Tax season, which begins in January and ends in April with the tax-filing deadline (tax day falls on April 15), can be a stressful time for people in the U.S. Individuals and businesses are required by law to file their income tax returns with the federal government and either await a refund or pay ...

The Virginia Egg Council used the American Egg Board’s 2025 campaign, “Meant to be Broken,” in last year’s search for the best egg recipes that would be appropriate for holiday entertaining, gifting or enjoying. Sixteen local fairs across Virginia hosted preliminary competitions throughout the summe...

Winter has officially arrived, bringing unique challenges in caring for houseplants. At this time of year, we experience less intense and fewer hours of sunlight. For most indoor plants, the lack of daylight signals a special kind of dormancy called quiescence. During this period, plants conserve th...

Getting outside in winter reduces stress, improves mood and helps with social connection and physical health for both people and pets, reminds the TurfMutt Foundation. But TurfMutt, which champions the year-round care and use of backyards, public parks, school yards and other green spaces, urges pet...

Want to learn more about gardening specifically for our fine feathered friends? Plan on joining this webinar on Jan. 13 from 7 - 8 p.m. “Gardening for Birds” shares some of the interactions between birds and native plants and provides ideas for improving properties of all sizes for birds. Presenter ...

Pollinators are essential to healthy ecosystems, and they are key to vibrant, thriving community landscapes. Whether you’re responsible for municipal parks, downtown green spaces, campus landscapes or neighborhood initiatives, this free webinar on Jan. 20 at noon will equip you with the knowledge an...

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but grandmas don’t look the same as they used to. My paternal grandmother, Ma, was short and stout – think “I’m a little teapot.” Her bosom was ample enough to enfold and comfort a weeping child or provide a nestling place for a sleeping baby. Ma’s hair was past her h...

Maple syrup is a sugary staple of breakfast foods and desserts made primarily from the sap of the sugar maple species of maple trees. Syrup production involves a process of tapping the trees, collecting the sap, evaporating the water and filtering the syrup to the final product. Maple syrup producti...

As the new year begins, many of us resolve to eat healthier, cook more at home or reduce food waste. One resolution that often gets overlooked but protects everyone at the table is food safety. Foodborne illness affects an estimated 48 million Americans every year, leading to hospitalizations, misse...