Growing a Victory Garden

During World War I, Americans were called to help the war effort at home by growing their own vegetables in “Victory Gardens” that aimed to reduce pressure on the public food supply. And they answered that call, not once but twice. By World War II,  more than 20 million Victory Gardens were supplying Americans with…

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Remote Research: Out of Africa

Throughout the world, closures and lockdowns aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted many people’s lives and work. As a global institution, the Missouri Botanical Garden does research around the world, making travel restrictions a major hindrance. The “stay at home” order means staff has lost access to the Garden’s herbarium and labs,…

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Cooking with Weeds

A “mess” is a breakfast dish of German origin that involves fried chunked potatoes, onions, and whatever else you have to throw in. It’s a Sunday morning tradition in our house. In this example, I throw in wild plants available free in my own backyard. Field garlic. Photo by Wendy Applequist. This is field garlic,…

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Growing Wild

Interested in stocking your home garden with native wildflowers? Shop the largest selection of native Missouri wildflowers available in the St. Louis area at Shaw Nature Reserve’s annual spring and fall wildflower markets. As spring flowers pop up all around, you may be eager to bring some of that beauty to your own backyard. Classic…

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Remote Research: Missed Connections

Throughout the world, closures and lockdowns aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted many people’s lives and work. As a global institution, the Missouri Botanical Garden does research around the world, making travel restrictions a major hindrance. The “stay at home” order means staff has lost access to the Garden’s herbarium and labs,…

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Remote Research: Down for the Count

Throughout the world, closures and lockdowns aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted many people’s lives and work. As a global institution, the Missouri Botanical Garden does research around the world, making travel restrictions a major hindrance. The “stay at home” order means staff has lost access to the Garden’s herbarium and labs,…

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Growing Vegetables from Scraps

As people around the world are spending more time at home, interest in home gardening is growing. Specifically, many are looking to grow their own vegetables at home. If you’re thinking about starting a vegetable garden, you could get started using scraps from vegetables you’ve used from cooking. Regrowing food from leftovers is a smart…

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Preventing Food Waste at Home

As many of us stay at home in an effort to practice social distancing due to COVID-19, the only trip out of the house is to the grocery store. A priority for many is how to make the food in the kitchen stretch as far as possible before the next trip to the store. Learning…

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How to Make a Nature Journal

This can be as simple as using a small notebook you already have or making one out of recycled materials. To make a journal, use cereal box panels as covers; decorate with markers; or glue pictures from magazines or old calendars. Use plain paper or one-sided recycled paper. Punch holes in the covers and paper,…

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