Press Release

Summer bulbs, which are planted in the spring after danger of frost, extend the garden’s blooming season well into summer until frost.  Their glorious and often fragrant flowers and plants continue to provide nutrients and shelter for our treasured pollinators.  Most bulbs planted in the fall that bloom in the spring are true bulbs and are planted ‘pointy-end-up’.  Many summer bulbs are corms, rhizomes, tubers, or tuberous roots.  Depending on your soil type, the timing of your rainy season, your winter hardiness zone and whether you have shade or sun, many summer bulbs … [Read more...] about Fabulous Summer Bulbs

In the past, we only wanted our yards to be pretty.Now we know what we plant in our yard affects the environment, and it can be frustrating for gardeners who try to find the right plants. Supporting life, sequestering carbon, feeding pollinators, and managing water can be lofty goals for gardeners.Planting native plants in landscapes is now more crucial than ever. Native plants provide food and shelter for animals and need little care. They can defend themselves against drought and pests, reducing the need for pesticides and irrigation systems. Root systems of native plants filter sediments … [Read more...] about Native Plants: Feed the Birds

We all know the holidays are supposed to be festive and joyous, and we also all know the reality is they can hold a large amount of stress. This year’s supply chain disruptions threaten to turn even the annual hunt for a holiday tree into a source of anxiety. But don’t worry—plants to the rescue!Plants are already proven to be a reliable source of good feelings. In the infographic #PlantsDoThat Where We Live, NICH (ConsumerHort.org) points to research showing that plants stimulate both a physiological and psychological relaxation response. Even if you can’t get outside to destress with forest … [Read more...] about Tree Alternatives for the Holidays!

Across history, people have found comfort putting their hands in the soil, growing their own food, and planting flowers. This has certainly been the case through Covid. Nationally, we’re experiencing a proliferation of first-time and returning gardeners, planting vegetables, curating flower collections, and generally finding peace in the garden. Today, many gardeners come to this beloved activity with very little gardening background. Fewer new gardeners have a family history of farming or grow up on large parcels with subsistence gardens. So, for those seeking support in acquiring a green … [Read more...] about Extension Master Gardener Appreciation

Many people think that fall is the end of the growing season, and in many parts of the country, it is quite the contrary. Depending on your planting zone, fall can be an ideal season for planting trees, shrubs, and other ornamentals. The key is encouraging good root growth. Planting trees and shrubs in fall enables the root systems to grow before the hot summer returns. There are several benefits to fall planting. Trees planted in the fall are better equipped to deal with summer heat and drought. Another great reason to plant your shrubs in the fall is because you can pick your trees and … [Read more...] about Fall Planting Trees

When you think of fall, what color do you think of?  When I think of fall, I think of orange in all its bright, burnt, saturated and earthy tones coming at me from every corner of the landscape and supermarket aisle.  I think of expansive greenish-brown fields loaded with oversized orange pumpkins ready for the pickin’, handfuls of candy corn with its unnatural orange stripe and my aunt’s orange sweet potato pie destined for my belly.  Many people may think of the colors of turning leaves, from green though the range of yellows and oranges to finally red, but I grew up in … [Read more...] about Breeding Annuals for the Fall Landscape