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
An Introduction to How Plants Reproduce
An Introduction to How Plants Reproduce
There are such an interesting variety of plants out there, and each one has their own unique way of reproducing with themselves or other plants around them. Plants may reproduce through sexual or asexual methods, and it can seem like each method is unique to each plant.
The Language of Science: Understanding Binomial Nomenclature
The Language of Science: Understanding Binomial Nomenclature
Since the beginning of written history, people have tried to categorize things, organizing the web of life into a wide range of classifications to better understand the world. This was the beginning of taxonomy, or the science of naming things.
Red Oak VS White Oak: A Beginner Botanist’s Guide
Red Oak VS White Oak: A Beginner Botanist’s Guide
You might think that an oak is an oak, and there’s nothing else to it – but as a beginner botanist or curious naturalist, you might start to take a second look at those trees, however, and notice that they are all different. Red and white oaks are not just individual trees, but separate groups that contain different species. Fortunately, there's an easy way to tell them apart...
Featured in Environment
The Bees in Your Backyard: Identifying Different Types of Bees
The Bees in Your Backyard: Identifying Different Types of Bees
There are so many more species of bee living within your local ecosystem than the common honeybee. Learning how to identify bees is one of the best ways you can get to know your backyard ecosystem a little bit better and begin overcoming any fear of the lovely insects you might have.
Climate Change: A Discussion and Action Plan
Climate Change: A Discussion and Action Plan
Let’s pretend the latest James Bond villain had a How To guide to climate change. This villain wants nothing more than to see the world burn – in a figurative, but also very literal sense – so how would he do it?
In this article, HerbSpeak author D.K. Hall addresses the importance of climate action, several recent and significant climate events, why you should care about it, and why it is happening at such a rapid pace.
Why Native Plants Are Important
Why Native Plants Are Important
Over the last few years, a lot of people have begun turning to alternate methods of gardening. One ‘alternative’ method is planting native plants in lieu of the typical garden plants we might be familiar with today. Let’s take a look at why – and how – this can be...
Featured in Gardening
Why is Picking Ginseng Illegal?
Why is Picking Ginseng Illegal?
American ginseng is an unassuming plant native to the deciduous forests of the United States. This plant has captured the imagination of many people across the globe for centuries, unfortunately, which is a problem for its wild population. Why is Picking Ginseng...
What Are The Benefits of a Garden?
What Are The Benefits of a Garden?
For centuries, gardening has been apart of our lives. If it wasn’t to feed the household, it has been a hobby to bring the mind peace. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or are considering starting your own garden, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the many benefits of this relaxing activity.
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
Do You Need Trays with Holes for Microgreens?
Do You Need Trays with Holes for Microgreens?
In recent years, microgreens have become a popular choice for small-scale farmers for its ease of growing and fast turnaround. (1) Best of all, it doesn’t look like microgreens are going anywhere, as customers love them, too.“[…] quick-growing, high-yield crops...
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.
Packaging Microgreens: The Ultimate Guide
Packaging Microgreens: The Ultimate Guide
People who buy microgreens want to improve their diets in a sustainable way. If your packaging is the wrong shape, size, or material, you’ll struggle to turn a profit, let alone stay open for business. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll understand the importance of great packaging and the best options for every scenario.
Featured in Reviews
Guide to Using Go Botany
Guide to Using Go Botany
This article has been updated. See these resources instead:There are many plant identification apps available online, but Go Botany is different. As a plant database, rather than an automatic detection app, it is the only resource dedicated to accurate self-guided...
What Is Native Plant Trust?
What Is Native Plant Trust?
Native Plant Trust is becoming a household name in New England, making a positive impact on the regions’ conservation efforts and data collection. Aspiring botanists and gardeners alike turn to Native Plant Trust to provide educational resources on native plants...
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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