Imagine an authentic German meal without cabbage. Unmöglich! For hearty soups, slaws, and fermented dishes, cabbage is king in northern Europe. This nutritious and filling vegetable originated in Europe and the Mediterranean, with evidence of early cultivation dating...
Kale is a “superfood” packed with vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. But, as with all vegetables, its nutrient profile degrades once it’s picked. Chlorophyll depreciates shortly after harvest, leading to color changes and...
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergerera x buckleyi) originated in the jungles of Brazil, where it grows on tree branches. Although happy on trees, it’s equally content in pots. It looks glorious in hanging baskets or footed pots, where its graceful branching habit is...
Poinsettias, whose bright petal-like bracts appear in late fall, have long been the most popular Christmas plant, excluding dying Christmas trees. Hybridization has improved the fragile poinsettia. Plants are now more colorful, and they last longer. The red bracts...
It’s easy for home gardeners to cultivate a lush lawn and garden without resorting to the chemical fertilizers and pesticides that threaten our waters, wildlife, families, and pets. Common sense, good garden practices, natural fertilizers, and alternative...
