Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Tuesday - August 02, 2011
From: Ballston Spa, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Vegetable garden in Ballston Spa, NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I never got my veg. garden in this year. Are there any late crops I can still plant at this late date in Ballston Spa, NY? Thanks.ANSWER:
As it happens most, if not all, garden vegetables are either non-native to North America or so hybridized that their origins are unrecognizable. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the areas in which those plants grow natively. This is not to say that none of the volunteers or staff members at the Wildflower Center ever grow some tomatoes or squash or lettuce. It's just that we have no information on those plants in our Native Plant Database. Also, even for those who do grow vegetables around the Central Texas area, our seasons are somewhat different from yours in central eastern New York State. You would do far better contacting the Cornell University Cooperative Extension Office for Saratoga County. Extension offices are excellent sources of information on local soils, seasons and crops. There is contact information on the website.
More Non-Natives Questions
Edibility of native and non-native wild onions
July 07, 2006 - I'd like to know if the seeds of the wild onions found in southeastern Pennsylvania (possibly called Allium ascalonicum) are edible at all- these are the seeds that
grow on top of the stalk, after ...
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Weeds in Buffalograss from Edmond OK
September 20, 2012 - We have a patch of buffalograss surrounded by patio/flower garden/vegetable garden. We like B-grass, but are getting a lot of weeds despite preemergents, and some bermuda had appeared.
Are there h...
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Care for non-native 'Glacier Blues' from Charlton MA
March 24, 2012 - Do you have to prune or cut down Glacier Blues in the garden? My plants look brown and wilted.
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Does non-native mimosa tree have a tap root from Lubbock TX?
July 05, 2010 - Does a mimosa tree have a tap root? I would like to plant one next to a concrete driveway to help shade the garage and do not want to cause damage to the driveway in the future. Thank you in advance...
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Transplant of non-native Lathyrus tuberosus in North Carolina
June 13, 2006 - I have a tuberous sweetpea vine that grows wild on our property. When would be a good time to move this plant to a better location?
view the full question and answer
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