by Michael Genthner Growing fruit and vegetables can be a satisfying and rewarding pursuit. First of all, there is the satisfaction of cultivating delicious and wholesome food. Second, there are…
What’s New at Fourth Generation?
by R.P. Sokol The 2013 winter trade shows have brought some pleasant surprises to us at Fourth Generation Nursery. The first is that many in the Landscape industry are beginning…
Weathering the Storm: Horticulture Management in Brooklyn Bridge Park in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
by Rebecca McMackin Two months ago, Hurricane Sandy devastated coastal regions of New York and New Jersey. Much of Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) was underwater for four hours. Sandy was…
Think the Soil Food Web Is Amazing? Take a Look at Plant Cellular Biology
by Jeff Lowenfels Most books on growing plants contain an explanation of the soil Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). This is one measurement of the ability of soil to hold nutrients….
The Buzz on Biodiversity
The following excerpt is reprinted with the author’s permission from The Holistic Orchard, Chelsea Green Publishing (January 10, 2012). by Michael Phillips Permaculture people speak of two classes of plants…
In Defense of Native Bees
by Karen Lyness LeBlanc Native bees are not receiving the attention honeybees have been given recently, but they are also experiencing a significant population decline. In places where there is…
Ecological Design Creates Oasis at Urban Medical Facility
by Amanda Sloan and Dave Renzi As they make the left turn into the Providence, RI doctor’s office parking lot, some patients might set their jaws and steel themselves. The…
Mill Brook Restoration – Strategies for Success Part 2
Maintaining and Monitoring the Project by Lisa Cowan, PLA, ASLA At a recent meeting with fellow landscape architects, there was a lengthy discussion and agreement about the importance of maintenance…
Current Favorites – Native…and Nearly Native
by Lorayne Black, ASLA I always like this time of year. The deadlines seem to be spaced out a bit more than during the spring and fall months. The last…
The Importance of Seasonal Cash Flow
by Frank Crandall I do not have to remind horticultural businesses of the significance of ensuring seasonal cash flow to pay bills throughout the winter months. As we wind down…
ELA Joins Sustainable Sites Initiative
by Tobias Wolf, ASLA The ELA Board is excited to announce that the organization recently joined the Sustainable Sites Initiative as a Participating Organization. The Sustainable Sites Initiative, also known…
Laurel Garden Design: Notes from the 2012 Season – Horticulture
by Darcy Paige I’ve been designing, installing, and tending gardens for 16 years. About two-thirds of my time each season is spent in gardens, with my trusty, dusty team. Each…