Putting your hands in soil has meaning and healing power. Gardening is more than just playing in the dirt, it’s more than a hobby,” said Freeman, a Norfolk Extension Master Gardener volunteer and registered horticulture therapist. It is located in USDA’s 8-a zone, which is the most hardy zone. Native plants can withstand temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Because it is drought tolerant, common yarrow can be found in xeriscapes. Turk’s cap lily is a stunning aquatic plant that can be used in any garden. Partridge peas are a low-maintenance annual that reseeds itself on a regular basis. The cinnamon fern, which is a dense, spiky plant, can reach a height of six feet. The leaves of a Southern lady fern resemble those of a Christmas tree.

Learn the history the Colonial Williamsburg Arboretum has to offer. Walk among the living history museum at this Level 2 Certified Arboretum. The gardens are perfect place to visit to see beautiful and thoughtful architectural design from the 18th-century. Aloe Vera is one of the hardiest types of plants that you can grow indoors in Virginia. This means that it is more forgiving than most plants, making it perfect for growing indoors in Virginia. This is the perfect indoor plant for beginners!This is the best place to see cool aquatic plants, Japanese Maples, an incredible Fern Valley, and much, much more. Plan to visit the Asian, Azalea, and Dogwood Collections for amazing fragrant blooms. Walk under the enchanting Grove of State Trees or visit the year-round beauty of the evergreens of the Hollies and Magnolias. When it comes to planting a container garden, the first frost should be avoided. Container gardens work best in warm weather and are best planted in the spring or early fall. Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) is the outreach and engagement branch of Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, Virginia’s land-grant universities. Through VCE, Extension agents, specialists, and volunteers work to share knowledge and advance the wellbeing of all Virginians. This handbook serves as the main training text for new Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Have you ever stopped to think about all the amazing plants that grow in Virginia? From the towering oaks of the Shenandoah Valley to the delicate wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia is home to a remarkable diversity of plant life. But what makes Virginia's plants so special? Stagger plantings. You don’t want to plant all your lettuce seeds at the same time, or all that lettuce will need to be harvested at around the same time! Stagger plantings by a few weeks to keep ‘emcoming! There are many different types of plants that can thrive in the Virginia Beach area. Some of the best plants to grow in this region include impatiens, petunias, marigolds, and zinnias. These flowers are all very easy to grow and will add a splash of color to any garden. For the quarter of Americans who grow vegetables, berries, or fruit trees at home, gardening is a source of fresh produce, but gardening also has other benefits. According to the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture, plants have a positive impact on physical, social, and mental health, and through horticulture therapy, gardening can help people with conditions like PTSD, addiction, and dementia. Community gardens, parks, and arboreta provide important community greenspace, allowing neighbors the chance to connect and build a sense of place and community.Consider installing a rain barrel. This will allow you to collect rainwater from your roof, which you can use to water your plants. Not only is this a great way to save water, but it’s also free! Kudzu also produces large amounts of seeds that spread easily, allowing the plant to invade new areas and displace native plants. As a result, kudzu is a serious threat to Virginia's native flora and fauna. If you see this vine growing in your area, it's crucial to remove it before it has a chance to spread.

Aloe Vera is the perfect plant to cut and use its pups to create grow more aloe vera and create your very own succulent garden indoors.Tools with D-grips, or upper hand extra handles, that attach to long handles to provide a crosswise grip Make sure you’re watering your plants in the morning or evening when it’s cooler outside. This will help reduce evaporation so that your plants get the water they need without wasting any.

In your life, you become a lot of things to different people,” said Freeman. “For many people, gardening is the centerpiece of who you are. It is more than a hobby. Gardening connects plants to people, and there’s healing power in that.” If you are unable to figure out the source of your plant’s problem, reach out to your local Extension Master Gardeners for help. Many EMG units provide “help desks” or call-in hotlines and can help you determine what might be causing your plant’s problem and what you should do. One of Virginia's most popular native plants is whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata). It’s a Virginia native plant that is perfect for dry, sunny, and part shade areas and gets its name from the whorls of thin leaves arranged around the stem. This milkweed is also adorned with tiny, fragrant blooms that appear late in the season. When to plant vegetables in Richmond, Virginia. Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage plants can be directly sown into your garden by March 20. Place these as soon as the ground thaws if it is still frozen. Harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants typically takes around 100 days. The country’s garlic dates vary greatly. Place your garlic after the soil temperature has risen to 60 F at a depth of 4 inches. Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can all be grown directly into your garden from a variety of Cole crops. It’s best to start them indoors during this time of year due to the heat. The Perfect Time To Start Planning Your Garden Vegetables can be planted in the ground all year, but it is best to plant them in the spring or fall when the soil is warmer and the days are shorter.

Relaxing in these magnificent botanical gardens in VA may be a much needed breath of fresh air. Share a cup of tea on garden lawn terraces or watch butterflies flutter in the crisp Virginia air. Witness the brilliant display of colors throughout the seasons put on by local flora and exotic trees. Some tree and shrub species that do well in a Virginia winter include Eastern Red Cedar, American holly and oakleaf hydrangea. If you're looking for something a little different, try planting a winterberry holly bush — the berries are beautiful and provide a great food source for birds during the winter months.