Gardening 101

Do you dream of a robust garden, full of vibrant blooms, fresh vegetables and herbs? Gain inspiration to bring that dream to life at one of Connecticut’s many museums, farms, nurseries and gardening centers. 

Find pure inspiration at the Hill-Stead Museum’s Sunken Garden in Farmington, where new flowers bloom throughout the spring. From English Primroses in early April, to Johnny-Jump-Ups in May, to our favorite, Coral Bells in late May. It truly is a treat for the senses. Feeling adventurous? Get hands-on experience at events like the Museum’s annual May Market, landing on May 6 and 7 this year. Be sure to mark your calendar for this must-attend if you are a serious gardener or an ambitious first-timer. More than 50 home and garden vendors will be there to offer demonstrations and lectures on garden care. Plus, horticulturalists and master gardeners will be on hand to help you select garden implements, which we all know is more than half the battle! 

If herbs are more along your taste for gardening, then head to Salem Herbfarm  located in Salem. This is the place you have the opportunity to participate in popular and fun activities “hands-on” workshops including “A Hot Pot,” which include hot-loving herbs, and “Make Your Own Stone-Like Pots,” held on Saturdays through the beginning of June. 

There’s more learning where that came from. In Monroe, the nationally-renowned Twombly Nurseryregularly hosts workshops, lectures and demonstrations by leading horticultural experts. Spring lectures take place on Saturday mornings, or if the words “morning” and “Saturday” do not quite fit in the same sentence for you, feel free to tour the arboretum’s acres of educational display gardens and speak with staff horticulturists any time. 

For even more inspiration, allow yourself to meander through White Flower Farm in Litchfield, the premier American mail-order source for plants, shrubs, bulbs and gardening supplies. The five acres of ever-changing display gardens are a sight to see, and special events bring a whole new meaning to plant life. 

In Manchester, Woodland Gardens has been helping gardeners since 1939. Their “Make It & Take It” workshops are fun, informative, inexpensive and worthwhile. The garden center consists of eight acres in 16 greenhouses and is open year-round, seven days a week. 

Master the art of gardening at the University of Connecticut’s Home and Garden Education Center. The public classes are available on select weeknights and weekends through June at UCONN extension centers and nature centers throughout the state. On the class schedule are sessions such as organic gardening, water garden fundamentals, horticultural therapy and spring pruning. 

Once you have gained some gardening knowledge, head to Comstock, Ferre & Co., the oldest continuously operating seed company in the U.S., for all your supplies. Located on Historic Wethersfield’s scenic Main Street, the store, celebrating its 200^th anniversary this year with a Grand Re-Opening on June 5,  features more than 2,000 varieties of perennial, annual and specialty plants – many of which are generally unavailable elsewhere. On-site horticultural specialists answer your questions and provide valuable advice. 

For a springtime gardening grand finale, take part in the  9th Annual Connecticut’s Historic Gardens Day on June 24. Explore just a few or all eleven of Connecticut’s Historic Gardens, includingBellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Butler-McCook House & Garden, Florence Griswold Museum, Glebe House Museum & The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Harkness Memorial State Park, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hill-Stead Museum, Osborne Homestead Museum andKellogg Environmental Center, Three Rivers Farm, Roseland Cottage Bowen House, Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum and Weir Farm. 

Top 10 Budget-Friendly Roadside Bites

What could be more satisfying than simple, delicious food at a great price? We made the ultimate sacrifice and traveled Connecticut to test out some of the best quaint and convenient places in Connecticut to grab a quick bite. Hop in the car, roll the windows down and check out some of our favorite finds. 

Harry’s Place in Colchester offers a deliciously rugged menu, including their famous burgers, chili dogs, crinkle fries, fried clams, onion rings…the list goes on. Place your order on the right, pick up on the left. If ice cream is what you crave, there is a separate line for that too, so you will not have to think twice about getting back in line for dessert. 

The Place in Guilford is as wonderfully simple as its name, with tree stump chairs and cable spool tables amid an open, grassy clearing. And the food? Simply delicious. Cooked on an open-air wood grill, the menu items include bluefish, lobster, clams, corn-on-the-cob and a local favorite: littleneck clams split open and daubed with hot sauce. The Place is open rain or shine, starting the last weekend in April, and it is BYOB. Feel free to bring a bottle of your favorite wine, or maybe even stop at nearby Bishop’s Orchards for one of their unique, fruit infused wines. 

Combine the spring weather with We-Li-Kitin Abington and you have got yourself the perfect excuse and means for some of the best ice cream in the area. Just follow the sweet aroma of home made ice cream and waffle cones to the wood sided farm stand and order up your choice of delicious flavors at the window. We-Li-Kit offers more than a dozen ice cream flavors, including your standards like chocolate and vanilla, as well as creative concoctions for which the place is known. With names like Ape’s Delight (banana ice cream with chocolate chips and walnuts), Road Kill (vanilla ice cream with cherry swirl, white chocolate chips and walnuts) and Indian Pudding (a frozen version of an old-time molasses New England treat), ordering your flavor of choice is often half the fun! 

