Plant Profile: European Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
Karen Also called common privet, this semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub is native to central and southern Europe, north Africa, and southwestern Asia. It is a member of the olive family, Oleaceae,…
Book Review: CBD & Chill
Karen Meyers CBD & Chill provides a guide to the use of CBD and includes recipes using CBD for everyday wellness and beauty. The introductory material discusses what CBD actually is (and…
Common Diseases of Tomato and their Control: Buckeye Rot
Buckeye Rot of tomato is caused by three species of the soil borne fungus-like water mold, Phytophthora: P. capsici, P. drechsleri, and P. nicotiana var. parasitica. The disease is common…
Plant Profile: Sweet Sultan (Centaurea moschata aka Amberboa moschata)
Native to Asia Minor, this clump-forming cool climate annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. It grows 1-3′ tall and has…
Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines: Gooseberry Wine 3
In her book, Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wines (published 1909), my paternal grandmother, Helen S. Wright included 8 recipes using gooseberries. Although she did not specify the kind…
Plant Profile: Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Native to Sicily, southern Italy and the Aegean Islands, this bushy annual or climbing annual vine is a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, that also includes peanut, mimosa and…
Book Review: A Year in Flowers
Flower farmer and florist, Erin Benzakein, shares her experience and expertise in her book, A Year in Flowers. She includes the basics of floral design, essential techniques and detailed instructions…
Poisonous Plants: Corncockle (Agrostemma githago)
Corncockle is an upright annual belonging to the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks, baby’s breath, and campion. It is native to Europe where it grows in disturbed sites…
Plant Profile: Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Native to open forests and scrub in tropical and subtropical Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and the islands of the western Pacific Ocean, this tender evergreen shrub is a member of the…
Plants of Pompeii: Onion (Allium cepa)
Native to Asia, the common onion is a biennial or perennial usually grown as an annual It is in the same genus as chives, garlic, and leek, and is the…