Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA

A $23 million, state of the art laboratory for plant research opened Tuesday at The New York Botanical Garden, and will serve as home for a number of research programs.

Lab for plant research opens at New York Botanical Garden

Food Business Review - USA

“They’re going to end up outsourcing from overseas and places like China,” he said, “where you’ve got very dubious organic standards and labor conditions that are contrary to what any organic consumer would consider equitable.”

Wal-Mart’s organic push may force down production standards

Discovery Reports Canada - Toronto,Ontario,Canada

The transmitters weigh 300 milligrams and were recently strapped onto the tiny thoraxes of 14 Green Darner dragonflies. The supped-up insects led a planeload of scientists toward a better understanding of how the insects’ migrating patterns have influenced those of their predators.

Dragonflies taught birds of prey how to fly

Ergoweb - Utah,USA

The article also cited a study where Julie Jepsen Thomas, chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of Ohio in Toledo, and her students have found that ergonomic gardening tools may not be so gardener-friendly after all.

Study: Be Wary of Gardening Tools Labeled ‘Ergonomic’

Canada.com - Hamilton,Ontario,Canada

The seeds could be dropped from an airplane over a suspected mine field. After a few weeks of growth, soldiers and civilians could judge by the plants’ colours whether the area is safe.

The plants could be a huge help to civilians who want to reclaim farmland after a war.

Researchers looking at modified plants to help locate landmines

New York Times - United States

“What is the deal with cutting down the Croatan National Forest?” the letter began. “How would you like it if we cut down some trees around your house?”

Students Are Concerned by US Plan to Sell Their Trees

BBC News - UK

More than a quarter of home owners pack up their favourite garden plants when moving house, a study has revealed.

Home movers dig up garden plants

 Shropshire Star - Telford,England,UK

A Shropshire family-run company is to become the first-ever exhibitor of artificial flowers at the world’s most famous flower show. Ruckley, which is based just outside Shifnal, will be exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the end of May.

Exhibitor of fake flowers in role at Chelsea

Guardian Unlimited - UK

With the power to summon fairies and inspire poets, it is a quintessential symbol of the British springtime. But the modest bluebell is under threat from a foreign invader.

Alarm bell tolls for UK’s favourite flower

Infoshop News - USA

Tyrone Tarpley, a stocky 24-year-old man serving a 23-month term for drug charges in the county prison system, is intently focused on the tiny tomato seeds herded together in the crook of his palm. Large hopes rest on the husks of those tiny tomato seeds—each about the size of the letter “o” on this page—which he pinches with the pale tips of his forefinger and thumb and delicately drops into a tiny depression in the dark brown soil of a seedling flat.

Inmates and community gardeners unite to feed Philly’s hungry.