VPM
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VPM
Get a close-up view of the microbial life inside of plants and soil at a Cooperative Extension laboratory. Visit a colonial style garden to learn about flowers and herbs grown to make colorful dyes for fabric.
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VPM/VPMDiscover popular houseplant varieties and learn about their care. Visit a garden featuring unique herbs and discuss their uses beyond the kitchen. -
I am looking forward to consistently warmer weather so we can plant our heat-loving crops such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers and melons. However, what I am not excited about are the increased number of pests and diseases that come along with the warm weather.
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We all know the heat is coming; it’s only a few weeks away. Rather than react, I act now by taking a few simple steps to keep the landscape green, growing and resilient.
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Tim Wright/VPMExplore state and national champion trees at Richmond’s historic Maymont park. Tour Dragon Run on the Middle Peninsula to learn about bald cypress and the old growth forest network.
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PhotoJuthamat - stock.adobe.com/376424661Is your soil ready for your plants? This is a great question and most of us might just look at the soil to say yes — it looks loamy and has that black, rich color, or no — it looks like red Virginia clay to me! There is so much more to soil than meets the eye, and I want to introduce the best way to know more about what is in your dirt: the soil test.
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I garden with deer, where more than a dozen think my gardens are their personal restaurant to browse through. I have gardened with deer for many years, and through research backed by expensive trial and error on my part, I now only buy plants with specific traits.
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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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A common question fellow gardeners ask me is about what my favorite plants are. While I have a few favorites, I really do like almost all plants so trying to choose just a few is difficult.
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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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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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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… -
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.
