Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

We’ve had some extreme heat in Virginia this summer, and we’re not alone. Extreme heat events are on the rise across the United States. Many gardeners know high temperatures can significantly impact plant growth, causing issues like blossom drop, increased disease problems, and reduced production. Unfortunately, high heat can also affect your freshly pi...

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a grain crop or short-season cover crop that’s perfect for backyard gardeners and small farmers. It’s quick-growing and can help growers attract pollinators, suppress weeds, add organic matter to the soil, and break down slow-release fertilizers. It’s easy to grow and easy to sneak in between summer and fall crops. Learn more about...

Heads of cabbage turned to lace, broccoli florets filled with little green caterpillars, or white moths circling your kale patch? You’ve met one of the gardener’s dreaded opponents, the cabbage worm. In this post, we’ll dive into cabbage worms and how gardeners can work to discourage their presence in the garden and protect their crops.

We love growing and sharing fun, unique crops like Imperial Star Artichokes, Short-Toothed Mountain Mint, Mexican Sour Gherkins, and Cactus-Flowered Zinnias. But lately, we’ve gotten a lot of questions and comments from folks on Facebook wanting more information about staple crops or crops that could make up more bulk in a family’s diet.

Understa...

Fresh sweet corn is one of the joys of summer and growing it yourself makes it even more special! However, sweet corn’s soil, space, and pollination requirements can make it tricky to grow in a small garden. Thankfully, with a few tips, you can get a great sweet corn harvest even in a small space.

Sweet corn grows bes...