Virginia Tech Gardening and Cooperative Extension Publications

There are many ways to obtain free copies of Virginia Cooperative Extension publications. These materials are published for general public use and may be reprinted with a citation. They are provided free of charge. Authors may purchase copies to distribute. If you are a faculty member or staff member and would like to order printed copies for distribution, you must purchase the printed version from the VCE Storefront. All Virginia Cooperative Extension publications are available for free on the VCE website.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service (VCES) focuses on agriculture, agribusiness, home economics, community resource development, and 4-H Clubs. As part of a joint federal, state, and local program, Extension aims to make the most of knowledge produced by land-grant universities and is a good way to get that information into the hands of citizens. The Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station is an example of an extension program.

Insect Identification Services – The Virginia Cooperative Extension has a Plant Disease Clinic to identify insects and other pathogens. The clinic can diagnose a wide variety of plants and environmental problems. It can identify weeds, mushrooms, and any other type of plant. They can even analyze digital photographs of plants and insects to help with identification. The Cooperative Extension publishes many publications, so you should be able to find the right one for your needs.

Choosing the right planting date is another important component to vegetable gardening. Since vegetables vary so widely in their preferred growing conditions and tolerance of extreme temperatures, selecting the right planting date is vital to a successful crop. USDA Plant Hardiness Zones will help you choose the right planting dates for your area. The publication will also provide you with specific guidelines regarding plant spacing, seeding, and the number of plants per 10-foot row. This information is essential for a successful garden.

Apples can be grown in a home garden and can be an enjoyable experience. The key to growing apples in your garden is to be knowledgeable about the trees and their needs. A good soil that is well-drained will not only prevent disease but also increase the quality of your crop. In addition to the soil, Virginia Cooperative Extension offers a number of educational and technical resources for farmers and gardeners. In addition to publications, there are also several online resources for home gardeners.

The topography of Virginia and the region’s large area allow for different varieties of fruit to be grown. The state’s apples are grown on an average of 13,774 acres. Peaches are grown on an average of 175 acres per year. By comparison, Virginia has a total of 99 acres of peach and sweet and tart cherry orchards. Their annual peach and apple crop is the sixth largest in the country and the state’s peach production is estimated at $35 million.