The weirdness of tides explained by Randall Munroe.
I'm a naturalist, botanist, gardener, and award-winning garden writer. I live in NE Florida with my husband. My website has links to my 7 books & 200+ articles: www.greengardeningmatters.com
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The weirdness of tides explained by Randall Munroe.
#GrowMoreFood Cole crops are all derived from a wild mustard and include cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, & more. Kohl is German for cabbage, so now you know why a cabbage salad is called "cole slaw." These are cool-weather crops-plant now. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2014/09/cole...
When Sue Reed & I wrote "Climate-Wise Landscaping: Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future," we did not debate climate change causes. Instead we said, "Let's roll up our sleeves & get busy" & provided 100s of actions anyone can do in their yard & in their commuity. upf.com/book.asp?id=...
#PlantMoreNatives! Southern arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) is native eastern US. It’s a medium-sized shrub that attracts pollinators with its flowers and feeds birds with its blue berries in the fall. It should be planted more often. Read my post: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/09/sout...
#PlantMoreNatives! Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia spp.) is one of the most popular native grasses in the SE US and you can see why. Its gorgeous pink flowers in late fall certainly stand out in the landscape & it's easy to grow. Read my article: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2018/02/an-a...
A fire-in-the-sky sunrise in Florida. Every sunrise indicates a new beginning and new opportunities. Nature heals.
#SheLovesMe! Starry Rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus) is a star in yards with its extra-long flowering cycle. Best used in pollinator gardens and meadows. It’s native to most of eastern North America. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/08/star...
Yes, the cruise industry has a huge global footprint, but changes are happening like plugging into shore power. The other side of the story is that eco-tourism of cruise ships has created enough $$ to retain and improve rainforests and other environmentally sensitive areas world-wide.
On my book tours around Florida & on those cruise gigs, I wear a different flowered shirt each day. The people who come to my book tour events are already in my choir, but the cruising audience is wide open and most are further right on the political spectrum than me. So, it's worth the effort.
In case you want to know the answer to that question on caffeine, here's a link to an article I wrote based on that cruise presentation. (Why waste good research on only one platform?) greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/07/why-...
Yes, it's been quite effective, especially on the longer cruises where I give 10 or more lectures. It's like a whole semester course only more fun. In 2024 I did a cruise to HI & back. I filled the 675-seat theater. They simulcast me into a sports lounge with screens for another 200 people.
We can't make progress by just talking to ourselves, we need to reach new audiences. I make science fun & interesting as a guest lecturer on cruise ships. I talk about nature, crops, & ecosystems. Since 2017, I've had dozens of gigs. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/03/reac...
Actually, I do that as a guest lecturer on cruise ships. I talk about nature, crops, ecosystems, etc. Here's a post about my first in 2017. Since then, I've had dozens of gigs on Holland America, Viking, & Princess. I make science fun & interesting. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2017/03/reac...
#AMomentinNature Our unpoisoned yards are part of the local ecosystem. This beautiful katydid, a leaf mimic, was moving slowly in the roselle. Roselle is a Hibiscus with flower parts (the calyx) that taste like cranberry. Read this for more info: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/11/rose...
#Sunflower A sunflower is not a single flower, but 100s of small florets in a flower head. Most sunflowers have fertile disk florets in the center in a dizzying array where the seeds will be produced. Sterile ray florets grow around the edge and act as petals. www.sky-bolt.com/garden/sunflowers.htm
#GrowMoreFood The carrot (Daucus carota) is a cool-weather crop. Carrots are biennials. When grown as a crop, it's harvested at the end of the first year when the tap root is fully developed with enough energy to fuel the blooming next year. Read: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2024/03/carr...
#Science Read this gift article from The NY Times. New studies have found that a tree can be home to a trillion microbial cells — a huge, invisible ecosystem that is only now beginning to be understood. Science and universities must be funded for the greater good. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/s...
The pollinator-friendly plant featured in my last post is the very easy-to-grow snow squarestem (Melanthera nivea), a member of the daisy family, but with only the center or disk florets, no rays or petals. It's native to the SE states. Read: beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/snow...
The exceptional & beautiful polka-dotted wasp moth (Syntomeida epilais) doesn't look like or act like a moth. It flies in the day, is brightly colored like a wasp, emits sounds to attract a mate, & as a larva, eats mostly non-native plants. Read: beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/an-e...
#PlantMoreNatives! Tall elephantsfoot (Elephantopus elatus) is blooming now. It's a lovely, easy-to-grow Florida native wildflower that attracts a wide assortment of pollinators. Read my article for more information and more photos: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/09/tall...
#AMomentinNature was this beautiful sunrise over the St. Johns River in North Florida. I get out as often as possible, because Nature heals.
