By now most of your perennials are beginning to start to wind down or preparing for a period of winter dormancy. There are some things that you can do to help them come back next spring looking great. A little work during the final days of autumn will prepare for healthy perennial beds next spring. Be sure to wait…
Pansies grown in Central Virginia are a cool season annual. Pansies can be planted in the fall from late August until approximately Thanksgiving, and in spring starting in late February. Planted either time they should bloom until late May or early June. Pansies are equally easy to grow in the ground and in pots. Growing location and care is similar…
Surviving Summer Heat By: Gary Garner Sr. Summer is officially here. If the summer is anything like the beginning, it is going to be extremely warm if not hot. So far, the number of 90-degree days is unusually high. The question now is how, when and how much do we water what we have planted and what else can we…
Transitioning from Spring to Summer By: Gary Garner Sr. Last weekend we were knocking at the door of record highs in the low to mid 90’s. As I write this it is supposed to be in the 60’s the next few days and back to the low 80’s for the weekend. That’s Virginia weather. Tough to…
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 whatever reason people seem to…
Can potting soil be reused? Potting soil can be reused but there are a few things to keep in mind! In a perfect world we would replace potting soil every year. More realistically, potting soil should be replaced every two to three years. First, potting soil compacts over time. Watering, root growth, and settling of soil all cause potting…
Winter Prep for Spring Success! I thought now might be a good time to look at preparing your garden, either flower or vegetable, for winter as well as getting ready for spring. What you do over the fall and winter months will determine the nutrient levels in the soil next spring and summer. The goal is to replenish the soil…
A Holiday Hallmark What’s left to discover about Poinsettias? Well, for starters, Poinsettias are not poisonous, are available in colors besides red, and the finest are found in garden centers. Ironic, perhaps, that a plant with legendary, child-centered origins is often seen as one dangerous to children. According to the Poisondex TM Information Service, a 50-pound child could eat 500…
Fall Planting By: Gary Garner Sr. It is now time to start planting fall cole crops, flowers, etc., at least according to the calendar. Then I take a look at the thermometer, it reads 93, feeling like 100 and I’m not so certain I want to do much planting. People have started to plant fall vegetables. Cabbage, broccoli, and other…
Nothing says fall like Mums! Originally from China, they were brought to Europe in the 1600’s. Mums have been cultivated for over 2500 years and continue to increase in popularity. There are now over 5000 varieties in cultivation. Through hybridization, many flower forms are available such as daisy, pompon, cushion, buttons, decorative spiders, and spoon-petal. They are also available in…
