Click on the cover to read now!
MSU Extension:
After last year’s (2012) drought and very warm temperatures, Michigan State University Extension expected to see more pollen cone production in conifers. This is a major concern for Christmas tree growers. However, we are also seeing heavy pollen cone production in conifers in the landscape this spring. The problem has been most acute in spruces, especially Norway and Colorado blue spruce, but we are also finding it in Douglas fir, several true fir species and pine.
Governor Snyder recently named May as the Plant Michigan Green month in an effort to highlight the impact of Michigan’s nursery and landscape industry. Michigan boasts the fifth largest nursery industry in the nation at over $5.5 billion in annual revenue and employment of over 36,000.
For more information on how to care for the environment, find a landscape professional, garden resources or to just enjoy the scenery, visit their website at www.plantmichigangreen.com.
NPR:
And it’s true: Nettles are high in iron, potassium, manganese, calcium and vitamins A and C (and are also a decent source of protein). The word “nettle” describes more than 40 different flowering plant species from the Urtica genus, which comes from the Latin word “uro,” meaning, “I burn.” The plant is native to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, and is found throughout the continental United States. Nettles are readily available in spring and summer.