Though it takes a couple of years to mature and begin to produce stalks, planting asparagus this spring could set you up for plenty of this quintessential early season veggie for decades.

Hollandaise or butter? Plant asparagus crowns now and enjoy the tender stalks for decades

Each week, Charlie Nardozzi joins Vermont Public’s Mary Engisch for a conversation about gardening, and to answer your questions about what you're seeing in the natural world.

Home & Garden

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Home gardeners have been placing certain flowers and vegetable plants together for decades. (I see you, marigolds near tomatoes!) Now, scientific research shows companion planting can be beneficial.

More than folklore: Placing certain plants and flowers together can reduce pests and weeds

"Glads" are tall, showy perennials and are part of the iris family. Their tall stems flower with multiple blooms along the stalk and come in many colors and heights.

Tall or small, grow cheery gladiolus and learn how to overwinter the bulbs

Wetter weather suits some garden critters, like slugs and snails. Slugs, especially, will eat your basil, lettuce, marigolds and more. Certain pesticide-free techniques can save your garden from becoming a slugfest this summer.

With beer, wool and seashells, you can deter slugs from taking over your garden

Some garden plants grow quite large and take up lots of space, like cucumbers and pumpkins. But summer squash — like zucchini and yellow crookneck — can be grown vertically if you have limited real estate in your garden.

Go vertical to save space when growing summer squash this season

Their heady fragrance can transport you; plant tall or smaller flowering shrubs for color and scent all season.

Hollandaise or butter? Plant asparagus crowns now and enjoy the tender stalks for decades

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