Category: In the Garden

Earth Stars

Apr 15, 2019 | In the Garden

Earth stars (Cryptanthus species) are different from most bromeliads. They are terrestrial which means they are grown in rich, organic soil. Cryptanthus means “hidden flower” in Greek because the...

Forget-Me-Nots

Apr 11, 2019 | In the Garden

A few years ago a friend, who was a native Alaskan, gave us a seed packet of alpine forget-me-nots (Myosotis alpestris) that she purchased on a visit back to her home state. We really didn’t think...

Plantings for Pond Shorelines

Apr 8, 2019 | In the Garden

Are eroding shorelines interrupting your picturesque pond view? Shoreline erosion can be a significant pond maintenance issue because it contributes to infill of ponds, water quality issues, and can...

Bulbs in the Landscape

Apr 4, 2019 | In the Garden

Spring bulbs will soon fade, and the foliage of hardy summer bulbs will start to emerge. Even though it may be tempting, do not remove foliage from the faded spring bulbs that have past their prime....

Elevated Gardening

Apr 1, 2019 | In the Garden, Uncategorized

Is the thought of preparing and planting an in-ground or raised bed garden becoming a little overwhelming this year? Is bending down to the ground getting a bit tough on the lower back these days?...

Bearded Iris

Mar 28, 2019 | In the Garden

Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are some of the easiest and most beautiful perennials to include in your landscape. The name of this genus comes from Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, because...

Weed of the Month – Henbit

Mar 25, 2019 | In the Garden

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is a winter annual, broadleaf weed. It germinates in the fall and actively starts to grow in the cool spring weather when adequate soil moisture is present. Henbit is...

Fig Buttercup

Mar 25, 2019 | In the Garden

Pretty yellow flowers? Check. Great for the landscape? No check! The fig buttercup, also known as the lesser celandine or pilewort, is a non-native plant from Europe and Northern Africa that has the...

Indoor Plants for the Classroom

Mar 21, 2019 | In the Garden

Growing plants in the classroom can provide a wealth of benefits for students and educators. Indoor plants have been linked to improved concentration and memory as well as a reduction in stress....

FAQs about Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors

Mar 18, 2019 | Fruits & Vegetables, In the Garden, Vegetables

What is the advantage of starting vegetables from seed? Choosing to start vegetable plants from seeds allows gardeners the freedom to try varieties that are not readily available as transplants,...

The Biogeography of the Irish Potato Famine

Mar 14, 2019 | In the Garden

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, is a popular celebration in the United States, due to the number of Americans, 10.5%, with Irish heritage. One million Irish emigrated to North America, Australia, or...

Trees & Stormwater

Mar 11, 2019 | In the Garden

It is often said, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is today.” Trees enrich our lives in so many ways. They provide shade on a hot day, release oxygen, purify...