Gardening

Winter is the perfect time for homeowners to make landscape changes to protect birds in cold weather and to provide year-round habitat.

From elaborate obstacle courses to spinning, bungee-jumping apparatuses, people have invented ingenious ways to keep squirrels out of bird feeders.

Virginia is known for its fickle climate. With heat waves, periods of little rain and generally unpredictable weather patterns, flora and fauna alike are at the mercy of Mother Nature—especially during the summer. 

Needing little more than light and room to breathe, these resilient and versatile desert plants can be successful projects for growers of all skill levels.

When temperatures start to cool, home décor heats up—often using Virginia-grown products like chrysanthemums, cornstalks, pumpkins and gourds.

It’s never too late to revive a struggling lawn.

Freshly cut herbs are a flavorful addition to many recipes and are increasingly easy to find. Many grocery stores carry potted culinary herbs in the produce section, ready to consume.

No matter what you’re buying, every penny counts. And dividing newly purchased daylilies, hostas, tall bearded irises and ferns can save you $50 or more.

So you received beautiful plants for the holidays now how do you make them last into the new year?

Boxwood trees are great foundation plants and also can be used for privacy screening, but they are susceptible to winter storm damage, said horticulturalist Mark Viette.