People thought I was exaggerating when I warned that Trump would be an environmental disaster. Here he is fufilling his promise to the fossil fuel people he hosted @ Maralago last year. With Little Explanation, Trump Throws Wind Industry Into Chaos www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/c...
But if there is no target market here, how do we reach those who voted for this?
This is a metaphor: The van is the United States. The right-wing oligarchs are the train.
Last year I posted this on Facebook, which caused quite a bit of discussion & people "unfriended" me saying that I was exaggerating the dangers. Now, if anything, I underestimated the damage that was to be done. Being able to say, "I told you so!" feels so hollow. Any advice on better messaging?
A little botany for the day: A flower could be solitary or it could in a grouping on the stem in an inflorescence. Here's some terminology for various flower arrangements or inflorescence types. It's helpful to know this when using keys for identification.
#NoPesticides! This sign says it all "I love my family and the environment more than I love my (perfect) lawn." We covered the science of why the poison cycle doesn't work and much more, in our award-winning book "Climate-Wise Landscaping." (www.climatewiselandscaping.com)
#AMomentinNature! A moonflower (Ipomoea alba) facing the sunrise over the St. Johns River. Its day is over because it attracts nighttime pollinators. Its petals are folding in. The moonflower played an important role in Meso-American rubber balls. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/02/morn...
Thanks for the details.
Hello Ben, Yes, we've also been to Zion and many other national parks across the nation.
National Parks are America's BEST idea. Rising from a red rock slope in Arches Natl Park, Delicate Arch is one of the most recognized geologic landmarks in the world. Here I am at this arch at dawn. Its majesty is beyond words. Don't allow the current administration to diminish our parks. SpeakUp!
#CarbonSequestration is important for our only planet. We covered this in great detail, especially "blue carbon" (sequestered under mangroves, salt marshes, & seagrass beds), in our peer-reviewed book, "Living Shorelines for Florida." For more info on our book see: upf.com/book.asp?id=...
Stormwater runoff carries: fertilizers, sediments, plant matter, manures, pesticides, herbicides, salts, oils & other vehicular drippage. We can reduce this pollution from our yards by holding rainwater by using rain barrels & rain gardens. Read: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/04/rain...
#AMomentinNature was this lovely sunrise over the St. Johns River in Florida. The moment would have lasted longer if I'd had a cup of coffee to sip while sitting on that perfectly placed bench. #NatureHeals
#ThereisNoPlanetB, but we are not helpless. Listen to this podcast where I talk with Thomas Christopher about "Climate-Wise Landscaping" & more on his Growing Greener program, which is produced in collaboration with The Berkshire Botanical Garden. www.thomaschristophergardens.com/podcasts/gin...
#PlantMoreTrees! Maybe this should be called a "house-cooling present." Tallamy's "The Nature of Oaks" and an oak tree. Trees in general will cool the landscape, but oak trees have many other benefits. I did deep dive on oaks in this article: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-...
#PlantMoreNatives! American beautyberry is native from TX to MD & all of FL. Its fruit are not borne on stalks like the Asian purple beautyberry. Know your plants when buying them. Read more about Am. Beautyberry here: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2020/03/for-...
Thanks, Ben.
#AMomentinNature was this muted sunrise over the St. Johns River in Florida. The bulrushes in the foreground indicate that this was a bulrush hour, which is vastly superior to the other type of rush hour. #NatureHeals
Yes, mums are another seasonal plant. They never make it more than a couple of months here in Florida. Maybe buy them as you would cut flowers for a bouquet then toss them into the compost pile after Thanksgiving.
#PlantMoreNatives! Here's a visual description of the problem with seasonal plantings. Annual exotics are like disposables: they are expensive to plant season after season, they consume energy, disturb the soil, & produce waste. Plus these 'disposable' plants are not part of the local ecosystem
Have you thanked a plant today? Most of life on Earth depends on both sugar & oxygen produced through photosynthesis. When absorbed through respiration, it's equal & opposite of photosynthesis. This caterpillar gains energy from my parsley, but if a bird eats it, sugars move up the food chain.
#Eattheweeds Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle umbellata) is native to eastern North America. It's a weed, but we use it as a spinach substitute raw or cooked, & as part of the mix for our pestos, smoothies, or dips. Note: Don’t eat this if your lawn service applies landscape-wide pesticides & fertilizers.
Women fought for 72 years for the right to vote & this day 105 years ago the 19th Amendment was ratified. I always vote in every election because it's important that our government at all levels represents the interests of everyone. Learn more here: ambar.org/515y287i
#NatureHeals! You don't need to travel far to find #AMomentinNature when you have a non-poisoned, mostly native yard. This is a sunrise as reflected in our front pond. To get started restoring nature in your yard, I've written 100s of articles: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/p/green-reso...
#SupportPredators in your landscape by not using poisons or soaps. One ladybug can consume 5,000 aphids as a larva and adult. Read my article on why sustainable gardeners should never spray soaps of any kind on their plants. Don't kill ladybugs! greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2016/08/soap...
