Author: Former Members

By Michael J Wellik from The Strawberry Store http://www.thestrawberrystore.com     Over 20 years ago I operated commercial greenhouses and grew bedding plants, Easter flowers and many other standard ornamental crops. I was not happy with profitability and began searching for new crops to grow. I decided to trial a variety of strawberries called ‘Ruegen’. When I bought the plants, I didn’t even realize that this was not a standard garden strawberry. In fact, it was a different species, Fragaria vesca, which is also known as the wild strawberry, alpine strawberry or woodland strawberry. The size of the fruit was the first clue that I was dealing with the unknown. What attracted me and hooked me was not only the unique wild taste, but the incredible aroma. In the years since then I have collected over 40 varieties of this species from all over the world. I am fascinated with…

  While we know there are many benefits to incorporating trees into our landscape, many of us simply enjoy trees for their beauty.  Some people enjoy the birds they attract while others actually enjoy the antics of the squirrels scampering through their branches.  We enjoy the immediate rewards from the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze, the shade we enjoy on a hot summer day, and the contributions for that budding compost pile to the more far-reaching concerns for possible climate change. But, do you know the monetary value of the benefits provided by any particular tree in your landscape?  If not, you can use the Arbor Day Foundation’s “National Tree Benefits Calculator” http://www.arborday.org/calculator to easily determine the economic and environmental benefits provided by any tree in your yard. What do you need to know?  You will need to enter your zip code, select a tree species from…

Some Latin plant names give away important clues about the nature of the plant.  Here are a few of the more commonly used names, and perhaps a few rare ones, to broaden your knowledge of the wonderful world of Latin. coccinea = Scarlet Salvia coccinea – Scarlet sage sulphureus = Sulphur-colored Cosmos sulphureus – Cosmos rotundifolia = Round-leaved Tithonia rotundifolia – Mexican sunflower communis = Growing in common; general Ricinus communis – Castor bean cylindrica = Cylindrical Luffa cylindrica – Luffa sponge tuberosum = Tuberous Allium tuberosum – Garlic chives sativum = Cultivated; planted deliberately Coriandrum sativum – Cilantro/Coriander vulgare = Vulgar; common Foeniculum vulgare – Fennel officinalis = Medicinal; of the pharmacopoeia Melissa officinalis – Lemon balm Paniculatum = having flowers in a cluster, with each flower borne on a separate stalk Koelreuteria paniculata – Goldenrain tree Place names: sinensis or sinicus = of or from China Camellia sinensis…