HOME & GARDEN
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...
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.
‘The Flight Of The Bumble Bee’
A queen wakes up in spring after a long winter nap. After finding a place to call home, and enjoying a breakfast of flower nectar and pollen, she starts laying eggs, which will turn into bumble bees.
Grow for Year-Round Color
Mention to friends that you’ve planted an evergreen tree in your yard, and most will assume you’ve added a pine, arborvitae, or a related conifer. But there are also evergreen flowering trees, and in our region, the native American holly is one of the most popular.
Spirit of the Season
The season of gratitude is upon us. I want to thank you readers for stopping by this column to get my musings on the garden for the last 21 years. In this, my last article, I think back fondly on how plants have helped cultivate friendships and well-being.
GMOs Explained
Many consumers are curious to learn more about the purpose and safety of GMOs.
SHADY AND SHEDDING
You could hardly find a better-named tree than shagbark hickory, though paper birch, striped maple and longleaf pine are in the running.
Nostalgic Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are vibrant, cheerful flowers in hot red, orange and yellow, with distinctive round leaves with spoke-like veining.