With all those mums and pumpkins at garden centers and farmers markets, how can we select the best and make them last? CONTINUE SOURCE: Clemson Cooperative Extension … [Read more...]
Planting Trees – Tree Selection and Planting – Right Tree, Right Place
Many trees planted each year by well-meaning homeowners and community workers will never flourish because they are hopelessly unsuited for the conditions in which they are placed. Before rushing in to plant just any available trees, do enough … [Read more...]
Native PawPaw Tree
The pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) is a native fruit-bearing tree that grows in the eastern United States, from Canada to Florida, and as far west as Nebraska. The pawpaw fruit resembles a green mango, and the tree has many nicknames including … [Read more...]
Chelsea chop
The Chelsea chop (so called because it is usually carried out at the end of May, coinciding with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show) is a pruning method by which you limit the size and control the flowering season of many herbaceous plants. Read more: … [Read more...]
Ticks
There are a number of species of Ticks found in Virginia including the Lonestar Tick, the Blacklegged Tick (also known as the Deer Tick), the American Dog Tick and the Asian Longhorn Tick. The areas of Virginia where these ticks are active varies. … [Read more...]
Ground Beetles – Beneficial Insects
QUESTION Client requested identification of a large beetle found in her yard. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION Harpalus pensylvanicus, common name Pennsylvania dingy ground beetle. It is a beneficial insect. ADDITIONAL … [Read more...]
Seed Saving Basics
Have you wondered whether you can replant seeds from your garden? Here is basic information to help you get started with saving seeds. Read More: … [Read more...]
Luscious Lettuce, Crisp Kale: What to Grow for a Flavorful Fall Veggie Garden
Summer’s sultry days may find you melting in the garden, but heavenly homegrown tomatoes and scrumptious sweet corn makes every drop of sweat and mosquito bite worth it. While you’re indulging in tasty homegrown treats, late summer means it’s time to … [Read more...]
Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia
A potentially very serious pest of grapes, peaches, hops, and a variety of other crops, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, was detected in Frederick County, Virginia, on Jan. 10, 2018. It is important to look for … [Read more...]
Gardening Guided by Phenology
For many centuries, farmers took their signs for planting times from nature. Today, we call this study of cyclic biological occurrences phenology. Here are some examples of phenology used by farmers and horticulturists. Read More: … [Read more...]