A Practical Guide to Growing Fresh Herbs Indoors All Season Long As the outdoor gardening season winds down, you don’t have to say goodbye to fresh, flavorful herbs. Herbs grown indoors don’t care what the temperature is outside, whether there’s rain or snow or what season it is. Growing herbs indoors during the winter is …
An Overview of Cold-Season Agriculture Winter doesn’t mean you have to stop growing! Winter crops refer to plants that are sown in the fall and harvested in late winter or early spring. These crops are specially selected for their ability to withstand colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours, allowing farmers and/or gardeners to make productive …
Essential Steps for Creating a Fire-Resilient Property Even without a drought, wildfires are a growing concern across many regions, threatening lives, homes, and natural resources. Being “Firewise” means taking proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk around your home and property. This article provides high-level practical strategies to create a defensible landscape that helps protect your …
Understanding Aphids, Their Behavior, and Effective Control Methods Aphids, bugs in the superfamily Aphidoidea, sometimes known as plant lice, are among the most common garden pests worldwide. These tiny, soft-bodied insects are notorious for their ability to reproduce rapidly and damage a wide range of plants, from ornamental roses to essential food crops. Though small …
Why You Should Plant Native Plants The Benefits of Choosing Natives for Your Garden and Landscape Introduction Over the past century, urbanization has taken intact, ecologically productive land and fragmented and transformed it with lawns and exotic ornamental plants. Unfortunately, most of the landscaping plants available in nurseries are alien species from other countries. Landscaping …
Sustainable and Creative Ways to Use Autumn Leaves Each autumn, trees shed their leaves, covering yards and gardens with a colorful blanket. While it may be tempting to simply bag them up and throw them away, there are many practical, eco-friendly, and creative ways to use fallen leaves. Keeping leaves out of landfills helps reduce …
Water-wise practices focus on managing water and plants efficiently by using plants that need less supplemental water. This approach also involves grouping plants based on their water needs to use water more effectively. Adopting water-wise practices can greatly reduce water usage, making your garden more sustainable and eco-friendly. It also lowers maintenance efforts and costs …
Mastering the Art of Watering: A Guide to Thriving Gardens Watering is a cornerstone of gardening, but it requires balance. Too little, and plants wilt from dehydration; too much, and roots drown, leading to disease. Adequate watering isn’t just about frequency—it’s about timing, technique, and conservation. Why Smart Watering Matters Healthy plants depend on proper …
Another way to be water-wise is through plant selection. Limit plants with high water needs and try alternatives like water-wise natives. Native plants have adapted to our climate, require less water, and are more resistant to pests and diseases. They also benefit native animals, including birds and pollinators. These plants not only conserve water but …
This write-up is starting with a shout-out to the two Master Gardeners who conducted the mini session titled Seed Starting at the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) Seed Swap held on February 1, 2025. Attending the mini session inspired the following experiment being conducted by the Hanover County Master Gardeners. It’s ...
