For warm weather crops such as these, start seedlings indoors in March. In April and May, once temperatures at night are consistently above 50 degrees, transplant established plants to the garden. Zone 5 During the spring in Virginia zones 6, 7 and 8, try planting short season produce in March that prefer cold weather, such as iceberg lettuce, broccolini, and beets. Be prepared to take care of your plants throughout the growing season. Going on a summer vacation? Remember that tomatoes and zucchinis grow strongest in the middle of summer. If you’ll be gone for part of the summer, you need someone to look after the crops, or they will suffer. Or, you could just grow cool-season crops such as lettuce, kale, peas, and root veggies during the cooler months of late spring and earlyfall. If the gardener can’t get down to the garden, bring the garden up to the gardener. A raised bed garden is gardening in soil that is above the normal ground level. It could be as simple as piling up soil several inches above ground level or a garden bed on legs that can be reached from sitting or standing. Raised beds are generally two to four feet wide: two feet if gardening from one side and four feet if gardening from both sides. Depending on the individuals’ abilities, the length of the bed can be as long as desired. The height of the bed above ground level can vary significantly depending on the needs of the gardener. One of Virginia's most popular native plants is whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata). It’s a Virginia native plant that is perfect for dry, sunny, and part shade areas and gets its name from the whorls of thin leaves arranged around the stem. This milkweed is also adorned with tiny, fragrant blooms that appear late in the season.

So when you're choosing plants for your garden, be sure to consider the gardening zone that you live in. It might just make the difference between a thriving garden and a sad, wilted one. Careful selection of plants can significantly reduce the work of gardening. Consider the level of maintenance that is needed and the level of skill needed to grow the plant. Many different types of plants can be grown in raised beds and containers. You can choose from: annuals, perennials and biennials, shrubs, bulbs, vegetables, plant material for drying or cutting fresh, herbs, climbers, dwarf trees, water plants, or plants for attracting wildlife.If you're considering making your yard in Virginia more sustainable, you're not alone. Many homeowners are interested in creating an eco-friendly and low-maintenance space. Sustainable landscaping has many benefits, including reducing your environmental footprint, providing habitat for local wildlife, and saving money on water and energy costs.

When you’re trying to find the best soil type for your neighborhood, keep an eye on it. What is best way to grow cilantro? What is sandy soil? How do you plant tomatoes in clay soil? Gaylynn Callahan, an Extension agent in the City of Hampton, helped develop the Hampton Urban Garden program, which provides city residents with access to an urban garden bed and education on basic gardening skills. Through a collaboration with the local food and nutrition program, participants also learn how to turn their harvest into nutritious meals. Did you know that Burro’s Tail has some of the most beautiful blooms of all succulents? In the summer they can bloom beautiful, vibrant pink flowers that all succulent gardeners will love. Zone 7a, which includes the city of Charlottesville, to the Virginia suburbs of the Washington DC metro area, has slightly warmer winters. Gardeners in this zone can take advantage of the state's humid climate by growing plants that might not survive in other parts of the country. Remember to mindfully maintain your landscape; over-treating lawns with chemicals can pollute local waterways. Keep it organic!Aloe Vera is the perfect plant to cut and use its pups to create grow more aloe vera and create your very own succulent garden indoors. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_ edu/426/426-020/426-020.pdf Container and raised bed gardening. Retrieved 10/21/22 Gardening is a way to let folks have normalcy and a connection to the outdoors. Especially for kids in a city, it’s a chance just to stop for a minute, get your hands in the dirt, learn responsibility and confidence, and know that you can grow your own food. That’s something you take with you,” Callahan said. There are a number of things that can be planted now in Virginia Beach. Some vegetables that can be planted now are broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Herbs such as cilantro and parsley can also be planted. As long as you provide your spider plants with sunlight then they will not only thrive all year but grow all year making them one of the most beautiful succulents you can grow as a beginner.