Gardening news from around the web

Silence of the lawns: How noise ordinances, gas equipment bans and robot mowers are changing yard care

LawnStarter reports that quieter weekends are emerging as municipalities ban loud gas-powered mowers, promoting electric and robotic lawn care.

A mix of annuals and perennials can look colorful and carefree. Deryn Davidson

Chaos gardening – wild beauty, or just a mess? A sustainable landscape specialist explains the trend

Chaos gardening is touted on social media as an easy, no-effort way to create a beautiful garden. A landscape specialist explains what to be aware of before chaotically tossing seeds around.

Colorful gardens can be pollinator-friendly with native flowering plants.

Cultivating for color: The hidden trade-offs between garden aesthetics and pollinator preferences

Uniquely colored flowers with big blooms might make for an aesthetically pleasing garden, but they can be unhelpful to pollinators. Careful consideration can help you plan a colorful and eco-friendly garden.

Windy days can mean more pollen and more sneezing.

Worsening allergies aren’t your imagination − windy days create the perfect pollen storm

From sending more pollen airborne to breaking up pollen grains, which lets them penetrate deeper into your lungs, the wind is not the allergy sufferer’s friend.

Window-box gardening has been a Philly tradition since the 1800s. Sonja Dümpelmann, CC BY-SA

The hidden history of Philadelphia’s window-box gardens and their role in urban reform

A landscape historian explains how a Victorian tradition became a tool for social change in 19th- and 20th-century Philadelphia.

American mistletoe's genus *Phoradendron* means 'thief of trees' in Greek.

Mistletoe – famous for stolen holiday kisses – is a parasite that steals water and nutrients from other plants

This evergreen plant has some tricky ways to get ahead, but it’s a valuable part of the ecosystem.

From watering via ice cubes to spritzing with hydrogen peroxide – 4 misguided plant health trends on social media

The internet is full of advice on just about everything, including plant care. As the director of a plant diagnostic laboratory and expert on plant medicine, I help people manage their plants’ health

Cherry blossoms – celebrated in Japan for centuries and gifted to Americans – are an appreciation of impermanence and spring

Cherry blossoms mark the beginning of spring. Various festivals are regularly organized in California, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., to celebrate the bloom of cherry trees. …

Why do flowers smell?

Imagine walking through a tropical forest as a sweet scent wafts through the air. A little farther down the path, the putrid stench of rotting flesh makes you catch your breath. Upon investigation, you find that both odors originate from flowers – but why do flowers smell like anything at all? ...

Lifestyle news

Are STIs truly declining, or is our data just not very good? What the 2024 CDC STI report really shows

Healthbeat reports a 9% decline in STIs in 2024, but data limitations suggest caution in interpreting this trend. Congenital syphilis cases rise.

10 most common full names in America and their effect on online persona

Anywho reports on the top 10 most common full names in the U.S. and how sharing a popular moniker can affect searchability, privacy, and lead to mistaken identity in the digital world.

A researcher’s view on using AI to become a better writer

The Hechinger Report explores the potential of AI, like ChatGPT, to improve student writing while cautioning against over-reliance on technology.

How dads’ stress and mental health can influence their children’s development

The 74 reports that fathers' stress and mental health significantly impact their children's development, highlighting the need for awareness and support.

The climate solution sitting in America’s trash

Floodlight reports that reducing food waste can significantly cut climate emissions, yet progress remains slow despite bipartisan support in the U.S.