Off the top of your head, how many shows can you think of that lasted 25 or more seasons on television? It’s not particularly common these days, but VPM’s longest-running show, Virginia Home Grown (VHG), is set to begin its 25th season when it premieres a new episode on Mar. 25 at 8 p.m. on VPM PBS.
“Connecting with fellow gardeners through the show, online or in the community brings me joy. I relish exploring new ideas to feature on the show and enjoy meeting and engaging with each expert guest,” said VHG host and co-producer Peggy Singlemann. “I am really looking forward to this celebratory year and Bryant will highlight lookbacks throughout the season. I must admit, I pinch myself at times when I think about being a guest on the first episode and many that followed with Richard Nunnally and Amy Barton Williams; what great memories.”
The season premiere episode investigates how large trees are cared for and protected and will explore state and national champion trees at Richmond’s historic Maymont. Viewers will also get a tour of the Dragon Run watershed on the Middle Peninsula to learn about bald cypress and the old growth forest network.
When Virginia Home Grown was developed 25 years ago, one of the key elements was to include the audience by answering their gardening questions live on the air. “Everyone that sends a question to us gets a personal response, between episodes and year-round. I think that audience connection has been key to the ongoing popularity of the show,” said VHG senior producer Bryant Dameron. “Another interesting thing about hearing from our audience so frequently has been to see the shift in the type of questions we receive over the years. There is a real growing interest in native plants and supporting pollinators. That’s a great sign for our environment.”
Meet the VHG team
Want to meet the VHG team in person? Your opportunity is coming up! Viewers will have the chance to meet the VHG Team in person at the RVA Big Market in Richmond’s Bryan Park. Visitors at the farmer's market on Saturday, May 10th will be able to make their own wildflower seedballs and receive a free native plant when they visit the Virginia Home Grown booth.
Connect with Peggy
In February, host Peggy Singlemann joined GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening to discuss rain gardens and local gardening events. You can listen to the episode here, or watch the episode on YouTube.
A few weeks later, Peggy was featured in a profile from Virginia Living’s April 2025 issue. There’s also an accompanying article available for free where she shared a list of undervalued plants that are native to Virginia.
Want to learn more about Peggy or get additional gardening tips? You can connect with Peggy on her website RVA Gardener, Instagram and her Facebook page.
You can watch episodes of Virginia Home Grown here.
VHG’s mission is to enrich growers and gardeners of all levels by connecting to new voices and fresh ideas, to highlight the unique richness of gardens and natural ecosystems throughout Virginia and serve as a resource for our community. The show introduces audiences to experts and plant enthusiasts from across Virginia by offering how-to demos and video visits to gardens, farms and growing sites. VHG believes gardening is for everyone and that we’re all growing and learning together. Watch live and join the conversation via email at [email protected] or on VHG’s Facebook.
