Understanding Beech Leaf Disease
The fate of the American Beech tree hangs in the balance, but the resilience of nature and the determination of those invested in its preservation offer a glimmer of hope.
Understanding Beech Leaf Disease
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The Parts of a Plant: The Root System
The Parts of a Plant: The Root System
Roots are almost always underground, but these hidden systems are responsible for a range of functions from securing the plant in the soil to absorbing water and nutrients. You can think of the root system as the foundation of a building: it's what keeps the plant stable, nourished, and capable of growth throughout its life cycle.
Parts of a Plant and Their Functions: Introduction and Basic Terminology
Parts of a Plant and Their Functions: Introduction and Basic Terminology
Part one of an in-depth series. Getting your hands dirty in the garden or diving into botany can be a much richer experience when you understand the various parts of a plant and their functions.
Featured in Botany
The Life Cycle of a Plant Explained
The Life Cycle of a Plant Explained
It’s one thing to think about the cycle of life in terms of seasons. In northern climates, winter is a time of snow cover and cold. A few plants have specialized to live in these climates, but most begin life in the spring or summer and die (or go dormant) in the autumn. In this article, we answer how that works and dive into the life cycle of a plant.
How to Identify Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
How to Identify Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
You can identify wild ginseng by following the information laid out in the article below. It is important to be able sift through your own natural underbrush to identify the ginseng crop, so let’s learn a bit about how to distinguish the plant before we go digging up our cultivated crop.
Do Carnivorous Plants Photosynthesize?
Do Carnivorous Plants Photosynthesize?
Do carnivorous plants photosynthesize like other plants, or do they get all their nutrients from their prey? After all, a lot of them are green, which means they contain chlorophyll, right? Learn the answer to this question in this article.
Featured in Environment
How to Connect with Nature
How to Connect with Nature
The routine of modern life can be toxic to human spirituality in any form - no matter what religion you do or do not prescribe to - especially when it comes to our connection to nature. In this HerbSpeak article, you’ll learn how to connect (or re-connect) with...
Springtime Sighting of a Vulnerable Butterfly, the West Virginia White
Springtime Sighting of a Vulnerable Butterfly, the West Virginia White
One spring morning, eight botanists packed into carpools and drove to a small town on the far edge of western Massachusetts to find a small white butterfly, Pieris virginensis, and its host plant, Cardamine concatenata and C. diphylla.
What Is a Plant Sanctuary?
What Is a Plant Sanctuary?
You’ve probably heard about wildlife sanctuaries, which are swaths of land dedicated to providing habitat for certain species of wildlife. Lesser known, however, are plant sanctuaries. These sanctuaries serve the same purpose, but on a more foundational scale.
Featured in Gardening
Community Garden Benefits
Community Garden Benefits
There's something special about a community garden. It's a space where neighbors can come together to grow food, connect with the natural world, and build relationships. Community gardens are more than just a nice idea - they can actually be incredibly beneficial for both individuals and the local ecosystem.
Is Mandrake the Same as Ginseng?
Is Mandrake the Same as Ginseng?
Is Mandrake the Same as Ginseng? No, mandrake is not close to ginseng either in composition or genetics. Don’t be fooled by names like ‘ginseng ficus’ or ‘human root’, as these common names largely serve to confuse between the two plants. Mandrake, like any good...
Pothos Plant Care 101
Pothos Plant Care 101
Pothos is a great beginner houseplant that is easy to care for and survives in many different home environments. While it does not flower in the typical home environment, its leafy vegetation is becoming more and more popular with houseplant hobbyists as time goes on and appreciation for the plant grows and new varieties emerge.
In this article, HerbSpeak will cover how to care for your pothos plant, answers to several common indoor gardening questions, and ideas on how to display your pothos with pride!
Featured in Microgreens
4 Best Microgreen Trays Compared
4 Best Microgreen Trays Compared
In this article, HerbSpeak will cover the pros and cons of several popular microgreens trays to help you decide which one is right for you – and which ones just aren’t worth the money for what you’re looking for.
The Benefits of Microgreens
The Benefits of Microgreens
You might be surprised that microgreens come packed with benefits. In this article, learn about the top 5 common benefits of eating and growing microgreens.
Choosing the Right Microgreen Rack for Any Setup
Choosing the Right Microgreen Rack for Any Setup
Eating microgreens is a great way to add variety and nutrition to your diet. But these days, you’ll spend a pretty penny stocking up on greens at the grocery store every week. If you’re anything like us, you’ve started wondering about growing microgreens yourself....
Featured in Reviews
Garden in the Woods: Botanical Garden Spotlight
Garden in the Woods: Botanical Garden Spotlight
In this spotlight, you’ll learn about a wonderful outdoor botanical garden focused on highlighting native plants in the New England region. Garden in the Woods is a great way to learn more about sustainable gardening practices, ecosystems, and habitats of the...
4 Best Microgreen Trays Compared
4 Best Microgreen Trays Compared
In this article, HerbSpeak will cover the pros and cons of several popular microgreens trays to help you decide which one is right for you – and which ones just aren’t worth the money for what you’re looking for.
How to Use iNaturalist
How to Use iNaturalist
The naturalists of today may not spend most of their time sailing the seas and looking under crude microscopes, but there is still plenty to explore in the world. With the advancement of science comes an advancement in technology - which further aids science. While...
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