Ready, Set, GROW!

The WVU Extension Service horticulture and gardening program emphasizes sustainability of agricultural practices and quality of life for West Virginians.

Plan before planting your garden

Successful gardeners always plan before planting. Choose a garden site that has abundant sunlight, good drainage, and adequate soil fertility.
Learn more about planting a garden…

Growing Plants and Flowers

Short on space or time? Try ‘container gardening’

Simple steps for turning your patio, deck, balcony, or doorstep into your own garden oasis. Learn the proper way to plant plants and flowers in small containers.
Read more about container gardening…

Plant zinnias for versatile, no-fuss, never-ending bouquets

Few flowers can claim the popularity enjoyed by the zinnia over the past decades. This versatile annual comes in many sizes and colors. With a minimal amount of maintenance, zinnias will produce an abundance of blooms throughout the summer.
Learn more about zinnias…

Enjoy calming effect of a moonlight garden

Are your workdays so long you can’t enjoy your garden? Designing and planting a moonlight garden just might be the solution. These gardens focus on using light-colored, fragrant flowers and plants that can be enjoyed long after the sun goes down. Moonlight gardens are also known as “white,” “evening,” and “twilight” gardens.
Learn more about moonlight gardening…

Garden Fruits and Vegetables

Tomato flavor depends on amount of sugar and acids

Get the facts on which tomatoes are more and less acidic and how that accounts for the difference in flavors and tastes. Some tomato varieties are slightly less acidic than others. But the difference is so small that there is no real difference in taste when they are grown under similar conditions.
Learn more about tomatoes…

What veggie is a ‘snap’ to grow?

What highly nutritious, delicious, easy-to-grow vegetable is among the first to be harvested and may be served raw or stir-fried or lightly cooked with a variety of other vegetables? The answer should be a “snap” or, more precisely “snap peas” or “sweet snap peas.”
Learn more about snap peas…

Try ramps as a ‘spring tonic’

Ramps announce the arrival of spring in the woods. Many folks eagerly anticipate using the savory plants as a spring tonic to get them out of the winter blues.

Ramps are known as wild leeks, which are native to West Virginia. They belong to the lily family and are close relatives of the onion and garlic.
Learn more about ramps…

General Home Gardening Information

Home Horticulture from the Ground Up (PDF) – Landscaping your home may be a major challenge, but following a well thought out plan or design will help you create the landscape you want. Illustrations addendum (PDF).

Gardening With Raised Beds – This growing technique, centuries old, remains popular and useful to the home gardener to get maximum crop yields from input…

Did You Test Your Soil? – If you didn’t get a soil test, your garden plan has omitted a vital step…

Seed Saving Tips – Seed saving is not always feasible with all types of vegetables, but collecting your own seed can be an exercise in self-sufficiency and a lesson in plant biology…

For more helpful gardening information visit the WVU Extension Service Agriculture & Natural Resources Lawn and Garden Web site.