Category: Garden Myths

Garden Myths, Gazette-Mail

Gardening in the Age of Pinterest: Dubious Online Garden Tips

Social media have made it easy to share information the world around. It has made it easy for people to connect and interact more than humans ever have before. Gardening is a common theme on Facebook, Twitter and, especially, Pinterest. Ideas are easily shared through these sites. It’s great to see such interest in gardening. Sometimes, however, these ideas should be taken with a grain … Continue reading Gardening in the Age of Pinterest: Dubious Online Garden Tips

John Porter12 Comments
Garden Myths, pollinators

The Problem with ‘Saving the Bees’

Originally posted on The Liber Ero Blog: Reports from the front lines of conservation biology:
A native bumble bee (photo Sheila Colla). By Sheila Colla I’ve been researching pollinator declines over the past decade. It has been encouraging and inspiring to see my chosen subject matter go from completely off the general public’s radar to one of the most important environmental issues of our time.… Continue reading The Problem with ‘Saving the Bees’

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Garden Myths, history, holidays, houseplants

Is your Christmas cactus an impostor?

A cactus, of all things, is one of those plants that have come to represent the holidays. But, my friends, it seems that there has been an insidious marketing campaign to confuse consumers. For the cactus you buy in the store labeled “Christmas cactus” is an impostor. It is, in fact, a Thanksgiving cactus. Now this wouldn’t be such a big deal, except that there … Continue reading Is your Christmas cactus an impostor?

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Garden Myths, Genetic Engineering, genetics, vegetable gardening

Should I be planting hybrid seeds?

There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation these days concerning the origin and safety of everyday garden seeds. While I do appreciate many of our heirloom seeds, I also appreciate what hybrid seeds bring to the table. Unfortunately, misinformation has led to a great number of home gardeners believing that hybrid seeds are genetically modified and unsafe. It is amazing to see … Continue reading Should I be planting hybrid seeds?

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