Gardening Care, Propagation, and Pruning
If you live in an area that is situated on a steep slope or hillside, it’s still possible to build a thriving flower, herb, or vegetable garden. There are only a few things to consider, from the composition of the soil you’re using, to the shape of your garden, the number of […]
Petra Marschner As the weather warms and days lengthen, your attention may be turning to that forgotten patch of your backyard. This week we’ve asked our experts to share the science behind gardening. So grab a trowel and your green thumbs, and dig in. Most people think of soil only […]
Emma White, University of Surrey and Sarah Golding, University of Surrey COVID-19 has shown that pandemics can seriously affect people’s physical and mental health. Stress, anxiety and depression have increased around the world, with the greatest effects for those living under the strictest lockdowns. Many people’s physical activity levels also […]
Richard L. Harkess, Mississippi State University Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Why do flowers smell? – Henry E., Age 9, Somerville, Massachusetts Imagine walking through a tropical forest as a […]
Matt Kasson, West Virginia University; Brian Lovett, West Virginia University, and Carolee Bull, Penn State Home gardening is having a boom year across the U.S. Whether they’re growing their own food in response to the pandemic or just looking for a diversion, numerous aspiring gardeners have constructed their first raised […]
Yvonne Black, University of Hull Spending time in outdoors, taking time out of the everyday to surround yourself with greenery and living things can be one of life’s great joys – and recent research also suggest it’s good for your body and your brain. Scientists have found that spending two […]
Julie Stevens, Iowa State University Leaves are rustling. You can hear the sound of children kicking a ball, plinking the keys of a toy xylophone. People are laughing and talking. Are you picturing a prison? My colleagues and I did – and we turned these visions into reality. The garden […]
Kathleen Merrigan, Arizona State University Organic food once was viewed as a niche category for health nuts and hippies, but today it’s a routine choice for millions of Americans. For years following passage of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which established national organic standards, consumers had to seek […]
Jennifer Atkinson, University of Washington The coronavirus pandemic has set off a global gardening boom. In the early days of lockdown, seed suppliers were depleted of inventory and reported “unprecedented” demand. Within the U.S., the trend has been compared to World War II victory gardening, when Americans grew food at […]
Garrett M. Broad, Fordham University It’s back-to-school time in the United States, and for countless children across the nation, it’s also time to get back into the school garden. For centuries, educators and philosophers have argued that garden-based learning improves children’s intelligence and boosts their personal health. In recent years, […]