Planting on Your Septic Drain Field
Perhaps the most entertaining answer to the question 'What should I plant over a septic system's leach field?' is 'Something fragrant.' Although the question arises often, there are few hard and fast...
View ArticleAerating Your Lawn
Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn. Although hand aerators are available, most aeration is done mechanically with a machine having hollow tines or spoons...
View ArticleBoiling Water Bath Canning – Including Jams, Jellies, and Pickled Products
You may choose to preserve food at home to save money, to have greater control over what you consume, or for the simple satisfaction of doing it yourself. Regardless of the reasons, it is important to...
View ArticleSelecting and Using Plant Growth Regulators on Floricultural Crops
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are chemicals that are designed to affect plant growth and/or development (Figure 1). They are applied for specific purposes to elicit specific plant responses. Although...
View ArticleRose Rosette Disease
Rose rosette disease (RRD), a disease believed to be caused by a virus, has been spreading through much of the wild rose population of the midwestern, southern and eastern United States.
View ArticleRose Rosette Disease
Rose rosette disease (RRD), a disease believed to be caused by the recently identified Rose rosette virus, has been spreading through much of the wild rose population of the Midwestern, Southern, and...
View ArticleRenter's Rights and Responsibilities: The Basics
If you are a renter in Virginia, you have rights and responsibilities under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). It is important that you know your rights and responsibilities...
View ArticleDry Curing Virginia-Style Ham
Virginia ham was one of the first agricultural products exported from North America. The Reverend Mr. Andrew Burnaby enthusiastically reported that Virginia pork was superior in flavor to any in the...
View ArticleSelecting Landscape Plants: Boxwoods
Boxwood is used extensively in the landscape development of homes, gardens, and public grounds in Virginia. Since colonial times, it has been an integral part of the landscape, and many historical...
View ArticleSelecting Landscape Plants: Groundcovers
Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread quickly to form a dense cover. They add beauty to the landscape and, at the same time, help prevent soil erosion. Grass is the best known ground cover,...
View ArticleUrban Water Quality Management–Residential Stormwater: Put It in Its Place....
Humans and plants depend on an adequate supply of clean water for a number of reasons, from producingfood to sustaining life. The average Virginia resident uses 826 gallons of fresh water daily...
View ArticleEmerald Ash Borer
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is a wood-boring beetle native to eastern Asia and is now considered the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. Since its...
View ArticleTherapeutic Gardening
Gardening is a great activity to help maintain physical and emotional well-being. However, it is not without its challenges, even for the able bodied. With a little creativity, gardening can be an...
View ArticleQuestion and Answer Guide for Starting and Growing Your Small Business
The authors initially developed this guide as a resource for participants in Entrepreneur Express Workshops. Offered throughout the commonwealth, Entrepreneur Express Workshops provided basic...
View ArticleTo Certify or Not? An Important Question for Virginia’s Family Forest Owners
Family forest owners ask themselves many questions about their properties, such as if and when to cut timber, what types of wildlife to manage for, how to control exotic invasive species, and how to...
View ArticleHealthy Eating for Children Ages 2 to 5 Years Old: A Guide for Parents and...
Rapid growth and development occurs during the preschool years, ages 2 through 5. A child grows about 2 to 3 inches and gains 4 to 5 pounds each year. Proper nutrition and opportunities to play and be...
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