With all the news about giant hogweed, we might think it is what we should be on the lookout for in our gardens. Continued: … [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...]
Planting warm-season seeds in the garden
The power of a seed goes almost unnoticed, most everyone wants to start some, but few succeed. The mystery and hope all packed in a little seed is perplexing but powerful. The most powerful part to me: it is a miracle every time one sprouts. Once you … [Read more...]
Early Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers
By Lark Wells Wildflowers By Lark Wells Looking forward to spring? Ready to open the windows for some fresh air and take a walk or bike ride on your favorite local trail? While you’re out, take a look at the splashes of color by the … [Read more...]
Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica
Virginia bluebells is a native wildflower found in moist woodlands and river flood plains in eastern North America from New York to Minnesota up into Canada (Ontario and Quebec), and from Kansas to Alabama. Mertensia virginica is one of about 40 … [Read more...]
Weed Identification Photos
Accurate plant identification and understanding the lifecycle of the plant are essential when it comes to weed management. Continued: … [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...]
Wildflower of the Year 2022 Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Buttonbush is a shrub or small tree commonly attaining heights up to about 6 m, occasionally twice that size. Leaves are opposite or whorled, elliptic to ovate, 2-8 cm wide, and 6-15 cm long; margins are entire and apices are acute or cuspidate, … [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...]
Solving the bagworm problem without chemicals
Sooner or later, most landscapes have to deal with a bagworm problem. Sometimes the hungry pests only threaten one or two trees in a landscape. But they can really ruin the party when it comes to the classic, evergreen privacy buffer. Continued: … [Read more...]