IT’S NOW AUGUST: THE LAST FULL SUMMER MONTH Yes, August can be tough for gardening, mainly because of the heat, high humidity, and dryness that make being outside and working in the garden a little unbearable. But don’t fret, as August is also the GATEWAY TO FALL, and the all-important FALL IS FOR PLANTING season comes … Read more
Every room in our house could almost always be improved by adding some fresh greenery, but the question is whether the greenery could improve the room. If the room is like a bathroom with no windows or a room where the windows are almost always covered, then I’m afraid you’re looking at finding some nice … Read more
NOW IS THE TIME WHAT IS A SOIL TEST? Simply put, a soil test is a soil management tool used to assess your soil’s fertility. In a soil test, elements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and others are chemically extracted from the soil and then measured for their plant availability. The right balance of … Read more
After dinner, I often go out to my deck and enjoy the fact that the temperature is a few degrees cooler than it was a few hours ago, while appreciating the fireflies that are beginning to come out. Only now it’s even more special because I’ve planted some flowers around the deck that bloom at … Read more
So, what does July mean for us gardeners here in Central Virginia? Usually, it means HHH – Hazy, Hot, and Humid. We just need to hope for some timely rainfall to help with watering our lawns and gardens. If we do get beneficial rainfall, these longer days and warmer soil temperatures can help create ideal … Read more
One of the catchphrases I hear a lot is garden sustainably. So what is sustainable gardening? The goal of sustainable gardening is to leave our environment as good as or better than we found it. So how do we do that? Watering One of the first things we can do is to remember that water … Read more
WHO’S READY TO KILL SOME BUGS? Recently, the Richmond area has recorded its first sighting of the dreaded Spotted Lanternfly. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect native to China and Vietnam that experts say threatens natural ecosystems and agriculture. SLF often congregate in huge numbers on the trucks of trees in the evening. … Read more
Sunday, July 16th, is World Snake Day. I used to be one of those people who shook my head and muttered “gross” when someone mentioned snakes. However, I’ve learned a lot and now know that snakes have a job to do, so I should just get out of their way and let them do it. … Read more
CELEBRATING BLUEBERRIES IN JULY You may not know that July is NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH. The National American Blueberry Council founded National Blueberry Month and is officially recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture since 2003. Blueberries have been a part of Native American diets for thousands of years for both food consumption and for … Read more
So here’s something different—put down that garden hose and just look at that tomato. How much bigger is it than when you planted it a few weeks ago? Look at those tiny new leaves and those golden yellow flowers. You did that. Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back for giving this … Read more