The food is not the only thing that makes the Sea View Snack Bar in Mystic worth visiting. The brightly painted blue building is located at the perfect spot, overlooking the northern edge of Mystic Seaport. Take your pick of fried and seafood favorites, listed in a large menu on the side of the building. Then, grab your food at the pick-up window and find yourself a picnic table to enjoy. 

Super Duper Weenie. A name like that makes it easy to guess the house-specialty item on this menu. Super Duper Weenie in Fairfield serves up locally-made hot dogs, fresh from the grill. Toppings including the sauerkraut, hot relish, meat chili and onion sauce are all made from scratch and add the perfect pizzazz to your dog. For non dog-lovers and even vegetarians, there are plenty of other options including hamburgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, veggie burgers and more. The fries are a must-try! 

For a little friendly competition, try out Blackie's in Cheshire, who also serves hot dogs as its specialty item. In fact, hot dogs are almost the entire menu, with only hamburgers, milk shakes and drinks to add. Really, there is no need for anything else because it is no secret why most come to Blackie’s – the dogs and their famous homemade condiments, mustard and relish. Order up a few and you will find yourself in hot dog heaven. 

Get back in touch with the “good old days” at Sycamore Drive-In in Bethel. This genuine drive-in style diner offers car-hop service and window trays for in-car dining. Just blink your lights and someone will be right out to take your order. Menu favorites include the Dagwood burger and the house-made root beer. Try them both!

The High Life

The high life is no longer reserved for the rich and famous. Offering plenty of specials and packages this spring, Connecticut’s casinos provide the perfect opportunity to indulge. No skimping needed. 

Whether you are looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway or a night out with the girls, Mohegan Sun Casino’s AAA Four-Diamond hotel, luxury spa, gourmet restaurants, indoor pool, legendary live entertainment, championship golf and unparalleled casino gaming offer an unforgettable retreat. It truly is a World at Play right in Uncasville. Forge your own play path or choose from one of Mohegan Sun’s special packages. Treat yourselves to martini-themed manicures and pedicures at Elemis Spa and be sure to take full advantage of your boy-free time by cruising through the 40+ Shops at Mohegan Sun. 

Looking for even more excitement? Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard has a couple aces up its sleeve. Choose from a wide variety of entertainment, including plenty of live shows playing all week long at The Atrium.  If golfing is your pleasure, the Foxwoods Golf Package may be a hole in one with a night’s stay at the luxurious Great Cedar Hotel, 18 holes of golf with a cart, practice balls, a yardage book and beverage cart. If shopping is your passion, Foxwoods has that covered too with everything from apparel to accessories and everything in between. On a budget? Window shopping at the casino is almost half the fun. And, of course, there is plenty of gaming. With six casinos to choose from, odds are your favorite gaming or sporting activity is right there. 

Spring Bargain Shopping to Refresh You & Your Home

With all the “new” that spring brings, it seems only natural to allow that same notion to translate into an excuse to revamp your wardrobe and rejuvenate your home, right? Right! Shopping anyone? 

Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets in Clinton offer impressive savings at 70 premium retailers from Banana Republic and Barneys New York to Calvin Klein and Coach, and everything in between. The outdoor mall layout means you can shop ‘til you drop, and still get plenty of breaths of fresh air. Wondering how you are going to shop that many stores in one day? The Premiere Hotel and Suites in New Haven takes the pressure off with its Shop and Stay package, offering a discounted overnight stay in a newly renovated executive studio suite, a full breakfast buffet, light dinner and a free VIP Coupon Book filled with hundred of dollars of additional savings at Clinton Crossing. 

The Tanger Outlets in Westbrook also offer a wide variety of shopping opportunities, with more than 65 brand name designer outlets to tempt your shopping urge. Find great value at the stores every day, plus visit the Tanger Outlets Web site for printable coupons to various stores. As an added discount, if you are a AAA or CAA member, simply show your membership card at the Tanger Outlet Center customer service center or management office and receive an exclusive savings book worth hundreds in bonus discounts from participating stores. If you are really looking to splurge, the Captain Stannard House Bed and Breakfast Country Inn in Westbrook provides the perfect home base in between shopping.  Check out the Inn’s “Shop for Hours – Just Minutes Away” package. 

Add a new shine to your home with a unique piece from the Woodbury Pewter Factory Outlet in Woodbury. The store represents more than 40 additional pewter manufacturers, offering “factory seconds” at a reduced rate. As you wander the store to find your perfect piece, take a look at the many tools, drawings and advertising on permanent display, depicting the rich history of Woodbury Pewter. For an equally unique and historic experience, stay at The Curtis House Inn, Connecticut’s oldest operating inn within walking distance to several Woodbury town attractions, including Woodbury Pewter. 

The Mystic Green Outlet Centerin Mystic features outlet shops like Cape Cod Crafters, L’eggs-Hanes-Bali, Van Heusen, Bass Shoes and more. This shopping center is in an ideal location, just a few miles from some of Mystic’s finest attractions, including the Olde Mystick Village – another unique, outdoor shopping location. If you are looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of places to choose from, including the Hilton Mystic at the Aquarium, the Days Inn Mystic and more.