Daily Press - Diggin' In (Kathy Van Mullekom)

Garden for wildlife:

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:56:00 GMT

From bird watchers to butterfly lovers, people across the country are transforming their gardens into havens for wildlife in celebration of National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife Month and its Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program.

Saturday, May 18, FREE gardening/nature events for families and anyone interested in great outdoors

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:46:00 GMT

Learn and Grow Series with Art in the Garden

Master gardener training: May 31 is deadline to register for fall classes on the Peninsula

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:07:00 GMT

May 31 is the deadline to register for Peninsula-based master gardener training that begins in September and typically ends with graduation in November.

Virginia Department of Forestry: Woman's vision protects family's forest and its valuable legacy with conservation easement

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:00 GMT

In 1961, when Mrs. Segar White Guy inherited her father’s 306-acre tract of unmanaged forestland in Sussex County, she made the long-term commitment to improve the quality of the woodland, according to a news release from the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Mother's Day: Select and arrange fresh-cut flowers for a heart-felt bouquet of love

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:24:00 GMT

Nothing says “thank you, Mom” -- or "thank you, BFF" -- like a fresh bouquet of flowers, especially in an arrangement you create yourself.

Virginia native plants: Yellow stargrass and other beauties can be seen on native plant walk May 11

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:47:00 GMT

In May, Yellow Stargrass is easily overlooked, with grass-like leaves and small flowers, says Helen Hamilton, past president of the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society.

Rain garden: Explore and ask about rain garden during Saturday program at New Quarter Park in upper York County

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:05:00 GMT

Visit New Quarter Park at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, and learn how a unique rain garden is built to capture runoff in a shady area. The program will be presented by Jeanne Millin, Virginia Master Gardener, Tree Steward, Water Steward and Virginia Master Naturalist, according to a news release.

Yorktown Market Days: Season starts Saturday with fitness and health theme and events

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:58:00 GMT

The 7 th Annual Yorktown Market Days season kicks off Saturday, May 11, along the Yorktown waterfront at Riverwalk Landing between Buckner and Ballard streets, according to a news release.

Native plant walk May 4: See trees and more on William and Mary campus

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:16:00 GMT

Join botany professor Marty Mathes for a walk around the campus of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4. He's responsible for many plantings on the campus and will have interesting stories about the trees, including this dawn redwood pictured.

Native azaleas: Eye-catching colors and scent-sational smells good for your yard

Thu, 02 May 2013 21:28:00 GMT

QUESTION . Several years ago I planted some deciduous azaleas in my yard: Sunrise, Sunstruck and Sunny Side Up.

Yorktown: Private garden stroll, botanical portrait demos Friday-Saturday

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:49:00 GMT

The Gallery at York Hall will host local artist Linda Miller demonstrating how to create a botanical portrait 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4. The gallery, located at 301 Main Street in Yorktown, is a cooperative effort between the Celebrate Yorktown Committee and York County. Admission is free.

Brent and Becky's Bulbs: What eggs are on my daffodil foliage; bulb center plans fun events for all ages

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:01:00 GMT

Question : Any idea what these eggs are? I can find reference to something that bores into the base of the plant/bulb, and lays eggs, but nothing about on the tips of the leaves. And it's only on this one variety/clump. -- Betty F.

Kentucky 41: Improved tall fescue seed said to resist brown patch disease better -- think earlier Kentucky 31

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:42:00 GMT

As a young homeowner, now a seasoned homeowner, Kentucky 31 was the go-to tall-turf fescue grass seed to plant. I still believe in its sturdy, strong stands of grass for difficult areas. I've tried all the pricier fine fescues and find few hold up in the harsh summers of southeastern Virginia.

April: National Invasive Plant, Pest and Disease Awareness Month

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:21:00 GMT

April is National Invasive Plant, Pest and Disease Awareness Month and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) urges residents to help stop the threat that invasive plant pests pose to the state’s agricultural and natural resources, according to a news release.

Virginia Living Museum: Birding Cup winners announced

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:40:00 GMT

The Virginia Living Museum has announced the winners of the first Birding Cup Challenge, according to a news release.

Virginia Native Plant Society: Plant sale Saturday, plant walk Sunday ... courtesy John Clayton Chapter

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:29:00 GMT

The John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society holds its annual Virginia Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jamestown Beach Park, 2205 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg.

HGTV Home Plant Collection: Flowering beauties at Anderson's in Newport News and nationwide

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:15:00 GMT

The new HGTV Home Plant Collection is available at Anderson's Home and Garden Showplace in Newport News, according to a news release.

Virginia Living Museum: Winners announced in birdhouse-building competition, on display thru May 24

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:11:00 GMT

The Virginia Living Museum has announced the winners of its “For the Birds” birdhouse competition.

Historic Garden Week: Submit beautiful outdoor photos to win state and Williamsburg tour tickets and more

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:53:00 GMT

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." ( Frances Hodgson Burnett)

Strawberries: Patch of pot of plants perfect way to get kids into gardening and good eats

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:08:00 GMT

Fresh, homegrown strawberries are ideal for introducing kids to edible gardening, according to gardening experts. Kids -- with your gentle guidance -- can plant a whole patch, or just one or two plants in a strawberry jar or large pot. Just make sure the container has plenty of good drainage holes.

P. Allen Smith: Meet nationally known garden expert in Colonial Williamsburg Saturday, April 13

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:36:00 GMT

Designer, gardening and lifestyle expert P. Allen Smith presents “How to Get More Out of Your Garden than a Backache” during a book signing and lecture 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13,in the Colony Room of the Williamsburg Lodge, Colonial Williamsburg, according to a news release.

Forever stamps: U.S. Postal Service releases vintage seed packet designs

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:23:00 GMT

The U.S. Postal Service welcomes spring with the new Vintage Seed Packets Commemorative Forever stamps. These first-class stamps, based on photographs of seed packets from a century ago, were dedicated at the Philadelphia National Stamp Exhibition.

Ball canning jars: 100th anniversary celebrates classic blue look and logo on Mason jars

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:04:00 GMT

The limited-edition Ball Heritage Collection Pint Jars commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Ball brothers’ Perfect Mason Jar, according to a company news release.

Dominion Virginia Power: Tree project gives redbud seedlings to students in honor of Arbor Day April 26

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:26:00 GMT

Dominion's Project Plant It! strives to engage elementary students in the Peninsula and Tidewater region in learning about trees and the environment. Along the way, the program has earned the prestigious Public Awareness of Trees award from the Arbor Day Foundation and has been recognized by the Virginia Association of Science Teachers, according to a news release.

Fruits: Grow and harvest your own in a small backyard orchard

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:37:00 GMT

There's nothing better than picking and eating fresh berries, apples and other fruit grown in your very own backyard orchard.