Kelley Rawlsky

Putting up a Christmas tree used to be an annual tradition for my husband and me. We would usually wait until a few days before Christmas, then hit the tree lots looking for the perfect specimen.

Spring has finally arrived. Even though we have had a mild winter, I cheerfully welcome the longer days, warmer temperatures and signs of the changing season.

Even though plant pathology was one of my favorite classes in graduate school, I still struggle with it.

In western herbalism, one of the main uses of feverfew is to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. It is typically consumed daily as a preventative, although it has been shown to be somewhat effective when used at the onset of a migraine.

Neither people nor plant, mushrooms are an important part of the ecosystem. Horticulturists study plants and their environment.

Many plants have evolved with special adaptations to spread their offspring. Plants are quite intelligent, in my opinion. Seeds are dispersed in numerous ways through wind, wings, animals, hitchhikers and launching, like a rocket. (

Seasonal allergies are typically attributed to symptoms caused by flower, grass and/or tree pollen

Anise hyssop and hyssop are in the mint family of plants and have been used in traditional herbal medicine.

Modern-day use of echinacea includes decreasing the severity and duration of cold or flu. It is also used to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections from either viral or bacterial causes. In addition, echinacea has been described as being helpful for tonsillitis, cellulitis and gum disease.

Moving here from a state filled with hair-frizzing high humidity and ample rain was eye-opening to say the least. I had to quickly learn how to garden in a dry climate. I also had to learn how to not turn into a prune. The lack of humidity, as well as the normal aging process, can be very drying to some individuals. For me, this looks like dry skin, eyes, nose and throat.