Question: I want to do research on problems I’ve encountered in my yard and garden. Web searches can be overwhelming. How can I find answers to my gardening questions more easily?
Gardeners are always brimming with questions about their home landscapes. The Piedmont Master Gardeners (PMG) recognize the challenges of finding practical, science-based and environmentally sound gardening advice online, so they have made it easier.
Doing Research on PMG’s website
The newly updated PMG Gardening Resources webpage provides access to a robust listing of Virginia Cooperative Extension publications and other references, organized under 20 useful categories. These include, for example:
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- Annuals, Perennials and Bulbs;
- Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables;
- Native Plants and Habitats;
- Garden Insects and Pests; and
- Garden and Landscape Design.
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The site also offers an array of materials on sustainable landscaping, backyard conservation and other environmentally responsible actions to take in your garden and home.
You can find this rich lode of horticultural information under the “Gardening Resources” tab on the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ homepage. Click on “VCE Publications and Other Resources,” and you will discover links to more than 200 research-based publications on a wide array of topics. Alternatively, you can go to the site directly. The “Gardening Resources” tab also provides links to monthly gardening tips and PMG’s Healthy Virginia Lawns program. For even more VCE publications and videos, click HERE.
With typical web searches, it can be complicated, time-consuming and frustrating to try to find reliable answers to questions like these: What is the best plant for that empty spot in my yard? When do I plant it, and how do I take care of it? What’s wrong with my plant? How do I start a vegetable garden? How can I attract pollinators and beneficial insects to my garden? Why should I plant native plants? How do I get rid of invasive plants? How do I build a backyard habitat for wildlife or a backyard forest? PMG’s Gardening Resources webpage is a good place to start.
A search feature on the Gardening Resources webpage makes it easy to find articles on a specific topic. Just scroll mid way down the page, type in the topic and the “Search our Site” feature will locate relevant articles on the website.
Other PMG Resources
In addition, the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ website regularly publishes other seasonal gardening articles with helpful links to guide your research. Check out the homepage for such features as “Timely Topics” and “Ask a Master Gardener,” as well as their monthly online newsletter, The Garden Shed.
For direct assistance with solving gardening problems, you can contact the VCE Horticultural Help Desk by email or by phone (434-872-4583).
During the growing season, visit the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ mobile Help Desks at the City Market and the Crozet Farmers’ Market. To learn more about PMG’s projects and upcoming events, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Tips for Web Searches for Horticultural Information
When locating resources online:
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- Use sites that provide science-based, peer reviewed information on gardening.
- Choose university sites (.edu) and government sites (.gov) sites as your primary research sites.
- Begin with sites that focus on horticulture in your community. For example, in Central Virginia, this includes Virginia Cooperative Extension, PMG’s website, Plant Virginia Natives, Plant Northern Virginia Natives and local plant lists, plant guides and databases. There are links for all these topics under PMG’s Gardening Resources tab.
- If necessary, expand your search to other State Cooperative Extension offices in nearby states. These will also be .edu sites.
- Professional horticulture organizations, botanical gardens, horticultural societies, nonprofits and libraries are also good sources.
- Expand your search to relevant sites referenced in publications that are helpful in answering your questions.
- Avoid commercial sites (.com), which can include biased information.
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With these research tools, you are certain to be well on your way to solving gardening questions!
References
“VCE Publications and Other Resources”, Gardening Resources, Piedmont Master Gardeners
“Educational Resources” Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2021
“Educational Resources Website Tip Sheet”, Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, VCE-1048-1N, 7 Jul 21,
“New VCE Resources Website”, (video) Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 15 Jan 2021
