If you take a look around any garden center the week leading up to Mother’s Day, you’ll see lots of flowers and plants flying off the shelves in preparation to be given as gifts to dear old Mom. Roses are a common gift, but so are container plants and hanging baskets. Container gardening is more popular than ever, thanks in part to recent garden trends … Continue reading Container gardening brightens small spaces
Most people know that my day job is serving at the agriculture extension agent for WVU Extension Service in Kanawha County. Some people might even know what that means, while I bet a great many people have no idea what extension is or how it works. This week, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act by President Woodrow Wilson, which … Continue reading Extension Service marks 100 years
There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation these days concerning the origin and safety of everyday garden seeds. While I do appreciate many of our heirloom seeds, I also appreciate what hybrid seeds bring to the table. Unfortunately, misinformation has led to a great number of home gardeners believing that hybrid seeds are genetically modified and unsafe. It is amazing to see … Continue reading Should I be planting hybrid seeds?
This week we celebrate two days that help us turn our attention toward making our planet a better place. On Tuesday, we celebrate Earth Day, which turns our consciousness to the Earth, and more specifically, to our place in it. Then on Friday, we celebrate National Arbor Day (for some reason, West Virginia Arbor Day was April 11), when we celebrate the role of trees on the … Continue reading Give thanks for trees, and plant a new one
Many people ask me what my best suggestion is for starting a vegetable garden. Hands down, the first suggestion that comes out of my mouth is to garden in raised beds. There are just too many benefits to raised beds not to make them a serious part of your garden. For a modest up-front investment of money, time and labor, you can enjoy years of … Continue reading Raise your garden to the next level
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is one of those things that people either absolutely love or absolutely hate. I stand firmly in the love column. I bet that most people who say they hate asparagus have only tasted the soggy spears that plop out of cans. Canned asparagus cannot even compare to fresh, especially if it is home- or locally grown. First, a little history Asparagus has … Continue reading Asparagus brings spring delight
It’s that time of year again. It is the time of year when we celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, famed for driving the snakes from the Emerald Isle (I’ve been there, and an affirm that it is, indeed, very green). People don their green apparel, maybe drink a little too much, and advertise their Irish heritage (even if they have none). Many … Continue reading St. Patrick’s day is time to think potatoes
You’ve heard me extoll the virtues of composting before. It is, afterall, a win-win situation; you reduce the amount of waste going from your kitchen and garden into the landfill and you get a wonderful soil amendment in the process. It is the gardener’s equivalent of Jed Clampett’s black gold – but while it is valuable in the garden, it won’t get you a Beverly … Continue reading Composting turns trash into garden treasure
Gardeners tend to see the world around them in two different ways, either as a landscape or as a practical/utilitarian food-producing spot. Some gardeners only enjoy landscape gardening, growing roses, shrubs and perennials that provide beauty. Other gardeners only grow vegetables and fruit, seeing produce as the ultimate goal of gardening. Even those gardeners who do both still treat their landscape and food gardens discretely, … Continue reading Sometimes its OK to play with your food
As we edge closer and closer to spring (wishful thinking?), it is time to start thinking about pruning up a few of the trees and shrubs in your yard. Pruning is necessary to keep your plants healthy, growing strong and producing flowers and fruits in abundance. And it requires proper technique and correct timing. The timing of pruning depends upon when the tree or shrub … Continue reading Pruning is a mix of art, science
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