Gardening Care, Propagation, and Pruning
Best Potting Soil Mix for Monstera What ingredients are required to make the finest potting soil mix for your Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Adansonii? This article will go through what makes a soil mix suitable for your Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Adansonii, as well as how you may develop your […]
Most people shudder when maggots show up in their compost bin or compost pile. But maggots are actually helpful and yucky at the same time. They help break down food waste into compost, which can be used to fertilize gardens and lawns. Maggot larvae don’t bite humans, but they do […]
Hamid Razifard, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Ana Caicedo, University of Massachusetts Amherst The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. The Big Idea: The tomato’s path from wild plant to household staple is much more complex than researchers have long thought. For many years, scientists believed […]
Matthew Wallenstein, Colorado State University Our soils are in trouble. Over the past century, we’ve abused them with plowing, tilling and too much fertilizer. What many think of as “just dirt” is actually an incredibly complex mixture of rock-derived minerals, plant-derived organic matter, dissolved nutrients, gases and a rich food […]
Succulents are known for their fleshy leaves and diverse look. These hardy plants have mastered the art of propagating in the most unlikely places in nature. If you are already familiar with growing succulents, you may wonder just how long they live. Often, you can maximize the lifespan of your […]
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 […]