Judy Dembsey

March 2026 Horticulture Hints

March 14, 2026
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As the daylight increases, days become warmer, and the snow and ice melt, we look for the coming of spring. There are some things that can be done this month, weather permitting. Bring color indoors To bring color indoors at this time of year, force branches of any…
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February 2026 Horticulture Hints

February 14, 2026
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Nature’s blanket — snow — often known as the poor man’s fertilizer, is upon us and trees are “exploding”. Here are a few hints on caring for our plants and trees in the depths of winter. The concept of “exploding” trees (actually cracking) and the benefits of snow…
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Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints: January, 2026

January 18, 2026
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Winter is upon us and while we keep ourselves busy indoors tending our houseplants, sorting seeds, forcing paperwhites, amaryllis and daffodils, and planning our gardens for the spring, here’s a few thoughts as you gaze out the window to look at snow covered trees in your backyard. A…
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Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints: December 2025

December 13, 2025
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Winter is upon us and our trees. Cold temperatures, winter sun, and wind will dry out evergreen foliage, damage bark, kill or injure branches, and kill flower buds and roots. Salt used for de-icing streets, sidewalks and parking lots is harmful to landscape plants. Deer and rodents will…
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Acton Garden Club May Horticultural Hints

May 18, 2025
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Do not plant annuals too early. They do not like nighttime temperatures below 40 degrees. The general rule is to plant them around Memorial Day but it appears to be warming up early. Therefore, if plants are purchased early, place them in a protected area close to the…
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Acton Garden Club Horticultural Hints for April 2025

April 12, 2025
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Bulb Foliage When the spring bulbs begin to decline, it’s important not to cut back the foliage. After flowering, the plants continue to photosynthesize and are storing these food reserves in the bulb for next year. Removing spent flower stems is all right, but let the foliage die…
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Acton Garden Club Horticulture Hints for February 2025

February 8, 2025
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“Check out stored bulbs, rhizomes, roots, corms, etc. of Canna, Dahlia, Gladiolus, and other summer flowering “bulbs” and cull any that are rotting or have shriveled beyond recognition.” * *Ron Kujawski, Berkshire Botanical Garden, January 13, 2025 “Do some winter planning this month. When the plants lose their…
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Horticulture Hints, September, 2024

October 19, 2024
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Fall is the perfect time to renovate the lawn or seed a new one. This is the preferred time as weeds are less likely to be a problem. The soil is warmer than it is in the spring. Grass seed germinates sooner. Water seed 2-3 times a day…
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Horticulture hints

June 7, 2024
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Do not drive or park on the lawn. Soil compaction by heavy equipment or foot traffic in the plant’s root zone reduces the pore space for air in the soil. Percolation of moisture through the soil is disrupted so that the desirable air/moisture balance is not maintained. Roots…
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A garden with several different kinds of plants and flowers. Peonies are coming up in the foreground and a beautiful weeping tree with pink flowers is in the background.

May Gardening Tips from the Acton Garden Club

May 7, 2024
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Adapted from The Dirt, the newsletter of the Acton Garden Club. Garden advice for May in Acton: Do not plant annuals too early. They do not like nighttime temperatures below 40 degrees. The general rule is to plant them around Memorial Day, but if plants are purchased earlier,…
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