My father started our company 45 years ago growing bedding plants, mainly early season production and finished plants for our West Virginia market. It was in the early 1980s that we started growing earlier spring production and shipping materials to southern markets, and by the late 1980s, we also produced pansies for fall.

We started using hydrogels when they first came on the market in the early 1990s and found that they really helped with our production by keeping plants healthier for these new markets.

Story, Magazine ArticleJohn MorganAugust 19, 2015soil, growing media

What are Invasive Species?

On Monday Bea Corra from Parkersburg shared a picture of a plant on our Facebook page wanting to know what type of plant it was and whether it was invasive or harmful. I instantly had a flashback to August 2005 when I was studying Plant Taxonomy at Marshall University. The plant (right) is Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species. I also remember Dr. Evans’s advice for getting rid of it … “sell your house”. This week, we’re going to take a look at what makes a plant invasive and some of the most common in our region.

History, Gardening, StoryJohn MorganJuly 31, 2015invasive plants, conservation, biology, taxonomy, japanese knotweed, honeysuckle, johnson grass, weedsComment

The Oldest Trees On Earth

This past week while on vacation at Folly Beach, SC, I had the opportunity to visit a natural wonder. Down a dirt road in the low country of South Carolina there is a tree older than the United States! The Angel Oak tree is estimated at 300-400 years old.

Story, HistoryJohn MorganJune 25, 2015trees, history, storyComment

The Science of Fall Color

We all enjoy the colors of autumn leaves. The changing fall foliage never fails to surprise and delight us. Did you ever wonder how and why a fall leaf changes color? Why a maple leaf turns bright red? Where do the yellows and oranges come from? To answer those questions, we first have to understand what leaves are and what they do.

Fall, Story, ScienceJohn R. MorganNovember 3, 2011Mason, WV 25260, USAbiology, fall, science, shrubs, trees, video update

Bob’s Blog