Gardening
A bountiful garden is desirable resource. With WVU Extension Service expert advice, learn how to maintain a variety of gardens.
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Gardening Guide
Getting Ready for Fall
Putting the garden to bed in fall is the first step to a successful garden the following spring. Around the lawn, fall also makes a good time for some general cleanup and preparation for next year.
Five Recommendations to Prepare for Next YearThree Fall Cleanup Tasks for Next Spring
Growing Basil
Basil is seeded or transplanted outside after the last frost in spring in West Virginia (late May) or earlier if started in a high or low tunnel.
Planting BasilBasil Care & Maintenance
Harvesting Basil
Growing Beets
Beets should be seeded early or late enough in the year to grow under cool weather conditions in West Virginia which favors both yield and quality.
Choosing a BeetPlanting Beets
Growing Beets in High or Low Tunnels
Beet Variety Selection
Harvesting Your Beets
Growing Cauliflower
Cauliflower can be grown as a spring or fall crop and it grows best in cool growing environments. Learn suggested varieties for West Virginia.
Growing Melons
Many melon varieties are well-suited to West Virginia’s climate and growing season. When choosing a variety to grow, consider the length of your growing season as well as your flavor preference.
Melon ProductionNutrition of Melons
Choosing Melons
Melon Varieties
Other Considerations for Melons
Growing Popcorn
Two types of popcorn are grown: pearl and rice. Pearl popcorn has round smooth kernels, while rice popcorn kernels are elongated.
Growing PopcornPollination Considerations for Popcorn
Popcorn Cultivars
Disease Concern for Popcorn
Harvest of Popcorn
Popcorn Storage
Popcorn Nutrition & Cooking Considerations
Growing Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is distinguished from other corns by its high sugar content when in the milk, by its early dough stages and by its wrinkled, translucent kernels when dry.
Sweet Corn Planting TimeFall Planting or Spring Planting
People often wonder when the best time to plant is – fall or spring. Both seasons are excellent for planting trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials.
Fall PlantingFall Planting Tips
Spring Planting
Spring Planting Tips
Back to Garden Basics
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.
Fresh from the Garden Calendar
What is Perennial Gardening?
Home gardens are typically thought of as an annual project, but perennial gardening allows for a single, one-time planting with a harvest of produce year after year.
When selecting a location for perennial crops, choose an area that will be undisturbed with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. The outer area of a current garden or in raised beds works well.
Browse and Download the Garden Calendar
Extension Master Gardener Program
We’re growing
The WVU Extension Master Gardener Program provides people interested in gardening with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills by taking part in Basic/Level 1 and Advanced/Level 2 training programs that provide in-depth training in various aspects of horticulture.
The program helps residents better understand horticultural and environmental issues
through community engagement in gardening and beautification projects at schools,
parks, public institutions, community organizations, and locations throughout the
state.