HOME & GARDEN
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...
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...
Sweet Spires in the Breeze
If you are not acquainted with the native shrub Virginia sweetspire, you may come to appreciate its wonderful adaptability, especially in today’s perplexing climate extremes.
Eastern Redbud
Few spring sights rival the impact of rounding a curve on a back-country road and coming upon a group of Eastern redbud trees in flower.
Going Wild in the Garden
Anyone who gardens, or even putters in the yard, knows that the simple act of gardening provides many benefits — fresh air, exercise, stress relief and access to fresh foods to name a few.
Small Changes, Big Impacts
When it comes to gardening for nature, big changes come in small packages and work best when approached with baby steps.
Growing Compassion
Madison Truong knew she was doing much more than learning how to grow fresh vegetables.
Garden Muse March 2022
March 2022