Blogs by Year

With our 20th annual Make a Scarecrow event coming up this weekend, we thought we'd give you a few fascinating scarecrow highlights to kick fall off with a bang.

Known as the world’s all-time favorite windowsill houseplant, African Violets are growing in popularity. They are one of the easiest and most adaptable flowering houseplants to grow, and the requirements for success are simple -- find a good spot, don’t over water, and they’ll shower you with blooms during any season! With literally thousands of varieties to choose from there’s something for every taste. In addition to traditional shades of blue-violet, there are also shades of pink, fuchsia, white and even bicolor.

As nights become cooler and days get shorter, it’s time to get your fall garden off and running. We love pairing mums with companion plants for a truly unique fall garden. Try some of these out-of-the-box plants along with those beautiful mums we all know and love -- and sit back and enjoy a beautiful view this fall.

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaLast month, my pollinator perennial garden was an overgrown jungle – one very much alive with beaucoup butterflies. After a couple years of milkweed, bee balm and mountain mint spreading and multiplying, it was time to thin out, clean up and make room for fall-flowering perennials and annuals.

Orchids are among the most spectacular of all flowering plants! Available in a myriad of colors, shapes and sizes there is an orchid for everyone. They range in size from a two-inch plant that can sit in the palm of your hand to five-foot giants. Some can be fragrant with luscious scents of citrus, raspberry, lilacs, coconut and even chocolate. No matter your preference, the beauty of the flower is undeniable.

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, Virginia

Planting Cole Crops in Fall As our summer gardening season is coming to a close, it’s the perfect time to get your fall vegetable garden growing. What could be tastier than going out in your backyard to pick some fresh cabbage, lettuce, kale, broccoli, cauliflower or spinach for a healthy meal? Here’s our handy garden guide for planting your cole crops! These crops will flourish until frost arrives.

One of the boldest indoor and outdoor plants around, you just can't miss crotons because of their ever-changing show of vibrant autumn foliage. Their thick, glossy foliage is brightly colored in combinations and shades of red, yellow, pink, orange, burgundy, bronze or green. The leaves may be wide and smooth, long and narrow or very irregularly shaped. Crotons are sure to draw attention with their stunning color and make a bold statement both inside and out.

It's time to kickoff the fall lawn season. Over the past 70 years, we've gathered valuable information and products to help you establish and maintain successful lawns here in Hampton Roads. We've devised some simple steps to help you get your lawn looking its best. Hampton Roads is considered a transitional zone, meaning you can grow both cool season lawns (fescue) and warm season lawns (Bermuda, St. Augustine, Centipede, and Zoysia). Fall is the best time in this area to establish and repair the fescue lawn.

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, VirginiaWhen it’s hot, it’s difficult to think about a cool-season vegetable garden. Yet, it’s time to do just that – and time to begin prepping and planting one. If you have a warm-season summer garden of squash, melons, cucumbers and peppers, maybe some of those plants have produced all they can and can be removed to make room for cooler crops like spinach, lettuces, onions and collards.