COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Battening down the beds
A nor’easter calls for securing containers, clearing drains and putting several inches of rain to work in the garden.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Inside the New England Flower Show
At Elm Bank, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's show offered miniature seed sculptures, open-to-all design competitions and experts happy to answer any question. This week's garden jobs come before the first frost.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Fall color, rose trouble and September tasks
Asters bloom, black spot spreads and gardeners turn toward the season ahead.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Roses find new sun as daylilies steal the show
Colleen Connor relocates struggling shrubs while vibrant summer perennials deliver dependable color and easy care.
COLLEEN’S GARDEN: The rhythm of gardening
Weather patterns guide summer chores, from feeding roses and deep watering before heat waves through weeding after rain.
Summer solstice brings an easy week in the garden
A Salem Garden Club tour through the Willows offered waterfront plantings, fairy-garden details and lessons in color, contrast and carefree foliage.
COLLEEN’S GARDEN: A plan for the can
A giant Chicago trash bin made an unexpected move to Marblehead years ago. Now, with new town-issued carts on the way, one gardener is finding creative ways to give old receptacles a second life.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Try the Chelsea chop now for stronger, fuller perennials
Late spring is the window for cutting back many vigorous garden plants before they bloom, a move that can mean sturdier stems later.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Now is the time to get reacquainted with your beds
Seedlings need gradual outdoor exposure, starting in shaded areas for brief periods before remaining outside through warmer nights.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Plant sales, roses and more garden tasks
Garden club volunteers have moved the annual event to a veterans hall with expanded parking, aiming to ease congestion and improve access for shoppers.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: April in the garden
Spring is a busy time in the garden! There are so many jobs to choose from in April, I am just listing them here: * Schedule an appointment with your irrigation guys to turn your water on. I usually get mine switched on around April 15. * Check in with your lawn
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Seeds, seeds, seeds!!!
Skip bargain bags that feel like sawdust and learn packet specifics like cold chilling or light exposure to improve sprouting rates before planting.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: Wrapping it up!
Road deicers protect drivers but can scorch perennials and pollute runoff. Consider sand for grip or calcium magnesium acetate, which is less corrosive to stone, paws and plants.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: A cottage Christmas
Get our free local reporting delivered straight to your inbox. No noise, no spam — just clear, independent coverage of Marblehead. Sign up for our once-a-week newsletter. The Marblehead 2025 Christmas Walk Parade had a new entry this year. The Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott were garden elves
COLLEEN’S GARDEN: Happy Thanksgiving!
It is exhilarating to get out of the house while the turkey is steaming up the kitchen, even for just 10 minutes. If you look around your garden, you may see something still green or even blooming. My honeysuckle has some color. I just found packets of seeds I want
COLLEEN’S GARDEN: Those darn bunnies!
Simple fencing formed into custom enclosures can shield vulnerable shrubs from wildlife that climb atop packed snow in colder months.