (Will they still grow?)It’s mid-winter, but we’re starting to dream about digging in the soil and starting the annual process of planting out our gardens. Remember all the… Read more: Checking Seed Viability (Will they still grow?)
- Composting during the “Cold Months”As is the case with most gardening activities in our climate, composting takes a bit of a pause for the winter, but it doesn’t have… Read more: Composting during the “Cold Months”
- Garden Tool Cleaning/OrganizationHere in the Southern Tier, gardening season is definitely coming to end with several days of winter weather already upon us. However, still manageable to… Read more: Garden Tool Cleaning/Organization
- Soil Testing/Fall Soil AmendmentsNow is as good a time as any to help your garden soil out by amending it properly. If you want to know more specifically… Read more: Soil Testing/Fall Soil Amendments
- Putting Your Garden to BedThe growing season is nearly over, and it’s time to put your garden to bed. Here is an article from The Spruce on how to… Read more: Putting Your Garden to Bed
- Building A Hoop House for a Raised Garden BedThe cold weather is here. Whether you are looking to extend this year’s harvest or get a jump start on next year’s planting, a hoop… Read more: Building A Hoop House for a Raised Garden Bed
- Garlic PlantingWant to grow your own garlic but don’t know where to start? Come learn about garlic growing techniques with us on Thursday Oct. 13th at… Read more: Garlic Planting
- Dividing Perennials for Fall Planting + Tree PlantingAlthough it’s not a task that needs to be done every year, dividing and replanting your perennials keeps them healthy and vibrant, with enough space… Read more: Dividing Perennials for Fall Planting + Tree Planting
- CanningNow that the season is nearly over, you can learn how to preserve all the fresh fruits you picked over the summer! This article from… Read more: Canning
