Sexual propagation involves the union of the pollen (male) with the egg (female) to produce a seed. The seed is made up of three main parts: the outer seed coat, which protects the seed; a food reserve (e.g., the endosperm); and the embryo, which is the young plant itself. When a seed is mature and put in a favorable environment, it will germinate, or begin active growth. In the following section, seed germination and transplanting of seedswill be discussed.

Garden mums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) are known for their vibrant blooms and resilience and are a popular choice for adding color to gardens and landscapes in the fall. They are one of the best perennial plants for late summer and fall bloom. They are important in many Virginia landscapes, flowering during September and October when few other plants are in bloom. They bloom over a long period, exist in a very wide range of flower forms and colors, and require a minimum of care.

This publication covers key questions to consider when planning a vegetable garden.

Native to the Southern United States, the Sabal minor or Dwarf Palmetto is a smaller and much shorter cousin to the familiar Sabal palmetto that lines the streets and palisades of cities in the Deep South, where the fronds were once cut to make ladies’ hand fans. Part of the Dwarf Palmetto’s native range includes the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia. As a result, S. minor is one of the most cold-hardy palms that can be grown in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to enjoy the beauty of bulbs in the middle of winter? The answer is definitely yes! Many people are familiar with the hourglass-shaped vase filled with water and topped with a hyacinth bulb, or a low bowl filled with several Paper White narcissus, and the popular boxed amaryllis bulb as a welcome winter holiday gift. Most bulbs can be forced but additional planning is required in order to have a successful period of blooms.

A fact sheet on growing peppers in the Virginia home garden.

A factsheet on growing eggplant in the Virginia home garden.

Tarping or occultation is used in farms and gardens to kill weeds and prepare areas for planting without the use of tillage or chemicals. This publication compares different tarping materials and how to use them effectively. Research is shown determining how long different weeds must remain under the tarping material to be killed.

A fact sheet for growing potatoes in the Virginia home garden.

The African violet (Saintpaulia sp.) is an excellent flowering house plant which will grow and flower under low light intensities found in the average home. Where there is insufficient natural light, they can be grown and flowered successfully entirely under artificial light. Large numbers of varieties, types and colors are available, and the ease with which they can be propagated makes this an excellent plant for interior decoration of the home.

Ed Olsen and Wendy Silverman, New River Valley Extension Master Gardener Director, discuss how Virginia Extension Master Gardeners are growing community impact by providing seeds for educational programs and nonprofits through their innovative seed bank program!

Get ready to level up your indoor plant game as Ed Olsen from Virginia Cooperative Extension and Will Haas from Strange's Florist and Greenhouses share expert tips on helping your houseplants thrive in From the Ground Up.

Spring planting season is upon us as Virginia Cooperative Extension expert Ed Olsen and Henrico County Public Schools Horticulture teacher Heather Veneziano deliver essential seed-starting wisdom to help gardeners kickstart their growing season with confidence.

Looking for a simple way to get a head start on your garden? Try winter seed sowing! Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist Ed Olsen and Extension Master Gardener Cathy Tignor discuss how you can use those recycled plastic beverage containers sitting in your recycling bin to start seeds! Milk jugs, iced tea containers and lemonade bottles make the perfect mini-greenhouses for this technique.

Discover how foodscaping blends beauty with functionality as Ed Olsen and Master Gardener Phaedra Hise from Virginia Cooperative Extension share expert tips for incorporating edible plants into your landscape design, creating gardens that please both the eye and the palate.