Michigan Gardener - Your guide Great Lakes gardening: Garden Event Calendar / Expert Advice / Plant Profiles / Tree Care

PLEASE NOTE: In the autumn of 1995, we hatched the idea for a free, local gardening publication. The following spring, we published the first issue of Michigan Gardener magazine. Advertisers, readers, and distribution sites embraced our vision. Thus began an exciting journey of helping our local gardening community grow and prosper.
After 27 years, nearly 200 issues published, and millions of copies printed, we have decided it is time to end the publication of our Print Magazine and E-Newsletter.

Are year-old vegetable seeds still good?

February 18, 2011 •

I have vegetable seeds left from last season that I did not plant. Will they germinate this season if I plant them? In general, for how long are vegetable seeds good?

I would guess that many of your seeds may still be viable and able to germinate. Storage conditions can improve the success ratio however. For future reference, store seeds you intend to hold over in an airtight container in a cool (40 to 45 degrees), dark place. While the viability may decrease on a sliding, downward scale over time, holding seeds for 2 to 3 years is not out of the question. When sowing these older seeds, overplant the normal rate (1-1/2 to 2 times) in the event that all the seeds do not germinate. If more come up than what you need, simply thin them out. In hindsight, if you believe your storage conditions were less than adequate, you may be further ahead to purchase new seeds. Fresh is best!

Michigan horticulture industry ranks near the top

February 10, 2011 •

Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Keith Creagh recently announced that Michigan’s horticulture industry ranks 5th in the U.S. for gross sales of horticulture crops with $566 million in sales in 2009.

“Michigan’s horticulture industry is strong in both wholesale and retail sales of our products,” said Creagh. “The sale of our horticulture products on a national level helps bring money into Michigan’s economy and supports our local communities.”

In addition to the national ranking for gross sales, Michigan ranks 2nd nationally in retail sales with $108 million and 5th nationally in wholesale sales with $459 million. Michigan ranks 1st in the nation in the production of begonia baskets, Easter lily pots, cut geraniums, geranium seeds, hostas, petunia baskets, New Guinea impatiens baskets, and impatiens in both flats and baskets.

The 2009 Census of Horticulture was recently released by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

It found that Michigan has 1,089 horticulture operations statewide which grow annual bedding and garden plants, herbaceous perennial plants, potted flowering plants, propagative materials, transplants for commercial vegetable production, cut Christmas trees, foliage plants, and food crops grown under protection.

Since the 1998 Census of Horticulture, Michigan’s sales of horticulture crops increased by 10 percent. The next census will be conducted in 10 years.

Health benefits of eating Turmeric

February 9, 2011 •

As reported in a recent edition of The Avant Gardener…

We may not be able to grow turmeric (Curcuma longa) but recent research shows that we should be incorporating it into our diets. The rhizomes of turmeric supply curcumin, which gives curries their golden color. Researchers at the University of Louisiana have found that curcumin breaks up brain plaques of a protein called amyloid beta, which is known to be an important causative agent in Alzheimer’s disease.

Digital Editions