Last Wednesday was the first “official” day of Summer. Actually, meterologists consider June 1 as the first day of summer. Astronomers consider June 20 (or 21/22 depending on the year) as the first day of summer based on the position of the earth to the sun. It’s the longest day of the year. Every day, … Read more
JUNE 19TH – 25TH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK Pollinator Week was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership, and fifteen years ago, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the designation of a week in June as National Pollinator Week. The purpose of this week is to address the urgent issue of declining pollinator … Read more
Just about everybody’s garden contains cucumber plants, so here’s some interesting information: Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbitaceae or cucurbit family. Other family members include watermelons, pumpkins, melons, and squash. Cucumbers are native to India. Christopher Columbus is credited with bringing them to Haiti in 1494. From there, it spread to the Americas. Cucumbers are … Read more
THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 18TH, IS FATHER’S DAY Let me share a little history on the celebration of FATHER’S DAY. It was first started in 1908 by a church in West Virginia. Finally, in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged every state government to observe Father’s Day. It is now established with the third Sunday in June … Read more
And while you’re at it, check for aphids, Japanese beetles, and black spot fungus! It doesn’t matter whether you’re growing tomatoes and cucumbers or zinnias and black-eyed Susans; there are some things you can do now to ensure your gardens are still going strong in September. Your Garden by the Numbers 1. Make sure you … Read more
THE PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION HAS DESIGNATED JUNE AS PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH, AND FOR GOOD REASONS. How can you not love June in Richmond with all the colors from so many blooming perennials? To name a few perennials in bloom: Coreopsis, Monarda, Heuchura, Astilbe, Achillia, Daylilies, Nepeta-I can go on and on with naming perennials. But … Read more
Honeybees and butterflies seem to get all the press, but other essential pollinators are out there. Pollinators You May Not Know Are Pollinators Bumblebees Bumblebees are good pollinators. They live in small colonies composed of a queen and her daughters. At summer’s end, they die, leaving only the mated queen. While they can sting, they … Read more
SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE LATER THIS MONTH & WE HAVE PLENTY OF CHORES TO DO THIS MONTH Now that June is here remember that gardening is a year-round hobby, and certain gardening chores must be done each month. June has been tagged as PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH by the Perennial Plant Association. The main reason behind … Read more
Welcome to Virginia—home of red clay, granite chunks, and critter problems—moles, voles, and deer. And yet, it’s home. I’ve lived here my whole life. I’ve learned that there are several things to think about when I plant. Our Gardening Reality My yard is the best of Virginia—red clay in the front yard and red clay … Read more
In the last couple of weeks I have had a handful of customers come see me with evidence of Crape Myrtle Bark Scale. It doesn’t surprise me that evidence is showing up this early. This is because so many issues are advanced due to our mild winter. Last year was my first year of experience … Read more
