Lawn, Gardening & Pests
A yard that feels and looks like home. A bountiful harvest. Grow your own and sow something beautiful.
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Recent News
Cultivating Rich and Unique Bloody Butcher Corn
When thinking of heirloom field corn that holds a significant place in our state’s history, West Virginians cannot help but mention Bloody Butcher Corn, which dates back to the early 1800s.
While most white and yellow corn varieties are harvested at a rate of 190 to 250 bushels per acre, the open pollinated Bloody Butcher is maximized at 100 bushels per acre. The stalks can grow to heights of 12 feet or taller, so wind and hard rains can knock the stalks down easily. Another reason is the corn’s days to maturity reach upward of 100 days. The corn will always produce two ears per stalk that are usually 10 to 12 inches in length.
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Experience Coal Camp Heritage Beans
Pole beans are also known as cornfield beans or climbing beans and fall into a category of beans with a slightly larger pod and more prominent string. One such bean that is very desirable is the Coal Camp bean.
Coal Camp is an heirloom pole bean that originated in West Virginia and produces purplish-green colored pods. The plant produces long runs, so a tall trellis is necessary. They are traditionally picked when the seeds are plump but still forming inside the pod and require stringing. Research also has shown that these beans provide more protein and fiber.
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Join the Winter/Spring 2025 Master Gardener Training
WVU Extension Master Gardener training, which used to be offered through in-person courses organized by WVU Extension offices around the state, will once again be available online via Zoom sessions.
WVU Extension will continue offering online Master Gardener training classes for late winter/spring 2025 term, beginning on January 9 through May 15. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
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Bite Into History With the Red York Apple
The Red York apple is a bud mutation of York Imperial, the quintessential Eastern sauce-making apple. The Red York apple was discovered around 1945 in the orchard of John L. Hevener in Roanoke, West Virginia. In fact, the Hevener’s property was where Stonewall Resort is located today.
The story goes that Hevener was walking through his orchard late in the season and saw some red apples on one of his trees. He was intrigued and walked over, picked an apple and bite into it – it was still firm, juicy and sweet despite being so late in the season.
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The Historied Mortgage Lifter Tomato
One of West Virginia gardeners’ favorite tomato is the Mortgage Lifter, a pink to red beefsteak variety. But, did you know that the Mortgage Lifter has more than a meaty fruit and an interesting name? Originating from Logan, West Virginia, one popular Mortgage Lifter was developed by Marshall Cletis Byles, aka Radiator Charlie.
The story begins in the 1930s, when Radiator Charlie wanted to develop a better breed of tomato. Charlie planted three varieties – beefsteak, an Italian variety, and an English variety – in a circle around a fourth variety, German Johnson. He saved seeds from the best tomatoes each year and eventually was satisfied with a stable tomato variety that we now know as the Mortgage Lifter.