Sorry no suggestions. I've found over the years that they don't live very long.
Insect-pollinated goldenrods (Solidago spp.) with their beautiful flowers have erroneously been blamed for fall allergies when it's the wind-pollinated ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) that fill the air with pollen when the goldenrods are blooming. Read: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/11/flor...
Even aliens know the relative importance of trees to Planet Earth & its flora & fauna. If you want to be smart like an alien, I have covered the science & details on the value of trees in this article: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-...
Rayless sunflower (Helianthus radula) is unique among Florida’s sunflowers, because it’s missing the showy ray florets that look like petals. To pollinators, though, nectar is more enticing than physical beauty. My article shows how they blend in. beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/06/beau...
Pollinator-friendly spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) is native to eastern North America. It's in the mint family & is edible. The leaves contain thymol, the same oil in thyme & oregano. The pollinator is a feather-legged scoliid wasp (Dielis plumipes), a large, solitary, ground-nesting wasp.
#PlantMoreNatives! Join and support your local native plant groups & support local native plant nurseries. They are your local, feet-on-the-ground to help make native-filled landscapes the new normal for your area & beyond. Find a US native plant group near you here: www.fs.usda.gov/managing-lan...
Yes, it's a Maximillian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani), which has somewhat smaller flower heads than the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
Yes, it was about an inch long.
A pale sunflower, being pollinated by a large, pale wasp, is facing east in the morning and is ready to face a new day!
There is nothing scarier to a member of the magacult than a smart, well-educated person.
#Science Watch Naomi Oreskes brilliant lecture: how military secrecy delayed plate tectonic theory for 3 decades - a narrative that remains ever relevant to science today... I cover plate tectonics in several presentations that I give on cruise ships as a #GuestLecturer. youtu.be/tTAWrP5GNwA
trump
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), in the mint family, is native to the SE states from VA to TX, plus FL. Squirrels had chewed off some fruit-ladened branches. Time to make some beautyberry bread. Read this for the recipe: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2014/10/beau...
I disagree that today computers and the internet are "Mostly" being used "for watching porn and to spead hate." The internet has mostly been used in positive ways for reseach, connecting with old firends, & more. As a botanist & writer, I can hook up with Kew Gardens to learn more about plants.
I'd also like to refute the negative view of "Being Liberal." While it's true that computers and the internet are sometimed used to spread hate, there are far more positive uses.
#GrowMoreFood Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a fast growing, heat-loving annual crop native to Africa. It’s in the hibiscus family (Malvaceae). The fruits are edible, but usually cooked because of the slime. Read my article for a deep dive: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2022/08/okra...
#AMomentinNature was appreciating these sepia-toned, cotton-candy clouds rolling in over our house at sunset. Nature heals, so when needed, turn off the news and take the time to unwind while observing the everday miracles that are happening out there.
#AMomentinNature was at Spring Park in Green Cove Springs, FL which was a popular destination decades ago where people would bathe in the spring water for medicinal purposes. They ended up smelling like rotten eggs b/c of high Sulphur content. Today, the spring flows about 150 yards to the river.
#HabitatGardening We have 2 dead oaks in our yard. Since they are located where nothing will be harmed when they fall, we have left them, because snags, stumps, & logs provide habitat for birds & more. Occasionally, we need to pick up sticks. Read: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2024/08/snag...
Build habitat for butterflies & moths under trees by planting native understory trees & shrubs and then add bunching grasses and ground covers out around the drip line and beyond. This one step to a pollinator-friendly yard, another important one is to stop all landscape-wide pesticide applications.
Urban landscaping is a whole chapter in our award-winning book, Climate-Wise Landscaping. We used the High Line Park in NY City as one example. It's so popular that it has improved the whole west side of Manhattan. Read: beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/06/nycs...
The sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is lovely, mostly evergreen medium-sized tree with leaves that are green on top with silver undersides. It has beautiful, fragrant flowers & bright red fruits. It's native to SE US & is salt tolerant. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/05/swee...
Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), native to most of eastern North America, attracts hummingbirds & other pollinators. Flowers are borne only on new growth. The leaves under the flower head are joined together. This is called perfoliate. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/08/cora...
Thanks, Steve.
Caffeine is the most widely consumed psycho-active substance in the world! But why do plants, including coffee trees, produce it? Read my article for the science behind caffeine. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/07/why-...
When they said design your landscape to attract bugs, is this what they meant?
#AMomentinNature was watching the pollinators working on these softhair coneflowers in this roadside meadow in North Florida. Nature heals.
#NatureisAmazing! This is a photo of the end of a mosquito's leg, including a claw, scales and the pulvillus, a pad with adhesive hairs. These scales are particularly dense near the foot and enable mosquitoes to land on water, where they lay their eggs.’ www.livescience.com/60867-weird-...
