Dot Lenhart

Glorious, if belated, spring

Glorious, if belated, spring

Some observations from a garden in the shadow of Mt. Wantastiquet

Mark Twain must have been predicting our 2017 New England spring when he said, “In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

While the chilly temperatures and general lack of sunshine might have held spring back, plants in my garden are about two weeks ahead of their usual timetable.

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Getting the gardens in good order

We must be as resilient as the plants to get through these weather variations in good spirits

Mark Twain's quote could not be more relevant for us in New England this year. After a very mild winter, Mother Nature has been teasing us mercilessly this spring. One recent Friday had us enjoying a summer-like 70 degrees. Then, Saturday was an appropriate 50 spring-like degrees. And on...

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Fire department needs new space at reasonable price

The Brattleboro Fire Department absolutely deserves, and needs, a safe working space from which to operate. I think the the $2 million price tag is what put many voters, including myself, off the idea of the proposed new facility. I am hoping that a reasonable budget will be brought...

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It's not too late to plant

The question I am most frequently asked this time of year is, “Can I still plant trees, shrubs, and perennials in the fall?” The answer is a resounding “Yes!” While the air is becoming cooler, the ground is still retaining warmth from summer. We also typically experience abundant rainfall in fall. For these reasons, things we plant now make vigorous root growth and get established quickly. It is also a time of year that you can often find many nurseries...

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Put your garden to bed in the fall

The harvest is in, the growing season is winding down, and it's time to start thinking about getting the garden cleaned up and ready for next season. Remember, the more work you do now, the less you have to do come spring. Here's a to-do list: • Now is the ideal time to save seeds for planting next year, or for sharing with friends. Harvest ripe seeds, air dry, and store out of light in an airtight container. • Clean...

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Stop and smell the roses

Roses have long symbolized love, beauty, war, and even politics. According to fossil evidence, the rose is 35 million years old. About 150 species of roses grow throughout the northern hemisphere. Cultivation of roses did not begin until about 5,000 years ago, most likely in China. The “War of the Roses” in 15th-century England was so called because the groups fighting for control each chose either a white or red rose as their symbol. To this day, the rose is...

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Early bulbs come into bloom

It has sure been a long, cold winter here in the Northeast. It has seemed as if the snow would never end. The snow piles have been shrinking day by day here, and I even have a few brave snowdrops blooming. As the snow goes, I sometimes help nature along by shoveling off some of the large piles from the shade and putting them where the snow has already melted in the sun. After all, snow is known as “the...

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Lucky to hear the noise of our youth at play

I live near an elementary school in Brattleboro, where daily I hear screaming, hollering, clapping cheering and, if I am lucky, music. Not to mention the sound of basketballs sometimes late into the night. I treasure the sounds of our youth at play. Does Barry Adams [“Opposes not a skatepark, but a plan,” Letters, Sept. 28] think that we should abolish outdoor activities at our schools, as well? I might also point out that many old-growth trees survive being planted...

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