Gardening news from around the web

Why do flowers smell?

Imagine walking through a tropical forest as a sweet scent wafts through the air. A little farther down the path, the putrid stench of rotting flesh makes you catch your breath. Upon investigation, you find that both odors originate from flowers – but why do flowers smell like anything at all? ...

How to keep your garden on-trend with petunias this spring

(BPT) - Excited to elevate your garden into a trending oasis destination this spring? If you're like many gardeners, you likely approach your outdoor living area with a discerning designer's …

Cherry blossoms – celebrated in Japan for centuries and gifted to Americans – are an appreciation of impermanence and spring

Cherry blossoms mark the beginning of spring. Various festivals are regularly organized in California, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., to celebrate the bloom of cherry trees. …

A rare, historically massive cicada season is coming: How to protect your lawn, trees, and landscaping

With 2024 expected to be a historic year for cicada emergence, Pest Gnome put together a comprehensive primer on these insects: from which areas of the country will see the greatest number of cicadas to what every homeowner can do to protect their lawn and landscaping.
11 Data Buildings Would Surround Linton Hall Neighborhood in Bristow
Amberleigh Station residents oppose the data center park that would surround them on Linton Hall Road in Bristow. 
NASA Scientist Warns Bristow-area Residents Will Hear New Data Centers
High-density data centers currently planned for the Bristow area would result in area residents hearing a disruptive 'hum' 24/7, said NASA scientist Dr. John Lyver and the HOA Roundtable of Prince William County.
Prince William Supervisors Propose Water Study on Effects of Future Land Use Proposals
A resolution calling for a study of the potential effects of planning initiatives on the Occoquan reservoir will be presented, August 2.
NPCA: Proposed Data Centers in Northern Virginia Threaten National Parks, Drinking Water
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and CEA Engineers release analysis showing negative impacts data centers could have on waterways and national parks in Prince William County.
Fairfax Water Urges Prince William County to Request Study on How Development Would Impact Occoquan Reservoir, Drinking Water
Prince William County's plan for data centers and more industrial uses on previously rural land could harm the Occoquan Water Shed and thereby the region's drinking water. 
'Civil War' Documentarian Opposes PW Digital Gateway Near Manassas Battlefield
Documentarian Ken Burns urges Prince William Supervisors to protect landscape around Manassas National Battlefield.

How to create an Insta-worthy outdoor living space

(BPT) - Social media has changed the ways people engage with content and seek inspiration. Thanks to ever-evolving technology and algorithms, you have the ability to find new ideas instantly. Need a …

Bring vitality to gardens in the shade with impatiens: Your new burst of living color!

(BPT) - Ready to fill your garden with striking colors this spring? Look to Beacon® Impatiens from PanAmerican Seed®, the gardener’s favorite versatile plant for partial to deep shade …

(BPT) - Spring is just around the corner! As you make your list of spring cleaning chores, don’t forget to add lawn care to the to-do list.“The key to a healthy, robust lawn is …
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(BPT) - Ditch the boring broccoli and say hello to a purple powerhouse! Want to spice up your salads beyond the usual suspects? Then buckle up, veggie adventurer, because we're about to embark on a …
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Lifestyle news
San Francisco's burning question: Are we ready for Waymo Google cars?
After an incident with one of Google's driverless vehicles in San Francisco, Way.com explores whether the city is ready to adopt these vehicles for service.
Can background checks show whether your identity was stolen?
Money.com offers tips and information to consider when conducting a background check on yourself.
Safest and most affordable cities in the US
MoneyGeek analyzed cost data from the Census Bureau's one-year American Community Survey and MIT's Living Wage Calculator, focusing on the top cities from our safest small and mid-to-large city studies.
Rural Americans were less likely to enroll in a federal broadband assistance program. Now it's too late to sign up
The Daily Yonder reports on the federal government halting enrollment in a program that helps millions of Americans afford their broadband subscriptions.
States where the most people are receiving substance use treatment
Ophelia mapped and analyzed the number of patients in substance use facilities per capita across the U.S., using SAMHSA survey data.