Good news, Virginia! The beautiful ruby-throated hummingbird will likely be flying through your neighborhood soon. The annual spring migration is underway, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these lovely creatures as they head northbound. Read … [Read more...]
(NEW!) Home Vegetable Gardening Web Page
Welcome Vegetable and Fruit Gardeners! Are you a new or experienced Virginia vegetable gardener? Virginia Cooperative Extension can help. See our resource guide and reach out to your local Extension Master Gardeners for answers to all … [Read more...]
Companion Planting
Plant neighbor relationships might take several forms. First, they may improve the health or flavor of a companion. Second, they may interfere with the growth of a neighbor. Third, they may repel or trap an undesirable critter. Companion plant may … [Read more...]
Finding Plants That Are Tolerant to Dog Urine
A client wanted to know if there are any plants that would survive her larger male dog’s urinary bathroom breaks. Plus those of neighboring dogs wandering past. RECOMMENDATION As it turns out, increased nitrogen and salts are the primary … [Read more...]
“Spring Cleaning” in the Garden
Spring cleaning is not just for rugs and rooms. Planting beds need attention early in March. Many weed seeds will have already germinated on warm winter days. But, you ask, “is it a weed, or a plant?” Weeds of the Northeast by Richard H. … [Read more...]
25 Foods You Can Re-Grow Yourself from Kitchen Scraps
Food is expensive. If you do the grocery shopping for your household, you know that this is one of the highest costs related to your home and family. While it may be unlikely that you can completely eliminate your grocery bill, you can grow certain … [Read more...]
Top 5 Spring Gardening Chores
Get off to a great gardening year by finishing these tasks early With spring comes spring gardening chores. Put down your gardening catalogs, slip on your gardening gloves and boots, and head out the back door. Time spent outdoors tending to the … [Read more...]
Native Fruit and Nut Trees and Shrubs of the Virginia Mountains and Piedmont
Native fruit and nut trees can be grown to produce food for people and/or wildlife while protecting soil, water and air quality. Because they are multifunctional, native fruit and nut trees and shrubs are prime candidates for agroforestry plantings … [Read more...]
Starting Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is the perfect “fix” for the gardener with cabin fever and a need to get their hands in the soil or simply a desire to get a head start on spring. Despite the frigid temperatures, March is the time to make a seed-planting … [Read more...]
Elderberry as a Medicinal Plant by D. Charlebois
Folk medicine has been around for millennia exploiting first wild then cultivated plants to prevent or cure a myriad of illnesses. Continued: … [Read more...]