Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407070104
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Notes from the Virginia Gardener" is printed on recycled paper and is spiral bound with dividers for the four seasons. Each season is divided into months and then into categories, such as Vegetables, Herbs, Indoor Plants, and Landscaping.
Volume II contains lots of practical information. For example, the section on woody ornamentals cautions readers that roots from red and silver maples, willows, poplars and elms can clog water sewer lines and to plant these species well away from underground pipes.
The Vegetables section warns gardeners to isolate regular sweet corn, super-sweet varieties and popcorn from one another other by at least 200 feet to prevent cross-pollination.
The Miscellaneous section states: "Don't spray pesticides on a windy day. Not only is the pesticide wasted, but it also may endanger other crops or your health."
"Notes from the Virginia Gardener" makes a beautiful, useful addition to
your gardening library and a great gift for your favorite gardening friends! It's $7, postpaid.
"THE VIRGINIA GARDENER HANDBOOK" provides the basic skills of gardening. This 450-page book is used to instruct Master Gardeners in several states and is a text for college-level home horticulture classes at Virginia Tech.
"The Virginia Gardener Handbook" covers botany, physiology and environmental effects on plant growth, soils and fertilizers, basics of entomology, plant pathology, diagnosing plant damage, understanding pesticides, plant propagation and pruning. It also contains information on indoor plants, vegetable gardens, tree fruits in the home garden, lawns, woody plants, herbaceous plants and landscape design. There's even information on Master Gardener volunteers, water quality, and consumer use of lawn and garden chemicals.
"The Virginia Gardener Handbook" is a definitive reference for gardening in
Virginia and other eastern states. A copy is $40, postpaid.
"THE VIRGINIA GARDENER" newsletter is an informative garden tool you can receive in your mailbox each month. "People love to get outside in the garden," says Diane Relf, Extension Specialist for Consumer Horticulture. "Gardening is great therapy after a day at work, but it is also an activity that can have significant impact on our environment."
Relf said a major role of "The Virginia Gardener is providing readers with the sort of scientific, environmentally sound information they need when gardening.
"The Virginia Gardener" - published monthly - addresses the information needs of home gardeners in Virginia and other eastern states. Past issues have included articles on the latest research regarding germination, sustainable agriculture, woody ornamentals, peppers, and irrigation.
Feature articles have discussed the impact of home gardening on the environment, including the combination of mulch with geotextiles for landscape weed control, proper fertilization of home lawns, and composting. Gardening and cultural information is provided, such as how to select flower varieties for cutting, the best way to plant trees, and guidelines for using insecticidal soap.
Need landscaping ideas? "The Virginia Gardener" has discussed mulching and amending with yard waste, perennials that are suitable for a dry location, and using trees in the home landscape. Plant varieties best suited to the widely varying climates of Virginia are described in the yearly All-America Selections.
The newsletter also provides monthly "Notes" to remind readers of activities to ensure a productive garden.
How do readers view "The Virginia Gardener?" A Stephens City reader said, "We are attempting to landscape our yard with native plants, and articles such as yours are helpful."
"We greatly enjoy 'The Virginia Gardener' and learn from it," said a reader in McLean.
From Raleigh, N.C.: "Your articles are informative, current and well-written. You offer excellent advice for the novice and the experienced gardener."
A one-year subscription (12 issues) to "The Virginia Gardener" newsletter is $5.
To order any of these publications, send a written request with your check - payable to Treasurer, Virginia Tech - to The Virginia Gardener, Montgomery County Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 90, Christiansburg, Va. 24073-0090.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in the Montgomery County Extension Office in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call him at 382-5790.
by CNB