American Public Gardens Association’s Post

By encouraging students in organic gardening, schools can foster a deeper understanding of the natural world, promote healthy lifestyles, and inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens. Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrate subjects like science (biology, ecology), math (measuring plots, calculating yields), and art (designing garden labels)...

Some Varieties of Annual Flowers Have a Place in Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Annual flowers, typically considered poor for pollinators, can support bees and insects if the right varieties are chosen. A study found significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among 25 cultivars of popular annuals like begonias and impatiens. This research highlights the potential for pollinator-friendly annuals in home gardens. https://buff.ly/4b6za0G via @michigan-state-university #PlantScience #PlantSci #Flowers #Garden #Pollinators #4bees #insects #bees #Plants #crops #science Image: While wildflowers and perennials are a must for supporting pollinators, there’s no denying the popularity of many annual flowers for their colorful, visual appeal. A new study suggests choosing the right varieties can give annual flowers a role in nourishing bees and other pollinating insects in home gardens. In the two-year study, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) observed pollinators visiting 25 different varieties, or cultivars, of the six most popular annual flower species in the United States, finding significant variation in apparent pollinator attractiveness between cultivars, even within the same flower species. Here, mixed groups of the flowers grow at the MSU Horticulture Farm in June 2017. Credit: David Smitley, Ph.D.)

Some Varieties of Annual Flowers Have a Place in Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Annual flowers, typically considered poor for pollinators, can support bees and insects if the right varieties are chosen. A study found significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among 25 cultivars of popular annuals like begonias and impatiens. This research highlights the potential for pollinator-friendly annuals in home gardens. https://buff.ly/4b6za0G via @michigan-state-university #PlantScience #PlantSci #Flowers #Garden #Pollinators #4bees #insects #bees #Plants #crops #science Image: While wildflowers and perennials are a must for supporting pollinators, there’s no denying the popularity of many annual flowers for their colorful, visual appeal. A new study suggests choosing the right varieties can give annual flowers a role in nourishing bees and other pollinating insects in home gardens. In the two-year study, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) observed pollinators visiting 25 different varieties, or cultivars, of the six most popular annual flower species in the United States, finding significant variation in apparent pollinator attractiveness between cultivars, even within the same flower species. Here, mixed groups of the flowers grow at the MSU Horticulture Farm in June 2017. Credit: David Smitley, Ph.D.)

Some Varieties of Annual Flowers Have a Place in Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Annual flowers, typically considered poor for pollinators, can support bees and insects if the right varieties are chosen. A study found significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among 25 cultivars of popular annuals like begonias and impatiens. This research highlights the potential for pollinator-friendly annuals in home gardens. https://buff.ly/4b6za0G via @michigan-state-university #PlantScience #PlantSci #Flowers #Garden #Pollinators #4bees #insects #bees #Plants #crops #science Image: While wildflowers and perennials are a must for supporting pollinators, there’s no denying the popularity of many annual flowers for their colorful, visual appeal. A new study suggests choosing the right varieties can give annual flowers a role in nourishing bees and other pollinating insects in home gardens. In the two-year study, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) observed pollinators visiting 25 different varieties, or cultivars, of the six most popular annual flower species in the United States, finding significant variation in apparent pollinator attractiveness between cultivars, even within the same flower species. Here, mixed groups of the flowers grow at the MSU Horticulture Farm in June 2017. Credit: David Smitley, Ph.D.)

Some Varieties of Annual Flowers Have a Place in Pollinator-Friendly Gardens Annual flowers, typically considered poor for pollinators, can support bees and insects if the right varieties are chosen. A study found significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among 25 cultivars of popular annuals like begonias and impatiens. This research highlights the potential for pollinator-friendly annuals in home gardens. https://buff.ly/4b6za0G via @michigan-state-university #PlantScience #PlantSci #Flowers #Garden #Pollinators #4bees #insects #bees #Plants #crops #science Image: While wildflowers and perennials are a must for supporting pollinators, there’s no denying the popularity of many annual flowers for their colorful, visual appeal. A new study suggests choosing the right varieties can give annual flowers a role in nourishing bees and other pollinating insects in home gardens. In the two-year study, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) observed pollinators visiting 25 different varieties, or cultivars, of the six most popular annual flower species in the United States, finding significant variation in apparent pollinator attractiveness between cultivars, even within the same flower species. Here, mixed groups of the flowers grow at the MSU Horticulture Farm in June 2017. Credit: David Smitley, Ph.D.)

Today, our Senior Spotlight illuminates Taylor Mantyk, highlighting her thesis and the impactful research she's conducted throughout her academic journey! Hometown: Rising Sun, MD Thesis: A Way to Greener Gardening: The Eco-consciousness of the Horticulture Industry Most Exciting Part of your Thesis Experience: The most exciting part of my thesis experience was getting to pick a topic I was really interested in and being able to research and learn more about something I am very passionate about. I love being able to give interesting facts about the horticulture industry now! Most Difficult Part of your Thesis Experience: The most difficult part of my thesis was narrowing down exactly what I wanted to talk about and combing through papers to get the ones that related to my topic. Favorite Course Taken: Restoration Ecology with Dr. Bible. I really like learning about habitat restoration and the careers I could have in this field. Advice for Current Students: Keep on top of your work but make time for yourself too! You need to have breaks to be able to do your best work. Favorite Place on Campus: The SG meadow. I love doing work on the SG deck and looking out at the meadow and water. Fun Fact About Yourself: I helped with the prescribed burns at RAFC this year! Congratulations Taylor!

Pleased to share that the first study of my PhD has now been published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Our paper explores the experiences of new allotment gardeners from low-income areas of Nottingham using a combination of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Ethnography. #IPA #ethnography #allotments #natureconnectedness

Growing plants in NYC is unique because it often requires non-traditional methods, such as hydroponics, a type of horticulture using water-based nutrient solutions rather than traditional soil. #MfAProud teachers came together during a recent MƒA mini-course to discover how hydroponic systems and accompanying curricula can serve as fantastic tools for STEM education. Read more in our latest workshop spotlight, “Supersonic Hydroponics: How to Bring Gardening to Your Science Classroom,” on the MƒA blog. 🌱💧 #hydroponics #sustainablefarming #gardening https://bit.ly/44QMOn3

What's the place of ecology and values when it comes to native vs. non-native plants in horticulture? This recent research in the Netherlands reported in New Scientist revealed that biodiversity corresponded to plant coverage and richness rather than nativity. #biodiversity #plants #nativeplants #nonnativeplants #horticulture #ecology #speciesrichness #exoticplants #values #conservation

🌱 Horticulture Therapy: A New Path to Healing In her latest SSV Medicine article, Katherine Stewart, MD, a University of California-recognized Master Gardener, shares the benefits of horticulture therapy. By integrating gardening into patient care, Dr. Stewart highlights how this approach helps reduce stress and promote physical recovery. Read more about the therapeutic connection between nature and healing. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g6sU8ExK #SSVMed #DoctorsWhoWrite #HorticultureTherapy #HealingWithNature #PatientWellness #GardeningTherapy