Right about this time of summer, many of us start to dread lawn maintenance. That got us thinking about this story from Science Friday on NPR about someone that shunned grass and took to growing moss instead…

Summertime doesn’t have to mean hours behind the lawn mower, at least for shade-dwellers. Forty years ago, David Benner, horticulturist and moss enthusiast, killed all the grass on his property and cultivated moss in its place. Benner has 25 different moss species growing in his garden near New Hope, Pa.

Watch a video about David Brenner here.

As heard on NPR today, a new fungal disease is affecting vegetable gardens on the east coast…

There’s bad news for gardeners who grow basil to sprinkle over Italian food or Thai dishes — or anyone who thinks pesto is the best flavor on Earth.

A potentially fatal fungal disease called downy mildew has been attacking basil plants in New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Florida. Gardeners are worried that it could spread farther throughout the summer, turning delicate green basil leaves an ugly shade of brown, yellow or gray.

Read more or listen to the story here.

What’s the story with bees? Are they in decline? How important are they to our world and our food supply?

Join CityBees/Detroit at their first conference, All About Bees, at the Detroit Waldorf School on Saturday, March 6. Whether you are just curious about bees, want to get past your fears and phobias, are a novice or even an experienced beekeeper, this conference is for you. All About Bees will feature presenters from across the Great Lakes region, US and Canada.

For more information, visit the website of City Bees Detroit.

Garden writer Marty Figley passed away on November 25, 2009. Marty was a freelance writer and gardening was a subject near and dear to her heart. She began as a garden writer for The Observer and Eccentric newspapers in 1987 and joined the Garden Writers Association that same year. Marty was a member of the Herb Society of America, an Honorary Life Member of the Cranbrook House and Garden Auxiliary, and an Advanced Master Gardener in Oakland County. See the Detroit News obituary for more information.