Ask a Master Gardener

Question: I heard on TV that the Japanese maple tree is considered an “invasive” plant. I have one of these trees in my yard. Should I remove it? Great question! The topic of invasive plants can be a tricky one….

Question: I’m building a new house. How can my residential landscape be designed to minimize home energy consumption and water usage? You are right to think about energy and water conservation before your home is built! It’s a good way…

Question: I’ve noticed kudzu starting to grow near a creek in my neighborhood. What can be done to control it in an environmentally responsible way? This question comes up often! Kudzu is a non-native invasive species, is likely to spread…

Question: What is a rain garden and what plants are suitable for one? With all the rain lately, no wonder your thoughts turn to how to manage rainfall in the garden! A rain garden is a landscaped area designed to…

Question: When and how much should I fertilize my lawn? I don’t want to overdo it and have fertilizer going into the water table! Great question and thanks for your concern about our water table! In a normal year (before…

Question: I have 40 acres that is simply covered in stiltgrass! What can I do to get rid of this weed? Thanks for your question! Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), a native to Asia, is an invasive grass to Virginia. Luckily,…

Question: Is plastic mulch good for tomatoes and other vegetables? Yes, it is. There are various kinds of mulch (including plastic and many biodegradable alternatives) and each has different benefits and drawbacks. Mulch, in general, can suppress weeds, conserve water,…

Question: I hear that composting is a good gardening practice. What is it and where can I find more information? Compost is a mixture of dead and fresh yard waste and kitchen scraps that has decomposed and turned into a…

Question: What are beneficial insects and how can I attract them to my vegetable garden? Beneficial insects are the preferred insects that benefit our gardens. There are four types of beneficial insects: predatory, parasitoid, decomposer, and pollinator. Predatory insects feed…