News Articles

Stay updated with the latest developments and discoveries in the world of plants and horticulture with our News Articles category. Here, you’ll find timely updates on conservation efforts, botanical breakthroughs, gardening trends, and industry news. Whether it’s a new species discovery, tips for sustainable gardening, or global botanical initiatives, this section keeps you informed and connected to the ever-evolving plant world. Perfect for enthusiasts, researchers, and nature lovers looking to stay in the know.

Companion planting – plant spacing


Hello! This is my first time growing pole beans and daikon radish, as well as my first time companion planting. Beans and radishes are supposed to be good companions, but clear info on planting distance between these specific two is hard to find. Of course daikons are also very big radishes.

For now, the pole beans are not really taking off. It can be a number of reasons, but I was wondering if anyone here thinks the daikons are overcrowding the beans? They are now at approx 25 cm / 12 inch distance.

Thanks in advance!

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Only half my strawberry plants are flowering and producing


I bought a bunch of strawberry plants from a big box store and took the 1 gal pot with 3 plants and split it apart to make a row of strawberries. They are everbearing but 2 or 3 different varieties.

Only about half have any flowers or fruit on them. Anything I can do to get the other half to produce or just be patient?

submitted by /u/Maine_Bird
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Is it possible to put plants around the base of a tree?


I have two crab apple trees with beautiful blooms in my yard and their branches are touching. My father would like plants around the base of the tree. Now I know that is tricky because of root competition and the high amount of shade. We are in zone 6a. Any suggestions for what could be planted there? I’ve had the idea of planting native perennials, which would also help the local ecosystem and the garden. Any ideas for that?

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Advice on mosquito control


Hi folks. I’m in need of some advice. We have a 1/4 acre property surrounded by a swampy forest, zone 4b eastern Canada. We’re in our 4th year of conversion of the property from lawn to permie food forest and things are finally coming together, finding balance and providing food for our family. However, the mosquito load immense and we can spend more than a few seconds outside without getting swarmed and bitten to shit! I’ve planted every supposedly mosquito repellent plant that will grow in our zone but to no avail. We’re trying to encourage dragonflies and have made homes for bats. We’ve tried zappers, thermacels and good old citronella but it’s still brutal. Swimming in DEET works for a hour or two but we want to get away from that if possible. Has anyone had any experience with the propane-based mosquito traps like the one on the photo? Any and all other suggestions would be most appreciated too. Thanks

submitted by /u/Massive-Carpenter-19
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Ye old ant problem (or are they)


I’ve always been interested in permaculture but never took steps to actually do anything about it in my garden, until this year.

I’m trying to step back and watch and wait. Let certain bugs attract their natural predators, and do their job. But now I’ve got an ant hill in my small garden and ants are moving over the entire floor of my (in ground) garden. I mean I can still see dirt it’s not like there are so many I can’t even see the ground. But there are definitely more than I’m usually comfortable with.

The hill is right under my rose bush. I’m worried they’re eating/messing with my garlic that will be ready to harvest at the end of the month and there is NO way I want to have grown garlic for so long only to have it come up damaged.

I have clay soil that I’m still amending and aeration is my biggest problem. So obviously I’m telling myself the ants are good, the ants are great. Let them do the work and aerate for me.

But they’re also going from a strawberry bush back to their hill. And of course that brings on the whole aphid farming that I certainly don’t want on my strawberries.
I just really don’t know if they’re a problem or if if I should leave them alone.

TLDR How do you know ants have become a problem? How many are too many ants? If it’s a problem how to lessen the population so they’re helpful but not taking over?

Thank you so much!

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Waterwise Gardening – a book review


Waterwise Gardening: Everything You Need To Know About Efficient Watering to Grow a Healthy Yard by Richard Restuccia
Published by Rizzoli, 2025
I would guess that watering is the major issue that most gardeners grapple with, especially novice gardeners. I know from working at the nursery that the majority of questions and issues we get stem from either watering too much or not watering enough. 
Many people in our area have sprinkler systems and I’m sure that can be a good thing if used properly but I feel that they primarily keep the lawns green but fall short for landscape plants. Especially when it comes to trees and larger plants, the timing and amounts are not satisfactory for many plants. I often hear people say that their sprinklers are set to come on every day – yikes! And there are those who did not water because it “rained” when it actually drizzled. 
The best thing to do in this situation is to have a xeric garden but that would mean sacrificing favorite plants. Guilty as charged! For those of us who have gardens that require watering, this book provides valuable advice.
Author Richard Restuccia is from La Jolla, California and has served on the Irrigation Association Board of Directors and been a consultant with private companies concerning water management. He begins the book by discussing soil health, how to determine your soil type,  either by an at-home jar test (which is illustrated in detail) or a professional soil analysis. 
A detailed chapter on crop coefficients (used to relate the water-use of a specific crop to the water-use of a reference plant includes charts with extensive lists of plants for specific regions of the country that gives  their coeffecient values and estimated root depth. 
Restuccia then takes us into the actual practice of watering – how often, how much and how to tell if you are over-watering and under-watering (the symptoms are very similar!). Another problem arises from over-fertilization and the signs of that are also covered. 
Finally, an in-depth analysis of irrigation systems covers how to set them, how to use them and the maintenance. 
Although it can be very technical at times, this is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to understand the watering needs of plants and, in the process, becoming a more ecological gardener. 
This book is available at book stores and Amazon.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Rizzoli Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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