Plant Profile: Amur Privet (Ligustrum amurense)
Karen Native to northern China this dense shrub is deciduous in cold climates, semi-deciduous in colder ones. It grows 12-15’ tall and is a member of the olive family, Oleaceae, that…
Book Review: The Power Greens Cookbook
Whether you want to eat greens because you like them or you want the health benefits, Dana Jacobi’s book, The Power Greens Cookbook will expand your recipe choices. Focusing on…
Growing Plants from Seed: Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Garden beets do double duty as vegetable, providing leafy greens as well as a root crop. The root may be red, pink, orange, golden yellow, white, or white and red…
Plant Profile: Winged Elm (Ulmus alata)
Winged elm is a small to medium sized deciduous tree native to the Southeast from Maryland to Kansas and south to Florida and Texas where it gros in open woods,…
Beneficial Arachnida and How to Attract Them: Predatory Mites
There are thousands of predatory mites in North America and they belong to several different arachnid families. The most important family is Phytoseiidae and the mites belonging to this family…
Plant Profile: Shiso (Perilla frutescens)
Shiso, also called beefsteak plant, is a herbaceous perennial herb grown as an annual and is native to Southeast Asia and Indian highlands. It is a member of the mint…
Book Review: Compost Stew
As composting becomes more popular children are getting involved both at home and at school and Mary Siddals book, Compost Stew, is a fun way to capture interest of the…
Earth-Kind Roses: Polyanthas
Polyantha roses are a type of modern rose that is known for its large clusters of small flowers on relatively small, sturdy bushes. The ones described below are all Earth-Kind…
Plant Profile: American Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana)
American mountain ash is a small deciduous tree or large shrub native to northeastern North America from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Maryland, Illinois, and Minnesota and in the mountains…
Invasive Plants and Their native Alternatives: Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)
Siberian elm is semi-evergreen to deciduous tree growing up to 70’ tall native to northern India and China, Siberia, Mongolia, Tibet, Russian Far East and Korea. It was introduced into…