Fall color in the garden is no doubt stunning, but changing foliage color isn’t the only way to get autumn interest in your garden. Fall berries give you a pop of color and add a new texture to your autumn space. Berries are also beneficial to wildlife – namely birds – who will happily gobble them u...

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree. There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer artificial...

No matter how far in denial one might be, winter is here – and there is nothing quite as jolting as a strong draft. This is the weather for snuggling by a fire or space heater, not worrying about being blasted with an unwanted current of icy winter wind. There are a lot of different options dependin...

Before hopping on an all-terrain vehicle this autumn, take a moment to prioritize safety over fun. “People want to get out and explore nature and experience the outdoors,” said Scott DeNoon, senior farm product and underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. and member of the ...

On Nov. 15, the USDA released a new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating this valuable tool for growers and researchers for the first time since 2012. The Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location....

There’s nothing like creating a salad of freshly harvested greens you’ve grown yourself from seed. The good news is this is one crop you can grow year-round, indoors, safe from nibbling rabbits in fair weather and freezing temperatures in winter. What type of greens do you fancy? Leafy lettuces? Dee...

Keeping laying hens productive through the winter months means keeping them well fed, well watered, healthy and comfortable. Below is a checklist of management tips that are designed to assist the farmer/grower in keeping their farm flock comfortable. Any stress on the birds could force a molt and t...

There once was a wisdom that was prevalent in our great-grandparents’ era that has all but disappeared into the mists of time – a necessary knowledge of the flora and fauna and how to use their vast resources. My parents have shared some of the “home remedies” their mothers used when they were child...

As hours of daylight shorten and autumn gives way to winter, thoughts shift from fall foliage to spending time cuddling under warm blankets and being cozy indoors. A fireplace can improve the ambiance of any room and help to create a warm and welcoming gathering spot. Home fireplaces typically are w...