Sure, you know the difference between a perennial and an annual. But are you aware that perennials, unlike diamonds, are not forever? Some only live for a few years. And a perennial in the south may be an annual in the north. So—are you sure you know the difference?

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If you have any doubts about your command of this or other common botanical distinctions, check out today’s show with Toby Day, Extension Horticulture Specialist at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. In this first of an occasional series, Toby not only explains the difference between monocots and dicots, and between annuals, biennials, and perennials, but also makes it clear why an ordinary gardener might care about such things. He then goes on to define the three basic functions of plant physiology—photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration—and the relations between them. Finally, he discusses the plant growth that these functions make possible—where in the plant it occurs, and how these locations affect practices like pruning.

This isn’t botany made easy—it’s botany made practical.

This is the first in a series that will air from time to time—one of which will be a stump the chump session where Toby tries to field whatever random gardening questions we can throw at him. Add yours to the comments on the post about this podcast episode at The Manic Gardener blog.

The post The Manic Gardener – Botany for Backyard Gardeners #1 appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.