Old Time Recipes for Home Made Wine: Turnip Wine
Karen Meyers Native to western Asia and Europe, white turnip (Brassaca rapa subsp. rapa) is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes cabbage, broccoli, and stock. It is grown…
Plant Profile: Bishop’s Hat ( Epimedium perralderianum)
Karen Native to mountain woodlands of northern Africa, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the barberry family, Berberidaceae, that also includes nandina, mahonia, and twinleaf. It grows up to…
Book Review: Our Little Farm
In his book, Our Little Farm, author Peter Wohlleben shares his decades long experience of sustainable living and the choices and adaptations he and his wife made along the way.…
Weeds and Their Control; Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Reed canary grass is a cool season rhizomatous bunch grass and a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes bamboo, corn, and rice. It is native to North…
Plant Profile: Tricolor Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum aka Ismelia carinata)
Native to North Africa, this bushy cool weather annual is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes sunflower, yarrow, and lettuce. Plants grow 2-3′ tall and have…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Rose
Roses have been cultivated since 500 BC in Persia and China and were well-loved by the ancient Roman’s and Greeks. As Christianity spread through the Roman Empire the rose was…
Plant Profile: Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)
Also called upright prairie coneflower and Mexican hat, this clump-forming herbaceous perennial is native to much of North American where it grows in prairies, plains, and disturbed areas. It is…
Book Review: Mushrooms
Written for children 8-12 in grades 3-4, Mushrooms, by Joyce Markovics, introduces young readers to mushrooms and their importance to the environment. Markovics covers many topics regarding mushrooms and shows…
Weeds and Their Control: Wood Rose (Merremia tuberose)
Also known as Spanish arborvine, Spanish woodbine, and yellow morning-glory, wood rose is a perennial twining woody vine. It is a member of the morning-glory family, Convolvulaceae, that also includes…
Plant Profile: Silverleaf Sunflower (Helianthus argophyllus)
This annual sunflower is native to Texas where it grows in sandy areas near the seacoast. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow,…