Lawn, Gardening & Pests
A yard that feels and looks like home. A bountiful harvest. Grow your own and sow something beautiful.
Get the 2026 Garden Calendar
The WVU Extension Garden Calendar is produced and distributed each year as a service to West Virginia’s many home gardeners and agricultural producers.
Fresh from the Garden CalendarDownload the Garden Calendar
Lawn, Gardening & Pests Learning Activities
Germinate SeedsMaster Gardener Program
The WVEMGA helps West Virginians understand horticultural and environmental issues through community engagement in gardening and beautification projects at schools, parks, public institutions, and locations throughout the state.
How to Join WVEGMAUpcoming Lawn, Gardening & Pests Events
Recent News
Wildflowers
An established wildflower meadow can produce bouquets for the table, all while serving as the perfect haven for insects and wildlife. Adding these plots of wispy flowers transforms a manicured lawn into a magical getaway and can reduce time spent on the lawn mower!
The long-term success of a wildflower plot involves careful site selection and preparation. Most wildflower species need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day Ideally, wildflowers should be close to a water source so the planting can be watered until germination, as well as periodically in dry seasons. If possible, avoid soggy soils and areas with difficult-to-eradicate perennial weeds.
Marigolds
A favorite for many, the marigold is a versatile annual flower. There are multiple uses for marigolds. From cut flowers, borders, and companion plants, the options are nearly endless. In fact, there are a few different common types of marigolds that you can select to best fit your gardening needs.
The African marigold (often called giant marigold) has long, sturdy stems and is a great option if you want to grow marigolds for cut flowers. These marigolds are often 3 feet tall. African marigolds have large blooms in a multitude of colors.
Peonies
No matter how you pronounce it, peonies make a stunning addition to any landscape. These hardy perennials feature large, vibrant blooms in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, with a lovely fragrance to match.
Tulips
The tulip can be found everywhere from farms, fields, and forests in Appalachia. While native to Central Asia and Turkey, they were planted in West Virginia for their flowers in spring.
Tulips are a perennial bulbus flower that grow in a temperate climate, they range from zones 3 to 8. It is a cold hardy flower that can take frost and snow.
Dahlias
Growing flowers by themselves or alongside a vegetable garden can bring a splash a color into your landscape, and what brings more color than dahlias? These easy to grow flowers can be enjoyed for years, all with a little knowledge and proper storage.
Dahlias are native to the mountains of Mexico, where they were discovered by Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, hence the name “dahlia.” The original flowers most likely consisted of a single row of ray florets surrounding a yellow center disc florets. While this variety is still grown, many newer varieties come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.