Lawn, Gardening & Pests News

Pathogens are disease-causing organisms usually in the group of microscopic biotic agents. These organisms can survive all over the environment – air, water, soil and even on the surface of seeds and transplants.

Roots are an essential organ of the plant. Understanding how roots function related to plant growth and development is the key to successful gardening.  

Nutrients are essential elements that plants use for growth, development and reproduction. Plants need a balanced source of nutrients to support growth.  

Companion planting is the practice of growing two or more species of plants that are beneficial to one another in close proximity. There are multiple ways that these plants help one another, including pollination, pest control, habitat for insects, space maximization, natural trellising and increase in crop production.   

Light from the sun provides the solar energy used by plants for photosynthesis. Heliotropism, or solar tracking, is when a plant follows the movement of the sun during the day. Rooted in ancient Greek, “helio” refers to the sun and “tropism” means a turning or movement of a living organism toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat or gravity.

Pollination is essential for reproduction in seed-bearing plants, and therefore, much of the foods and ecosystems we enjoy. 

Earthworms benefit your garden soil in many ways. These underground excavators burrow channels in soil, making it more porous and improving drainage. They also bring some of the subsoil closer to the surface, mixing it with topsoil and increasing the amount of quality planting soil available.

Water is an essential nutrient for plants and comprises up to 9 5% of a plant’s tissue. It is required for a seed to sprout, and as the plant grows, water carries nutrients throughout the plant. Water is responsible for several important functions within plant tissues. 

Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed into a seedling. Seeds remain dormant until conditions are favorable for germination. All seeds need water, oxygen and optimal temperature to germinate.  

Dear Friends of WVU Extension,