Dive deep into the shady underbelly of Maine’s forests where ghost pipe, Monotropa uniflora, lurks as a devious freeloader, sapping life from innocent trees via fungal middlemen. Don’t be fooled by its eerie, ethereal glow; this perennial predator thrives in the dark, pilfering nutrients without a hint of photosynthesis. A touch of mystique surrounds its limited culinary and medicinal applications—handle with care, if you dare.
Plants
The ancient beauty and lifecycle of Maine moss, lichen and liverwort
Moss, lichen and liverwort are ancient plants. In fact, they were the first to creep out of the preverbal waters as algae as tiny plants that clung to rocks creating the basis for plant life on land. A single moss can live for thousands of years, and they grow on View Article
Vibrant edible plants in Maine to forage in fall
The stark contrast and unending succession of the seasons in Maine has always intrigued me. Everything changes so quickly. Enjoy the vivid autumn colors in unexpected places as you look for edible plants in Maine to forage in fall. Taking a deeper look on a forest walk, you can see View Article
Sunshine for a Day
This has been a slow spring for impatient gardeners. Two weeks ago (5/11/19) we tilled and it wasn’t until last week (5/18/19) it was dry enough to lay rows out. Yesterday (5/27) the gate went up and in two days the fence will be up in time for this Saturday’s View Article
Raised Bed Garden Planning: Great for Cabin Fever!
Maine has a short growing season and there are many methods gardeners can use to extend the days to get the most of your hard gardening work. As a long-time small gardener and grandchild of Maine small farmers I have taken all these methods into consideration. With an eye on View Article
Indoor Gardening for Winter
The premise of the indoor growing began with marijuana—that became the framework for the indoor vegetable and herb garden. I needed to keep one mother plant going through the winter to clone from come early spring. There was open soil taunting me. In the beginnings of winter here on Wheaton View Article
Top 4 New Garden Varieties for 2017
Top 4 New Garden Varieties for 2017 is by Amanda Pelletier, Alton, Maine In the depth of a Maine winter there is nothing better than kicking back by the woodstove with a hot coffee while flipping through garden catalogues. If this isn’t your dream—you might be on the wrong website. To View Article