Horticulture Resources

Click on the links below for more information about these topics:

  • POLLINATOR PATCH GARDEN
    Do your part to save the pollinators - the bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects critical to our food supply and human survival. Plant a "pocket" of flowers that attract and nurture pollinators in your own yard.  The pollinator pockets described on this site will make it easy to select, plant and maintain.
  • What are the Best Flower Colors to Attract Pollinators?
    An abundance of different flower shapes, sizes, scents and colors appeal to a variety of pollinators. Some pollinators, such as bees and flies, have short mouthpieces and need shallow, daisy-like flowers, such as
    coneflowers and dandelions to drink the nectar. Read this fact sheet for inspiration on how to attract pollinators to your garden.
 

  • BLUEBERRIES—PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
    Simple, healthy, and delicious, blueberries are native to North America and enjoyed around the world. They are produced by domestic and international farmers and home gardeners who have a passion for growing the most delicious and high-quality blueberries. There are many varieties of blueberries. All year round, wherever you are, you can make any day better with a boost of blue.

  • Pole Beans vs Bush Beans
    Should you grow bush beans, pole beans, or both? This article takes a look at the differences and the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

  • Lavender
    Get tips on growing lavender, benefits of the plant, what it needs to thrive and more.

  • Home Hydroponics
    Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without soil. The nutrients that the plants normally derive from the soil are simply dissolved into water instead. This article gives tips on the benefits, systems, and methods you can use such as the Wick System, Floating Raft, Ebb and Flow, Nutrient Film Technique and others as well as growing mediums you can use like Rockwool, Perlite, Vermiculite and other resources you need.

  • Indoor Hydroponics Provide Growing Alternatives:
    Hydroponics continues to be a popular topic in the horticulture industry, but usually it is on a very large greenhouse scale. Why is it so popular? Well, it's because your plants can grow 30% to 40% faster. And it is just pretty darn cool.

  • How to Grow Tomatoes
    Tomatoes are categorized into two different categories – determinant and indeterminant.
    Determinate varieties produce their fruits on the growing tips, causing the branch to stop production once the fruit has set. They are most often used for container gardening or small spaces and generally do not need to be trellised or staked. Examples of determinate varieties: Roma, the Mountain series, and Cherry Gold.
    Indeterminate tomatoes produce fruit on side branches and will continue to grow all season long. These are often larger plants that require more space and some type of trellising system. Think of these types of tomatoes as you would a traditional vining plant. Read this article to learn more about each type.

  • Raised Bed/Container Gardening
    Gardens may be adapted in many ways, depending on the needs of the gardener. There are many articles describing various adaptations, and more and more community gardens being built or revised to be accessible to all. Read this article to learn more about how to make your garden accessible.

  • Oldcastle Blocks Raised Bed Garden
    Utilizing oldcastle blocks can be an easy way to create a raised bed garden. Get the details here.

  • Eat green foods for better health
    Green foods are abundant in nutrients associated with heart health including, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, dietary nitrates, and folates. A meta-analysis found that consuming green vegetables every day could reduce CVD risk by 15.8%.

  • Eat white fruits and vegetables for better health
    White vegetables are rich in fiber and resistant starch (resists digestion in the small intestine). Fiber and resistant starch intake is linked to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and obesity. In general, you can expect to get 1.0-5.6 grams of fiber per serving when eating white vegetables. They are also rich in potassium and magnesium, both of which are under-consumed by Americans.

  • Eat carotenoid-rich foods for better health
    The primary benefits of carotenoids are due to their anti-oxidant potential. They help to reduce the formation of free radicals and protect our cells from damage. In addition, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body which is essential for eye health.

  • Eat Red, blue, and purple foods for better health
    Increased attention has focused on the health benefits of consuming anthocyanin-rich foods and beverages. They help to reduce the pro-inflammatory levels in the body and also help facilitate muscle recovery after intense exercise. They protect against diabetes, obesity, have neuroprotective effects, aid in weight management, and improve vision. They also have antioxidant benefits- free radicals are a product of the body’s natural metabolism. However, an accumulation can be toxic and lead to the acceleration of the aging process and chronic conditions such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disorders, cancer, atherosclerosis, and ulcerative colitis.