Resources by John Freeborn
Title | Available As | Summary | Date | ID | Author |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Urban Water Quality Management–Residential Stormwater: Put It in Its Place. Decreasing Runoff and Increasing Stormwater Infiltration | Humans and plants depend on an adequate supply of
clean water for a number of reasons, from producingfood
to sustaining life. The average Virginia resident
uses 826 gallons of fresh water daily (Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality [VADEQ] 2008). In the
Commonwealth alone, there are more than one million
households that depend on well water, withdrawing
more than 50 billion gallons annually (Virginia Department
of Health 2008). For groundwater replenishment,
we depend largely on recharge (water moving from the
surface to groundwater) from infiltration of precipitation
through permeable surfaces in the environment — an
important part of the natural water cycle (VADEQ
2010). |
Jun 18, 2015 | 426-046(HORT-160P) | ||
Backyard Wildlife Habitats | Mar 6, 2015 | 426-070 (HORT-155P) | |||
Planning the Vegetable Garden | How much time will you be able to devote to
your garden on a regular basis? The answer to this
question will dictate the size of your garden. You
must remember that, once planted, the garden will
have to be weeded once a week, irrigated during
droughts, and vegetables harvested when ripe.
Depending on the type of vegetables, you may also
need to undertake pest control measures. |
Dec 11, 2015 | 426-312 (HORT-209P) | ||
Soil Preparation | The ideal soil for a vegetable garden is deep, friable,
and well-drained with a high organic matter content.
Proper soil preparation provides the basis for good
seed germination and the subsequent growth of garden
crops. Careful use of various soil amendments can
improve garden soil and provide the best possible
starting ground for your crops. |
Aug 12, 2015 | 426-313 (HORT-191P) | ||
Seed For The Garden | Apr 21, 2015 | 426-316 (HORT-153P) | |||
Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden | The amount of fertilizer to apply to a garden depends
on the natural fertility of the soil, the amount of
organic matter present, the type of fertilizer used, and
the crop being grown. The best way to determine
fertilizer needs is to have the soil tested. Soil testing is
available through your local Extension agent, through
private labs, and with soil test kits which can be
purchased from garden shops and catalogs. |
Apr 16, 2015 | 426-323 (HORT-144P) | ||
Mulches for the Home Vegetable Garden | Mulching is a practice adaptable to nearly all home
gardens. To mulch is simply to cover the soil around
plants with a protective material, organic or inorganic. |
Mar 20, 2015 | 426-326(HORT-140P) | ||
Vegetable Gardening in Containers | If you don’t have space for a vegetable garden or if your
present site is too small, consider raising fresh, nutritious,
homegrown vegetables in containers. A window
sill, patio, balcony, or doorstep can provide sufficient
space for a productive container garden. Problems with
soil-borne diseases, nematodes, or poor soil can also be
overcome by switching to container gardening. |
Mar 18, 2015 | 426-336 (HORT-141P) | ||
Weeds in the Home Vegetable Garden | Apr 22, 2015 | 426-364 (HORT-157P) | |||
Minimum Chemical Gardening | Apr 22, 2015 | 426-366 (HORT-161P) | |||
Season Extenders | Apr 22, 2015 | 426-381 (HORT-159P) | |||
Asparagus | Mar 6, 2015 | 426-401(HORT-152P) | |||
Beans | Apr 16, 2015 | 426-402 (HORT-145P) | |||
Cole Crops or Brassicas | Apr 21, 2015 | 426-403 (HORT-156P) | |||
Sweet Corn | Mar 16, 2015 | 426-405 (HORT-151P) | |||
Cucumbers, Melons and Squash | Varieties include both the slicer or fresh salad type and the
pickle type (which can also be used fresh); vined, dwarfvined
and bush varieties; all female or all-female seedless
(no pollination required); burpless; and, various mixtures of
these characteristics. Disease resistance is available in many
varieties. |
Mar 16, 2015 | 426-406 (HORT-147P) | ||
Leafy Green Vegetables | Lettuce, a cool-season vegetable crop, is one of the easiest to grow. Lettuce withstands light frost; however, sunlight and high summer temperatures usually cause seedstalk formation (bolting) and bitter flavor. Slow-bolting or
heat-resistant varieties are available and are recommended
for extending the lettuce-growing season. |
Mar 16, 2015 | 426-408 (HORT-148P) | ||
Onions, Garlic, and Shallots | Onions are often grouped according
to taste. The two main types of onions
are strong flavored (American) and
mild (often called European). Each has
three distinct colors, yellow, white, and
red. In general, the American onion
produces bulbs of smaller size, denser
texture, stronger flavor, and better
keeping quality than European types.
Globe varieties tend to keep longer in
storage. |
Mar 16, 2015 | 426-411(HORT-143P) | ||
Potatoes, Peppers and Eggplant | Apr 16, 2015 | 426-413 (HORT-146P) | |||
Tomatoes | Tomatoes are valuable garden plants in that they require
relatively little space for large production. Each standard
tomato plant, properly cared for, yields 10 to 15 pounds
or more of fruit.Diane Relf, Retired Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Virginia Tech
Alan McDaniel, Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Virginia Tech
Ronald Morse, Former Associate Professor, Horticulture, Virginia Tech
Reviewed by John Freeborn, Assistant Master Gardener Coordinator, Horticulture, Virginia Tech |
Sep 29, 2016 | 426-418 (HORT-288P) | ||
Sprouting Seeds For Food | Jun 1, 2017 | 426-419 (HORT-154P) | |||
Root Crops | Mar 5, 2015 | 426-422 (HORT-150P) | |||
The Art of Bonsai | Mar 3, 2015 | 426-601 (HORT-158P) | |||
Building Healthy Soil | Jun 1, 2017 | 426-711 (HORT-244NP) | |||
Landscaping for Less in the Landfill | Jun 1, 2017 | 426-716 (HORT-243NP) |