Thursday, March 19, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Jodi Cahillane

Jodi Cahillane gardens in central Berkshire County. She started gardening in urban Chicago and upon moving to Berkshire County, educated herself with the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener training certification and volunteer program in 1999. She has presented talks focused on Composting, Healthy Gardens, Invasive Plants, Organic Gardening: an Overview, Vegetable Gardening and Problem-Solving. Her goal as a gardener is to encourage her plants to thrive with as little interference from her as possible, with moderate success. For over 20 years, she has been a staff member at Ward's Nursery & Garden Center, Great Barrington, in customer service, information, and publicity.

written articles

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of March 19, 2026

Since everything is ready to get growing all at once, be lazy and choose the issues you care about the most.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of March 12, 2026

We have about nine weeks until our last spring frost. What seeds will you start?

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of March 5, 2026

I suppose that most of us will still have a foot or more of snow on the ground this weekend. Are you eager to sow some seeds?

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of February 26, 2026

Once the temperatures move up into the 20s and 30s next week, you could scout around for pruning opportunities.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of February 19, 2026

Even if you do not consider yourself a garden designer, you can plant with intention.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of February 12, 2026

Flowers and plants are buried under feet of snow and lay dormant in frozen soil. Luckily, garden centers and floral departments will set you up with something blooming or green and you don’t need to feel bad that you didn’t grow it yourself.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of February 5, 2026

Get seeds of popular or unusual plants that you know you want to grow as soon as possible from your garden center, online, or catalogs. Popular seeds sell out!

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of January 29, 2026

Rest assured, the heavy snow is a huge boon to your shrub and perennial borders. The snow insulates and protects plant crowns and the soil surface.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of January 22, 2026

Although I was caught off guard by the volume of snow at my house last weekend, I know that the coating will make spring gardening easier.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of January 15, 2025

And I am back indoors. I am trying to be patient with my houseplants, but geez.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of January 8, 2026

As you sit by your window, you could think about next summer’s vegetable garden.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of January 1, 2026

Before I get too dreamy, there are a few things to check off the list.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of December 18, 2025

Have you put up a huge evergreen, cut-stem in your living room? Yes, a Christmas tree is just a big, fresh-cut stem.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of December 11, 2025

On our daily walks, I try to focus on the positive (ignoring the cold wind) by studying the subtle colors and textures of tree bark as well as seed heads of wildflowers.

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of December 4, 2025

This column publishes on Thursday after the first great snowfall of December 2025. I hope you were able to clear the snow easily and continue happily with your usual daily activities.
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