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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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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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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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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Tour a garden in Rappahannock County designed to restore and preserve the natural ecosystem. Visit a business in Northern Virginia committed to creating sustainable landscapes using local ecotypes.
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With the fall colors peaking and falling the annual chore of dealing with the carpet of leaves looms in the minds of many homeowners. Leaves are regarded as a nuisance rather than valued for the many benefits they provide.
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Fall is the perfect time to plant, seed and relocate perennials. As the weather cools, the soil retains more moisture, therefore there’s less heat stress on the plants so they can acclimate better to their new location.
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The project takes donated firearms and converts them into garden tools.
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Meet a group in Loudoun organizing homeowner associations to remove and replace invasive plants. Then visit the Appomattox River to learn about riparian buffer repair and wildlife habitat restoration.
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The Department of Conservation and Recreation has identified plant species that cause ecological and economic harm in the Virginia. These plants have shown demonstrable evidence of threatening forests, native grasslands, wetlands or waterways. The species are grouped by their invasive impact. Plants with higher invasiveness alter ecosystems, displace native plant communities, spread in new areas quickly and are more difficult to control.
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With the soil still warm, October is an excellent time to add compost, vermicompost and other organic matter to the gardens.
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As the days inevitably get shorter in fall, often the heat breaks and rain is part of the forecast. Fall is often the best time of year to plant trees and…
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Meet farmers committed to environmental stewardship. Visit a family farm in Sedalia sustainably producing fruits, vegetables and eggs. Learn about a Richmond farmer’s mission to reconnect the community to food with regenerative growing practices.
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September is caterpillar season — and it is important to let them enjoy their meal. This is part of the circle of life!
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As gardeners, we all are looking for more space to grow. And I’m no exception.
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Tour a cut-flower microfarm in Norfolk specializing in native perennials to support pollinators. Visit a home landscape in Stanardsville designed to provide habitat for birds and insects.
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Whew, it’s hard to believe August 6th marks the peak of summer, with the first day of fall just 48 days later. Per the 2023 update, the first frost dates for USDA cold hardiness zones 6 and 7 now range from early October to early November. All this means there is still plenty of time to garden!
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Watering on hot days may seem like it makes sense, but maybe it's time we re-think that method.
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Meet organizations growing greener communities. Explore a farm in Petersburg empowering youth to become stewards of their local food systems. Visit ReLeaf Cville and learn how planting trees to provide shade creates healthier neighborhoods.
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Recently, I visited my sister — and while there I joined in on her daily walks. During one, she told me about a plant she received from a friend and called it Bishop’s weed. I am not the best at common names, particularly when in a different part of the country, so I wondered which plant she was referring to. This experience always leaves me wondering about gardeners who rely solely on common names.