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
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.
Ginseng Companion Plants
Ginseng Companion Plants
Ginseng has many “companion plants” that like to grow in similar conditions. These plants may be a sign of a nearby ginseng population, or as a sign of ideal site selection for cultivation. While solely looking for companion plants is not a foolproof way to find a...
Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) Plant Profile
Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) Plant Profile
Mimosa pudica is an annual tropical plant native to South America, but has been established and thrives in many countries, of which it is most often considered invasive. It is most often grown as an ornamental, as it is a fast-growing leafy shrub.
Featured in Environment
Call for Beech Leaf & Soil Samples
Call for Beech Leaf & Soil Samples
Update 3/01/24 No longer accepting samples. Instead, please report images of both infected AND healthy beech trees using iNaturalist. These reports help scientists determine the timeline and path of spread, helping them discover any potential beech tree...
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.
Featured in Gardening
How to Propagate Pothos
How to Propagate Pothos
Pothos is a great beginner plant and it is easy to propagate, but many people overlook how difficult first-time propagations can be. Find the right answers and the most efficient way to propagate your houseplant in this in-depth guide.
Where is Ginseng Most Commonly Found?
Where is Ginseng Most Commonly Found?
American ginseng has captivated the imagination of people for centuries, inextricably intertwined with humanity for as long as our history can recall. Today, it is under threat from several factors and relies on mindful conservation to ensure its long-term...
(Top 20) Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs
(Top 20) Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs
Keeping houseplants is a hobby that is on the rise in recent years. The more time you spend at home, the more you want to fill your home with beautiful foliage. In fact, plants are great at helping reduce the stress we experience on a daily basis. But what do you do if you also have pets?
Featured in Microgreens
Are Microgreens Still Profitable?
Are Microgreens Still Profitable?
Interested in getting into the microgreens market, but worried if they’ve lost their popularity and profitability? Learn what you need to know here.
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.
Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens
Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens
What is the best growing mediums for microgreens, and how will it affect your overall yield? Do certain microgreens need certain soils? There are a lot of questions.
Fortunately, however, there are also a lot of answers despite indoor urban farming being a relatively new concept in agriculture.
Featured in Reviews
Nasami Farm: Native Plant Nursery Spotlight
Nasami Farm: Native Plant Nursery Spotlight
Tucked neatly at the base of the Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts, Nasami Farm is a unique native plant nursery with a wide reach. What makes this nursery so special? Let’s take a look:Spotlight: Native Plant Nursery in Massachusetts As a local plant...
How to Choose the Best Hummingbird Feeder
How to Choose the Best Hummingbird Feeder
Spring and summer are right around the corner, and for many of us that bring an exciting, migratory flurry of color and energy known as hummingbirds. Choosing the best hummingbird feeder can be the difference between attracting entire families of hummingbirds to your yard and attracting one or two.
Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens
Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens
What is the best growing mediums for microgreens, and how will it affect your overall yield? Do certain microgreens need certain soils? There are a lot of questions.
Fortunately, however, there are also a lot of answers despite indoor urban farming being a relatively new concept in agriculture.
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