In the wild, solitary insect species, like wood-boring beetles and solitary bees, search for cavities in wood to lay eggs. These cavities are typically left by burrowing beetles, woodpeckers, or the tree’s own natural growth. Some species, like … [Read more...]
Virginia’s Noxious Weeds
Lilacs: Identify and Manage Problems
Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a woody shrub grown for its extremely fragrant flowers in mid to late spring, depending on the location. Read more: … [Read more...]
PHILADELPHIA
FLEABANE
Erigeron philadelphicus L
Philadelphia fleabane is a native, biennial or short-lived, somewhat weedy, perennialherb. Read More: … [Read more...]
Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)
Yellow nutsedge—sometimes referred to as nutgrass—is a persistent weed problem in lawns, athletic fields, and golf course turf. This species thrives in moist, poorly drained soils and can persist in full sun and moderate shade. Yellow nutsedge … [Read more...]
Bulbous Buttercup
Bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) is a perennial weed prevalent in pastures and hayfields, and occasionally, in lawns and gardens. Continued: … [Read more...]
Drinking Water Testing Program for Bedford County Residents
The Bedford Extension Office is offering a drinking water testing program for citizens on private water systems (wells, springs, etc.) interested in evaluating the quality of their water. The registration link follows. Details … [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...]
From the Help Desk – Isn’t That Just Plum-Dandy!
QUESTION The client called about a 6-yr old plum tree that had fruit for 3 years but not for last 2 even though it bloomed well. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION The problem was identified as a lack of a pollinator variety. Japanese plums … [Read more...]