Coldframes
Management of a coldframe is quite simple if a few basic rules are followed concerning ventilation, watering, and protection from extremes in temperature. Ventilation is most critical in late winter and early spring ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
All-America Selections
Over the years, the All-America Selections trialing program has remained consistent. The breeder is required to send seeds, descriptions, and photographs of each entry. The AAS office gives each entry a coded number ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Planting On Your Septic Drain Field
Prepare the soil for your trees before planting. Roots tend to grow along impermeable surfaces until they find a crack or other "path of least resistance" where they can penetrate. If you plant a tree in shallow ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Professing Favorites Among My Flowers
Verbascum 'Southern Charm' is described in the catalogs as an "elegant newcomer to borders, beds, and cuttings gardens" that will add "delicate, textured pastels to your summer palette. Hundreds of dainty, 1-inch ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Natural, Wild Water Plants Of Virginia
Submerged plants (water milfoil, elodea, watercress, wild celery, and pond weed) grow with most of their parts below the water surface although flowers and seed stalks may, at certain times of the year, extend above ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Concocting Containers
Second, will it look good to you? I know many people feel comfortable buying a container that the staff at the garden center says will look great. But quite frankly, how do they know? They've never been to your house ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Starting Seed Indoors
Seedlings must receive bright light after germination. Place them in a window facing south, if possible. If a large, bright window is not available, place the seedlings under a fluorescent light. Use two 40-watt ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Extra Care Now Means Better Blooms Later
Plant Height: Low, compact, flowering plants are more attractive in the flower bed or border than tall rangy ones. Also, tall ones may be broken during wind or rain storms. Therefore, when your plants are 5 or 6 ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Hanging Baskets
Don't be afraid to combine several different plants in your hanging baskets; however, be sure that the plants have the same light and water requirements. When planting combination baskets, use baskets with simple ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Recycle To Start Seed Indoors
Make a mini-greenhouse from a milk carton, a plastic bag, and a wire coat hanger or other stout wire. Staple the carton shut and cut away one side. Fill with potting media, plant seeds, and add water. Cut the wire ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Flowers Of Pre-Columbian America
Many of our favorite flowers are native to North, South, and Central America. Some were domesticated by American Indians long before the Europeans arrived. The tuberose, for example, has been grown in Mexico for so ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
Four Keys To Successful Container Gardening
Learn to use your fingers to gauge the need for water, then apply enough to run through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. This assures that the soil is thoroughly and uniformly wet and that excess ... [... more]
Virginia Tech Extension |
