Virginia Cooperative Extension - Wise County

04/18/2026

04/14/2026

Berry plant update...

For anybody who came to get blueberries in the last hour, we did have those in two different spots, and we do have some left:

15 blueberries are left.
17 blackberries

And at least a dozen black raspberries were unclaimed, so those are now available.

Blueberries are $11/each.
Blackberries and raspberries are $6/each.

04/14/2026

I also have some extra Duke and Chandler blueberries for $11 each.

04/14/2026

I've ordered some extra blackberry plants and those are available today at the Extension office for $6 each. These are Natchez, a thornless, early-bearing variety that produces large fruit that ripens in early June.

04/02/2026

03/13/2026

Our apple tree grafting workshop happens on Wednesday, March 18 at the Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap. There are two workshops to choose from: 10am and 6pm. The $20 registration fee gets you 7 rootstock and access to 18 scionwood varieties: Arkansas Black, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Jonathan, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Summer Rambo, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, St. Clair, Hyslop Crab, Kinnaird’s Choice, Ginger Gold, Cortland, Larry, Yellow Transparent, Seek-No-Further and Wolf River. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2zehfvh3 .

03/12/2026

How cold is too cold for blooming fruit trees? This table from Michigan State University lays it out. For example, from this table, you can see that an apple tree in full bloom will loose 10% of its buds at 28 degrees F, but it will loose 90% at 25 degrees F. (Source: Michigan State University Extension)

03/06/2026

Register at https://pears.io/events/vce/4675/ .

02/24/2026

For anyone living near downtown Wise who needs a spot to garden this year, we have some raised beds open. Contact us at (276) 328-6194 or [email protected] .

02/24/2026

The wood has traditionally been used for golf clubs. Fruits are rich in fiber and Vitamin C, and dried fruits are sold as "date-plums." A cultivated variety is sometimes marketed as a Sharon fruit. Other facts about the native persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) will be shared by Dr. Kirk Pomper of Kentucky State University this evening at 7:00pm, the final installment in our Mountain Zoom Series. Log in at https://uky.zoom.us/j/81004911890 .