Book Review: Rocks, Dirt, Worms, and Weeds
Karen Helping children appreciate the wonder of nature and the merits of gardening is a long lasting legacy parents and grandparents can pass on to their children and grandchildren. Jeff Hutton’s…
Characteristics of Old Garden Roses: China Roses
When China roses were introduced into the West at the end of the 1700s, rose growing changed dramatically. Rosa chinensis brought a new gene pool to the West that introduced…
Plant Profile: Siberian Graybeard (Spodiopogon sibiricus)
Also known as frost grass, Siberian graybeard is an attractive clump forming grass that looks something like bamboo. The bright green leaves often turn red or burgundy in the fall.…
Herb Garden: Five Herbs to Grow for a Soothing Bath
When you are tired, frustrated, angry, or distraught a warm bath may be the best thing to relieve stress and bring back a sense of well-being. Add soothing herbs to…
Plant Profile: Parry’s Agave (Agave parryi)
Also known as mescal agave, this species is a native of Arizona and New Mexico and is more cold hardy than other agaves. It has silver-green heavily toothed leaves that…
Book Review: Halloween Pumpkins and Parties
If you are having trouble coming up with great ideas for Halloween this book is a great source of ideas. It includes directions for all things associated with Halloween from…
Flowers for Arrangements: Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus cultivars)
Children and adults alike love snapdragons. Their common name comes from the fact that when a floret is squeezed on its sides, it opens and closes its dragon’s-like mouth. Look…
Plant Profile: ‘Low Down’ Willow-Leaved Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius ‘Low Down’)
If you love sunflowers but find you can’t accommodate them because of their great height, this is a sunflower to consider. A perennial, it forms a compact clump of foliage…
Plant Profile: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
To most gardeners dandelions are pesky weeds but to herbalists they are valuable plants. As early as the tenth-century, Arabian physicians mentioned the plant and by the sixteenth century British…
Book Review: Roots, Shoots, Buckets, & Boots: Gardening Together with Children
One of the great pleasures in life is sharing the love of gardening with children. Most of them naturally like the idea of digging in the dirt and delight in…