Even with the increased popularity of plastic and fiber flowers (silk for example), many people still prefer “the real thing” preserved in a lifelike manner. Flower preservation has become a popular hobby. Flowers such as marigolds, zinnias, … [Read more...]
Ripening Of Grapes: When To Harvest Grapes
For the home gardener, growing grapevines may create a lovely shaded oasis or arbor, or an ornamental detail with the added bonus of edibility. But how do you know when to harvest grapes at the peak of their sweetness and optimum flavor? Read More: … [Read more...]
Fall Pruning for Peonies
A client asked about the best time to prune peonies, as the foliage was dying back this time of year. It is important to wait until after 1 or 2 frosts to be sure the plant is dormant before pruning it back. Doing so earlier is likely to … [Read more...]
7 Lawn Care Musts for Your Fall Yard
Among turf care experts, it's a well-known fact that the best way to ensure a thick, green, and healthy lawn in the spring is to give it some well-timed care in the fall—in other words, right now. Continue Source: This Old House … [Read more...]
The ultimate guide to weeds: What to yank, what to leave and what you should never ever touch
But no matter how many weeds they've plucked, even veteren gardeners get stumped at times trying to determine what is, and what is not, a weed — particularly in the spring when everything is just beginning to peek out of the soil and your winter … [Read more...]
Build a DIY Cold Frame Using An Old Window
One of the projects that I knew I wanted to include in my book, Raised Bed Revolution, was a cold frame. I had seen some neat DIY cold frame examples through garden visits over the years, great cold frame kits through various retailers and … [Read more...]
Living with Black Bears in Virginia
Black bears and human populations commonly coexist in many parts of North America. Black bears occur throughout most of the Commonwealth, and residential areas of Virginia are encroaching into forested lands and habitats commonly used by wildlife as … [Read more...]
EFFECTIVE DEER FENCES Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus University of Vermont
If you've tried various forms of sight, sound, taste, and touch repellents for deer, yet still have them feeding on your choice garden plants, perhaps it's time to consider a fence. Just because you have a fence doesn't mean it will be effective at … [Read more...]
Purple Eye Leaf Spot on Maples
The client called in with a concern about a leaf spot on maple leaves. The Virginia Tech Plant Diagnostic Lab identified the leaf spot as purple-bordered (or purple eye) leaf spot (Phyllosticta minima). This is a very common disease of maples … [Read more...]
I Found a Caterpillar. What Will it Turn Into?
Did you find a caterpillar outside, and you're wondering what kind of butterfly or moth it will turn into? Would you like to raise it to an adult? Find out the name of your caterpillar, what it eats, and what it turns into with the help of this quick … [Read more...]