Healthy plants start with healthy soil

VPM | By Bryant Dameron

Published May 30, 2024 at 2:05 PM EDT

Peggy Singlemann and Andrew Freiden talk about installing ponds to catch excess runoff from a roof. — High volume rainfall events are becoming more common. Keeping water on site using ponds and rain gardens helps prevent erosion and water quality issues in streams and rivers.

Peggy Singlemann visits meteorologist Andrew Freiden to talk about his work to incorporate native plants, reduce runoff, and build better soil in his lawn and garden.

Shana Williams travels to Virginia State University in Petersburg to meet Derrick Gooden and learn about biochar, an activated charcoal amendment that can improve soil health and structure while sequestering carbon underground.

Robyn Puffenbarger shares tips for maintaining soil in raised beds. Amyrose Foll explains how to use cardboard to suppress weeds in the garden.

Moist, dark garden soil is dug out of the ground. — Keeping garden soil covered in mulch helps retain moisture and adds to the microbial life in the garden.

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Bryant Dameron

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As gardeners, during the winter months we start missing our time in the garden. We spend so much time in our gardens during the warm season, that when we are forced to slow down due to frozen ground or uncomfortable cold, we can start feeling depressed and eager to get back to playing in the soil.
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Peggy’s Favorite Plants

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Growing a Late Winter Garden

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I have always enjoyed going into my backyard and harvesting veggies for a meal, but I find it even more exciting during winter. I often continue growing into the winter by protecting my fall garden beds that get the most sunlight during winter.
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Peggy’s Annual and Perennial Plant Picks

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When I sit in my sunniest room, flipping through the various catalogs stacked at my feet, I know I need to be very careful with the plant choices I make. My years of experience have taught me that these choices will have an impact on my garden — and on my time — until the end of the season.
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Gardening for Birds

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At my house, bird watching and bird feeding is a year-round activity. To make the birds safe in your space, think about adding ‘cover’ so they can approach.
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Gardening in January? Really?

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January is the coldest month of the year for most of the US and many gardeners manage through the month’s 31 days by hibernating inside with garden catalogs at their fingertips. However, just because it is cold outside doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do in the garden.
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Holiday Garden Retreat

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It’s that time of year that’s full of family and friend gatherings; it can be very stressful and overwhelming. During this time, it’s so important to take time to just breathe.
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The Procrastinating Gardener

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Usual questions running through the mind of the procrastinator gardener are: Where did the time go? Is it too late to plant? Can I prune now? The good news is that it’s not too late for most of these tasks.

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Healthy plants start with healthy soil

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