Browsing by Author "Relf, Diane"
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- Annuals: Culture and MaintenanceRelf, Diane; Ball, Elizabeth Carter (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)Annual flowers live only for one growing season, during which they grow, flower, and produce seed, thereby completing their life cycle. This publication covers an introduction to annuals, the location and establishment of annual beds, and the culture and maintenance of annuals.
- The Art of BonsaiRelf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)This publication reviews the art of bonsai including the ten common styles, plant selection, shaping, containers, seasonal care, and display aesthetics.
- The Art of BonsaiRelf, Diane; Close, Dave (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-10-08)Bonsai is an art form that stems from ancient Asian culture, originating in China and developed by the Japanese. In the 13th century, the Japanese collected and potted wild trees that had been dwarfed by nature. These naturally formed miniatures were some of the first bonsai.
- AsparagusRelf, Diane; McDaniel, Alan, 1948- (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2020-09-17)This publication summarizes the environmental preferences, culture, cultural practices, common problems, harvesting and storage of asparagus
- AsparagusRelf, Diane; McDaniel, Alan, 1948- (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)This publication summarizes the environmental preferences, culture, cultural practices, common problems, harvesting and storage of asparagus.
- AsparagusMcDaniel, Alan, 1948-; Adler, Barry, 1952-; Relf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1981-01)Provides a summary of a wide range of information concerning the culture, nutritional value, harvest, and storage of asparagus.
- Assessing an Intergenerational Horticulture Therapy Program for Elderly Adults and Preschool ChildrenPredny, Mary Lorraine (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-02)The goal of this research project was to determine if introducing intergenerational interactions would supplement or detract from the use of horticulture as a therapeutic tool when working with elderly adults and preschool children. The program was set up to compare independent group activities with intergenerational activities. A group of elderly adults in the University Adult Day Service and a group of preschool children in the University Child Development Laboratory School took part in both separate age group and intergenerational activities. There were three sessions each week: one for the children's group, a second one for the elderly adults' group, and a third one that combined both groups. The same activity was done during all three sessions each week, with modifications to make the activity appropriate for each age group and to make it more interactive for the intergenerational group. These activities took place in the campus building where the day care centers are located. Four volunteers assisted with the activities. Two worked with the children's group both during separate and intergenerational activities, and two volunteers similarly assisted with the elderly adult group. Video cameras were used to record each session. These videos were viewed and evaluated after the 10-week horticulture therapy program was completed to score attendance and participation during separate age group activities, and attendance, participation, and interaction between the two groups during intergenerational activities. This data was used to determine if introducing intergenerational interactions affected the individual's attendance or participation, and to determine if the interactions between the two groups showed any change over time. Several variables were shown to affect the outcome of research. The first variable discussed is the effect of the staff, volunteers, or administration on the participants and the activities. Staff and volunteers can greatly affect intergenerational interactions by: 1) failing to encourage participation from participants of all ages, 2) lacking experience or having discomfort in working with special populations, 3) failure to establish adequate communication with the researcher or with each other, or 4) demonstrating a negative attitude towards the project. The second variable in research is the limitation introduced by data analysis using video. While video recording is useful in evaluating data, it can cause problems due to a limited viewing area, limited viewing angles, blocked screens, or unfamiliarity with recording equipment. Videos were used to assess participation and interaction. Participation scores include three categories: "no participation" for present but inactive participation, and "working with direct assistance" or "independent participation" for active participation. Participation was affected by the horticulture activities' set up, difficulty level, and availability of assistance from volunteers. Children's participation during separate group activities was affected mainly by the difficulty level and set up of activities. Elderly adult's participation during separate age group activities was affected mainly by each individual's abilities and availability of assistance. Children's intergenerational participation scores show an increase in the category of "working with direct assistance", while elderly adults' intergenerational scores show an increase in the categories of "no participation" and "independent participation". In part, the change in intergenerational participation was due to a decrease in the assistance available from volunteers for each individual. Lastly, the percentage of total interaction time between the generations during activities increased over time. However, the introduction of intergenerational interactions detracted from the use of horticulture as a therapeutic tool for elderly adults and preschool children. It is recommended that intergenerational programming may not be useful to fulfill specific horticulture therapy goals for these groups. At the same time, the intergenerational activities involving horticulture plant-based activities were more successful at increasing interactions than the craft-type activities. Therefore horticulture may be a useful activity for intergenerational programs with a goal of increased interaction and relationship development.
