Henrico Extension Office

06/04/2026

What do you do to keep ticks off?

Here’s some gross news for you: Public Works’ environmental team has collected more than 450 ticks (three different species!) so far this year through their tick surveillance program. While ticks have been found countywide, higher concentrations have been noted in the Varina and Sandston areas.

Tick bites can cause diseases such as Lyme disease or Alpha-Gal Syndrome. To protect yourself against ticks, you can wear long pants, tuck your pants into your socks, walk in the center of trails, avoid tall grass/brush and perform tick checks regularly. This includes checking yourself, kids and any pets!

If you find a tick attached to you, it’s important to remove it promptly by grabbing it with tweezers as close to the skin as possible.

DPW monitors ticks at trap sites in Henrico parks countywide. The team is adding more tick sites to better track local tick populations and species. Learn more about ticks in Henrico by visiting https://henrico.gov/works/engineering-environmental-services/ticks-in-henrico/

06/03/2026

Happy National Egg Day! How do you like your eggs?

06/03/2026

Welcome Jordan and Dia!

06/02/2026

June is heating up and so is Henrico 4-H!

Email from Extension Office Henrico 4-H 2026 June Clover Insight Henrico 4-H donates funds to rebuild camp cabin in memory of extension agent Last October, in celebration of National 4-H Week, Henrico

06/02/2026

What are you planting this June?

June is here, and with it an abundance of plants for your vegetable garden!

Check out our recommendations for planting in your hardiness zone.

Direct Sowing:
Zones 6A, 7B, and 8A: Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Lima Beans, Cucumbers, Muskmelons, Okra, Pumpkins, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Watermelon

Zones 6B and 7A: Bush Beans, Pole Beans, Lima Beans, Cucumbers, Muskmelons, Okra, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Southern Peas, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Watermelon

Zone 8B Direct Sowing Recommendations are available in the linked publication.

Transplanting:
Zone 6A: Tomatoes, Eggplant, Leeks, Peppers

Zones 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8A: Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers

Zone 8B Transplanting Recommendations are available in the linked publication.

You can prepare for the entire planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide - including recommendations for Zone 8B. To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

05/31/2026

Today is the last day to open a new Invest529 account and receive a $25 contribution as part of the Smart Start Giveaway!

Celebrate 529 Day with a $25 Smart Start to your education savings! Learn more.

05/29/2026

Whether you're saving for your own education or for a loved one, the Smart Start Giveaway is your chance to take that first leap with a boost from Invest529!

Celebrate 529 Day with a $25 Smart Start to your education savings! Learn more.

05/29/2026

When was the last time you looked at your credit report?

05/29/2026

Register to have your well water tested now!

Does your home use a private water source, such as a well, spring or cistern? Henrico Extension is offering a three-part clinic to help residents test their water for potentially dangerous levels of contaminants.

To participate:
1. Register online and pay $70 per sample: https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=3936703&selectedProgramAreaId=44377&selectedProgramStreamId=
2. Pick up a test kit from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4 at the Extension Office, 6800 Staples Mill Road
3. Drop off water samples from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Extension Office

About five weeks later, participants will receive their results by mail or email with a link on how to interpret the findings.

“Residential water sources are not regulated in Virginia,” said Kimberly Edmonds, Extension’s unit coordinator. "The responsibility for testing water quality and maintaining the water system lies with homeowners. Henrico Extension is pleased to offer affordable, confidential water tests, along with other resources to help residents.”

To learn more: https://henrico.gov/news/2026/05/henrico-extension-to-offer-water-testing-clinic-for-residents-on-private-wells-5/

05/28/2026

Open a new Invest529 account between May 28-May 31, 2026, and receive a $25 contribution as part of the Smart Start Giveaway!

Celebrate 529 Day with a $25 Smart Start to your education savings! Learn more.