It's shaped like an obese banana, tastes like mango custard and is probably growing wild within miles of your home, but chances are you've never tasted a pawpaw. By Su Clauson-Wicker Special to The Roanoke Times Read more: … [Read more...]
Food Planning During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Start Simple with MyPlate. During a pandemic, you may be taking extra precautions to keep you and your family safe and prepared, including making sure you have everything you need at home. This guide contains information on food planning, … [Read more...]
(NEW!) Home Vegetable Gardening Web Page
Welcome Vegetable and Fruit Gardeners! Are you a new or experienced Virginia vegetable gardener? Virginia Cooperative Extension can help. See our resource guide and reach out to your local Extension Master Gardeners for answers to all … [Read more...]
Companion Planting
Plant neighbor relationships might take several forms. First, they may improve the health or flavor of a companion. Second, they may interfere with the growth of a neighbor. Third, they may repel or trap an undesirable critter. Companion plant may … [Read more...]
25 Foods You Can Re-Grow Yourself from Kitchen Scraps
Food is expensive. If you do the grocery shopping for your household, you know that this is one of the highest costs related to your home and family. While it may be unlikely that you can completely eliminate your grocery bill, you can grow certain … [Read more...]
Native Fruit and Nut Trees and Shrubs of the Virginia Mountains and Piedmont
Native fruit and nut trees can be grown to produce food for people and/or wildlife while protecting soil, water and air quality. Because they are multifunctional, native fruit and nut trees and shrubs are prime candidates for agroforestry plantings … [Read more...]
Starting Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is the perfect “fix” for the gardener with cabin fever and a need to get their hands in the soil or simply a desire to get a head start on spring. Despite the frigid temperatures, March is the time to make a seed-planting … [Read more...]
Elderberry as a Medicinal Plant by D. Charlebois
Folk medicine has been around for millennia exploiting first wild then cultivated plants to prevent or cure a myriad of illnesses. Continued: … [Read more...]
ISI Tomatoes
Though paper garden catalogs are not as plentiful as in years past, many of you are finding that your mailboxes contain these dream packets. If not, a quick internet search will yield a plethora of seed companies to peruse. Ask anyone who … [Read more...]
BEST NEW VEGETABLES, HERBS, AND FRUITS OF 2020
We’re only about nine weeks away from traditional pea-planting time (St. Patrick’s Day) and the beginning of a new growing season. It’s not too soon to think about what to buy, order, or make plans to plant while the selection is best. Especially … [Read more...]