Gardenig in Russia. Tips & Guides

Christopher Gaffney, Lancaster University and Bethan Phillips, University of Nottingham

Hurrah! Fifty years ago today, the Apollo 11 mission arrived in orbit around the Moon.

What kind of traveller are you? Do you prefer to lie in a hammock slung between two palm trees, reading the latest blockbuster novel? Or would I find you soaking up the local culture along with the sun? I’m more of the latter, and it helps to know a smattering of the local language if you go off the beaten track!

When NASA is selecting crops to grow in space, it looks for varieties that can produce a lot of food in a small space, on compact plants that are healthy and easy-to-grow. It turns out that they suitable tomato plants already exist on Earth, as there are plenty of windowsill and small-space gardeners who love tiny tomatoes!

Header image credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office

Join Emma the Space Gardener as she explores gardening on Earth… and beyond! In this episode, Emma takes the time machine for a spin to explore the early history of seeds in space. Plus you’ll find out which plants will be best for terraforming Mars, why greenhouses may soon be made from solar panels, what’s included in a Russian space tourist package and more!

On 9th September 2021, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov conducted a spacewalk to connect an ethernet local network cable, two high-frequency television cables and a cable for the Kurs-P rendezvous system into the new ISS module Nauka (the MLM). They also installed three new containers in the Biorisk hardware. Biorisk is a Russian suite of hardware used to measure the impacts of the space environment on biological activity.

Food for the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) is usually delivered well in advance. They get a few fresh treats whenever a cargo ship arrives (or if they grow their own!), but they’re a bit too far away to order take out.

Humanity’s use of fossil fuels has brought amazing progress, but it’s impossible for anyone rational to deny that it has also brought some terrible consequences. Pollution and global warming, and the need to cozy up to the people who have them. Many of whom are – shall we way – not very nice.

In previous conversations with the ChatGPT chatbot, I’ve found it a bit dull on the topic of space plants, unwilling to pick a fantasy space plant, and unable to envisage a future garden on Mars. Perhaps it’s more comfortable talking about the history of space plants?

In 2013, NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins was on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 37/38. He’d launched in a Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazanskiy. 

Kamran Mahroof, University of Bradford and Liz Breen, University of Bradford

Sunflowers are big, bold, and beautiful, with bright yellow petals and a dark center that seems to stare straight at the sun. In this article, we will explore the Giant Sunflower Varieties out there!

As Digital Content Editor Christine Alexander explains, pollinators play a vital role in our ecosystem and we should all be doing our part to support their populations:

As native grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium and cvs., Zones 3–9) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis and cvs., Zones 3–9) increasingly gain traction in gardens, exotics such as miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis and cvs., Zones 4–9) are losing favor because of their invasive tendencies. But not all exotic grasses are troublesome and need to be avoided. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora and cvs., Zones 5–9) is a natural hybrid of C. arundinacea and C. epigejos, which are both nonnatives and prolific self-sowers, but the hybrid rarely sets fertile seed—a major plus for an exotic grass, right? So why are other reed grasses—‘Karl Foerster’ aside—so underused? To answer that question is to understand the phenomenon of ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (C. × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’).

One of the most beautiful and delicious fruits, kiwis are favorites of both children and adults alike. However, like camu camu, these bright green fruits might be most adored by the wellness community, as they're incredibly nutritious. One potential health benefit of kiwi that's been causing some buzz recently? Eating one before bed might help you sleep better—and as it turns out, that might be true.

Growing Tips

There are two common species of larch Larix kaempferi (aka leptolepis  the Japanese Larch) and European Larch Larix decidua. As the name implies the Larch looses their tufted leaves in autumn. They grow in most conditions but do not like wet or chalky soil

While gardening, people often stick to the classic, tried-and-true plants we all know and love. But, with endless available options, all of us are missing out on some blooms in bright yellow and purple hues that would add character and charm to our landscapes. 

Today we’re in Springfield, Ohio, visiting with Bryan Bailey.

The Russia-Ukraine grain deal that has been critical to keeping global food prices stable and preventing famine is currently in tatters. On July 17, 2023, Russia said it was pulling out of the year-old deal, which allowed shipments of grains and other foodstuffs to travel past the Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea. And to make matters worse, over the next two days Russia bombed the Ukrainian grain port of Odesa, destroying over 60,000 tons of grain.

The Pomegranate, as well as the fig, are often considered some of the oldest cultivated fruits. Believed to be native to the Middle East, the Pomegranate is a fruit with an interesting history and has been grown in South Carolina for centuries. The Pomegranate, Punica granatum, is a wonderful small, deciduous tree that grows between twelve and twenty feet tall and can get just as wide depending on the part of the state it is grown.

