Plant Profile: English Walnut (Juglans regia)
Karen Also called the Persian walnut, this deciduous tree is native to the area from southeastern Europe to China. It was introduced to the Americas by the English colonists by the…
Garden Hedges: Roses as a Living Screen
Sometime you may need a tall screen in the garden to add to add to the pleasure of the outdoor experience. There are many reasons for building a screen: they…
Plant Profile: White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)
White alder is native to western North America where it grows along river banks, marshes, and other moist or wet areas. It is very useful for areas that are wet…
Weeds and Their Control: Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)
A native of Europe and Asia, common mallow is a spreading annual or biennial found throughout the United States. It is a relative of hollyhocks, cotton, okra and hibiscus and…
Plant Profile: Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
Pecan nuts are popular for baking but the nuts are only one of the virtues of this native tree originally from the bottomland soils of the valleys and flood plains…
Soil pH: Understanding, Testing, Changing and Plant Requirements
Chuck Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity and is an important indicator of soil health. It affects plant productivity, plant nutrient availability, and soil micro-organism activity which…
Plant Profile: Persian Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
A native of southwestern and eastern Asia, Persian silk tree, sometimes called mimosa, and is a member of the legume family that also includes beans, lupine clover. It is a…
Book Review: Wicked Plants
As soon as you see the cover of Amy Stewart’s book, Wicked Plants, you will suspect that it is “different” and you won’t be disappointed. Stewart tells her reader in…
Weeds and Their Control: Wild Mustard (Brassica kaber aka Sinapsis arvensis)
Wild mustard is an annual weed native to Europe and Asia but is wide spread in North American and can be found in throughout the United States. It prefers full…