HOME & GARDEN
Greener Pastures
Cattle do a lot more for the country and environment than just being the backdrop for popular Western dramas.
Why Be Evergreen?
Advantages and disadvantages of trees losing leaves in winter January-February 2025 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist As I write this column, most of our trees have dropped their leaves and will remain leaf-free until spring. Most trees, though not all. Obvious...
The All-Electric Home
Geothermal energy is gaining ground May 2024 by Will Lange, Contributing Columnist Have you heard the new catchphrase “electrification”? While you may not have heard about it outside of the transportation industry, electrification is a rising megatrend across the...
Flowering Dogwood
Virginia’s state flower and tree April 2024 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist Flowering dogwood is a small tree that makes a dramatic and much-admired statement in early spring. The Virginia Native Plant Society named it their 2018 Flower of the Year, and in...
In My Backyard?
Busting myths about geothermal heat pumps April 2024 by Will Lange, Contributing Columnist MYTH #1: YOU NEED A BUNCH OF LAND As someone once put it, “If you have a lawn mower, then you can put in a geo unit.” With numerous options for the geothermal underground loop...
Geothermal Energy
A hot topic that’s also a cool conversation March 2024 by Will Lange, Contributing Columnist In a world of traditional, fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems, solar panels on roofs and vast wind farms, you may never have given much thought to another...
Seeing the Forest for the Trees
Virginia pine deserves a second look January-February 2024 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist If you live in the mid-Atlantic, you’ve surely seen Virginia pine, though you may have given it just a passing...
Keeping Your Home Cozy
As you make home upgrades this fall, be sure to use materials designed to withstand extreme weather events.