WE DO THIS ON FACEBOOK DAILY: I read something that grabs my attention, and pass it on. Easy: I just insert a link and a comment, click, go. But I realize only about 8,000 so far of you “like” the A Way to Garden Facebook page (care to join us there?), and that I must make an effort to share my random “bookmarks” more regularly with the wider group. And so…

CHARD: ‘Bright Lights’ may be the beauty-contest winner, with runner-up going to ‘Rhubarb’ or ‘Ruby Red,’ as it is variously called. But I’ll forego the flash and just sow ‘Argentata’ from here on out, I think.  A prolific and durable grower, ‘Argentata’ gets to as much as 3 feet tall (2ish in less fertile conditions) and produces lots and lots of giant leaves with gleaming thick white midribs.  Apparently this heirloom goes by another name in Italy, ‘Bionda á Costa,’ where it is also a favorite. Fedco has my favorite chard, and many others.KALE: Kale is one of my dietary mainstays, an ingredient in many soups here and a frequent side dish (both things are true about the the chard as well). Last year, I grew four kinds, but I won’t again, especially not the frilly  ‘Winterbor’ type or its lookalikes (above left), my un-favorite (though productive and cold-hardy). I simply don’t like its texture, so I am giving my kale real estate to the heirloom I sti

My inventory revealed I am also good on carrots, beets, Asian greens of various kinds, salad things (from mesclun mixes to lettuce, arugula and mustards), and all the herbs I like to grow. I’ve ordered tomato seedlings from a grower at my local farmers’ market; with my new book coming, I’m simplifying my seed-starting this year.HERE’S WHAT I AM allowing myself:CHARD, specifically ‘Argentata,’ with its giant leaves and thick white midribs; ‘Fordhook Giant,’ and ‘Ruby Red’ or ‘Rhubarb.’SPINACH, including ‘Tyee’ for good bolt-resistance among the Savoy types as the weather warms,  ‘Corvair’ (a recent smooth-leaf type, 40 days), ‘Regiment’ (new, 37 days, large leav

THE FIRST PERSON to photograph snowflakes did so in 1885, harnessing the combined power of a camera and also a microscope given to him as gifts by his parents. Then 20-year-old Alwyn Bentley of Jericho, Vermont, came to be known as the Snowflake Man for his lifetime of work, which also included years of close examination of raindrops. A fascinating tale of Bentley’s life, and more photos, via DomainReview [dot] org. Image above from the Smithsonian Institution collection. And yes: Bentley is responsible for the “no two are alike” lowdown on snowflakes.fresh as a frog’s skinA BIT OF RUSSIAN folk-wisdom that calls for keeping milk fresh by putting a live frog in the milk bucket has led to the examination of chemicals secreted from the frog’s skin. Apparently they are powerfully antifungal and antibacterial…but will they have implications for new drugs

Kale is a go-to ingredient for smoothies, soups, stews, and dishes like kale pesto. This super-food is easy to grow and can even replace spinach in many recipes. If you have an overabundance of kale from your garden or the grocery store, you may want to learn how to freeze kale so you can enjoy it for months to come. Here are step-by-step instructions for freezing this delicious green.

These quick growers beautify the perennial flower border or stand as a naturally stunning backdrop to other plants. Daylilies can be also an excellent choice for ground cover on slopes! Pick your favorite one from these Best Daylily Varieties.

If you love blooms that resemble the shape of objects then you’ll be astonished to know that there areFlowers that Look Like Birds! Don’t believe us? Have a look at them!

The Question: People have been canning for a long time, and it appears that not too many people died from it. Why can’t the old-time recipes be used? If the recipes were passed down from generation to generation or were published by Mason Jars and companies that made canners, why can’t they still be used? Is it all right to freeze an old-time recipe instead of canning it?

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Russian vine is an exceptionally fast and large-growing climbing plant that is also, and very aptly, known as ‘mile-a-minute’. The botanical name of Russian vine is Fallopia baldschuanica. Twining woody stems are clothed in dark green heart-shaped leaves, which are deciduous, so the network of branches and stems is revealed in winter and has no great ornamental value. In summer, masses of white or pinky-white flowers are produced – these are tiny and borne in large plume-like panicles, giving rise to another of Russian vine’s common names, ‘fleece flower’. Flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. They’re followed by small pink fruits. Although Russian vine is easy and quick to grow, grow it with care as vigorous growth can be a problem to manage.

Hostas are tough, ornamental plants that thrive in the shade. They are extremely easy to propagate by division, but surprisingly that is not the only way to multiply them–You just need a leaf-cutting to create a whole new plant! Let’s have a look at all you need to know about Growing Hosta in Water! 

One of the best Christmas terrarium ideas your kids will surely love! You can easily prepare this fun project with the help ofinexpensive items like clay pellets, glass jars, succulents, and other decorative artifacts. Get the details here.

There are foods that you get a single bite of, and you just know you’d be willing to do anything for more. Agretti was one such vegetable for me.I first had it lightly tossed in olive oil

Balloon flower, Platycodon grandiflorus, is a native of the Russian Far East, China, Japan, and Korea that has become a garden sensation in the United States.A member of the Campanulaceae family that includes bellflower