Questions such as—what tools do you use? When do you perform these tasks? What about hibernating insects? How tall do you leave the cutback plant material? Do you rake up the herbaceous debris, mulch it in place, burn, or compost? The one thing about spring cutbacks is that everyone does the process a little bit differently.. Read these recommendations from the staff at Northcreek Nurseries.

Winter time is prime time for small rodent damage. Under snow cover, native voles chew up the roots of plants they find delicious. As the meadow vole is a native species, the plants that they co-evolved with and rely on for winter sustenance most heavily are our native plant species. Read more about how Mother Nature manages these creatures.

The Freeman Medal which is the only GCA medal awarded to a plant highlights underutilized, but highly worthy, native trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, and perennials. The goal of the Freeman Medal is to draw attention to select native plants, encourage their use in the landscape, make them familiar to gardeners, and more available in nurseries. Annual selection of the Freeman Medal winner is made by a group of nationally renowned horticulturists and botanists.

Facing uncertain and challenging times in the face of the Covid-19 pandemics, the benefits of gardening in this period of forced isolation can be of key importance. But gardeners in a county in southeast England, found much more than they expected.