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The invasive Mile-a-minute
This column was inspired by a reader who contacted Westside News about an invasive vine that can smother and kill plants. Although I am not sure this is the vine the reader is referencing, I do know...
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New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map unveiled
Gardening is probably the last thing on your mind as Thanksgiving weekend wraps up and we head full-speed towards the December holidays, but a brand-new USDA Hardiness Zone Map was released November...
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White Pine
I made a New Year’s resolution at the beginning of 2023 – to plant at least one eastern white pine tree in my yard. Eastern white pine is a native evergreen found throughout the eastern portion of...
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History of the poinsettia
Poinsettias are the number one flowering potted plant in the United States – that according to several sources I came across preparing this column, including Iowa State University Extension and...
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Seed catalog time!
That special time of year for gardeners has arrived: seed catalog time! These glossy, colorful and enticing publications fill the mailbox just after Christmas. Now is the time to sit back and take in...
View ArticleThe Barn Cat is bummed!
Joe’s stories – old, new, mostly true Thanks to the many folks who commented on my Barn Cat story, which appeared in the July 30, 2023 issue of this publication. This is a follow-up to bring you...
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Year of the squash
I am so excited that the National Garden Bureau has chosen squash as their edible plant of the year for 2024. Each year, the NGB selects one annual, one perennial, one bulb, one edible, one...
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Marcescence
More and more, I am learning to appreciate the lines and textures that become prominent in the landscape during winter. The bright colors of summer and autumn have long faded, but the backbone of the...
View ArticleNew tomato variety has local roots
It’s being called “delightful” – a new tomato variety available this year from FruitionSeeds in Naples, New York. “Yellow Submarine” has deep New York State roots. In addition to being offered by...
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Non-invasive cultivars
When I saw that Buddleia was one of the “Plants of the Year” chosen by the National Garden Bureau for 2024, I was surprised. Buddleia, with its lovely, cascading , sweetly scented flowers, is a...
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Understanding annuals
Annual plants produce some of the most brilliant displays in our gardens and allow us the freedom to change how our plantings look from year to year. They are a staple in most landscapes, but what...
View ArticleExtending the life of Easter plants
If you are celebrating Easter this weekend, you may have lovely spring plants decorating your home for the holiday. Many of the potted plants and bulbs sold in stores and garden centers for Easter can...
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Using herbs in floral bouquets
Happy Mother’s Day! Hopefully flowers will play a part in this day if you are a mom. Perhaps you are receiving beautiful annuals or perennials to brighten your garden this growing season, or maybe you...
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Integrated weed management
You may be familiar with Integrated Pest Management, an environmentally sensitive approach to managing pests, especially concerning commercially grown crops, but there is also an integrated approach...
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Box Tree Moth
An invasive insect pest is making things difficult for gardeners who grow boxwood. The Box Tree Moth (BTM) is native to North China and Korea and is a threat to plantings of boxwood in your landscape....
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Growing root vegetables
Root vegetables are very satisfying to grow. You don’t really know what to expect until you harvest, but when you do, it’s like unearthing jewels for the table. However, growing root vegetables can...
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Help native bees
While non-native honey bees get a lot of attention, there are thousands of known native bee species in North America that work hard to help agriculture, horticulture, and the ecology. Native bees,...
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Japanese beetles and aphids
Japanese beetles and aphids can do a lot of damage at this time of year in the garden. Japanese beetles eat all kinds of plants and plant parts. As Betsy Lamb, Senior Extension Associate and...
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Do plants have intelligence?
If you are passionate about plants, you have probably noticed how they respond to different conditions and situations. But does that mean they have intelligence? In a recent article in the Cornell...
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Tips for successfully growing onions
Onions are an interesting and versatile crop to grow. They are not a root but a modified stem called a bulb. Onions are a cool season vegetable that can be grown from sets, transplants, or seeds. The...
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