… ones to get their hands dirty as they explore the natural world. We’ve got lots of ideas for projects you can do at home to get kids thinking about plants and how they grow. Here’s how … at a garden supply store. It expands when soaked in water and stays moist, so it is ideal for this project. You can substitute regular soil or sawdust as the medium. Time: This project … minutes to make and set up. When complete, it takes about a week to sprout and then can grow for a few weeks if you take care of it. Directions: Spoon or carefully pour a generous cup of …
Type: Blog
… much garlic mustard in our natural areas in recent years, and its reemergence is a reminder for all of us that controlling and managing invasive species is an ongoing challenge. Our natural … spread and crowd out native species. We need those native plants to maintain healthy habitats for birds, wildlife, and other plants. Prescribed burning is essential for control of invasive species. We were only able to do one prescribed burn at the Garden this …
Type: Blog
… on the southeast corner of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center—for smaller landscapes. He describes Regal Prince as a hybrid oak that is columnar in shape. … County Arboretum in Kentucky, “I started getting interested in oaks, started collecting oaks for my house, and the obsession grew from there,” he said. The outdoors has always been a part of … visitors and to help build the woody plants collection. “Woody plants fulfill such a role for us and for the environment,” he said. “They provide so much for us, and they really fulfill …
Type: Blog
… Dye-ing for nature-based fun? Forgo the food coloring and kits, and go for naturally safe, naturally kid-friendly, and naturally beautiful “homemade” egg dyes instead. … Gather your ingredients. Vegetables, fruits, and spices can all create lovely, earthy colors. For example, beets, green tea bags, and orange peels all make gorgeous natural dyes. We …
Type: Blog
… he has worked since 2001. As part of his job, he is the grower and buyer of all the plants for the seasonal annual displays, containers, hanging baskets, and specialty plant displays. He … displays and unusual plants and flowers that the Garden displays to create excitement for plants. He has a bachelor of science degree in landscape horticulture, with a concentration … University. Pollak writes for newspapers and other media and appears regularly on local TV news segments to discuss gardening topics. He is also a regular instructor for the Joseph …
Type: Staff bio
… A Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is called the “gateway orchid” for beginning collectors: it requires very little care, and yields great rewards with blooms that … them because they are often packed in sphagnum moss, which provides too much moisture for the plant. I was also not aware that you should repot your orchids every one to two years to … to maintain a healthy growing environment. Our first video details step-by-step instructions for repotting a Phalaeanopsis orchid. Stay tuned for part two next week, when Anne reviews the …
Type: Blog
… vines, wild roses, and other invasive plants to reach stable ground. It’s all in a day’s work for Bunting, who has gone on wild plant-collecting trips around the country and world during his … lost in the wild due to extreme weather or other threats, there is no backup. It could be gone for good. A sweetbay magnolia tree stands out in Delhaas Woods, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. By … Their goal was to collect trees with novel traits, or genes, which would be beneficial for future breeding. When the team navigated the swamp, their spirits were still high from an …
Type: Blog
… Looking for a reason to be glad for the cold weather in winter’s stretch? Consider the needs of fruit trees. Fruit trees need to … fluctuation like last year. Our current cool weather is right on track and looking positive for growers. Knowing a fruit tree’s chill requirement is a tool for choosing the right plants for …
Type: Blog
… Even when the kids have schoolwork, it’s still important for them to play outside. Outdoor activities encourage creativity and independent thinking. The good news is that outdoor play time has many benefits ; a growing body of research shows that nature … Paint with mud. Why use regular paint when mud is so much more fun? Swap out watercolors for mud, and ditch brushes for hands to create all-natural art. Take sustainability up a notch by …
Type: Blog
… Christian Acevedo, a Garden intern from Miami Dade College through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. He did research for Budburst , a project by the Chicago Botanic Garden to work with community scientists and … of native plants. Researchers are studying whether nativars provide the same resources for pollinators as their wild cousins. Understanding variation in pollinator attraction between …
Type: Blog
