Anywhere you go in Virginia, nature abounds. No matter what county or city you’re visiting, there’s always an opportunity to get back to nature. These 10 botanical gardens make the trip a little easier, and a great deal more beautiful. Read … [Read more...]
Whatever You Do, Don’t Put Coffee Grounds in Your Garden
The internet is full of ways you can make gardening easier and cheaper, but some methods are too good to be true. No matter what the gardening blogs tell you, leave the spent coffee grounds alone. They're bad news for your garden. See article... … [Read more...]
You Can Talk to Plants. Maybe You Should Listen.
An installation at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden ponders the sounds made by plants. Read More... … [Read more...]
Potato Plant Vines
The client called to ask why his potatoes (Irish) planted in mid-April already had vines dying in mid-July. He felt this was too soon. He did not know the variety of potato. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION Because most potato varieties … [Read more...]
DEER DETERRENTS–SCENTS
Deterrents are easy and inexpensive, and so are usually the first line of defense of gardeners against unwanted deer in their gardens. Of the various methods that surprise or offend their senses from smells, tastes, hearing, or touch, odor … [Read more...]
JAPANESE BEETLES HOW TO IDENTIFY AND GET RID OF JAPANESE BEETLES IN THE GARDEN
What are those iridescent green garden beetles eating your plants? Here are tips on how to identify and get rid of Japanese beetles. More... … [Read more...]
Squash Bug: Management in Home Gardens
Squash bug (Anasa tristis) can be the most destructive insect pest of winter squash and pumpkins. Feeding damage results in wilting of vines, often with plants being prematurely killed. Problems are most common in the warmer areas of the state and … [Read more...]
Bedford County 4H Camp
MASTER GARDENERS AND YMCA TEAM UP For 4-H CAMP! Every summer, children from Bedford County are afforded the opportunity to attend 4-H camp. This week-long program, from July 22nd thru July 26th, at the W.E. Skelton 4H Education and Conference … [Read more...]
WEEDS AS INDICATOR PLANTS – WHAT COMMON WEEDS CAN TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR SOIL
Weeds are annoying, but they can also be great indicator plants, telling you what nutrients your garden is lacking or what it has in excess. More: http://Weeds are annoying, but they can also be great indicator plants, telling you what … [Read more...]
Rosette Disease
The client brought in a sample from his rose bush, which has red color, distorted leaves and buds. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION The problem was identified as rose rosette disease (RRD). The recommendation is to remove and destroy … [Read more...]