MagnoliaBy: Jackie Carroll In the fall of the year after the flowers are long gone from a magnolia tree, the seed pods have an interesting surprise in store. Magnolia seed pods, which resemble exotic-looking cones, spread open to reveal bright red … [Read more...]
Growing Garlic – Fall Planting
Fall is the best time to plant garlic—a good three weeks prior to the ground freezing, so the roots have a chance to develop, but not poke thru the surface before winter. Read More: … [Read more...]
Woollybear Caterpillar
The woolly bear is a common and well-known caterpillar. Though most people have one kind of woolly bear in mind, there are 8 or more species in the U.S. that could legitimately be called woolly bears because of the dense, bristly hair that covers … [Read more...]
‘The pig bomb’: Feral hogs make a great meme, but they are a serious pest in Virginia
In many parts of the country, including Virginia, feral hogs have posed a huge threat to natural habitats and endangered plants and animals, according to DGIF. They multiply fast, have few or no natural predators aside from humans and, once … [Read more...]
History of the American Chestnut
The history of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) chronicles the ongoing pursuit of a fundamental goal: to develop a blight-resistant American chestnut tree through scientific research and breeding, and to restore the tree to its native forests … [Read more...]
Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscape
Anyone can prune, but not everyone prunes properly. Improper pruning, or pruning at the wrong time of the year, can result in mis-shapened plants, reduced flowering or plants that are more likely to be damaged by insects, diseases or winter cold. … [Read more...]
BOBCAT
A southern cousin of the lynx, the bobcat (Lynx rufus rufus) is the only “wildcat” in Virginia. Native to most counties in Virginia, the bobcat is a medium-sized cat characterized by dark spots, tufted ears and a short “bobbed” tail. Its color varies … [Read more...]
Growing Pumpkins for the Home Garden
Pumpkins are a warm-season vining crop. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. Continued: … [Read more...]
Chrysanthemum Care
Though associated with fall, chrysanthemums are a great addition to the garden throughout the growing season. Find out how to plant and care for mums for maximum bloom. Continued: … [Read more...]
Beware of the Stinging Puss Caterpillar, Warns Virginia Tech Insect Expert
While most of the stinging caterpillars have bright contrast in colors, this one doesn’t. Its appearance may be considered misleading, as its earthy shades do not give off the “do not touch” warning colors that you may expect a dangerous caterpillar … [Read more...]