#AMomentinNature was this magnificent sunrise over the St. Johns River in North Florida. Breathe deep and then do something postive for yourself, your family, & friends.
In an upside-down world, maintaining our sanity is important. Designing an outdoor reading nook like this is one way we can rejuvenate ourselves. Both creating this oasis & then using it for reading work to soothe our souls. Breathe deep! Thanks to Billy Goodnick for this design.
#Sunflower The genus Helianthus is composed of 51 species -all native to North America. The genus name is derived from Greek-"helio" for sun and "antho" for flower. The flowers follow the sun each day. Read to find how they became Ukraine's national flower. www.sky-bolt.com/garden/sunfl...
I used pale green Elliot's love grass to create a civilized edge to make a native garden or meadow look like a planned space. They died. I learned a hard lesson to listen to my landscape. Read about other lessons learned from our landscape here: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2015/07/list...
#MomentinNature was sharing this sunrise over the St. Johns River in Florida with a group of dragonflies who were eating the the swarm of mosquitoes who were after my blood!
#AMomentinNature was noticing these tiny mushrooms growing from the center of this gumball from a sweetgum tree. Nature heals, so take some time to observe her everyday miracles.
At this point the grafted plant is gone, but I hope the kid is doing some good science somewhere.
Years ago, I was a judge for a high school science fair. One kid grafted a tomato plant to the rootstock of a potato. They survived and I gave him a good rating not only for the experiment, but also for having the thought. But wouldn't that plant be a productve crop!
#PlantMoreNatives! Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is native to most of eastern North America. The long tubular flowers are especially favored by hummingbirds. After pollination, fruits develop & are an important food for many birds. Read greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/08/cora...
Both tomatoes and potatoes are native to today's Peru and they are both members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. According to new research, they may share a common ancestor. Read this gift article from the NY Times. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/s...
Smite trump
#RethinktheLawn! Fogfruit (Phyla nodiflora), an easy-to-grow, durable ground cover that's native to all southern US. It’s the larval host for 3 butterflies. It tolerates mowing & moderate foot traffic. It's good for meadows in sun or partial shade. FNPS plant profile: www.fnps.org/plant/phyla-...
#AMomentinNature was this red Florida sunrise with one dark shadow. The sun rose anyway. Carpe diem!
"Plants need to be more than just pretty; they should play a role in the local ecosystem." -Doug Tallamy Sue Reed & I emphasized this in many ways including this quote in our award-winning book, "Climate-Wise Landscaping: Practical Actions for a Sustainable Future." www.climatewiselandscaping.com
Real butterfly gardeners cheer when caterpillars eat their plants. They've created habitat for their butterflies by planting larval food source & by not applying pesticides. Zebra longwing cats need native passionvine for food. Nothing else will do. beautifulnativeplants.blogspot.com/2016/02/teem...
Two sunflowers facing east are ready to start a new day. Every day is a chance to do something positive for yourself, for your family & friends, and for our only planet.
Black-eyed Susans are making a big show now in mid-summer. Pollinator-friendly landscapes are filled with an assortment of natives and are never subjected to landscape-wide pesticides (including lawncare chemicals). #PlantMoreNatives #ReducetheLawn #NoPoisons
#ThereisNoPlanetB! Earth is made up of interconnecting ecosystems. It is our responsibility to take better care of our only planet so our grandkids will have a better lives. We need to elect representatives who will end stupid wars & spend that $$ on green infrastructure & renewable power sources.
Thank you Carolyn. Many of the tributes were for his photography, but I wanted to emphasize his work in rainforest restoration.
Yes.
#ThereisNoPlanetB Sebastião & Lélia Salgado set a wonderful example by restoring a 1,700 acre rainforest in Brazil by planting 290 native species. Sebastião died a few weeks ago. What a wonderful legacy he has left for all of us. Read: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2025/05/seba...
#AMomentinNature was noticing this yellow garden spider's new web after a storm washed out her previous one where she'd caught a dragonfly. (See below for photo.) Our non-poisoned yard supports Nature's predators. This was in our rozelle shrubs. Rozelle is a hibiscus with edible leaves & flowers.
#AMomentinNature was noticing this subtle Florida sunrise skyscape. Every sunrise indicates a new day full of possibilities. Popcorn anyone?
#AMomentinNature was noticing this yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) had captured a green dragonfly in her perfectly woven web in our backyard garden. Sustainable gardeners support their garden predators by not using any landscape-wide pesticides (including lawn chemicals).
#Woke! Caffeine is the most widely consumed psycho-active substance in the world! There are several caffeinated plants around the world & early peoples found all of them. Yaupon holly is the only one that's native to North America. greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2023/07/why-...
Words of wisdom from the remarkable Jane Goodall.
