When I first heard about No Mow May—I was all in. The concept is simple and well-intentioned: hold off on mowing your lawn to help pollinators emerge from the leaf litter and early spring ground cover. Sounds wonderful, right?

And in theory, it is…

Those were the words that my neighbor enthusiastically yelled to me today as she rode by on her bike. While the wind was biting and cold, I couldn’t keep myself from getting out there to do time sensitive work of…

Join the Friends of the Garden Club and unlock a world of exclusive, enriching experiences in a unique, intimate setting. As a member, you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, including hands-on workshops, serene nature outings, and special events—all designed to nourish your soul and deepen your connection with nature. Discover the magic and camaraderie in our garden sanctuary.

Garden Layout for a Purple and Gold Themed Garden Bed. Suitable for Vermont Zone 5a or 4b, using mostly Vermont natives.

The Seeds You Need to Start Indoors

If you wait until it’s warm to start certain crops, you’ll never get a harvest before the first frost sneaks back in. Tomatoes and peppers are non-negotiable for early indoor starts. Unlike fast-growing crops that can be direct sown, tomatoes and peppers need time—and in Vermont, planting them straight into the ground just isn’t an option.

That’s why I’m doing my seed shopping now.