In many parts of the country, gardeners have considerable anxiety when summer temperatures rise, especially when they rise in combination with low rainfall amounts. While some vegetables suffer more than others, all feel some degree of stress with … [Read more...]
Soil Health in Raised Beds
By selecting the contents of the raised bed, soil properties like texture, drainage, and organic matter content can be controlled. A soil and compost mix is recommended, at a ratio of 70% soil to 30% compost. Make sure that both the soil and compost … [Read more...]
Mulch – A Survey of Available Options
A gardener has many choices when it comes to mulch. This article covers the pros and cons of various types of organic, non-organic, and living mulches. Read more: … [Read more...]
How to Use Succession Planting in Your Garden
Succession planting, also known as successive planting, is a way to extend your harvest by staggering plantings of crops or planting varieties with staggered maturing dates. There are four methods of succession planting. CONTINUE SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Are There Alternatives to Glyphosate for Weed Control in Landscapes?
However, recently the toxicity and environmental safety of glyphosate has been questioned**, And, though the US Environmental Protection Agency continues to maintain that glyphosate does not pose a threat to human health or the environment when used … [Read more...]
Seed and Seedling Biology
Viable seeds are living entities. They must contain living, healthy embryonic tissue in order to germinate. Read on: … [Read more...]
What’s Poppin’ this Spring? Your Green Thumb!
Bedford County Master Gardener, Phyllis Turner, was recently interviewed on WSET's TV feature, Living in the Heart of Virginia! Phyllis spoke about how to become a Master Gardener, the upcoming BAMGA plant sale, and Library Workshops that are in … [Read more...]
Give Me All Your Cuttings
I may tell myself that I chat up my neighbors out of a post-quarantine craving for connection. I can pretend that I haul myself outside for a swift ten thousand steps because I’ve finally learned the value of tending myself, body and spirit. But the … [Read more...]
Spring Clean Up in the Garden
Over the past few years I have not done a fall clean-up in my garden. It’s not that I’m lazy, but that I have learned to leave flower heads as a food source for birds. Read more: … [Read more...]
Grow The Good Life
In March, the Bedford Area Master Gardeners will be presenting GROW THE GOOD LIFE, a two-part virtual, educational program. Part 1 will take place on March 5, 2022. Frank Reilly, an environmental scientist and avid Master Gardener will … [Read more...]