Northern & Central Midwest
March, 2005
Regional Report
National News - From NGA Editors
Orchids for Dummies
Orchids are one of the hottest plants in the United States. They are second only to poinsettias as the most popular potted plant, and they are becoming more widely available. You can find orchids...
Colorful Asparagus Beans
Asparagus beans are the oriental version of our popular pole bean. They love warm weather, growing vigorously and producing an abundance of long, thin, crunchy beans with small seeds. They are...
Eat My Car
Toyota Motor Corporation is developing new plastic products made from natural materials to be used in building their cars. Bioplastics are biodegradable, their production doesnt increase the...
Best Lamium for Shade
The Chicago Botanic Garden has evaluated 21 different dead nettles ( Lamium ) over the past six years to determine the best varieties in their USDA zone 5 climate. Lamium is a colorful shade or...
In the Garden
Renewal Pruning is the Ultimate Type of Spring Cleaning
While many tasks in the garden provide a healthy sense of accomplishment, rejuvenating an overgrown shrub makes you feel like an artist. Pruning a shrub is a lot like cleaning out a closet. It makes everything tidy, removes the old stuff, and gives a...
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Resources
Clever Gardening Technique
Use Old-Fashioned Soaker Hoses Old-fashioned soaker hoses work quite well for watering the vegetable or flower garden. Turn them...
Web Finds
Seed Savers Exchange The Seed Savers Exchange is a superb Web site for information and sources of heirloom seeds....
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Regional Reminders
- Prune Spring-Blooming Shrubs After Flowering
- Prune Summer-Blooming Shrubs Before Flowering
- Clean Up the Garden
- Be Ready to Spray Dormant Oil
- Monitor Soil Temperatures
