A head of commercial lettuce receives 4–6 applications of insecticide, 3–4 applications of fungicide, and 1 application of herbicide before it reaches your plate. Yep, that lettuce in your crisp lunch salad is loaded with vitamin K, vitamin A, and chemicals. Going...
Is it a bush or a tree? Trick question! Mulberry plants grow naturally as trees but are often pruned into bushes. Mulberry trees can reach up to 30–50 feet tall, while pruned bushes are usually a discreet 6–12 feet. The plants are native to temperate and subtropical...
Who’s a gardener’s BFF? A beneficial nematode, of course. Nematodes are tiny, worm-like organisms that live in soil and water. There are 25,000 species, some of which are harmful and others highly beneficial. In your garden, they can control grubs, root...
The serviceberry tree (genus Amelanchier) bears spectacular white flowers in early spring, followed by sweet, blueberry-like fruit in the summer. Its fall foliage turns brilliant shades of orange and red. Varieties of this North American plant range from small shrubs...
It’s another cold, wet, and windy Saturday. You’re cooped up inside, lamenting the gloomy weather from the comfort of your Snuggie. What should you do? Binge watch Netflix? You already did that yesterday while you were “telecommuting.” Clean...
Fuyu! We don’t mean to sound rude, but we’re talking about the persimmon tree. If you’re lucky enough to have one, you know what a delight the fruit can be in salads, sauces, and table displays. Sadly, persimmon trees have a notoriously short...
