Home and Garden for Lynchburg News Advance

Keep your eyes peeled for the pretty purple Chinese ground orchid

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:55:00 EDT

May is the month that the Chinese ground orchid blooms. Like those of many orchids, its blooms are brilliantly colorful and fascinating. But unlike many orchids it is easy and prolific. It is a simple plant to grow in semi-shade in the garden where it will gradually form into great masses, and each pair of pleated leaves will surround a slender stalk topped by a group of rose purple flowers.

Couple’s home contains portal to past

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:54:00 EDT

WINSTON-SALEM - Guests at the home of Reg and Nancy Banner can walk down the stairs and into the past.

Look past spring’s show for subtle beauties

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:25:01 EDT

The landscape in early and mid-spring is painted with flowers. There are few scenes that aren’t drenched in flowers. Some seem to scream at us from the tree branches and shrub borders - blinding azaleas and pink dogwoods; subtlety is not their strong suit. Wisterias are literally dripping color from the trees. Every green thing wants to flower at this time of year, and many go unnoticed as the siren call of redbuds follows the fading drum roll of tulip and daffodil.

Living in a bamboo world

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:42:00 EDT

It could be the Swiss Army knife of the plant world, but you can’t eat Swiss Army knives.

As prices go up, more people plant vegetables

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:33:00 EDT

With bread selling for close to $3 a loaf and gas well over $3 a gallon, folks looking for ways to cut expenses have to look no further than their backyard.

Seeing things: Birds we think we see, but don’t

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:09:00 EDT

Thelma Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at jtdalmas@juno.com

Yard care queries

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:58:00 EDT

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.

Compost heap, properly planned and tended, enriches the soil and spares the landfill

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:30:01 EDT

I wasn’t sure that my amateurish attempts at composting were going so well.

A walk on the wild side

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:36:00 EDT

Thelma Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at jtdalmas@juno.com.

Spring lawn care tips

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:34:00 EDT

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.

Pecking birds leave their marks

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:35:01 EDT

You’ve got gardening questions? Don Davis has answers. Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.

The 4-1-1 on old fertilizers

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:57:01 EDT

Don Davis is an Extension Agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by calling 455-3740.

The March garden to-do list

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:48:00 EDT

There are plenty of lawn and garden chores to keep you busy in March. Chief among them is planting.

Skunk cabbage says spring has arrived

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:03:00 EDT

Dalmas, a naturalist, writes a weekly column for The News & Advance. Readers may e-mail her at jtdalmas@juno.com

House of history: Rivermont House topic of talk

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:02:00 EDT

Rivermont House -- which has a history linked to a whole section of the city -- will be the subject of a March 5 talk at the Jones Memorial Library.

Lofty living

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:53:00 EDT

Betty Boop is always around to greet visitors to Winston Green’s downtown loft.

Stories of love

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:21:00 EDT

The story of how her parents met has always been one of Barbara Wood’s favorites to tell.