Vegetable Garden – Gary's Garden Center

State of Vegetable Gardens 2024

Gardens & Yards, Vegetable GardenJune 27, 202412KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Vegetable gardens are… HOT and DRY… It’s been a tough start for the vegetable garden season this year. If your garden seems to be struggling, don’t take it personal, you probably have done nothing wrong. It’s just one of “those” years. A few notes about what we are seeing and hearing: Increased Blossom End Rot…

Watering 101

Flower Decor, Gardens & Yards, Houseplants Guide, Landscaping, Plant Care, Vegetable GardenJune 25, 20248KViews 0Likes 2Comments

Watering 101 “How often do I water my plant?” is undoubtedly the most frequently asked question about plants and also one of the hardest questions to answer! Here’s the simple answer: Water when the plant gets dry. 9 out of 10 times when we see a watering problem it is due to overwatering - for…

Fresh pickled homegrown tomatoes sitting on a counter

Our Favorite Tomato!

Gardens & Yards, Vegetable GardenMay 1, 20246KViews 0Likes 0Comments

We often get asked what our favorite variety of tomato is! Here’s each of the Gary’s answers to that question! Gary Sr. Cherokee Purple Favorite: “Celebrity! A nice sized 8 oz. tomato that keeps well and has a good taste. Great for both canning and fresh eating!” Gary Jr. (Nelson) Favorite: “Cherokee…

Deer Oh Deer – The Solution

Gardens & Yards, Landscaping, Plant Care, Vegetable GardenApril 29, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

We hear so much about problems people have with deer. The last few years, deer have started eating plants they’ve never touched before... It’s not uncommon to hear of 10-15 deer roaming through neighborhoods in the central Virginia area. Deer often take the blame for damage done by other animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and…

Spring 2024 is here!

Gardens & Yards, Landscaping, Lawn Care, Vegetable GardenApril 1, 20249KViews 0Likes 0Comments

SPRING THOUGHTS By: Gary Garner Sr. Spring is now here. If you are an avid gardener, then you are ready to get outside and start digging and planting. Doesn’t it feel good to get your hands dirty? Many of us have taken advantage of the early warm days to deal with some of our…

Vegetable Gardening 101

Gardens & Yards, Vegetable GardenMarch 30, 202416KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Vegetable Gardening 101 By: Gary Garner Sr. It’s that time of the year and anyone that gardens even a little has the itch to get outside and starting to play in the soil and get something in the ground. The ones of us that have gardened most, if not all…

Plant Hardiness Zones Updated by USDA

Gardens & Yards, Home Orchard, Landscaping, Lawn Care, Plant Care, Vegetable GardenJanuary 22, 20243KViews 0Likes 0Comments

USDA Hardness Zone Updates In November 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated Plant Hardiness Zone map! Central Virginia remains firmly in zone 7 Much of the area shifted to the slightly warmer zone 7b (5° to 10° F) Small pockets remain in…

Ready or not fall is coming!

Gardens & Yards, Vegetable GardenAugust 2, 202311KViews 0Likes 0Comments

I’M THINKING FALL By: Gary Garner Sr. It’s nearly ninety degrees and the sun is shining. Yes, it's early August and summer gardens are still at peak production. Summer flowers are gorgeous. All the weather signs say it's summer and it is. However, if we are going to have nice fall flowers…

wilted squash plants planted in the ground

Wilted Plants… Too Dry? Too Wet? Heat Wilt?

Gardens & Yards, Plant Care, Vegetable GardenMay 28, 20237KViews 0Likes 0Comments

A common myth: Wilted plants always need more water… FALSE! Plants often wilt due to heat… in nurseryman’s terms it is called a “heat wilt”. Leaves may go limp and wilt because they are losing water faster than they can replenish it. However, that doesn’t always mean the plant needs water. If the soil…

Spring 2023 has Sprung!

Gardens & Yards, Lawn Care, Plant Care, Vegetable GardenMarch 30, 20239KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Spring has Sprung! By: Gary Garner Sr It’s now spring. By the calendar and by signs from Mother Nature. Mother Nature sent her spring signs early this year. Many spring blooming trees and shrubs have already bloomed or are now in bloom. Winter dormant perennials are beginning…