Undergraduate enrollment in the Virginia Tech Horticulture program has fluctuated over the years. The late 70’s saw huge numbers of students interested in all things green and growing – nearly 300. There was a gentle decline through the 80’s and in the 90’s number held around 150. A sharper decline took place over the past 8 years, with enrollment bottoming out at 85 students in 2009. Things have picked up a bit since – we’re currently at 100 give or take a few.… Continue reading this article “Name This Course”
Author: Holly Scoggins
A selection of GP posts from 2011 (part 2)
So much good stuff to read back through. The Garden Professors really bring the straight poop on so many topics!
July
Post: Podcasts are here! by Linda.
Complete with a pleasant musical intro and background, Linda’s info-packed and professionally-produced podcast “The Informed Gardener” made the rest of us look under-achieving. Take some time this winter and work back through them, if you haven’t had a chance.
August
Post: Sunday Bloody Sunday by Jeff.
I’m one of those “let me tell you what stupid thing I did yesterday” people, and I really appreciate it when other folks ‘fess up to messing up in an effort to keep you from doing the same.… Continue reading this article “A selection of GP posts from 2011 (part 2)”
A selection of GP posts from 2011 (part 1)
Certainly not a “Best Of” list (because they’re ALL awesome, of course), just some posts throughout the year that I think got at the root of why we’re doing this and/or had some entertainment value with a message buried within. I’ve included some comments from our astute readers. And I’m not sure if I should refer to myself in first or third person.
January
Post: Holly’s “Er, too much coverage?” – using screen grabs of an AT&T commercial featuring some kind of weird vine overtaking a city – dubbed Clematis broadbandii (I hate to lead off with my own stuff, but feel this was some of my most inspired work).… Continue reading this article “A selection of GP posts from 2011 (part 1)”
How NOT to run a Christmas Tree Business
Some of you know we have a you-pick blueberry farm; we work very hard on it and have been successful thus far. It also happened to come with 6 acres of Fraser firs. Most were already in the 10′ to 18′ range when we bought the place in 2007. There is limited value in an over-grown Christmas tree; right up there with a poinsettia still on the store shelf on December 26th.
They look MUCH better covered in snow. … Continue reading this article “How NOT to run a Christmas Tree Business”
Quiz Answers
Some great guesses!
Most identified the seed head of a Clematis – this one is Clematis tibetana, also known as Orange Peel clematis due to the leathery golden-orange petals/bracts. It’s a late bloomer anyway, and the profusion of swirly seed heads sparkle in the autumn sun. Quite vigorous when compared to the large-flowered clematis species and hybrids; more along the lines of sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora). Covers small structures and slow-moving terrestrials in a single season.… Continue reading this article “Quiz Answers”
Quiz: Under the Sea
Happy Friday, all! Here’s a wee quiz for you.
Here’s a of couple close-ups inspired by my love for critters of the ocean.
Plant parts? Sea creatures? Eh?
#1 Anemone tentacles?
#2 Coral polyps?
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Just a nice photo…
…of late fall in our meadow at the Hahn Horticulture Garden, Virginia Tech.
To our U.S. readers, happy Thanksgiving! Pleasant weather here in Virginia means I’ll get to putter in the ol’ home garden (only to find some squishy brown things I probably should have dug up last month and now will need to replace. Oh well, that’s what great nurseries and garden centers are for).
So we’ll just guess from now on…
First, the news:
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NASS Reduces Agricultural Estimation Programs
Issued October 17, 2011 by the Agricultural Statistics Board of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). For more information, contact Sue duPont, 202-690-8122.
In light of funding reductions in fiscal year (FY) 2011 and the likelihood of additional reductions in FY 2012, NASS conducted deliberate reviews of all programs against mission- and user-based criteria, aimed at finding cost savings and forward-thinking business efficiencies so that key timely, accurate and useful data remains available in service to agriculture.… Continue reading this article “So we’ll just guess from now on…”
Weird Plant Wednesday!
Inspired by Linda’s Euphorbia quiz last week – here’s another:
Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Firesticks’ in the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech (right before we dug it up due to impending frost). Am hoping for a "comment of approval" from Hap (Mister Cactus Jungle) on this nice specimen…not bad for Zone 6a!
Same funky little leaflets/antennae… just like Linda’s Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’
GP factoid: also known as "milkbush," the latex sap contains terpenoids – it apparently has potential as an energy source or "hydrocarbon plant."… Continue reading this article “Weird Plant Wednesday!”
Today in Cucurbit News…
Cucumbers are one of the most widely-grown vegetables in the world. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (a great place to buy unusual and international veggie seeds) lists 51 varieties from North America, Southeast Asia, China, India, Mexico, and Europe. Dark green ones seem to be in the minority – yellow, white, orange and red skins in shapes round to elongated dominate.
Cukes traditionally have a few nutrients including some Vitamin A from carotenoids and beta carotene, but have never had the reputation as nutritional power house.… Continue reading this article “Today in Cucurbit News…”