Plants & Gardens Blog

How do trees know when it’s time to drop their leaves or form new buds? Read › How Do Trees Tell Time?

When plant scientists want to learn more about something, they open it up and examine it. Dissect a pumpkin to learn more about the botanical role of fruit parts. Read › Dissect a Pumpkin (Activity)

If you provide warmth (a sunny spot), shelter (shrubs and trees), and nectar (masses of flowers from spring to fall), butterflies will feed and maybe even lay eggs there. Read › Make a Butterfly Habitat in a Window Box

Did you know plants don't necessarily need to make seeds to reproduce? You can see this process in action by regrowing a plant from a common root vegetable like a carrot or radish. Read › Grow New Plants from Carrot Tops or Other Roots (Project)

Many birds can survive through New York City’s milder winter weather. However, by late winter, it can be challenging for them to find food because all the seeds, fruit, and berries have been eaten. Read › Let’s Create: Bird Feeders (Project)

Learn to make a dried citrus garland with star anise and an orange pomander with cloves. Read › Let’s Create: Citrus Decorations (Project)

What better way to celebrate the fall season than with some apple-themed recipes? Read › Warm Up with Apple Butter and Cinnamon Apple Chips (Recipes)

Have you ever wondered how seeds manage to get from place to place so new plants can grow everywhere? Read › Learn How Seeds Travel and Design Your Own Seed Pod (Activity)

What gives leaves their color? You can get a good look using a simple technique called chromatography. Read › See Chlorophyll and Other Leaf Pigments with Chromatography (Activity)

Did you know that animals help plant seeds? Read › Go on a Seed Hunt and Learn How Animals Help Plant Seeds