This is the time of the year for planning! Whether it is the garden, the yard, flower beds, shrubbery, perennials, you name it, the spring itch has hit in a big way.

Catalogs are coming to fuel our ideas of the perfect yard, garden or the perfect curb appeal. All of this whirlwind surrounds plants.

As part of a series, this week I am writing is all about plants and it is meant to inform, give ideas and tips and further your success in growing plants.

Did you know there is no definition for life? Numerous characteristics tell us about life, but the essence is difficult to conceptualize. Characteristics include:

• Utilize energy and materials.

• Has growth and development.

• Able to reproduce.

• Able to adapt and change, as an organism and as a species.

Botany is the study of plants. Plants are organisms made up of cells, and by characteristics, are defined as life.

The unique defining cells of a plant have cell walls made of cellulose and plastids (cells with chloroplasts).

The wall surrounds each cell, and the plastids are made of chlorophyll factories inside each.

Photosynthesis, the process by which plants harness sunlight, water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), and in turn make carbohydrates (sugar) and usable oxygen (O₂), and give off water, is the vital function of the plant.

In addition to oxygen, water and carbohydrates plants are called producers in the food chains, cycles of life and food webs. All other life (consumers) depends on plants.

The chemical formula for photosynthesis is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O �’ C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.

Not only do plants make food, but they also perform other vital jobs on our planet. Plants purify and help to conserve our water supply. They regulate outdoor air temperature.

Plants control erosion and make habitats for animals. Finally, plants provide resources and fibers for making items in our economy.

Water is absorbed and released by plants in the ongoing processes of photosynthesis and the water cycle of evaporation and precipitation in our atmosphere.

As part of this exchange, I have already mentioned oxygen being replenished. As part of the carbon cycle, plants utilize atmospheric carbon to manufacture carbohydrates (sugar).

Aside from all of this, the direct and personal benefits to us are food from our gardens, beautiful flower beds, wonderful house plants, and I could go on and on. Green is an emotional color that is dominant, soothing, restful, relaxing and positive. Green elicits safety.

As this series goes on, we will delve into each part of the plant to understand just how it all functions together to give all of us a thriving, enriching and beneficial life.

Hughes is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.