Flowers, Fruits, and Frass

Latest Posts

green lance-shaped leaves of ramps growing from woodland ground

Ramps: An ecologically and historically important woodland species

April 14, 2023

There are few activities more spring-like than a walk in the woods. Discover the emerging flowers (ephemerals) this season in a local nature preserve. A common spring species known as ramps (Allium tricoccum) has the distinction of being both an ephemeral and a vegetable. Ramps, also known...

Finish this story

Grow and gift cut flowers to brighten someone's days

April 7, 2023

Life can be stressful. Even the neighbor who plans perfectly feels hardships of life from time-to-time. With a bundle of fresh flowers, the mood of friends or strangers is guaranteed to be uplifted, according to university research. In fact, this little dose of nature actually affects our...

Finish this story

Shiitake mushrooms growing on inoculated logs

Grow your favorite fungus at home: How to cultivate shiitake mushrooms

March 31, 2023

Growing mushrooms is a time-honored tradition. Cultivation of shiitake mushrooms on hardwood logs dates back at least 1000 years in Japan. After button mushrooms, the shiitake mushroom is the most commonly cultivated mushroom in the world, according to Cornell University. Despite their high retail...

Finish this story

Grow a more productive garden with a little imagination and hardworking plant combinations

March 10, 2023

With the spring gardening season beginning, imaginations run wild with gardening possibilities. Some gardeners may ponder the complexities of an age-old practice that is regaining popularity in recent years – companion planting. How do certain combinations of plants benefit from being planted...

Finish this story

A cluster of golden flowers with black centers

'Plants of the Year' offer beauty and dependability

March 3, 2023

Every gardener has a favorite plant—or plants. These prized possessions may offer unmatched multi-season beauty, survive tough conditions, or be a rare plant that you have searched the garden centers every year to find. Your connection with a special plant is unique. The joy of this plant cannot...

Finish this story

Dark blue-purple elderberries hanging on pink stems

Ward off the winter blues with plant propagation

February 24, 2023

In a season of chilly air and cold soil, gardeners cannot help but catch “spring fever”. The remedy for most is trays of soil and tiny seeds – a start of the summer garden – but transplanting those seedlings is a long way off. If plant propagation by seed is too much to remember, try growing plants...

Finish this story

Extend the vase life of your fresh flowers with a little care

February 10, 2023

The delicate act of arranging fresh flowers is a joyful art. Each bloom and sprig of foliage receives special consideration when creating an arrangement as beautiful and unique as the recipient. Local florists are already hastily preparing arrangements for the upcoming Valentine’s Day rush. Aside...

Finish this story

Our local food system through the eyes of bread

February 3, 2023

One recent Saturday morning, I awoke to an amazing aroma coming from my kitchen. It was slightly sweet, yeasty, and tangy, all at once. The smell was like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold night. My wife had just baked bread from the dough I made the day before, and it was time to eat—...

Finish this story

Flat green mottled leaves of snake plant against a brown background

Discover new ways to garden with ease at the 21st Annual Home, Lawn, and Garden Day

January 27, 2023

As dormant plants slowly extend bright green limbs from under a blanket of soil, garden enthusiasts thumb plant catalogs in eager anticipation of another growing season. Are you making plans for your bountiful garden? It may be cold outside, but spring fever has hit many gardeners – including this...

Finish this story

Round leaves of nasturtium are a mound of growth with red flowers peaking out

Fortify the spring vegetable garden with marigolds, sweet alyssum, and nasturtiums

January 20, 2023

In late spring, a gardener walks out to their vegetable garden ready to collect a harvest, only to discover shot holes through kale and bites taken out of cabbages – even the tomatoes suffered, with many plants nursing broken stems. As the gardener returns to the kitchen, excitement for the...

Finish this story