Spent last Friday in a departmental faculty retreat – you know, the “vision thing” – S.W.O.T. analysis, where are we going to be in five years, etc. But we actually got some things accomplished. One of the more interesting aspects was discussing trends in horticulture, both popular and practical, and how we could respond. One of the reoccurring themes throughout the day, especially related to urban agricultural/horticulture, was ecosystems services. I’ve heard the term mostly from environmental science and urban forestry folks. … Continue reading this article “Ecosystem services: Am I going to get a bill?”
Author: Holly Scoggins
Garden Professors – More Efforts on Your Behalf
We’re out there for you, our loyal readers.
Debunking myths, reviewing the literature, setting people straight, battling blister beetles, flying in balloons… and taking out those pesky deer, one at a time.
Yes, indeed, that is fur in my windshield.
Fall for Ornamental Grasses
I’ve written about ornamental grasses previously – they really are one of the toughest, most useful yet under-appreciated groups of garden plants. Most provide at least three seasons of interest, but fall is when they really shake their pom-poms.
On a recent conference trip to western Michigan with pal and plantsman Paul Westervelt, we stopped by the trials at Walter’s Gardens of Zeeland – one of the largest perennial propagators (wholesale) in the country.
It was a beautiful, breezy day in their extensive gardens, and the grasses were positively alive with light and motion (and kittens – seven or eight, I think).… Continue reading this article “Fall for Ornamental Grasses”
Clever Things I Saw This Summer, Part 1
I’ve been wanting to share a few silly things with you from my travels and travails this summer. But I’ve been a bit hesitant, due to the gravity of recent posts, comments, and related hoo-ha (I was completely unaware there was a cornmeal controversy).
I sure appreciate and admire the guts and grace with which my GP colleagues present their cases and engage our readers. Important topics, all.
Which makes this segue even more awkward…Look! A jellyfish made from succulents!!!… Continue reading this article “Clever Things I Saw This Summer, Part 1”
So that’s why they’re called blister beetles…
I’ve had several discussions with gardening folks in the region on one of our more annoying pests, the blister beetles. Big appetite, eats lots of things we value, and darned hard to get rid of. Someone invariable says “yep, they bite, too” and “be careful – you’ll get blistered.” However, I’ve yet to hear any first-hand experience with the personal-injury aspect of blister beetles.
I’ve suffered from the heartbreak of blister beetles for two summers in a row. … Continue reading this article “So that’s why they’re called blister beetles…”
A Rose is a…Tomato?
Linda’s blue orchid (ick!) post may have led to this one subliminally.
I seem to have a thing for oddly-colored vegetables (see my orange cucumber post). When I saw this new tomato in the 2012 Johnny’s Seeds catalog, I had to have it.
‘Indigo Rose’ was bred by Dr. Jim Myers of Oregon State University. Jim wrote the book (literally) on Organic Plant Breeding – using traditional breeding methods to breed varieties of vegetables that perform well for organic farmers. … Continue reading this article “A Rose is a…Tomato?”
Hey Kids! Check This Out!
I recently spotted this in the window of a toy shop:
Recommended for ages 10 and up. My youth was apparently misspent with Hot Wheels and model horses (and collisions thereof). I could have been getting a step up on grad school.
"See genetic material with your
own eyes as you isolate the DNA from a tomato in a test tube." (This is actually fun and easy and you don’t need a kit to do it.)… Continue reading this article “Hey Kids! Check This Out!”
New and/or interesting plants/stuff
Worst post title, ever. Sorry.
Attended the bazillionth annual OFA "The Association For Horticulture Professionals" Short Course in Columbus, Ohio last week. It’s a huge 1500-booth trade show with educational session featuring 150+ speakers. Of which I was one. The focus used to be strictly floriculture, but has expanded to include some woodies plus lots of garden center items and marketing options. This a "wholesale" show – attendees are mostly growers who purchase propagative materials to grow on and sell to consumers. … Continue reading this article “New and/or interesting plants/stuff”
Worth seeking out – Silphium perfoliatum
A couple of years ago (have we been blogging for that long?!) I wrote a bit on defining our terms – beyond simply native, non-native, invasive. One of my points was that natives can be overly-vigorous, but some people take exception with the term "invasive" when used with native plants. I chose "passive-aggressive" as a way to describe certain mild-mannered natives that end up reseeding rampantly.
One example: Silphium perfoliatum – Cup Plant.
Climbing right out of the garden and onto our deck.… Continue reading this article “Worth seeking out – Silphium perfoliatum”
Upside: he won’t have to mow for a while…
This is old news by now – I’m surprised Jeff hasn’t pounced!!
Minnesota man accidentally kills entire lawn with herbicide
Sadly, the dead lawn ruined the plans for a charitable fund-raiser, also.
Lots of eye-rolling and sassy comments out there (from "duh" to "d’oh!") berating the guy
for not reading the label. Actually, my first reaction, too (RTFM, as
my Lt. Col. father would say.)
But it’s not so easy sometimes. I was trying to make out the fine print on the
silly peel-off, accordion-fold label on some Spinosad the other day and
it was impossible. … Continue reading this article “Upside: he won’t have to mow for a while…”