Weekend Reading 6/21/24

Welcome to Garden Center magazine's Weekend Reading, a weekly round-up of consumer garden media stories meant to help IGCs focus marketing efforts, spark inspiration and start conversations with consumers.

This week: Classical music inspired by nature, how gardening can boost your immune system, tips for successful perennial herb growing, the role of tiny gardens in addressing climate change and how "lazy gardening" can attract butterflies.

20 greatest pieces of classical music inspired by nature and gardens, Classic FM

Classic FM shares its picks for the top 20 pieces of classical music inspired by the great outdoors.

Scientists Reveal Hobby That Can Boost Your Immune System, Newsweek

In a new study published in the journal Environment International, researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland have found that one month of urban indoor gardening was enough to boost the diversity of skin bacteria in participants and was associated with higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules in the blood.

Luckily for cooks and gardeners, some herbs come back year after year, The Associated Press

AP garden writer Jessica Damiano shares tips on growing perennial herbs, which are among the easiest edibles to grow at home.

Q&A: The power of tiny gardens and their role in addressing climate change, MIT News

Kate Brown, MIT professor of history, compares tiny city gardens to coral reefs: "...One little worm comes and builds its cave. And then another one attaches itself to the first, and so on. Pretty soon you have a great coral reef with a platform to support hundreds of different species — a rich biodiversity. Tiny gardens work that way in cities, which is one reason cities are now surprising hotspots of biodiversity."

Lazy Gardening May Be The Key To Luring In Butterflies, The Weather Channel

Leaving the lawnmower in the garage may be the answer for getting a backyard garden filled with butterflies this summer, l See why lazy gardening works best for attracting butterflies.

Enjoy your reading, have a great weekend and we'll see you next week!