All living creatures need water to survive. They use it for: HydratingCleansingModerating body temperatureReproducing If you are not fortunate enough to have a pond or stream near your garden, you can create an adequate water source by … [Read more...]
Planting Natives to Attract Pollinators and Birds
Native plants attract a variety of birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife by providing diverse habitats and food sources. Native plants feed the insects that are the base of the food web, and insects that are especially important as food … [Read more...]
The Importance of Pollinators
Pollinators like native bees, moths and butterflies, birds, bats and other animals are hard at work providing vital but often unnoticed services. They pollinate crops like apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melon, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, … [Read more...]
Two-Horned Trapa (Trapa bispinosa) An Invasive Aquatic Plant
Invasive Pests Invasive pests (plants, insects, diseases, and others) cause enormous economic damage, as well as environmental damage. These displace or destroy beneficial and native plants and animals, reduce biodiversity. The annual economic … [Read more...]
When To Dig Up Tulips: How To Cure Tulip Bulbs For Planting
Tulips are special – ask any gardener who grows the bright, beautiful blossoms. That’s why it’s no surprise that the care requirements for tulip bulbs are different than for other spring bulbs. There are over 150 different species of tulip, each with … [Read more...]
Stake your Tomatoes
Don't wait to stake and trellis your tomatoes until they are large! It is much easier start when they are a foot tall and you can sucker as you go along. CONTINUE SOURCE: PennState Extension … [Read more...]
Create New Garden Beds with Sheet Composting and Sheet Mulching
The amount of work usually associated with creating a new garden bed can be challenging. Removing grass and weeds, digging up the area, and incorporating fertilizer or other amendments into the soil can be labor intensive. Fortunately, there is a … [Read more...]
2023 BAMGA PLANT SALE
The Bedford Extension Master Gardeners have been busy preparing for our annual PLANT SALE which takes place THIS Saturday, April 29th from 9am - 1pm, at the Cooperative Extension Office, 1257 County Farm Rd. in Bedford, VA. We have a large variety … [Read more...]
Pollinator Plants; Mid-Atlantic Region
Providing wildflower-rich habitat is the most significant action you can take to support pollinators. Adult bees, butterflies, and other pollinators require nectar as their primary food source, and female bees collect pollen as food for their … [Read more...]
How to Grow and Care for Canterbury Bells
Canterbury bells (Campanula rotundifolia) are a biennial plant popular in European and North American landscapes. It is a medium-sized specimen with an upright form featuring numerous vibrant, sweet-smelling bell-shaped flowers that range from white … [Read more...]