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...]
Soil Preparation
The ideal soil for a vegetable garden is deep, friable,and well-drained with a high organic matter content.Proper soil preparation provides the basis for goodseed germination and the subsequent growth of gardencrops. Read on: … [Read more...]
4 The Soil: A Conversation (Podcasts)
2nd & 4th Tuesdays! Hear and learn from farmers, agricultural professionals, conservation leaders, master gardeners, and many more on how and why to be 4 The Soil. The podcast is a collaboration of Virginia Cooperative Extension, On The Farm … [Read more...]
Wise Watering in Dry Times
We gardeners don’t need a weatherman to know it’s been an abnormally dry year in the Charlottesville area. Federal weather data confirms what we’re seeing in our yards: total precipitation for our locality is around four inches below what we would … [Read more...]
pH for the Garden
Soil pH is important because it influences several soil factors affecting plant growth, such as (1) soil bacteria, (2) nutrient leaching, (3) nutrient availability, (4) toxic elements, and (5) soil structure. Read on: … [Read more...]
MARCH MADNESS! SPRING GARDENING IS AFOOT!
The hot summer months will soon be upon us, so ready or not, it is time to be thinking about all those garden chores that need to be done. The quiet winter and early spring months are great times to get those garden tools and … [Read more...]
Leave the Leaves
At last autumn has arrived, after what seems like an interminable summer. Leaves are beginning to change and will soon be falling. Some people enjoy the annual ritual of raking up leaves, possibly burning them or leaving them on the curb for pickup. … [Read more...]
Cover Crops – Protect and Improve Your Soil
Farmers around the world grow cover crops to increase crop yields. Cover crops, also known as green manures, are an excellent tool for vegetable gardeners, especially where manures and compost are unavailable. They lessen soil erosion during the … [Read more...]
From The Bedford Extension MG Help Desk
QUESTION The client needs to seed a large lawn area (about 5 acres) and was looking for information to help do so. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION It was recommended that the client get a soil test first to determine the appropriate … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Use Pumpkins After Halloween
Once all the trick-or-treating is over and it's time to change your decor to the next holiday, you may be wondering what to do with all your Halloween pumpkins. Tons of them just get tossed in the trash—according to the U.S. Department of Energy, … [Read more...]