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Kale for Marriage Equality: A retrospective
NOTE: This article originally appeared in 2012, last revised in 2021. It's remarkable how much has changed in that short time, but clearly, we were on the right side of history with this one. It was unfortunate that the COVID-19 lockdowns, starting in spring 2020,...
Genus Gigantochloa: Bamboo giants
When it comes to bamboo, a lot of people hold to the idea that bigger means better. There are plenty of other traits to consider, especially when selecting an ornamental variety for your garden, but there's something amazing about those huge varieties that stretch 60...
Monoculture and Bamboo: Problems and Solutions
With deep gratitude to the investigative journalism of Michael Pollan and to the disruptive intrusion of natural fiber alternatives into the fashion industry, the general public is growing increasingly aware of the need for a revival of sustainable agriculture. In a...
Bamboo in Tennessee: Going to Grassland
The Country Music Hall of Fame, Elvis Presley's Graceland, and Jack Daniel's whiskey are all iconic symbols of Tennessee. The "Volunteer State" is less famous for its bamboo, but Tennessee does have some of the best bamboo groves in the country. The state's motto is...
Super Bamboo: Resilience and Integrity
What's that, towering overhead? It's a grass, it's a tree, it's ... super bamboo! No, it's not an urban legend or the stuff of fairy tales. This is the real thing. And it's a plant — actually a whole group of plants — unlike any other. Bamboo has long been revered for...
Bamboo, gray water, and phytoremediation
The escalating impact of climate change is forcing many of us, especially in the drier climates, to reconsider how we use and conserve our water resources. Many homeowners are replacing their lawns with stones and succulents. Those with a bit more ingenuity are...