We often get asked what our favorite variety of tomato is! Here’s each of the Gary’s answers to that question! Gary Sr. Cherokee Purple Favorite: “Celebrity! A nice sized 8 oz. tomato that keeps well and has a good taste. Great for both canning and fresh eating!” Gary Jr. (Nelson) Favorite: “Cherokee Purple! A great heirloom tomato with the best flavor! The only drawback is, they don’t keep well – eat them the night you pick them!” Gary III Favorite: “Cherokee Purple! An heirloom tomato that has an earthy flavor. Cherokee Purple Tomatoes are great for fresh eating and make a refreshing additio ..read more

We hear so much about problems people have with deer. The last few years, deer have started eating plants they’ve never touched before… It’s not uncommon to hear of 10-15 deer roaming through neighborhoods in the central Virginia area. Deer often take the blame for damage done by other animals such as rabbits, squirrels, and ground hogs. Damage down close to the ground is likely not a deer. Taller plants and plants with the top eaten out is probably deer.  Regardless, we don’t want our plants destroyed by wildlife and deer are becoming increasingly problematic for gard ..read more

SPRING THOUGHTS By: Gary Garner Sr.             Spring is now here. If you are an avid gardener, then you are ready to get outside and start digging and planting. Doesn’t it feel good to get your hands dirty? Many of us have taken advantage of the early warm days to deal with some of our outdoor tasks.             We have been selling tomato plants since the first of March. The ones that were planted outside and not covered on these cool nights we will sell a second time. Some people a ..read more

Small Space Endless opportunity! Most people know that a container garden can yield a plentiful harvest of vegetables but often overlook or forget about fruits…! Fruits can successfully be grown in containers! First and foremost, it’s important to note that fruits prefer full sun. Here’s a quick list of the best fruits to grow in containers: Strawberries Blueberries Blackberries / Raspberries Figs Dwarf Fruit Trees Lemons, limes, and other citrus (These will need to be brought inside over the winter.) Selecting the correct fruit varieties for containers: Key to success is planting smaller g ..read more

USDA Hardness Zone Changes In November 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an updated Plant Hardiness Zone map! Central Virginia remains firmly in zone 7 Much of the area shifted to the slightly warmer zone 7b (5° to 10° F) Small pockets remain in 7a (0° to 5° F) What this means for Central Virginia’s Gardeners: All plants labeled for zone 7 should* be winter hardy. *It’s important to note the map is based on 30-year averages of the lowest annual winter temperatures at specific locations. In other words, the map does “not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ..read more

People often overlook Cyclamen and go straight for the holiday hallmark of Poinsettias. Cyclamen make for great gifts, beautiful centerpieces, and a great holiday flower when space is limited. With proper care Cyclamen often continue to bloom on into late February and early March! While many people treat Cyclamen as a temporary short-lived houseplant, they are reasonably easy to grow. In the right conditions, they will bloom again next year, often starting to bloom around Thanksgiving! Cyclamen Care: The secret to keeping Cyclamen looking good is providing it with plenty of bright but indirect ..read more

A Holiday Hallmark What’s left to discover about Poinsettias? Well, for starters, Poinsettias are not poisonous, are available in colors besides red, and the finest are found in garden centers. Ironic, perhaps, that a plant with legendary, child-centered origins is often seen as one dangerous to children. According to the Poisondex TM Information Service, a 50-pound child could eat 500 Poinsettia leaves and not demonstrate toxicity.   Legends and Myths Native to Mexico and Central America, legend has it that the first Poinsettia appeared from a poor child’s generosity. A little girl ..read more

You have picked out the perfect Christmas Tree. Now what do you do to ensure a safe, fresh and attractive tree throughout the holiday season? If you are not going to take it inside immediately, store it outside in a cool, shady place sheltered from drying winds. If possible, remove about a one-inch section from the butt of the tree just before placing it in a container of water. Sprinkling the foliage daily with water until the tree is put to use will also be helpful. A tree in a warm room will absorb as much as one to four pints of water daily. This is lost through the foliage by evapotranspi ..read more

            One of the big fall considerations is what should be done to or with our lawns. The last few weeks we have had plentiful rainfall and pleasant temperatures. Most lawns look good, especially for the time of year. With all the rain grass has been growing most of the summer. Lawns have had to be mowed weekly. This brings me to my point. The excessive growing from plentiful rain and pleasant temperatures has weakened the grass.             If nothing else our lawns need feeding ..read more

           By: Gary Garner Sr.             Like it or not Fall is right around the corner. Summer is slowly ending. Our summer plants are beginning to shut down. Production of summer vegetables is less each day. Tomatoes are smaller with more blemishes. We can try to stretch summer crops but only for so long.             Despite the persistent hot summer days, all the signs are saying “think Fall”. If we want fall color and fall vegetables it is time to ge ..read more