Cleaning up invasive species might seem like a job better left to park rangers and other professionals, but about half of the worst invasive plants in Michigan began in gardens. These nonnative ornamentals spread beyond our manicured landscapes to take over natural spaces, crowding out native plants and disrupting ecosystems. But how do you distinguish between …
Serena Manickam
Numerous plants from other parts of the world have been introduced to New England — and other areas of the US due to their beautiful flowers, stunning fall foliage, and other attractive qualities. Unfortunately, many of these plants spread aggressively and have escaped their bounds to wreak havoc on local ecosystems. They displace native species …
When selecting plants to grow in our home gardens, we often focus on appearance, size, and growing requirements. But there is another factor we should consider as well: invasiveness. Native vegetation attracts birds, butterflies, and other beautiful and beneficial wildlife. Invasive plants, on the other hand, choke out native species and alter ecosystems. They can …
A marketing plan is essential for a profitable lavender farm, and developing one before you even put the first plant in the ground will save some headaches later. To do so, you will want to consider not only how to spread the word about your lavender business but also where to sell your lavender products. …
Lavender, like many herbs, can be difficult to propagate from seed, so you will likely want to purchase seedlings to transplant when first starting out. The question then arises, Where to buy lavender plants? A local, reputable nursery or other supplier is often the best choice, as they will offer lavender varieties suited to your …
Although lavender grows best in dry, well-drained soil, it still benefits from mulch, which has other uses beyond improving water retention. First, adding mulch around lavender plants will help reduce weeds. Weeds, of course, compete with lavender for space and nutrients, and they can also increase humidity and soil moisture and act as disease vectors. …
Proper pruning keeps lavender plants healthy and attractive. Without it, the woody base can grow large and unruly, becoming prone to splitting in the freezing winter months. But when you know how to prune lavender correctly, you can train it to grow in a tidy mounded shape that produces denser foliage and more blooms. Pruning …
If you would like to preserve lavender, drying is the most common and easiest method. Dried lavender has innumerable uses, including culinary, medicinal, and crafting. Wondering how to dry lavender and what to do with it? Here’s all you need to know. How to Dry Lavender The important thing to remember when drying lavender is “low …
Louisiana’s warm climate, plentiful rain, and abundant sunshine make the state, unfortunately, welcoming to invasive plant species. With such favorable growing conditions and a lack of natural controls (i.e., diseases, pests, etc.), these plants spread readily, forming monocultural swaths that displace native plants and disrupt entire ecosystems. Some of these plants may even grow in …
About 145 invasive plant species threaten the natural areas of Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Invasive Plant Council. Many of these noxious weeds have been planted in gardens as ornamental landscaping plants, and some are still sold by garden centers. Learn how to identify some of the worst invasive plants in Kentucky so you can …