… twofold, having positive and negative virtues. On a positive note, our soils tend to be rich in nutrients. But on a negative note, our soils are heavy and do not drain well. The soils at the … and are about to embark on another trial…biochar. Biochar has been used for thousands of years in the Amazon Basin of South America to greatly improve poor, unproductive soils for farming. The … research trials on biochar with very positive findings. One study found the root mass of test seedlings (honeylocust) grown with biochar was significantly more compared to their control …
Type: Blog
… The moss ornament is almost complete with charcoal, soil, moss, and reindeer! Seal the moss in a closed terrarium ornament. The moss can live inside this globe indefinitely. The moss just … that splits into two halves (available at craft stores) Live moss that you find growing in a shady place in your yard (or you can buy it from a garden store that sells terrarium supplies) Activated charcoal (sold in garden and …
Type: Blog
… into my personal green space, where I can de-stress and enjoy my little piece of “Horto in Urbs.” Although there are more than 400,000 plant species worldwide, I know only a subset will survive in Chicago, especially over winter. But I also know there are more options than the common … and later tried steel and concrete, which I don’t recommend for balconies unless you want to test your weight limits. Deeper pots are better—mine are at least 16 inches deep—and I always try …
Type: Blog
… landscape rose for four-season interest." Mr. Radler germinated the first Knock Out seed in his basement during the winter of 1988–89, and that spring he planted the small shrub outside in his garden. The following 11 years were spent overseeing bud grafting, testing, and production … stock. The rose was offered to the All America Rose Selections committee and declared a winner in 1997. Knock Out became available to the public with 250,000 plants in production. And a star …
Type: Plant Info
… Titan Arum—FAQ Frequently Asked Questions About the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum) In 1878, an Italian botanist named Odoardo Beccari “discovered” the titan arum in the dense equatorial rainforests of the island of Sumatra. Although the tubers that he sent to … Titan arum leaves can grow 8 to 15 feet tall. Q. Did the Garden grow these plants from seed or buy the corms? Where did the Garden get them? A. The Garden's titan arums came from a variety of …
Type: Page
… are quite sun and heat tolerant. Newer, sun-loving strains were selected from plants growing in Indonesia and have been tested in Florida, Texas, and Georgia for their resistance to heat wilt and sun scorch. When supplied with adequate moisture and planted in very well-draining soil, these plants survived southern summers with no major problems. This …
Type: Plant Info
… What’s the oldest thing in your refrigerator? Chances are that it’s the almost-but-not-quite-empty jar of mustard. … colored squeeze bottles, and grab-’em-by-the-handful packets, Americans are at last tuning in to the taste of homemade condiments. The time has come for homemade mustard—and you won’t … allow the spice’s heat to mellow to the degree desired. Sample out of one jar periodically to test the heat level as you wait. It takes about two weeks for mustard to reach “mild.” (*Local to …
Type: Blog
… lithophytes) and the resulting puzzle of how best to cultivate them. I first got interested in orchids in the 1970s, both from seeing some in the greenhouses at the University of Michigan, and also … to modern DNA technology being used to revise their nomenclature. Just figuring out where to buy plants was an adventure, as most of the orchid nurseries I knew were long gone. Slc. …
Type: Blog
… Who Changed the Plant World George Washington Carver 1864 – 1943 Born into slavery in Missouri around 1864, George Washington Carver became Iowa State University’s first Black student, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural science. He then became a professor at Tuskegee University in Alabama. His … farmers grow other crops, such as peanuts and sweet potatoes. He then developed more than 300 products made from peanuts, which greatly contributed to economic growth in the south. The …
Type: Blog
… The holidays will soon be upon us. When it comes to the gardeners in your life, there are plenty of gift-giving ideas. An avid gardener can never have too many … the new Fresh from the Garden: An Organic Guide to Growing Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs in Cold Climates, by John Whitman (University of Minnesota Press). How about a magazine … off. Most gardeners could use a spare watering can, too. Wind Chimes Give the gift of sound in the garden with a set of wind chimes. With each breeze, chimes provide tinkling bell-like …
Type: Plant Info
