Environment

This Orchids. These brilliant, flashy, sensual, and sometimes graphic flowers fascinated Charles Darwin. This year the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has made Darwin's interest in the flowers the theme of their annual orchid exhibition.

Vegetable seed sales are way up, and in many parts of the country the ground is still frozen. George Ball, who runs Burpee Seeds, says he expects seed sales to increase 20 to 30 percent this year. Dale Groom, a horticulturist with the Dallas County Extension Office, shares some tips for first-time gardeners.

Vegetable seed sales are way up, and in many parts of the country the ground is still frozen. George Ball, who runs Burpee Seeds, says he expects seed sales to increase 20 to 30 percent this year. Dale Groom, a horticulturist with the Dallas County Extension Office, shares some tips for first-time gardeners.

The White House is considering the designation of a new marine reserve in the Northern Mariana Islands, but it may not get the same amount of protection as an area created two years ago near Hawaii. The same could be true for other sites in the Pacific that are also under consideration.

The White House is considering the designation of a new marine reserve in the Northern Mariana Islands, but it may not get the same amount of protection as an area created two years ago near Hawaii. The same could be true for other sites in the Pacific that are also under consideration.

Science Friday examines the process of fall gardening — the crops that can be planted in autumn and the ways to prepare for next year. We also discuss the benefits of composting.

Science Friday examines the process of fall gardening — the crops that can be planted in autumn and the ways to prepare for next year. We also discuss the benefits of composting.

Although roses are among the most commonly planted flowers, many people don't know the basics about their care and keeping. Local gardener Lisa Caprioglio says the way roses are watered affects their tendency to get black spot.

Although roses are among the most commonly planted flowers, many people don't know the basics about their care and keeping. Local gardener Lisa Caprioglio says the way roses are watered affects their tendency to get black spot.

Tim Stark was a management consultant when he stumbled into heirloom tomato farming, as he describes in Heirloom: Notes from an Accidental Farmer. (Tip: The ugliest tend to be tastiest.) Now his tomatoes are served in the finest New York restaurants.