You’ve worked hard preparing your garden, planting seeds, pulling weeds, watering, fertilizing, and waiting. When can you finally enjoy your garden’s bounty? Each crop has its own peak ripeness and best time to be picked. Here are some general guidelines and specifics for vegetables I grow in my garden. Generally, it’s best to harvest early …
As the summer sun sizzles, let’s chat about keeping those tomato plants happy and healthy. Tomatoes love a good dose of warmth, ideally basking in temps between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. But when the thermometer hits 95 or above, our tomato buddies might start feeling the heat – literally. They could stop growing, and …
As gardeners, we have the seemingly endless task of improving and maintaining the health of our soil. Composting is a commonly used strategy. But this is a labor-intensive task. The novice gardener will quickly realize it is difficult to make enough compost for even a small garden. And anyone with physical limitations may find building …
Hanover master gardener David Sumner has spent many years learning and experimenting with growing fruits in his Central Virginia garden. In this article, he shares the six easy fruits to grow and will provide delicious fruit for you and your family for years. As Master Gardeners, we are often asked for advice on how to …
So, here’s the deal: those fancy plants you see in most home gardens? They’re not doing much for our local bugs and critters. Our native insects have grown up with our native plants, and they need them to eat and live out their life cycles. And guess what? Our songbirds need those insects to survive …
Materials needed Opaque, flexible plastic bin, approximately 18 x 20 x 15 inches Shredded newspaper Water Compost or soil (a few handfuls) Drill with 1/4 inch bit Red wiggler worms that are given away by Hanover Master Gardeners or sold in bait shops or over the internet (do not use earthworms) To make bin Drill …
So you want to start a garden? Congratulations! What a joy! The good news is that you’re about to start a process that connects you to your neighbors, good teachers, wonderful peers, and to some of the Earth’s plants, bugs and microorganisms. The bad news is that you are jumping into a sea of information …
By addressing these tasks in December, you’ll ensure that your garden remains protected during the winter months and be well-prepared for the gardening season ahead. Flower Beds, Trees, and Shrubs: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs to insulate roots against freezing temperatures. This is especially important for newly …
Grafting, a fundamental technique in gardening, unites the fates of two plants. This process involves merging the upper part of one plant, known as the scion, with the lower portion of another, called the understock. Essentially, the scion becomes the upper structure of the resulting plant, while the understock transforms into either the root system …
How to Choose How to Store Apples Good source of fiber and vitamin C. Contain carotenoids and flavonoids that may be good for health. Choose firm, shiny, smooth-skinned apples with intact stems. Should smell fresh, not musty. Refrigerate apples in perforated plastic bag away from foods with strong odors. Use within three weeks. Can …
![](https://hanovermastergardeners.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-VCE-Web.jpg")