Agriculture

By Carol Nelson - VCE Southside Master Gardener Spring 2022 The mornings are still a little cool to see many flying insects in our gardens – but in a couple weeks the butterflies and moths will be out in force, as well as the peskier sorts like mosquitoes, midges, and winged termites. Soon we will also notice acrobatic predators swooping ...

Story and photos by Heather Hawkins Spring 2022 Our names are Jonathan and Heather Hawkins, and, along with our six children: Jason (15), Tyler (14), Micah (12), Emilie (10), Olivia (8), and Benjamin (3), we own and run Hawkfield Manor on our cousin’s farm in rural Person County. Our cousins have supported us in our livestock endeavors and have opened ...

By Darnell Abbott Though the end of the gardening season can be bittersweet, I love winter gardening for many reasons. It just feels right that the plant world gets to take a rest. Sometimes, I think I can hear the trees, shrubs and perennials breathe a collective sigh of relief that winter is here and they don’t have to work ...

By Darnell Abbott Everyone is familiar with the term “green thumb,” and at our garden center, I constantly hear people say they do not have a green thumb. However, I believe that the secret to gardening success, or having a “green thumb,” really boils down to two things: a “green brain” and a “green back.” For a beautiful lawn, the ...

By Rebecca Page The Caswell Farmers Market is open for the 2021 season on Thursdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. until Sept. 9. Sixteen returning and five new vendors have committed to sell this year, with more certain to join. Most of the vendors are your neighbors in Caswell County, and all grow or make their product within 75 miles ...

By Darnell Abbott Vegetable gardening can be one of the most rewarding endeavors; growing your own food is extremely satisfying. Vegetable gardening offers many benefits: Superior taste and nutrition Exercise and fresh air Wonderful way to introduce children to the wonders of nature Saving money Seasoned gardeners already know what is necessary for a successful vegetable garden, but, for those ...

By Cheryl Gosney Watts The Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens and Environmental Education Center (SVBG) is peacefully nestled on 15 acres in South Boston / Halifax County, Va. The Southside Master Gardeners first met in February of 2010 for discussions and planning, which led to an agreement with the county (which owns the land known as Edmunds Park) for a long-term ...

By Darnell Abbott Everyone is familiar with the term “green thumb,” and at our garden center, I constantly hear “I don’t have a green thumb.” However, I believe that the secret to gardening success, aka a “green thumb,” really boils down to two things: a “green brain” and a “green back.” By “green brain,” I am referring to putting some ...

Countryside Produce Market By Norwood Walker Have you ever had a “Dorothy moment”? You know one of those times like in the iconic Wizard of Oz when Dorothy turns to Auntie Em and Uncle Henry and tells them that if she ever goes looking for her heart’s desire again, she won’t look any further than her own backyard? Well, it ...

By Darnell Abbott Fall is my absolute favorite season. After the sweltering dog days of summer, those first crisp, low humidity days are such a relief and it is a joy to be outside. I want to spend a little time addressing the advantages of planting trees and shrubs in the fall rather than spring. As an owner of Abbott’s ...