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MG in the Garden
Deer in Northern Virginia—Too Much of a Good Thing?
What is the impact of the overpopulation of deer on our local environment? Learn about the history of deer in our area, the impact on the environment, and how this issue is being addressed in Northern Virginia.
Assessing and Dealing with Snowstorm Damage on Trees
Though snowfall can transform our landscape in ways beautiful and wondrous, heavy snowfall can also cause astounding harm. Trees and shrubs broken under the weight of snow and ice need to have damaged wood carefully removed.
Garden Musings: December Morning
Leaves float down outside my window. Each at ease in its graceful flutter, Each with its own unique dance ... no need to practice steps or think there is a …
Garden Musings: October Morning
Sun rising. Watching its light move down into the forest, touching earth, I am touched, enlivened, inwardly aware Of the collaboration of sun/warmth/wind/water Summoning life on our planet … now …
Making Wise Plant Choices, Part 3: Cultivars
Native plants may be best suited to environmental conditions and provide critical support to wildlife. Some categories of natives may fulfill these functions better than others. An important consideration in selecting native plants is whether to purchase so-called “straight species,” the forms that are found naturally in the wild, or cultivars, plants that have been produced by horticulturists through selective breeding for certain ornamental traits.
Increasing Our Tree Canopy
A society grows great when old men (and women and children) plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. There are lots of ways to grow our tree canopy; this article describes just a few ways we can get involved.
Making Wise Plant Choices, Part 2: Keystone Plants
Studies have shown that the particular selections gardeners make can have a tremendous impact on the diversity of life in our yards. Years of observations and research by University of Delaware entomologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy and his assistants have revealed that certain species of native plants, which he terms “keystone plants,” are especially supportive of a garden’s food web.
Revitalizing the Pollinator Garden at the Buddie Ford Nature Center
Arlington Regional Master Naturalists joined Extension Master Gardeners and community volunteers on July 17th in an ongoing effort to revitalize the pollinator garden next to the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center in Alexandria.
Making Wise Plant Choices, Part 1: Natives vs. Invasives
In preceding posts in this series, we have considered gardening approaches that can reduce homeowners’ carbon footprints and presented adaptive techniques to assist in dealing with the challenges posed by climate change. Another area of concern is making informed choices about the plants we choose for our gardens
Indoor Houseplants Become Outdoor Plants for the Summer
At the end of a long winter indoors, houseplants often become spindly and tired-looking. You can renew your plants by moving them outdoors for the summer. Finding the right spot for their “summer vacation” is key.
TREE: Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip-Poplar)
Tried and True Native Plants of the Mid-Atlantic Click on images for larger views and captions. Common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, Tuliptree is aptly named from the shape of its flowers and …
Protecting Young Trees from Periodical Cicadas
The cicadas are coming!
Brood X, also called the “Great Eastern Brood,” will emerge in DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, and WV in 2021. Beginning as early as late April and continuing into June, adults will emerge at sunset from their underground locations where they spend most of their lives 1 to 8 feet below the surface as nymphs feeding on sap of tree roots.
Starter Houseplants for Beginner Growers
If you’re looking to introduce indoor plants to your home, Tradescantia pallida (purple heart) and Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant) are two good choices for starter houseplants. Following are growing basics for each plant.
Protecting Young Trees from Deer
Your young, newly planted trees are very attractive to our healthy white-tailed deer population. Not only are the leaves and tender young growth within easy height for feeding, deer will utilize young trees for rubbing their antlers and do serious damage to the bark and trunk of even newly planted trees.
Protection from wildlife is important for guarding the initial investment of planting. Overall, wildlife protection should be adaptive and based on need, cost, desired effectiveness, installation effort, and ease of maintenance.
Climate Change and Its Effect on Gardening
Climate-Conscious Gardening To quote David W. Wolfe, Professor of Plant & Soil Ecology at Cornell University, “We are in the unfortunate situation of being the first generation of gardeners, ever, …
The Lure of the Lawn
"My decision to remove most of the turf grass from my yard germinated over many years and after learning about the state of the nation’s lands and waters. What’s the connection? Our love affair with our lawns – with a thick green carpet of grass, free of weeds – comes at a steep cost to the environment."
Plant This, Not That: Replacing Nandina
Great suggestions for native plants that will replace invasive Nandina domestica (Heavenly bamboo).
High-Rise Gardening: Nine Native Perennials to Brighten Your Balcony
Long-blooming annuals have traditionally been preferred for balcony gardens, but native perennials work just as well for those who are able to devote more time and attention to the maintenance of a garden. Perennials have an advantage over annuals in that they will last from year to year. Choosing plants with attractive foliage is essential, since flowering periods for natives are not as lengthy as those for non-native summer annuals.
Q & A – Ask the Extension Agent!
Stumped by something in your garden? Ask the Extension Agent
❧ Frozen Fig Tree
❧ Topping vs Pollarding
❧ Pruning Herbs & Brambles
MGNV Gardeners Help Create the Plant Hope Garden
There’s a beautiful and peaceful new garden space at Arlington’s Courthouse Square thanks to a collaboration between volunteers from the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, the Arlington group of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and Arlington County Parks and Recreation.
Q & A – Ask the Extension Agent!
Stumped by something in your garden? Ask the Extension Agent
❧ Scale on Japanese plum prostrate yews
❧ Pruning citrus
Five Yards and a Demonstration Garden: Part II
The Glencarlyn Library Garden Coordinators Talk About Their Personal Spaces and Public Collaboration
Learn about the transformations in the gardens of Alyssa Ford Morel and Paul Nuhn and how all five gardeners' aesthetics have informed the development of the Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.
Five Yards and a Demonstration Garden: Part I
The Glencarlyn Library Garden Coordinators Talk About Their Personal Spaces and Public Collaboration
Learn about the transformations in the gardens of Judy Funderburk, Elaine Mills and Wendy Mills