As gardeners dream of spring and flip through catalogs looking for the best seeds, it makes you wonder where they come from. Sure, seeds come from the fruit of a plant, but how does it happen? A good challenge for any gardener is to learn how to … [Read more...]
Let the gourd times roll
Gourds are members of the cucurbit plant family, which includes squash, melons, cucumbers and pumpkins. Decorative gourds in the genus Cucurbita are small and often colorful. Lagenaria gourds are large, hard-shelled and used for ladles, spoons, … [Read more...]
Bat Biology and Ecology
Few people realize that through the study of bats scientists have gained valuable knowledge on sonar, coagulation in blood, vaccine development, and artificial insemination. Read On: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Picking and Keeping Pumpkins
It seems like it is finally fall! These cool nights and moderate temperature days feel so good. This is the time of year when we begin to see the fall decorations come out from hay bales and corn stalks to pumpkins and gourds. How do we make sure our … [Read more...]
Growing Apples in Virginia
Growing apples in the home garden can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, but consistent production of high quality fruit requires knowledge of tree and fruit growth and a willingness to perform certain practices at the appropriate time. … [Read more...]
Mid-Atlantic Pocket Guide to Water Garden Species
Using native species in water gardening helps to diversify the ecosystem and provide habitat, food, and resources critically needed by native insects, birds, small mammals, pollinators, and other wildlife. This guide provides details about each … [Read more...]
Plant Perennial Vegetables in Winter
Some of my favorite foods are perennials. When used to refer to food plants, perennial means that the plant lives from year to year and does not die after flowering once. While many perennial food plants are fruit trees and bushes, there are also … [Read more...]
Managing the Garden in Extreme Heat
When a summer heat wave arrives, it can be stressful for plants and gardeners alike. The plants of your landscape will require a little more TLC to make it through periods of extreme heat. Read More: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Heat Stroke: Protect Yourself in the Garden this Summer!
Woah! Who turned up the heat? It seems with temperatures consistently reaching into the upper 90’s, that summer started early and intends to be l-o-n-g! This doesn’t mean we can’t keep gardening, but it does mean that we need to take extra … [Read more...]
Seed Saving Basics
For longtime gardeners, saving seeds from their plants may be a family tradition. For new gardeners, it may only be a matter of time until they wonder if they can save the seeds forming in their vegetables and flowers to grow next year's garden. … [Read more...]