The name of a plant is based on an original description, the earliest use of the name generally being the most relevant, dating back as far as 1753 for flowering plants, when Linnaeus published his concept of the binomial naming system. Read on: … [Read more...]
It’s January: Time to Plan Your Garden
Playing in dirt is a gardener’s delight. We may tend to think of planting early crops such as peas, salad greens, and potatoes as the beginning of the gardening season. In truth, the work of gardening begins long before that, and it starts in the … [Read more...]
GET GARDENING- A New Video Series
Happy New Year, everyone!!! Although 2022 has just begun, make no mistake - the growing season is right around the corner! Are you ready to get growing? The Virginia Cooperative Extension office has created a resource just for you! Give … [Read more...]
Make good use of your garden’s leftovers
By Audrey Gillespie When we finish eating a big holiday meal, we are left with a decision about what to do with all those leftovers. How many ways can you dress up a piece of turkey before it is gone? In the same way, we have some garden … [Read more...]
Twas the Night Before Christmas – Gardener’s Edition
“Twas the Night before Christmas and All Through the Yard,Not a plant was left standing, the ground it was hard.The tools were all hung in the garage with careA well-deserved rest now that the garden was bare. The bulbs were nestled all snug in … [Read more...]
A Longwood Christmas Outdoor Display (YouTube)
Here's a treat, right from your own computer. Turn up your sound and enter full screen once you get to the site. Sit back and enjoy! A Longwood Christmas Outdoor DisplayGet ready for a birds-eye view of our spectacular outdoor light display. … [Read more...]
8 Uses for your Tree After Christmas
The end of Christmas doesn’t have to be the end of life for your living Christmas tree. If you had a real Christmas tree this year you can extend its life and use beyond the home. Here are 8 ways to responsibly recycle your Christmas tree for other … [Read more...]
Gift ideas for gardeners on 2020 Christmas lists
“’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the yard, not a plant was left standing, and the ground was hard.” So begins Karen Geisler’s gardener adaptation of Clement Clarke Moore’s Christmas classic “The Night Before Christmas.” … [Read more...]
Pets and Poisonous Holiday Plants
The holidays are always a great time to brighten up our homes with ornamental plants. Some of these plants are fairly safe, but others can pose a danger to our pets. Unfortunately, they don't know which plants are good or bad for them, so make sure … [Read more...]
EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT “AUDREY”!
We have a guest at the Dept of Parks/Rec and Virginia Cooperative Extension building. What an honor to welcome Audrey, the philodendron, to our ranks. She is a beauty for sure and is the treasure of Byron Maddox, a fellow master gardener. We … [Read more...]