General Gardening Resources

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Botany noun - a branch of biology dealing with plant life. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botany

Compost noun - a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.

  verb - to convert (a material, such as plant debris) to compost.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compost

Herbaceous Plant noun - plants that have non-woody stems, including grasses, sedges, rushes, ferns, and forbs. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/herbaceous-plants-for-wildlife

Horticulture noun - the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horticulture

Integrated Pest Management noun - a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.  https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-economist/office-pest-management-policy-opmp/integrated-pest-management

Soil noun -  the upper layer of earth that may be dug or plowed and in which plants grow. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soil

Woody Plant noun - perennials (life span ranges from decades to centuries, or in some cases millennia) in which the shoot (above ground portion of the plant) persists during plant dormancy (usually late-autumn to early-spring). https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/chapter/13/

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map helps gardeners figure out which perennial plants are most likely to survive winter in their area. It's based on the average lowest winter temperature in a region, broken down into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones and 5-degree half-zones. 

The City of Danville falls in Zone 7b, while Pittsylvania County and surrounding counties span Zones 7a and 7b, depending on the specific area.

Keep in mind that even within a single zone, local microclimates can create different growing conditions. Shade from buildings or trees, closeness to water, and even the slope of your yard can all affect temperature and moisture—sometimes creating noticeable differences from one part of your yard to another. Because of this, the zone map is a great starting point, but your own observations are just as important when choosing what to plant.

A soil test is one of the simplest ways to set your garden or yard up for success. It tells you your soil's pH level and nutrient content, so you know exactly what your plants need instead of guessing. Without this information, it's easy to over-fertilize, waste money on products you don't need, or apply the wrong type of fertilizer altogether. Many common plant problems, like yellowing leaves or poor growth, are actually caused by nutrient imbalances or incorrect pH levels rather than pests or disease.

Beyond saving money, soil testing also protects the environment. Applying only the nutrients your soil actually needs helps prevent excess fertilizer from washing into local streams and waterways, where it can harm water quality and aquatic life. Testing your soil every two to three years gives you a clear, science-based plan for improving your soil health, growing healthier plants, and gardening more sustainably.

Virginia Tech provides residential soil testing services. You can pick up a soil test kit at the Danville Extension Office, at the Master Gardener information table at the Community Market, or on VCE Master Gardener literature racks at local garden centers. The fee is $10 per sample for routine testing.

There are also a variety of commercial soil test services available.

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Link to list of Virginia Invasive Plant Species https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/ip

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• Virginia Cooperative Extension (https://www.ext.vt.edu/)
• Virginia Master Gardener Association (https://www.vmga.net)
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension (https://www.ces.ncsu.edu)
• Penn State Extension (https://extension.psu.edu)
• Native Plant Database (https://www.wildflower.org/plants-main)
• USDA National Agriculture Library (https://www.nal.usda.gov/plant-production-gardening/vegetable-gardening)

Local gardening centers where you can find Danville Master Gardener/Virginia Cooperative Extension literature racks, workshops and plant clinics.

Beford Cooperative, Inc.

742 Craghead Street
Danville, VA
434-793-2141

Gingerbread House & Garden Center 

1799 Memorial Drive
Danville, VA
434-791-2700
thegingerbread.com

Haymore Landscape & Garden Center

2720 Franklin Turnpike
434-836-1722
haymoregardencenter.com

Raywood Landscape Center

165 James Road
Danville, VA
434-822-1400
raywoodlandscape.com

Twisted Twig Garden Supply 

10156 Martinsville Hwy
Danville, VA
434-685-7580
thetwistedtwigco.com

Windy Acres Nursery Inc.

1105 Cotton Patch Road
Gretna, VA
434-656-6551

The Wooden Ladder Farm & Garden

11090 NC-86
Providence, NC
336-688-1717

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National Wildlife Federation (https://www.nwf.org)

Virginia Bluebird Society (https://www.virginiabluebirds.org)

Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (https://www.xerces.org)

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The Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS) maintains a listing of native plant nurseries located in Virginia. Nurseries included in the list sell primarily native plants and do not sell invasive species as defined in the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program.

Danville Master Gardeners, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and VNPS do not endorse or recommend any individual nursery and are not responsible for the accuracy of claims made by those organizations included in this listing. Please report any infractions to this policy to VNPS.

There are other local nurseries that sell native plants, but do not meet the full requirements to be included in the VNPS listing. Please encourage the local nurseries where you shop to include more native species in their offering and thank them when they do.

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Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners (https://vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu/main/login.php)

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Square Foot Gardening (https://www.squarefootgardening.org)  

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