Growing Plants from Seed: Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Karen 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…
Plant Profile: East Indies Aster (Aster tongolensis)
East Indies aster is a mat-forming herbaceous perennial native from India to western China. It is a member of the Asteraceae family that also includes sunflowers, yarrow, and lettuce. The…
Book Review: Legalizing Marijuana: Promises and Pitfalls
Since nine states plus the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and twenty-one more for restricted medical use, the debate about marijuana is one that can not…