Garden & Landscape

Over the last hundred years, as working farms gave way to emerging woods, trees have come to define the look and feel of Wilton, this handsome old pilgrim town whose character is present in every woodland, stream, and old stone wall.

by jane langellotti

On the Edge

Ten years ago, John Docherty discovered his personal Shangri-la when he was looking to relocate from White Plains. The Bedford property he found, known as Quarry Lake, was simply magical to him.

By Jennifer Moore Stahlkrantz

Pastoral Beef

Hans Williams and Steve Metzker had recently started a company called Apple Ridge Farms, with the idea of raising free-range, grass-fed cattle without hormones or steroids. They chose Herefords, which produce fine cuts of beef. The duo have kept themselves busy revitalizing the pastures.

By Julie Hall

Grassy Goodness

When it comes to landscaping, changing from synthetic chemicals to organics is a transition — one that can take five or six years.

By Susan Mary Down

Gardening Gurus

Growing and maintaining any kind of garden in New England, particularly after a winter like the one we’ve just endured, comes with a multitude of challenges. This makes the accomplishments of the Wilton Garden Club, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, pretty impressive.

By Susan Reid

Creating Giants

Adam Wheeler, manager at Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, has a unique hobby of growing marvelously large pumpkins. He talks about the journey from sod to the judge’s scale and how it requires total commitment.

By Francis Schell

Daffodil Dance

Mud season is barely over and already John Morosani, owner of Laurel Ridge Grass Fed Beef, is fielding calls. “I’ll be in the middle of moving the herd and my cell phone will ring and it’ll be somebody asking if they’re up yet," says Morosani.

By Justine Ickes

Painting with Plants

Bush Hill Gardens, created by Barbara and Charlie Robinson, is an outdoor oasis nestled closely to the family's 1750s farmhouse. Woodland arches, serpentine walkways and stone fountains give the garden a whimsical feel. The Robinsons take pride their garden, filled with distinct flowers and an assortment of vegetables.

By Rich Pomerantz

On the Wing

This April, at the Birdcraft Sanctuary in Fairfield, some 500 migrating birds will be caught in 15 mist nets stationed strategically throughout the property. Culling the information gathered, scientists can track how far birds travel, how long they live, and discover where they rest and spend the winter. Over time, scientists can assess whether a specie’s numbers are rising or falling.

By Kristin Nord

My Favorite Rooms

Bunny Williams is a much-sought-after interior designer, with her own line of home furnishings. She is also a dedicated gardener, having worked on her extraordinary garden in Falls Village, Connecticut, for more than 30 years.

By Francis Schell

Thugs

There was a time when I could look out and gaze adoringly at the perky purple flowers of ajuga, a spring-blooming ground cover, gaily romping across the lawn. Myrtle (aka vinca), another ground-covering charmer, would exude pale blue-purple blossoms—hence the nickname “periwinkle”—to my delight. But that was before I got wise to the wiles of nature.

By Victoria Secunda

Warming Trends

Thanks to the warmth provided by a Rumford fireplace, life outdoors starts earlier in the year and lingers all the way into autumn. With wiring and Ethernet connection cleverly concealed in the stone pillars, the space serves as both office and media room. This ingenious idea gets everyone outside.

By Susan Mary Dowd

House Under Siege

The vines and tangle of wild roots wrap your foundation, your porches, and your horticultural gems to the point of near demise. A primer on fighting back- and winning. Plus some advice on going organic in the garden.

By Victoria Secunda

An Accidental Gardener

Alice Levin’s garden in North Wilton has an almost random quality about it with no real rhyme or reason. Levin says that a formal garden does not fit her style and she lets nature do most of the work to create a more casual feel.

By Carolyn Rundle Field

A Community Effort

Pity the would-be gardeners who have long dreamed of growing heirloom tomatoes in their backyard. Discouraged by the many obstacles that bedevil them here in Wilton—too much shade, hungry deer, and thin, rocky soil—they resort to store-bought vegetables instead.

By Suzanne Khutson

Where Twain Shall Meet

Five years ago interior designer Kenneth Hockin chose a log-cabin getaway that hovers just paces from Stormfield, Mark Twain’s Redding estate, and is flanked by 325 acres of the Saugatuck nature preserve. Like Twain, who sought “a country home which should be near enough to New York, and yet not too near in summer and winter,” as reported in a 1917 New York Times article, Hockin found a location close enough to his New York apartment and clients but with an otherworldly feel where he might retreat to focus on his design business and entertain friends.

by Elizabeth McConnel

Get Down, Naturally

The Northeastern Organic Farm Association (NOFA) of Connecticut will hold its 28th annual winter conference in partnership with Manchester Community College’s “Team Green.” NOFA has been promoting local organic agriculture through both education and advocacy.

By Melanie Thompson

Defining Garden Spaces

Surveying your yard you realize your landscaping is looking a little sad. Don’t despair. BY SARAH CHAIN

BY SARAH CHAIN

Peony Heaven blooms at Cricket Hill Garden in Thomaston

The Furman family displays hundreds of flowers at their Annual Peony Festival

By Katherine Bucaccio