Book Review: Butter & Flower
Karen Meyers Ann Allchin’s book, Butter and Flower, presents 45 recipes for cannabis edibles and a collection of stories from 15 people with divers perspectives on cannabis. Directions are given for making…
Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects: Goatsbeard ( Aruncus dioicus)
Karen This shrub-like herbaceous perennial, also known as bride’s feather, is native to North America, northern Europe and Asia where it grows in moist woodlands. It is a member of the…
Plant Profile: Blue African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
Also called lily of the Nile, this native of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is an evergreen tender perennial and a member of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae,…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pear (Pyrus communis)
Native to Europe, this deciduous tree is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, apple, and lady’s mantle. Although remains of pear have been found in…
Plant Profile: Bay Willow (Salix pantandra)
Also known as laurel willow, this deciduous shrub or small tree is native to northern Europe and northern Asia where it grows along streams and in marshes, fens, and wet…
Book Review: The Story of Tea
With 30 years of experience sourcing teas, tea merchants Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss share their expertise in The Story of Tea. They have traveled extensively in the…
Common Diseases of Tomato and Their Control: Septoria Blight
Septoria blight is fungal disease caused by Septoria lycopersici and primarily affects tomatoes but can also infect other members of the nightshade family such as potato and eggplant. The main…
Plant Profile: Sulphur Lupine (Lupinus sulphureus)
Sulphur lupine is a herbaceous perennial native to the prairies and sagebrush deserts of the foothills and lower mountains from British Columbia to Idaho and Oregon. It is a member…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pigeon Bean (Vicia faba var. minor
Pigeon bean is a cool weather perennial grown as an annual and member of the pea family, Fabaceae, that also includes lupines, mimosa, and black locust. Is is one of…
Plant Profile: Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus aka Vinca rosea)
This tender perennial, usually grown as an annual, is native to Madagascar where it grows on sand and limestone soils in woodlands, forests, grasslands and disturbed areas. When grown in…