ARTICLES TO READ

Add Beneficial Fungi When Planting Many gardeners, especially those in warm areas, are still planting bulbs, trees, and shrubs, and adding soil amendments such as compost and fertilizer when planting. But the most critical additive may be fungi. Mycorrhizae are fungi that colonize plant roots, and it's estimated that 90 percent of the plant species in the world have them, including vegetables, flowers, bulbs, trees, and shrubs. Mycorrhizae offer several advantages: they help plants absorb and hold major and minor nutrients, increase tolerance to stress and drought, and inhibit disease organisms in the soil. Apple Tree Care Water young trees regularly, especially those on semi-dwarfing or dwarfing rootstocks, to ensure that the root system becomes well established. Renew mulch periodically, but pull it away from the tree in the fall so mice don't nest over the winter and eat the bark. Digging Deeper with Soils Your students' inquiring minds will provide fertile ground for extending soil investigations and activities. Here are some ideas to prompt your thinking. The Lowdown on Lawns: Frequently Asked Questions 10 frequently asked questions about lawns. Lean about cool-season and warm-season grasses; the best time of year to seed a new lawn; fertilizer for lawns and more! Edible Landscaping - Edible of the Month: Fava Beans Fava, or broad beans, are not well known in America, but if you go "across the pond", the English and Europeans love them. But favas had a rocky start. Back in ancient Greek times, Pythagoras warned to "avoid all favas". It seems certain people in the southern Mediterranean region have a genetic tendency to get sick from eating fresh fava beans, a syndrome called favism. Edible Landscaping - How to: Espalier an Apple Tree Many gardeners would love to grow apples, pears, peaches, and other tree fruits in their yard, but don't have the room or climate to accommodate them. While there are many dwarf tree fruit varieties on the market, sometimes even these trees are too large for a small yard. Plus, if you live in a cold winter or cool summer climate, some fruits just won't grow and mature well for you. Learn how to accommodate in this article.

AWESOME NEW PHOTOS FROM THIS WEEK

Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Bonibrae Witches and Warlocks'), by Anne: Collarette Dahlia (Dahlia 'Pipsqueak'), by GenXNEGeorgia: Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Chicago Girls'), by Ahead: Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Cry Me a RIver'), by Lestv: Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus 'Polka Dot Mix'), by Jai_Ganesha: Barberry (Berberis thunbergii Golden Ruby®), by Njiris: Rose (Rosa 'Carolyn Supinger'), by jerijen: Landscape view by cliftoncat: Landscape view by csandt: Landscape view by ge1836: Landscape view by Providence_North:

NOTABLE DISCUSSIONS FROM OUR FORUMS

Subject	Area	Replies
After rain, return of CHIGGERS!	Texas Gardening forum	25
First commercial apperance of some of my iris hybrids	Irises forum	23
What type of plant is this?	Plant ID forum	23
Problem with Sevin	Ask a Question forum	22
Panic!	Orchids forum	22
Purple flowering trees in San Diego	Plant ID forum	20
Phal orchid issues	Orchids forum	17
"Roseville Noisette"	Roses forum	16
Best Indoor Flower	Ask a Question forum	16

THE NUMBERS FROM LAST WEEK:

1,009 members joined. 5,955 posts written in our forums. 1,567 photos posted to the plant database. 1,092 plants added to personal inventory lists.