Too easy! Yes, Friday’s evil grin photo was on a head of cabbage (taken on location for this week’s podcast to be posted tomorrow. So yes, Robin, this is YOUR cabbage!).
I especially liked the more “creative” answers – you guys are fun!
Month: August 2011
Toxic mulch: When shredded bark goes bad
We typically think of mulching landscape beds as a good thing. And it usually is; helping to conserve soil moisture, reducing soil temperatures and contributing to soil organic matter. Recently, however, I received an e-mail from a local landscaper that reported severe damage to annuals and perennials in a landscape bed immediately after applying hardwood mulch. The problem, sometimes referred to as ‘sour mulch’ or ‘toxic mulch’, occurs when mulch is left is large piles and undergoes anaerobic conditions. … Continue reading this article “Toxic mulch: When shredded bark goes bad”
Mauve mystery
Another in our ongoing series of mystery plant parts – what am I?
Answer on Monday!
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Is this title too extreme? I’ll leave that up to you.
Most of you are aware of the frog controversy that surrounds Round-up. A few years ago a professor from Pittsburgh showed that this chemical can kill aquatic creatures if it gets into a pond. Particularly tadpoles. Not that Round-up is intended to be used around water, but still, it is a concern and I don’t want to minimize it. Nor do I want people to forget that other supposedly safer products have their own set of dangers.… Continue reading this article “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
Weird Plant Wednesday – II
Okay, so it’s actually Thursday morning. We’re doing a "staycation" this week and my farm work to-do list dwarfs my usual work week. Not exactly relaxing. One of the daily duties is dragging the hose around trying to keep some favorite plants alive. We’re in a drought, though not near of the awful and epic proportions of some parts of the country. When our Floriculture Forum was held at the Dallas Arboretum this spring, horticulturist Jimmy Turner welcomed us to "Gardening Hell." … Continue reading this article “Weird Plant Wednesday – II”
Podcast #2 – Garden Concoctions
I’m getting my feet under me with podcasting – it’s becoming more fun and less scary. The theme for this one is “Garden Concoctions,” so the Plants in the News and Myth Busting segments are along those lines.
My interview this week is with Maurice Skagen, owner and designer of Soos Creek Botanical Gardens. This 23 acre plant collection has been carefully cultivated over the last 30 years and just recently opened to the public.… Continue reading this article “Podcast #2 – Garden Concoctions”
Out of the lead frying pan and into the phosphate fire
A recent NYT post reports that adding fish meal to lead-contaminated soils will cause the lead to bind to phosphate found in fish bones. As the article explains, this chemical reaction results in the formation of pyromorphite, “a crystalline mineral that will not harm anyone even if consumed.”
Given my concerns about excessive phosphate loading in urban soils, I contacted Dr. Rich Koenig, an urban soil scientist and chair of WSU’s Crop and Soil Science department. … Continue reading this article “Out of the lead frying pan and into the phosphate fire”