- Assessing Changes in Virginia Master Gardener Volunteer ManagementDorn, Sheri T. (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-07)Master Gardener (MG) volunteers are nonpaid, education partners with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). VCE MGs have assisted Extension agents in meeting VCE's educational goals and mission by following the Sustainable Landscape Management educational program objectives within the VCE Plan of Work. Local MG volunteer programs must be managed appropriately so that volunteers are prepared for their work, complete their volunteer jobs, and remain an active part of the local program. Prior to 1996, local agents trained and managed MG volunteers and supervised the projects in which MGs volunteered. Budgetary actions in 1996 transitioned management from state-funded agents to a system of local MG coordinators consisting of locally funded agents, locally funded non-agent coordinators, or volunteers willing to take on additional responsibilities. In order to provide consistent, state-level direction and leadership to this less experienced group of local coordinators and to prepare them for their jobs as MG program managers, current management materials were extensively revised and expanded and new resources were developed. These efforts to ensure that everyone understood the purpose and focus of the VCE MG program resulted in revision of MG program policies; development of new volunteer management materials, VCE publication 426-699 Welcome to Virginia Master Gardenering! Guide to Educational Programming and Resource and Reference Guide; establishment of a MG planning and work team; new management guidelines, the VCE Master Gardener Coordinator Manual; in-service training for coordinators; an administrative website at http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/specialty/envirohort/mastergard/master.html; the VCE-MGC electronic discussion "listserv" specifically for direct communication with coordinators; and the Virginia Master Gardener Leadership Development Newsletter, the state MG newsletter refocused on the role of Master Gardeners as community leaders and educators. Evaluation of the VCE Master Gardener Coordinator Manual, a 14-chapter resource book developed cooperatively with teams of Master Gardeners (MG), coordinators, and agents to enhance coordinators' skills in managing the local VCE MG program, identified areas for enhancement prior to final publication. It showed that coordinators are using the manual. They are adapting the suggestions and samples to fit their local programs despite the fact that more planning time is often required. Use of the manual has also resulted in increased understanding of VCE goals and the role of the MG by MG volunteers, coordinators, and other paid VCE staff; a slight increase in leadership skills of MGs; and increasing interest and demand for information on training MG to design and implement strong educational horticulture programs for Virginia communities. An assessment of current MG management practices in Virginia measured the adoption of new VCE MG volunteer management guidelines. Results indicated that the MG management practices among local VCE MG coordinators have changed to that of a more professional, long-term relationship that is committed to nurturing the volunteer, the MG program, and VCE educational programming. These changes were noted in areas of volunteer management, such as the role of the local coordinator, use of job descriptions, recruitment, volunteer evaluation, public relations, reporting and record keeping, and retention of volunteers. Although the improvements in management practices were slight, they were encouraging and they indicate areas where state MG management must provide additional training and support to local coordinators. Annual assessment of local MG program management practices will continue to document the progress of local coordinators and determine necessary changes and training needed to achieve more professional, well-managed MG programs.
- An Assessment of a Vocational Horticulture Training Curriculum at a School for Juvenile OffendersMcGuinn, Catherine Palumbo (Virginia Tech, 1999-03-31)A vocational horticulture curriculum was assessed for its effectiveness in strengthening social bonds and changing attitudes about personal success and job preparedness in a group of juvenile offenders. The curriculum focused on vocational training and entry-level job skills in horticulture and landscaping and prepared the youth for internship positions in grounds maintenance. Pre/post-tests based on Hirsch=s tests of social bond for juvenile delinquents were developed to address attitudes toward school, teachers, peers, opinions on personal success, and environmental attitudes. A separate pre/post test dealt with careers and aspirations. Results from these tests were compared to tests administered at a comparable program in an urban setting. Behavioral records for one semester before and the semester during the horticulture curriculum were compared. Daily journals maintained by service-learning student mentors were analyzed for observational themes, as were teachers' observations and project follow-up interviews. Success of the program was based on the students' successful completion of the program, students' desire and ability to be hired for summer internships and/or employment in horticultural related jobs. Due to the limited size of the study group (6), this research project intends only to provide a profile of several youths' response to vocational horticultural training with regard to the objectives stated above. It is exploratory in nature and offers ideas for future larger scale research and confirms some existing trends in research with juvenile offenders.
- Attached solar greenhousesSmith, Jerome R.; Relf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1984-07)Discusses solar greenhouses and provides tips for construction of a solar greenhouse and required temperatures for specific vegetables.
- BeansRelf, Diane; McDaniel, Alan, 1948- (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)This publication summarizes the environmental preferences, culture, cultural practices, common problems, harvesting and storage of beans.
- BeansRelf, Diane; McDaniel, Alan, 1948- (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2000)
- BeetsRelf, Diane; Adler, Barry, 1952-; McDaniel, Alan, 1948- (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1981-01)Provides a summary of a wide range of information concerning the culture, nutritional value, harvest, and storage of beets.
- Boxwood in the landscapeRelf, Diane; Appleton, Bonnie L.; Weidhaas, John A.; Wills, Wirt H. (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1989)Describes boxwood and its use in landscaping. Also discusses maintenance, diseases and pests of boxwood.
- BroccoliMcDaniel, Alan, 1948-; Adler, Barry, 1952-; Relf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1981-01)Provides a summary of a wide range of information concerning the culture, nutritional value, harvest, and storage of broccoli.
- Brussels SproutsRelf, Diane; Adler, Barry, 1952-; McDaniel, Alan, 1948- (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1981-01)Provides a summary of a wide range of information concerning the culture, nutritional value, harvest, and storage of brussels sprouts.
- Building a Compost PileMcDaniel, Alan, 1948-; Adler, Barry, 1952-; Relf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1981-01)Describes the importance of compost and how to build and maintain a compost pile.
- Building Healthy SoilRelf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)Caring for the garden soil should be as important to home gardeners as it is to farmers. Improving the soil structure is one of the most important aspects of soil care, and adding organic matter is the most effective way to accomplish this.
- Building Healthy SoilRelf, Diane; Freeborn, John R. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2017-06-05)Discusses how to improve the quality of soil, including testing soil, adding organic matter, growing cover crops, adding nutrients, and more.
- CabbageMcDaniel, Alan, 1948-; Adler, Barry, 1952-; Relf, Diane (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, 1981-01)Provides a summary of a wide range of information concerning the culture, nutritional value, harvest, and storage of cabbage.