Harvest Moon, Bioluminescent Mushrooms, and Smokebush | Gardening Simplified Radio Show | Ep. 3

Normally, pruning your butterfly bush would take place in early spring, especially for those in cold climates. It's recommended to leave your plant intact over winter, as butterfly bushes in colder zones will typically experience some winter dieback. Hard pruning is encouraged in the spring when the plant starts to leaf out, as it will show you exactly where to cut.

Yes, you can prune a rose of Sharon bush. The wood can become weak if not pruned, and the plant benefits from some pruning. Pruning should be done in the spring. If you see growths that look like more buds but are actually seed heads after the flowers have fallen, you can prune them off if you choose.

Identifying an apple variety from an old tree generally requires the expertise of an apple specialist. It's recommended to contact a local orchard or agricultural extension service for assistance. It's less likely that an apple variety from the 1980s would be extremely rare, but it could be unique and worth identifying.

Research is being conducted to determine if wildfire smoke, which can blanket areas and possibly settle on plant foliage, affects crops grown underground, such as potatoes. The particles from the smoke may affect photosynthesis and growth, leading to smaller-sized crops.

The USDA is promoting the People's Garden initiative, encouraging communities to participate in local food production to diversify and bring resiliency to the food supply chain. The project's aim is to empower individuals and communities to grow their own food and contribute to local food security.