Winter Wisdom

Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.   Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading.

Home
Current Issue
Previous Issues

Donations

Videos new!

Bookstore  
Magazines 
Gardening Catalogs 

Site Search
Contact Us
Submit A Tip

Feature Articles

Rose Tips
What's Hot... 
Nuisance of the Week
Winter Wisdom 
Turf Tips... 
Gardener's Glossary 

Books We Love
Great Products
Web Resources
Event Calendar

Unsubscribe 
Address Change 
Tell A Friend 

Privacy Pledge

Week of 12/23/02

Recently we saw a fresh point of view presented by the BBC News on the subject of genetically modified plants.  It was in the form of commentary on an address by Lord May, president of the Royal Society (the British equivalent of the National Academy of Science), and the chief scientific advisor to the UK government.  The headline was an attention getter!, “Gardens Greater Threat than GM”.  His Lordship contended that genetically modified (GM) crops are a lesser threat to biodiversity than some imported garden plants.  He claimed there are real problems with invasive species in the UK, “But they come from plants you can buy at garden centers.”

This cautionary attitude toward new and often invasive plants is shared to some degree in our own country, and is reflected in legislation limiting the resale and planting of some species of Lythrum and several aquatic plants that easily become noxious weeds. In fact several gardening and horticultural organizations are recommending that area gardeners seek out plants, particularly perennials, shrubs and trees, that are native here.  Not only are we thus helping to preserve our distinctive horticultural heritage, but we aid our environment generally by reducing the number and variety of interventions necessary to promote healthy plant growth.  Something at least to ponder on cold winter nights, while waiting for spring warmth to make its way back!

Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.

2001 - 2002 Winter Wisdom Archive
2000 - 2001 Winter Wisdom Archive

* Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.  Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm .  To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas.  Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson 

© 1999 - 2008 Savvygardener.com, Inc. All rights reserved.  If you wish to copy, transmit, or otherwise duplicate any of the material from our website please ask us first.  Thank you.