With all those mums and pumpkins at garden centers and farmers markets, how can we select the best and make them last? CONTINUE SOURCE: Clemson Cooperative Extension … [Read more...]
Planting Trees – Tree Selection and Planting – Right Tree, Right Place
Many trees planted each year by well-meaning homeowners and community workers will never flourish because they are hopelessly unsuited for the conditions in which they are placed. Before rushing in to plant just any available trees, do enough … [Read more...]
Native PawPaw Tree
The pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) is a native fruit-bearing tree that grows in the eastern United States, from Canada to Florida, and as far west as Nebraska. The pawpaw fruit resembles a green mango, and the tree has many nicknames including … [Read more...]
Ticks
There are a number of species of Ticks found in Virginia including the Lonestar Tick, the Blacklegged Tick (also known as the Deer Tick), the American Dog Tick and the Asian Longhorn Tick. The areas of Virginia where these ticks are active varies. … [Read more...]
Ground Beetles – Beneficial Insects
QUESTION Client requested identification of a large beetle found in her yard. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION Harpalus pensylvanicus, common name Pennsylvania dingy ground beetle. It is a beneficial insect. ADDITIONAL … [Read more...]
Luscious Lettuce, Crisp Kale: What to Grow for a Flavorful Fall Veggie Garden
Summer’s sultry days may find you melting in the garden, but heavenly homegrown tomatoes and scrumptious sweet corn makes every drop of sweat and mosquito bite worth it. While you’re indulging in tasty homegrown treats, late summer means it’s time to … [Read more...]
From the Help Desk – DEFOLIATED JAPANESE BARBERRY BUSHES
ISSUE: Client has barberry shrubs with webbing and defoliation, with bushes looking terrible. DIAGNOSIS / RECOMMENDATION The problem is the barberry webworm (Omphalocera dentosa). Defoliated branches and webs can be cut out and … [Read more...]
Dahlia Types Explained
Dahlias are becoming increasingly popular in landscapes and make excellent additions to border plantings, flowerpots, and cut-flower gardens. They flower continuously from summer through the first frost and will bloom prolifically if spent … [Read more...]
13 Zucchini Diseases: How to Identify, Prevent, and Treat Them
Zucchini is one of the most beginner-friendly garden vegetables around. These fast growing and prolific summer squash can be planted once and yield all summer long. Although they aren’t totally immune to problems, there are many simple organic fixes … [Read more...]
What Virginians Need to Know About the 2022 Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Expansion
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine will be expanded in July 2022 to include the following cities and counties: Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Manassas, … [Read more...]