HOME & GARDEN
Why Be Evergreen?
Advantages and disadvantages of trees losing leaves in winter January-February 2025 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist As I write this column, most of our trees have dropped their leaves and will remain leaf-free until spring. Most trees, though not all. Obvious...
Eastern Hophornbeam
A tree for all seasons October 2024 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist Despite having four-season interest, Eastern hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)...
Spicing Up the Season
Spicebush yields early flowers, red berries and yellow fall foliage September 2024 [gallery order="ASC" columns="2" main_size="full" thumb_size="medium" style="random" itemtag="dl" icontag="dt" captiontag="dd" link="post" size="large" id="11775"...
Black Walnut: Massive and Messy
The good, the bad and the nutty June 2024 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist A landowner with a mature, open-grown black walnut is fortunate indeed, able to appreciate this tree’s massive presence; thick,...
Maryland is Milkin’ It
June is National Dairy Month June 2024 by Laura Emery, Staff Writer In a transient and fast-paced world, there’s something magical about watching the sun set over tall silos overlooking lush green pasture dotted with grazing cows. It’s a familiar scene in Maryland —...
The All-Electric Home
Geothermal energy is gaining ground May 2024 by Will Lange, Contributing Columnist Have you heard the new catchphrase “electrification”? While you may not have heard about it outside of the transportation industry, electrification is a rising megatrend across the...
Flowering Dogwood
Virginia’s state flower and tree April 2024 by Steve Carroll, Contributing Columnist Flowering dogwood is a small tree that makes a dramatic and much-admired statement in early spring. The Virginia Native Plant Society named it their 2018 Flower of the Year, and in...
In My Backyard?
Busting myths about geothermal heat pumps April 2024 by Will Lange, Contributing Columnist MYTH #1: YOU NEED A BUNCH OF LAND As someone once put it, “If you have a lawn mower, then you can put in a geo unit.” With numerous options for the geothermal underground loop...
Geothermal Energy
A hot topic that’s also a cool conversation March 2024 by Will Lange, Contributing Columnist In a world of traditional, fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems, solar panels on roofs and vast wind farms, you may never have given much thought to another...