Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: A garden for all to enjoy Nancy D’Amato by the stump that she has planted with columbine and other Sedums at the North Amherst Library garden. “I just think it has coalesced into a soup of interesting mix of colors and shapes. It either applies to you are you think what a pointless mess,” said D’Amato. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
The North Amherst Library garden. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Nancy D’Amato by the stump she has planted with columbine and sedums at the North Amherst Library garden. “I just think it has coalesced into a soup of interesting mix of colors and shapes. It either applies to you or you think, what a pointless mess,” she said. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: Protecting pollinator populations is key for phoebes, other birds
Bees retrieve pollen from an azalea bush, one of the first plants that blooms in spring, in Jessica Tanner’s yard in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Jessica Tanner cleans out dead stems from her pollinator garden at her home in Northampton. She leaves the stems all winter so insects can live in them throughout the cold months and hatch in the spring. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Bees retrieve pollen from an Azalea bush, one of the first plants that blooms in spring, in Jessica Tanner’s yard in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Get Growing with Mickey Rathbun: Protecting pollinator populations is key for phoebes, other birds
Bees retrieve pollen from an azalea bush, one of the first plants that blooms in spring, in Jessica Tanner’s yard in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Jessica Tanner cleans out dead stems from her pollinator garden at her home in Northampton. She leaves the stems all winter so insects can live in them throughout the cold months and hatch in the spring. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Bees retrieve pollen from an Azalea bush, one of the first plants that blooms in spring, in Jessica Tanner’s yard in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Get Growing: Why crabapple trees are looking sad this year, and what to do about it
An afflicted crabapple tree. Courtesy photo
Modified: 10/18/2019 2:15:03 PM
Crabapple trees are one of my favorite ornamental spring trees. A mainstay of the New England landscape, they offer three seasons of interest, plus a handsome branching habit that looks good all winter long, especially when decked with freshly fallen snow or a sparkling coat of ice. Crabapples are typically low maintenance and drought tolerant. Their lovely dark pink or red buds open to a wide variety of shades, from white to magenta. They can have single, double, or semi-double blossoms as well as cupped or fringed blossoms. Some are deliciously fragrant. The fruits vary too, from yellow to orange and red. Birds love them. Crabapples also offer colorful fall foliage.
Get Growing: Winter dreams and the promise of spring
Jenifer McKenna’s garden of beets and onions from last summer, an example of companion plantings. The beets were planted inside a protective “fence” of onions and garlic. Submitted photo
A blanket of snow covers remaining plants in the community gardens in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Dianne Klenotic stocks shelves with seeds at the Gardeners Supply Co. in Hadley as stores in the region get ready for spring. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Dianne Klenotic stocks shelves with seeds at the Gardeners Supply Company in Hadley. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
A blanket of snow covers remaining plants in the community gardens in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS