Happy Valentine’s Day

Welcome Dig In viewers. 

This site is currently under construction.  Please forgive us as we grow.

The focus here will be on education: academic, experiential, and personal. 

2010 is a going to be a great year, but the first month was hectic.  My grandfather, James William Moss, passed away and his death has deeply affected me.  He was the farmer in the family.  James was my last link to a forgotten way of life.  I miss him.

This is the time of year when I wonder why I am in Chicago.  After two months of freezing temps and dormant landscapes, I am ready for warm temps, flowers, and foliage.  But I still have two cold, gray months to go.  GARTAK!!!

Greenology: Urban Greenways

Urban greenways have multiple benefits, one of them is to serve as a bio-utility. This function is an especially important feature in environmentally degraded areas. Plants and bacteria filter the air, water, and soil. Factories and other urban industries should have an expansive greenway perimeter to reduce chemical drift and buffer populations from environmental toxins.  Ideally greenways should be comprised of native trees and plants, because they are easier to maintain (economical) and beneficial to the local wildlife (ecological).  But regardless of the plant selection, urban greenways are a crucial component to the metropolitan landscape.

Feature: Valentine’s Day Flowers

Family, friends, and lovers all deserve flowers.  Roses are the classic bouquet for Valentines.  As with any cut flower, choose roses that are budding or just beginning to open. 

Color makes a difference.  Red roses symbolize love and respect.  Pink is for those you admire, while white is for a secret love.  Yellow roses mean adoration and are reserved for an extra special person. 

But don’t just limit yourself to roses.  Daisies are happy.  Orchids are exquisite.  Elegant lilies are probably my favorite.  Oriental lilies, like Casa Blanca and Tom Pouce, offer large, beautiful flowers and powerful fragrance. 

Whichever flower you choose, maintenace is the same.  Place them away from warm drafts and excessive heat.  (Don’t sit them on the radiator or the stove.)  Also cut the stems and change the water daily to prolong their beauty. 

Spread some love with flowers this week.

Send your own lists, comments, questions, and/or corrections to askwilliam@wemoss.org

William in Action

Join me as I talk plants on QVC Monday, February 8th at 11am EST.

I’m speaking at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show on Saturday, March 6th at 2:30pm CST.  Come out and join the discussion about ways to grow a greener landscape.

Check out Dig In.  Tune in to the best landscape makeover show ever Sunday mornings at 8:30am on HGTV.

THE WEMOSS MISSION IS...
to educate and inspire people to improve their landscapes for the benefit of themselves, their communities and the environment.