Winter gardening season is the perfect time to indulge in seed catalogs and garden planning, and finally, take a much-needed break from weeding! After all, history has it that weeds have been around way longer than us humans–some of them since the Paleolithic era. They aren’t going anywhere! Not all weeds are bad though. Have […]
Category: Gardening Science
Does rain come from dinosaur sweat? Or dinosaur pee? Let’s use gardening science to find out!
If there’s one thing gardening science can do, it’s connect dinosaurs and the water we use to keep our roses happy and healthy, right? In truth, you probably already know that gardening is as much an art as it is a science. One walk through your local botanical garden is likely enough to convince anyone that a garden is where science and art come to hang out together.
Before your eyes gloss over, though, gardening science isn’t just about the genetics of peas or the pH of your soil or the ideal combination of fertilizer for your gardenias. Sure, it is that, but it’s so much more.
Surely, you’ve wondered about all those microbes in your soil or stood in awe as a tiny seed turns into a delicious, mouth-watering heirloom tomato. I know I have. Gardens, and the gardening science that they represent, are endlessly fascinating to me.
The stories here bring us into the joys and fascinations of gardening by appealing to our spirits and the scientific explanations that feed our sense of wonder. And sometimes, our childlike sense of humor. Such is the case when Becky Rupp explores whether April Showers are really just the recycled remnants of dinosaur pee from the Jurassic era.
Then, in Time in the Garden, Barbara Ott wonders if time really does move more slowly in the garden. It might!
It’s not quite as strange as it sounds when you consider we’re talking about gardening science. Grow (Your) Microbes takes us on a tour of our inner microbial gardens to help us understand that, like our gardens, we, too, are part of an ecosystem.
Get more gardening science stories below
Feel free to stay a while and enjoy all the gardening science stories we have to share below. And be sure to check out our Gardening Science Collection while you’re here, which features a hand-picked selection of our favorite stories from this category.
Beneath the bark of trees, annual growth rings–also known as tree trunk rings—gracefully appear. They showcase alternating bands of light and dark hues; the plump and lighter circles displaying robust Springtime and Summer development, while thin darker ridges represent the slower Autumnal progression. Tree rings are the result of tree growth in response to various […]
I know we often write about the science and art of gardening. We get your emails, too, referencing gardening as something that at least some of you do as an artistic outlet. That makes sense, of course. Gardens are filled with colors, shapes, structures, and patterns. Whether it’s the wispy leaves on a fennel frond […]
The Secret Garden Was Real!
My daughter, at the ripe age of almost 5, has just started getting into longer chapter stories before bed, and when we were at the bookstore a few weeks ago, she picked out “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I adored that book, and then the movie, as a kid, so I was so […]
When I first encountered a Kobus Magnolia (Magnolia kobus) in full bloom, I was struck by its delicate white flowers floating like clouds against bare branches. But little did I know that I was looking at a living fossil, a tree that has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. This fascinating fact about […]
When it comes to magnolias, the Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana) stands out from the crowd in one spectacular way: its timing. While many trees are still shaking off Winter’s chill, this bold beauty bursts into bloom, painting the early Spring landscape with its large, goblet-shaped flowers. As a gardening enthusiast, I’ve always been […]
Is Southern Magnolia Edible?
I’ve always been a bit of a rebel in the gardening world. While others fawned over the latest hybrid tea rose or debated the merits of different tomato varieties, I found myself drawn to the unexpected, the overlooked. And let me tell you, friends, there’s nothing more unexpectedly delightful than the Southern Magnolia. Now, […]
I’ve had the pleasure of growing and admiring countless sunflower varieties over the years. However, there’s one particular type that never fails to bring a smile to my face: Teddy Bear Sunflowers. These charming dwarf sunflowers have stolen my heart with their compact size and cheerful blooms, and I’m excited to share some fun […]
I’ve grown my fair share of sunflowers over the years. From the cheerful yellows of the classic sunflower to the rich, autumnal hues of the “Moulin Rouge” variety, I thought I had seen it all. That is, until I encountered the awe-inspiring Russian Mammoth Sunflowers. These towering beauties have the power to transform any […]
I’ve always been captivated by the allure of climbing plants and am always thinking of new ways to use them. My husband doesn’t love the idea of anything climbing the house, so instead they add a vertical dimension to our gardens, transforming ordinary structures into breathtaking focal points. And when it comes to climbing […]