How often do you find yourself wondering what the difference is between an heirloom and an open-pollinated seed variety? Or an F1 hybrid and a GMO? Misconceptions about these terms are rampant. Read more: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Seed catalogs made easy
There are almost as many seed catalogs as seed displays at your local garden centers attempting to convince you to purchase the seeds they sell. So, how do you decide what to purchase, and how many packets you will need? CONTINUE SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Seed and Seedling Biology
Viable seeds are living entities. They must contain living, healthy embryonic tissue in order to germinate. Read on: … [Read more...]
Start Sowing Early To Extend Your Growing Season
It is one of the big questions each gardening season – when exactly should you get started? When is the right time to sow seeds or plant out crops? Read more: … [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...]
Did You Receive Any Mystery Seed Packages?
Public Asked To Report Receipt of any Unsolicited Packages of Seeds. July 27, 2020- The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has been notified that several Virginia residents have received unsolicited packages … [Read more...]
Cross Pollination In Plants: Cross Pollinating Vegetables
Can cross pollination in vegetable gardens occur? Can you get a zumato or a cucumelon? Read More: … [Read more...]
Starting Plants Indoors From Seeds
Many flowers and vegetables may be started from seeds indoors. Vigorous plants started indoors flower sooner and produce an earlier harvest than plants started outdoors. Seeds of certain species, however, are best sown directly outdoors when weather … [Read more...]
Vegetable Gardening in January
As is the natural cycle of things, January in the Virginia Piedmont is a period of dormancy and regeneration for our outdoor plants and for gardeners. It is ideally a relaxing time of planning and preparation for the coming spring, with a little bit … [Read more...]
Help Birds Survive the Winter by Skipping Fall Yard Work
Forget manicuring your lawn this fall. Endangered birds need messy yards to survive the winter. There are a billion fewer birds in North America than there were 40 years ago, and a fifth of the bird species on the continent are listed as … [Read more...]