Green lawns, tall trees, bright flowers—Virginians love the outdoors, evenwhen it’s just the backyard. The way you maintain your yard, however, can havesurprising impacts on the natural world. Continued: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Cercis canadensis
Common Name(s): American Judas Tree, American Redbud, Eastern Redbud, Redbud Eastern redbud is a deciduous, ornamental tree in the bean family (Fabaceae). It is native to eastern North America and may grow up to 20 to 30 feet tall and 20 … [Read more...]
Cornus florida
Common Name(s): Flowering Dogwood Flowering dogwood is a woody, deciduous, showy, understory tree in the dogwood family (Cornaceae) that is native from southeastern Canada through eastern North America to eastern Mexico, where it is commonly found … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Having Houseplants
Humans share a deep bond with nature, and surrounding ourselves with natural elements can promote calmness, contentment and, as research shows, enhanced focus. Having indoor plants can offer similar benefits. Multiple studies have shown that caring … [Read more...]
Soil microbiome
Beneath every step we take, within the seemingly inert soil, lies an astonishingly complex and vibrant universe: the soil microbiome. This microscopic metropolis, teeming with life, is far more than just dirt. It is a dynamic ecosystem, a … [Read more...]
Building a Vertical Hydroponic Tower
The tower garden design described here can hold 28 plants per tower and two towers can be placed in a 5-foot x 5-foot space, producing 56 plants at one time (Figure 1). The design can be modified according to preference. Continued: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Vertical Hydroponic Towers: A Space-Saving Revolution in Sustainable Farming
In an era where sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly important, vertical hydroponic towers offer an innovative and efficient solution for growing fresh produce. These systems use vertical space to cultivate crops without soil, making them … [Read more...]
It’s Time to Begin Your Winter Pruning!
With the holidays in the rear-view mirror, now is the time to start thinking about getting back outside into your garden. No, not just to shovel snow or refill the birdfeeders…but rather for some winter pruning! Read more: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Propagating Plants by Cuttings
Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the easiest and most used methods of propagation. Many plants will root from just a section of a plant. Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a … [Read more...]
Tips for Purchasing Seeds
Growing plants from seed is an economical way to get a wide range of plants in your garden. The first step to starting plants from seed is buying high-quality seed. Below are some tips to get good seed so you can have success growing. … [Read more...]