… from the Wisconsin Orchid Society Show in 2017—my plants! First, a few facts. Brazil has one of the highest diversities of orchid species of any country in the world , with more … recognized and still more commonly referred to as Sophronitis coccinea , C. coccinea is one of perhaps six to nine species and as many varietal color forms included in the former genus … flowers any time from November to May, and will often bloom two or three times in succession. One to two flowers are produced per new pseudobulb. The flowers can be from 1 to nearly 3 inches …
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… the importance of African American heirloom seeds. Every year in my garden, I grow at least one African American heirloom crop, partly to commemorate Juneteenth. For Black Americans, … United States in the 1500s when the transatlantic slave trade took off. Okra, like rice, was one of the main crops Africans carried over to the United States from West Africa on slave … forgiving, and prolific crop. Photo courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds/rareseeds.com Aunt Lou’s Underground Railroad Tomato This heirloom seed is still with us today because an …
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… more than 5.5 feet above normal and were on par with the highest we’ve ever encountered. At one point early in the flood, an intersection along the Garden’s visitor entrance was submerged … under more than 30 inches of water—thereby necessitating our closure. The image below shows one of our service roads during normal water levels as it crosses a narrow point in our lake … 100 million gallons of floodwater had been removed and our lake levels were back to normal. One of the Garden’s service roads on August 16, 2017; and below, on July 13, 2017 The images …
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… the desired slate of uses for the garden. Your “program” may be to provide yourself or a loved one with an easily accessible personal garden to tend to and enjoy. It may also be to grow … In the first sample illustration, I’ve laid out a container of sensory-rich plant material as one option for your garden. Start with a “thriller” or focus plant such as a Pennisetum … Red’ coleus (2) and perhaps an edible plant such as a Stevia rebaudiana (3) . Stevia is one of my favorite horticultural therapy plants; the super-sweet leaf makes for a fun treat when …
Type: Blog
… week last year. At that time, I started a few bean bags just to see what would happen. I kept one seed growing in the bag all winter, adding water as needed. The bean plant grew for five …
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… Dahlias are indigenous to Mexico, where they were grown by the Aztecs, who used the tubers as one of their staple foods. The plants were brought to Spain and eventually spread throughout … of caution: Tuber sprouts can be quite delicate. It is a good idea to use a short, temporary support until the plant becomes established. You can start with tubers planted directly in the … the cutting tool as you move between plants to avoid the possible transfer of any disease from one plant to the next. During the growing season, be aware of the effects of pests and plant …
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… day, around the world. Bats, bees, butterflies, birds, and more pollinate plants that create one-third of the food we eat. Download the PDF (11″x17″) of this placemat. As you enjoy a meal …
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… In Chicago, I saw that the gardens were designed like the links of the city, and learned one of the reasons for this is Chicago’s motto, Urbs in horto , which means “city in a garden.” … under that garden’s horticulturist, Lisa Hilgenberg . During Pepper Sundays, I learned that one of the special plants in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden is the bull-nose pepper—a favorite of …
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… would greatly enhance sprouting of the soil’s dormant garlic mustard seeds. Fortunately, one of the Garden’s creative mechanics devised a basket system on a handheld scythe. This … has actually happened! Too good to be true, perhaps? This ingenious device fabricated by one of the Garden’s maintenance mechanics allows us to capture the garlic mustard’s unripe … is having a significant negative effect on garlic mustard (see woodsandprairie.blogspot.com ). Observers have reported an almost complete absence of garlic mustard in areas that are …
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… One of my signature projects at the Chicago Botanic Garden is designing and building the … the walls until the concrete hardens. Fill concrete to the top of th frame, making sure the support sand is also at the same height. STEP 6 After the concrete sets but is not completely dry … herb garden. I have even used an old box to make a hypertufa boot tray—who doesn’t need one of those?! Silly or serious, there is no limit to your hypertufa container options. …
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