Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Many gardeners would agree that marigolds have been making a comeback in recent years, and why not? New varieties have ben introduced in more colors and bloom sizes. Combine that with their long flowering season and how easy they are to grow – what gardener wouldn’t want all that? …
Native plant activist and anti-invasive crusader Story by Kristi Hendricks Helen Hamilton has been a native plant activist for years. At 85, she’s still energetically carrying forth the message of the importance of native plants to the ecosystem – giving talks, writing for publications, and collecting samples of native plants. You can hear her love …
Slow Gardening in the Piedmont Story and Photo by Cynthia Wood For breakfast yesterday, I had toast piled high with leftover sautéed chard topped with a poached egg. It’s a favorite way to incorporate more veggies into my diet and use up leftovers. Sometimes I replace the chard with smushed avocado, and by early fall, …
Growing your own vegetable transplants Story and Photos by Brenda Lynn Few things in life are more satisfying than witnessing the transformation of a simple seed into edible deliciousness produced by your own hands. Starting vegetables from seed requires a little more work than purchasing seedlings, but it is vastly more rewarding and saves money …
What to plant under your landscape trees Story and Photos by J.D. Willoughby Mulch can be so plain, especially in a small garden that needs more color. One way that gardeners overcome this is by planting a variety of ground covers, perennials, and annuals that can thrive with competition and in the sometimes deep shade …
Being a constant student keeps gardening fresh Story and Photo by Joyce Grunewald Many lifetime gardeners can trace their passion back to family members. Fran Boninti is no exception. Her grandmother and mother were the people who, genetically and by example, planted the seed for her love of what grows in her garden. A touching …
Darcy’s Mexican sage Story and Photos by Alan Pulley Salvias have always been one of my favorite garden plants. With all the different types and countless varieties, there is a salvia for every gardener. I came across a new salvia a couple of years ago that quickly become one of my favorites – Darcy’s Mexican …
Dispatches from the Hollow Story by Cathy Clary In spite of weather and climate irregularities – melting ice caps, drought, hotter temperatures, and longer summers (will the gardener’s woes never cease?) – our average last date of frost (LDOF) here in central Virginia remains May 15. In low pockets, like the hollow, as well as …
Growing your own peppers at home Story by Jennifer Williams My earliest memory of a banana pepper goes back to eating out at the local sub restaurant with my dad. He always would get these yellow circles on his subs. When I asked him what they were and he told me they were banana peppers …
Creating cozy outdoor garden rooms in your landscape Story and Photos by Brenda Lynn For those of us who love the outdoors, gardens expand our living space and are an essential part of our home. Creating garden rooms expands options for entertaining, relaxing, and even exercising. A cozy garden room can be coaxed from the …
