Shiitake happens
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to work with a couple of our Grow Appalachia market growers. Pasha and Loren have a beautiful garden tucked into a mountain
What’s eating your potato plants? by Anna-Grace Fraley
What’s eating your potato plants? When it comes to pests that wreak havoc on potato crops, one name stands out: the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). You might have heard
There is a helpful weed? by Anna-Grace Fraley
One example of a weed that can be helpful in certain contexts is the Clover (Trifolium spp.). While some people consider it a weed due to its presence in lawns
Intern intro by Anna-Grace
My name is Anna-Grace Fraley, and I am the Wise County Extension Intern for Summer 2023. I am from Gate City, Virginia. I am a Junior at the University of
Snake spit and wild edibles
We offered an optional learning experience for our Grow Appalachia families in early May: wild edibles walks. On Thursday, May 11, the walks were offered at three different locations, under
American chestnut research
Although it isn't directly tied to gardening, the American chestnut played a huge role in the lives of many Appalachian subsistence farming families, providing food for both livestock and humans,
Heritage apples
Back about 70 years ago, Wise County was the third largest apple producer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but with changes in land use, most of those orchards were lost.
Heartbroken growers
Our hearts go out to our friends and neighbors in eastern Kentucky. While we didn't see nearly the damage here in Wise County that Letcher, Knott, Breathitt and Perry County
Bamboo bad, BUT…
It's interesting how badly you can hate a particular invasive species and yet still acknowledge its utility. Such is the case with bamboo. Bamboo can be categorized as clumping or
Garden and orchard transitions
Most of our growers are transitioning from tree fruits to vegetables at the moment. Those who have apple and pear trees have done their grafting and pruning, and now
