Sore After a Day in the Garden? Could Homegrown Turmeric Help?
A weekend of turning over garden beds can leave you stiff and sore the next morning. Could the turmeric growing in the corner of your plot help you bounce back? A 2026 review of fifteen clinical trials found the most consistent benefit in easing oxidative stress—though the evidence is still thin—along with a few simple ways to enjoy your harvest.
I Gave My Discarded Vegetables Back to the Soil, and My Lettuce Was Never the Same
A 2026 study found that a soil amendment made from vegetable trimmings helped baby lettuce grow as well as chemical fertilizer did, while holding onto far more water. Here's what it means for your own garden.
Your Garden's Russian Olive Blossoms Could Become Raw Material for Antimicrobial Nanoparticles
An Iranian research team used extract from Russian olive flower buds to create silver nanoparticles, then confirmed their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential in the lab. It's a striking case of a traditional medicinal plant meeting modern nanomedicine.
Eat a Little Less, and Your Gums May Change Too
Brushing and flossing aren't the whole story when it comes to gum health. New clinical research suggests that what you eat—and how much—can lower gum inflammation, which is good news for anyone who loves fresh vegetables from the garden.
We Planted More Trees, and Fewer Birds Came
Planting trees is usually good for wildlife—but a study of Japanese paddy wetlands found that shelterbelts can crowd out grassland birds, cutting their numbers by more than 70%. Before you plant, take a look at who already lives on the land.
Chinese Yam: What the *Donguibogam* Saw in It
A humble garden root that classical Korean medicine once prized as a top-grade tonic, the Chinese yam was valued not for a quick cure but as an everyday food to be eaten steadily. Here's how the old herbals saw it, how modern nutrition compares, and how to bring it from your garden to your table.
Deodeok: Health Through the Eyes of the Dongui Bogam
Deodeok, a fragrant mountain root that thickens in the garden year after year, was recorded in Korea's Dongui Bogam as "goat's milk" — a mild remedy for the lungs and throat. This column traces how those old records line up with today's nutrition science, and how to bring the root from garden to table.
The Peanut Genome Has Been Fully Decoded for the First Time
An international team has decoded the entire peanut genome for the first time, untangling a large, complex code that formed when two wild species crossed long ago. The breakthrough promises faster breeding of hardier, safer varieties—plus a good reason to grow a few plants in your own garden this year.
The Benefits of Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach is a heat-loving vine that keeps your summer garden in greens. A recent study analyzed its leaves, berries, and stems separately—and found that each part has its own strengths.