Do you own property at the edge of a body of water like a lake, pond, or even the ocean? Do you also seek to make it a beautiful spot that also helps pollinators and prevent erosion at the same time? If that sounds like you, please know it can be done! Here are our farm's favorite plants for the important job! Top ten best native perennial plants for shore land beautification Here's our list, all native plants to the Northeast, all hardy plants to at least zone 4, and best of all, all plants with pretty flowers beloved by humans and pollinators alike! Asclepias incarnata, Rose Milkweed Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush Eupatorium perfoliatum, Boneset Eutrochium maculatum, Joe Pye Weed Iris versicolor, Blue Flag Iris Liatris spicata, Dense Blazing Star Lobelia cardinalis, Cardinal Flower Lobelia siphilitica, Great Blue Lobelia Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, New England Aster Verbena hastata, Blue Vervain And why do… Read More

“I didn't know you could plant perennials in the fall!” A common comment we get this time of year! And, if you're wondering the same thing, I'm here to encourage you to consider fall planting your perennial plants. Because, YES, you can fall plant perennials! And because, in some ways, fall planting is generally easier and better for the plants themselves as well as for the gardener than spring planting. We do it!  It's fun! Want proof? Here's a picture of Robert, Ripley Farm Assistant Farm Manager 2018-2021, happily moving some huge Asclepias incarnata aka Rose Milkweed or Swamp Milkweed on October 29 of a previous fall.  🙂     Top reasons why fall perennial planting is better than spring Fall planting comes at a great time in the life cycle of a perennial plant as well as the life cycle of a gardener! The plants are less needy heading… Read More

It's easy to fill your gardens with spring and summer blooming perennial plants, right!?  I mean why wait, because frankly after all that dreariness of winter and snow, you want to see color ASAP.  Who doesn't? Plus, a lot of our food producing plants like fruit trees are spring blooming as well as the ubiquitous dandelions. But, guess what?  The beneficial insects rely on flowers as long as they can get them. For example, we have native bumblebees of many kinds that literally SLEEP on the New England Asters in droves at our farm during the fall.   In fact, our CSA members who get to pick their own flowers as a free perk of their CSA farm share membership cannot believe HOW many bees there are on the flowers here during the fall.   So if part of your vision for your little piece of earth that you are blessed to steward… Read More

We love Arnica chamissonis like a friend to us for it's cheery yellow daisy-like flowers, it's medicinal value, and ease of growing at our farm. It's a welcome sight this time of year when the first flowers appear. I am excited for you to come along on a short journey all about arnica, and hopefully you'll love it, too!     First, what is Arnica? Arnica is a cool perennial plant.  It's native.  It's medicinal.  And it's great for pollinators!  But, first let's get some basic facts, right!? Arnica Summary Names:  The latin name for Arnica is Arnica chamissonis.  It is most commonly known as Meadow Arnica. But it also is known as Silver Arnica, Chamisso Arnica, Leafy Arnica, American Arnica, Mountain Tobacco, and Mountain Daisy. Interestingly Arnica is also sometimes called Leopard's Bane or Wolf's Bane, common names shared with unrelated Aconitum species. Habit:  It is a spreading, herbaceous perennial… Read More

Seed, potted, plugs, bare root?? Are you confused? I just want to have a functional garden, you splutter. I get it.  It is hard to know where to start, espcially if you are new to native, medicinal, and edible perennial plants. But it doesn't have to be hard!  Here is my guide to all things perennial plants to help you get off on the right foot and make sure you're buying what is perfect for you!   The four main ways to buy perennial plants There are many ways to get plants for your garden.  Here is a brief overview of your options to help you figure out what is right for you.  There are pros and cons to each option. POTTED:  At a traditional garden center, you typically see plants in larger pots, often half gallon or gallon size pots, growing in soil, sometimes even flowering. Pros:  These are often… Read More

Are you ready to get your hands in the soil this spring? To plant some things that can and will make a difference in this uncertain world? Perennial plants can help you keep busy creating positive changes in your world in a variety of ways by: providing habitat and food for wildlife like birds, bees and other beneficial insects, providing food for you directly by being edible, and by providing beauty and happiness during this chaotic time. If starting or adding to your perennial garden leaves you with questions, I can help!  Read through my guide below and learn how to make a garden with bare root perennials!   Photo credit: Mary Sue Henszey   Step #1 Plan your garden's purpose When planning a garden, you'll be most satisfied with the result if you have a clear goal in mind.  Here are some questions to think about if you're still clarifying your… Read More

Are you looking to make a change and plant more flowers in your garden this year? Even if you are a veggie lover at heart (like we are!), flowers are an important part of the garden to provide habitat for the beneficial insects, birds, and pollinators that benefit the garden as a whole.   Our journey to native plants It’s probably pretty obvious, but we are veggie farmers. So why on earth are we talking about native plants? Are the veggies native plants? No, our food plants are primarily non-native. BUT native plants, especially herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees are actually what our garden ecosystems rely on for healthy soil, pest and disease control, and diversity of insects, birds, and wildlife. We just love plants of all kinds. And our veggies rely on a balanced ecosystem to provide diversity to keep pests in check, to provide for pollination for our… Read More