What is cat grass?

“Cat grass” is grown by cat owners to satisfy their cat’s desire to graze on green plants. Cat grass is usually common oats or a blend of oats, wheat, and rye grass. It is sold at pet supply stores and garden centers.

Cat grass is easy to grow. Sow the seeds in a 6- to 8-inch-diameter container filled with fresh potting soil. Sprinkle the seeds generously and uniformly over the surface and cover them lightly with more soil. Water the soil thoroughly and set the container where it will receive bright light. When the leafy growth is about 2 inches tall, place the cat grass in a location where your cat will find it. Start new containers of cat grass every few weeks to guarantee a fresh supply for your cat.

Which ornamental grasses provide interest to the fall landscape?

Several ornamental grasses possess attractive features in fall. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native prairie grass that grows 2 to 3 feet tall. The blue-green foliage of little bluestem turns brownish orange in fall. Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) is an upright, clump-forming grass which grows 4 to 6 feet tall. Its fall color varies from yellow to orange to purple, eventually fading to tan. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) grows about 3 feet tall and forms graceful fountain-like clumps. The foliage of prairie dropseed turns yellow-orange in fall. Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) grows about 3 feet tall and produces flat, green seedheads in summer. The seedheads (which dangle in the wind) turn brown in fall and persist through the winter. Numerous cultivars of Japanese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) are grown in home landscapes. Japanese silvergrass is an upright, clump-forming grass that grows 5 to 7 feet tall. Plants produce large silvery white flower heads in late summer. The fluffy flower heads turn to beige by late fall and persist through the winter.

What would be a good planting site for a serviceberry?

The serviceberry or Juneberry (Amelanchier species) is a large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Serviceberries are grown for their masses of showy, white flowers in spring and colorful fall foliage.

Serviceberries grow well in a wide range of soils. They grow best in moist, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Avoid poorly drained, heavy clay soils. Serviceberries can be planted in partial shade to full sun.

Where are cranberries grown commercially?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries. Cranberry production in Wisconsin is located in central and northern parts of the state. The state is forecast to produce 3.85 million barrels of cranberries in 2008. (A barrel weighs 100 pounds.)

Other important cranberry producing states include Massachusetts (1.9 million barrels), New Jersey (500,000 barrels), Oregon (490,000 barrels), and Washington (145,000 barrels). Cranberries are processed into juice or sauce, dried, or sold fresh to consumers.

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