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The Science of Gardening
The WVU Extension Service Garden Calendar is produced and distributed each year as a service to West Virginia’s many home gardeners and agricultural producers. The annual calendar is just one of many meaningful projects, programs and outreach efforts provided by WVU Extension Service throughout West Virginia’s 55 counties.
If you have gardening questions or want more information, please contact your county’s WVU Extension Service office. Be sure to check out information for controlling garden pests year-round and related learning activities for even more opportunities.
Enjoy this year’s Garden Calendar!
Download the 2021 Garden Calendar Get a Garden Calendar at Your Local County OfficeThe WVU Extension Service is committed to providing reasonable accommodations upon request.
Note: To print as many Garden Calendars as existing funds allow, the WVU Extension Service may not be able to honor web or email requests for mailed calendars. Please contact your nearest county office to get a calendar. Your understanding is sincerely appreciated.
Fresh from the Garden Calendar
Putting Down Roots
Roots are an essential organ of the plant. Understanding how roots function related to plant growth and development is the key to successful gardening.
Roots anchor plants to the soil or other objects, transport water and nutrients, as well as store many important compounds for plant growth and development.
How Plants Use Nutrients
Nutrients are essential elements that plants use for growth, development and reproduction. Plants need a balanced source of nutrients to support growth.
There are 17 different nutrients that are essential for plants, and they all have a specific function. Three of these elements come from the water and air, while the remaining elements are taken from the soil.
Read about How Plants Use Nutrients
Companion Planting
Companion planting is the practice of growing two or more species of plants that are beneficial to one another in close proximity. There are multiple ways that these plants help one another, including pollination, pest control, habitat for insects, space maximization, natural trellising and increase in crop production.
Some plants provide necessary nutrients that allow other plants to thrive. For example, legumes provide nitrogen compounds to other plants, such as peas and beans planted with corn.
What is Heliotropism?
Light from the sun provides the solar energy used by plants for photosynthesis. Heliotropism, or solar tracking, is when a plant follows the movement of the sun during the day. Rooted in ancient Greek, “helio” refers to the sun and “tropism” means a turning or movement of a living organism toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat or gravity.
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is the best example of a plant that displays this phenomenon. Young sunflower plants follow the sun from east to west during the day and then, reorient themselves during the night to face east in anticipation of the sunrise.
Read about What is Heliotropism?
The Role of Pollination
Pollination is essential for reproduction in seed-bearing plants, and therefore, much of the foods and ecosystems we enjoy.
Pollination is the physical transfer of pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. A pollinator is an animal that moves pollen from flower to flower.
Read about The Role of Pollination
Worms, Worms, Worms
Earthworms benefit your garden soil in many ways. These underground excavators burrow channels in soil, making it more porous and improving drainage. They also bring some of the subsoil closer to the surface, mixing it with topsoil and increasing the amount of quality planting soil available.
Earthworms help plants grow by providing better airflow to the roots. Worms’ excretions are rich in nutrients and bacteria. And, the slimy secretions that earthworms produce contain nitrogen, which also promotes plant growth.
Read about Worms, Worms, Worms
How Plants Use Water
Water is an essential nutrient for plants and comprises up to 95% of a plant’s tissue. It is required for a seed to sprout, and as the plant grows, water carries nutrients throughout the plant. Water is responsible for several important functions within plant tissues.
Water is necessary for photosynthesis, which is how plants use energy from the sun to create their own food. During this process, plants use carbon dioxide from the air and hydrogen from the water absorbed through their roots and release oxygen as a byproduct. This exchange occurs through pore-like stoma on the leaves.
Read about How Plants Use Water
Germinating Seeds
Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed into a seedling. Seeds remain dormant until conditions are favorable for germination. All seeds need water, oxygen and optimal temperature to germinate.
When a seed is exposed to the proper conditions, water and oxygen are taken in through the seed coat. The embryo’s cells start to enlarge. Then, the seed coat breaks open and the root emerges first, followed by the shoot that contains the leaves and stem.
A Note from the Dean
Dear Friends of WVU Extension Service,
The past year generated a renewed interest in gardening. Seasoned gardeners poured their hearts and souls into perfecting crops, while the more novice gardeners took this opportunity to try home gardening for the first time. Our Family Nutrition Program received more than 25,000 requests for seeds as part of its “ Grow This! Challenge,” and families enjoyed learning about the benefits of gardening.
Read about A Note from the Dean
Seed Libraries
Seed libraries are a great way to find seeds you need, can’t find anywhere else or would like to try. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for you to share extra seeds you have with other growers in your area.
You may be asking yourself what exactly is a seed library. It’s just that – a library for seeds – and can normally be found at your local library.
Heritage Squash
Squash is one of North America’s oldest cultivated crops. It was originally one
of three primary crops grown by Native American groups.
Today’s squash varieties can be broken up into two main categories: summer and winter. Summer squash includes varieties of yellow squash and zucchini that are picked at an immature stage when the rind is still soft and edible.
Heritage Corn
For centuries, humans have grown grains for food, animal feed and countless other uses. Today, we enjoy our corn roasted, popped, grilled, creamed and made into a longtime favorite of West Virginians, cornbread.
For those wanting that old-timey corn flavor, Golden Bantam is the way to go. This variety is known for early planting and its rich flavor. These stalks only grow to 5 feet tall with two ears that are approximately 6 inches in length. Plant 1 inch deep with 5 to 6 inches between seeds in rows that are 2 to 3 feet apart. When the plants are about 4 inches tall, they will need thinned to 1 foot apart.
Request a Garden Calendar
Visit your local county office to get a copy of WVU Extension's free Garden Calendar.