As warmer weather approaches, it's the perfect opportunity to fulfill that dream of starting your own vegetable garden! This quick guide is aimed towards beginners searching for a successful first harvest.

The key to a thriving garden follows a phrase that's all to familiar in real estate: location, location, location. Before the first seed is planted, a plan should be laid out as to where your garden will be located. The most vital elements to a lush garden are light, soil quality, drainage, size, and ease-of-access. And don't forget to consider the local wildlife!

Regarding light, the majority of vegetables require 6-8 hours of full sun each day to produce a bountiful crop. You'll want your garden to face west or south for best results. Large or tall plants should be located on the north side to prevent them from blocking sunlight.

Soil quality can make or break any garden. Don't fret if your soil isn't rich and loamy, however. It is possible to improve hard, dry soil with compost, manure, and other organic material to turn the area into a great potential garden spot. A raised bed/box can help too!

Without proper drainage, roots can become waterlogged and diseased, resulting in sparse fruit production. Low-lying areas should be avoided, while flat or slightly sloped spots should be prioritized.

The size of your garden should be determined by the amount of vegetables you wish to grow. Drawing your garden to scale on graph paper can help you ensure there is enough space for all your plants.

You'll want to select a space in your yard that is easy to access for both watering and harvesting. Weeding your garden is nearly as important as watering, and a garden that is out-of-reach could become bothersome to maintain.

Finally, if you live in an area with active wildlife, a proper fence (or chicken wire) can save your garden from all those little uninvited critters.

Once you have your garden's location settled, the next step is selecting its vegetables. Low maintenance vegetables include beets, carrots, lettuce, beans, kale, summer squash, and zucchini. Make sure you choose vegetables that you will enjoy eating! We strongly suggest doing some more research as to which vegetables you select; some plants are picky, others are not!

Cultivating a garden can be a fun and rewarding experience! With careful planning, proper maintenance, and a little patience, you can create a beautiful garden that produces for years to come. Happy Gardening!

Local Garden Supply Stores: 

Guy's Farm and Yard - 21 Zephyr Rd, Williston, VT 05495
Gardener's Supply Company - 472 Marshall Ave, Williston, VT 05495
Claussen's Florist - 187 Main St, Colchester, VT 05446
Full Circle Gardens - 68 Brigham Hill Rd, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Paquette Full of Posies - 10236 Williston Rd, Williston, VT 05495
Creative Gardens and Landscaping - 113 VT-15, Jericho, VT 05465
Evergreen Gardens of Vermont - 15 Cabin Ln, Waterbury Center, VT 05677
Horsford Gardens - 2111 Greenbush Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445

As Mother's Day approaches, it's time to honor the incredible women who have shaped our lives with love, guidance, and endless support. This year, let's make Mother's Day extra special by celebrating with meaningful gifts that not only show our appreciation but also support a small business. In this guide, we’re sharing some of our favorite local businesses so you can ensure your gifts have a touch of community spirit!

Home and Garden Vermont: https://www.homeandgardenvermont.com/

Wild Lark: https://wildlarkvt.com/

Golden Hour: http://www.goldenhourgiftco.com/

Ten Thousand Villages: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/burlington

Common Deer: http://www.commondeer.com/

Thirty-Odd: http://www.thirtyodd.com/

Vermont Gift Barn: http://www.vermontgiftbarn.com/

Five Corners Antiques: 11 Maple St, Essex Junction

As Earth Day approaches, it's a perfect time to reflect on our impact on the planet and consider ways we can make a positive difference. At Geri Reilly Real Estate, we believe that small changes at home can add up to significant environmental benefits. That's why we're passionate about helping homeowners make their homes greener and more energy-efficient. In this blog post, we'll explore some practical tips for creating an eco-friendly home that not only reduces your carbon footprint but also saves you money in the long run.

1. Energy-Efficient Appliances: One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is by upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Look for appliances with the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These appliances use less energy, which not only reduces your utility bills but also decreases your home's overall carbon emissions.
2. Smart Thermostat Installation: Installing a smart thermostat is another simple yet effective way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. These thermostats can learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly, optimizing energy usage. Additionally, you can control them remotely via a smartphone app, allowing you to adjust your home's temperature even when you're away, further saving energy and money.
3. LED Lighting: Switching to LED lighting is a small change that can make a big difference. LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer, reducing both energy consumption and the frequency of bulb replacements. Plus, LED bulbs come in a variety of colors and designs, allowing you to customize your home's lighting while still being eco-friendly.
4. Proper Insulation and Sealing: Proper insulation and sealing are essential for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy waste. Inspect your home for any gaps or leaks around windows, doors, and vents, and seal them as needed. Additionally, consider adding insulation to your walls, floors, and attic to prevent heat loss in the winter and keep cool air in during the summer.
5. Renewable Energy Sources: If you're looking to take your commitment to sustainability to the next level, consider investing in renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. While the initial cost may be higher, these systems can significantly reduce or even eliminate your reliance on traditional energy sources, lowering your carbon footprint and potentially saving you money on energy bills in the long term.
6. Reduce Water Usage:  You can reduce the amount of water usage in your home by shortening shower times, fixing any leaky faucets or pipes, and using the cold-water cycle for laundry.   If you’re ready to make updates on fixtures you can purchase low-flow, high efficiency toilets, showerheads, and faucets which can help you save on water bills as well!
7. Reuse: To put it simply, reusing = reducing!  There are numerous household items we can either swap or get creative with to increase our reuse.  Swap plastic shopping bags for reusable ones, find some fun kitchen towels to replace paper towels, cut back on plastic water bottles and find one you can use over and over! Ready to reuse all those glass food jars?  Use the jars as drinking glasses, vases, containers to organize office supplies, or to hold dry goods!
8. Recycle: One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!  This year, while cleaning out your home and closets make a pile to donate or sell!  Clothes can be brought to Goodwill instead of thrown in the trash. You can find your unwanted furniture a great new home by posting the items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Challenge yourself by searching for items you want to add to your home on these sites as well!

As we celebrate Earth Day, let's remember that every action we take, no matter how small, has the potential to make a difference. By implementing these tips to make your home greener and more energy-efficient, you'll not only reduce your environmental impact but also create a more comfortable and cost-effective living space for yourself and your family. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Happy Earth Day from Geri Reilly Real Estate!