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.
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.
If you’ve ever been in a haunted house at a carnival or enjoyed a haunted hayride, you know there’s someone waiting and watching, ready to jump out and scare the daylights out of you. It’s all in good fun, and some of us enjoy the experience. Others of us would rather spend the day in […]
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 garden […]
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 the […]
Have you ever felt like you’re carrying around extra weight, that you just can’t shake? Well, it could be because we’re all carrying around up to three, yes, three pounds of bacteria. And you can actually improve gut health by feeding some of that bacteria through your gardening practices. “You’re a we, rather than an […]
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 fascinated […]
When it comes to hydrangeas, there’s one secret that many new gardeners aren’t aware of: you can actually change the color of your hydrangea blooms, specifically to achieve those stunning pinks and lavenders, by adjusting the pH of your soil. When I first started gardening, I had no idea about the whole soil pH thing. […]
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, […]
Depending upon the person you ask, the fruit of the gods could be the pomegranate, grapes, pears, persimmons, or oranges. There may be more fruits that I’ve missed, but there’s one fruit that does not make an appearance on these lists: the apple. The apple is neither among the fruit of the gods nor is […]
You’re probably wondering what you — one person — can do to help. Well, look no further than your current garden, that unused patch of earth in your backyard or those sunny windowsills. Whether for personal sustenance, commerce or a hobby, sustainable gardening could be your weapon in the fight against global warming. Here’s how […]
When I started gardening, I considered myself a black thumb and didn’t think I could be saved. I vividly remember the many potted tomato plants I brought home from the garden store, full of hope and anticipation. They came to me half-grown, their branches laden with promising green tomatoes. But despite my best efforts, I […]
