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Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)

The Queen of Poisons

I noticed several plants in my backyard a few weeks ago with buds that looked like they were ready to flower any day. I shot a few photos as they matured and eventually was able to match my photos with images and descriptions that I found online. The plant is Monkshood, (latin name: Aconitum napellus) and although it is valued in the garden for its beautiful flowers, Monkshood is one of the most poisonous plants ever discovered! [continue reading…]

Hollis Old Home Days 2013

HOHD Banner

The Town’s “Biggest Annual Shindig”

These photos taken Saturday morning September 21st of the parade and various display booths. There are two pages of photos. Make sure to click the numeral 2 at the bottom of the first page of photos to get to the next page.
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Chrysanthemums in Nashua

Pitarys Farm - Colorful Chrysanthemums

I visited my neighborhood garden shop, Pitarys Farm, yesterday and was amazed by the beautiful chrysanthemums they have for sale! [continue reading…]

Allegro Piano Movers

Allegro Piano Movers

Recently I did a quick Google search for “piano movers Nashua NH” and called a few of the different piano movers who came up in the search results. I needed to have a piano moved into our new home in Hollis from the PODS storage container in the driveway. Prices varied wildly from $150 to $315, to move our old upright twenty feet from the POD, up two stairs into the house, through the kitchen and into place in the living room. [continue reading…]

Grow Vegetables in Limited Space

No Yard for Gardening? Plant a Container Garden!

Even if you are living in an apartment or condo with no yard for a vegetable garden you can still harvest your own home-grown veggies. Container gardens work just about anywhere, apartment balconies, decks or tiny backyards.

We moved to New Hampshire in April 2013, and rented a condo in Nashua. One of the best features of the condo from my point of view was the south facing deck off the living room. It was perfect for a small container garden! [continue reading…]

Sassafras – sassafras albidum

Sassafras

I took a stroll in the woods with my dogs today and was excited to find some sassafras trees!

They are unusual trees because they have three distinct leaf patterns on the same plant, unlobed oval, bilobed (mitten-shaped), and trilobed (three-pronged). They can have five-lobed leaves, too, but that is very rare. [continue reading…]

Pokeweed and Pokeberries

Poke Berries photo by Mary Codd

What are those purple berries?

My husband asked me about the berries he saw on some plants in our yard, right where the lawn meets the treeline. I had no idea what they were, but I was intrigued by the lush foliage and profusion of dark purple berries. As I photographed them I noticed that even this late in the season there were berries in all phases of development; delicate little white flowers, green berries, shiny dark purple berries and dried berries. The plants themselves were easily six feet tall with purple stems. [continue reading…]

Flowers in Our Gardens

Red Zinnias

Our new house has several flower beds. I’m working hard to get the weeds under control, but at the same time I’m enjoying the hard work the previous owners put in to establish these gardens. [continue reading…]

Exploring Southern New Hampshire

Mary Codd

Hi, I’m Mary. My husband, John, and I are new to New Hampshire, and we’re having fun getting to know the area! There was a lot happening on the weekend of August 17th and 18th. We enjoyed beautiful summer weather, perfect for exploring the Nashua area. [continue reading…]