Virginia Cooperative Extension - Westmoreland County

09/03/2026

You don't want to miss this excellent opportunity to learn about your septic system!

Do you live in a home with a septic system? Join Virginia Cooperative Extension in Westmoreland and Richmond Counties for a webinar on Septic Basics & Maintenance on Tuesday, September 15th at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Learn from Dr. Philip Brown, Extension Specialist in Soil Science and Septic System Education, how your septic system works and discover management practices to keep your system running efficiently and avoid costly problems. Additionally, the Northern Neck Planning District Commission will provide information on the Septic Pump-Out Project, a program that provides financial assistance for septic pump-out in qualifying low- and moderate-income households in the Northern Neck. Register at https://bit.ly/WRSeptic26 For more information, please contact the Extension Office in Westmoreland County (804-493-8924) or Richmond County (804-333-3420).

09/03/2026

Special thanks go out to our 2026 Summer Intern, Katelyn. We were grateful to have her help this summer. The 400 hours were not enough. We taught her about Extension and she taught us stuff, too. We wish her best of luck in her senior year at Kansas State!

If you would like to know more about Katelyn’s experience, please visit her internship record: https://westmoreland.ext.vt.edu/news/intern-spotlight.html

If you are interested in an internship with us in 2027, please visit: https://ext.vt.edu/internship.html.

08/25/2026

Today we mourn the loss of an American icon, a beloved philanthropist and a proud 4-H alumna, Dolly Parton. Her extraordinary life was defined not only by her incredible talent, but by her unwavering generosity, compassion and commitment to helping others.

For generations of young people, Dolly embodied what it means to use your gifts in service of others. From her roots in 4-H to her lifelong investment in literacy, education and community, she showed us that true leadership is grounded in humility, kindness, and purpose. As Dolly once said, "storms make trees take deeper roots." 💚

A proud 4-H alumna, she reminded us that challenges can strengthen us and help us grow. That wisdom will continue to inspire young people and communities for generations to come. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the millions whose lives she touched. Her legacy of hope, generosity, and service will live on. 🍀

08/05/2026

2026 4-H Water Wizards

Seven young people built their environmental science skills and abilities in 4-H Water Wizards day camp. Youth experienced activities like a macroinvertebrate hike, an up-close experience with oysters, a walk through a historic park to study land use changes, a fish print art project, water quality sampling and testing and fishing on a charter boat. These Water Wizards can define watershed, understand that water quality is a term that describes the condition of the water and that pH is only one way to measure that. 100% of the participants understand that their personal actions & decisions can and do affect the quality of the water in the Chesapeake Bay and also the creatures that live in it.

Thanks to our partners - Westmoreland State Park , George Washington Birthplace National Monument , Fisher's Bay Charters , Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association - TOGA

This program is funded by a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.

08/04/2026

08/03/2026

Have you got plans for your garden this month? August is a busy time for planting! 🌞🌱

Direct Sowing:

Zones 6A & 6B: Beets, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnips

Zone 7A: Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Rutabaga, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 7B: Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Rutabaga, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 8A: Bush Beans, Beets, Carrots, Collards, Kale, Cucumber, Eggplant, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Okra, Peppers, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

Transplanting:

Zones 6A & 6B: Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce

Zone 7A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce

Zones 7B & 8A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce, Tomatoes

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

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

07/31/2026

Your garden doesn't have to take a break between seasons.

August marks the transition from warm-season to cool-season planting across Virginia. Instead of waiting for tomatoes, peppers, and squash to finish, start interplanting fall crops now.

By sowing or transplanting cool-season vegetables into available spaces, you'll make the most of your garden beds, extend your harvest season, and keep fresh produce coming well into autumn.

Check your zone and start planning your fall garden today! 🌱🍂

Graphic Text:
AUGUST

6A
Beets
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce, Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Rutabega
Spinach
Turnips

broccoli*
Cabbage*
Chinese Cabbage*
Cauliflower*
Leeks*
Lettuce, head*

6B
Beets
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce, Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Rutabega
Spinach
Turnips

broccoli*
cabbage*
Chinese Cabbage*
cauliflower*
leeks*
lettuce, head*

7A
Beets
Carrots
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce, Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Rutabega
Southern Pea
Squash, Summer
Turnips

broccoli*
Brussel Sprouts*
cabbage*
Chinese cabbage*
cauliflower*
leeks*
lettuce, head*

7B
Beets
Carrots
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
lettuce, head*
Lettuce, Baby Salad
Mustard
Rutabega
Southern Pea
Squash, Summer
Turnips

broccoli*
Brussel Sprouts*
cabbage*
Chinese cabbage*
cauliflower*
leeks*
tomatoes*

8A
Beans, Bush
Beets
Carrots
Collards, Kale
Cucumbers
Eggplant
lettuce, head*
Lettuce, Baby Salad
Mustard
Okra
Peppers
Southern Pea
Squash, Summer
Turnips

broccoli*
Brussel Sprouts*
cabbage*
cauliflower*
leeks*
tomatoes*

SEPTEMBER

6A
Lettuce, baby salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach

Lettuce, head*

6b
Lettuce, baby salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach

Lettuce, head*

7A
Beets
broccoli*
cabbage*
chinese cabbage**
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
leeks*
lettuce, head*
Lettuce Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach
Turnips

7B
Beets
broccoli*
cabbage*
chinese cabbage**
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
leeks*
lettuce, head*
Lettuce Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach
Turnips

8A
Beets
broccoli*
cabbage*
chinese cabbage**
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
leeks*
lettuce, head*
Lettuce Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach
Turnips

SEPTEMBER

6A
Lettuce baby salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach

Lettuce, head

6B
Lettuce baby salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach

Lettuce, head

7a
Beets (beginning of the month)
Chard, Swiss (beginning of the month)
Collards, Kale (beginning of the month)
Kohlrabi (beginning of the month)
Lettuce Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach
Turnips

broccoli* (beginning of the month)
lettuce, head*

7b
Beets
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Spinach
Turnips

broccoli* (beginning of the month)
cabbage* (beginning of the month)
Chinese cabbage** (beginning of the month)
leeks* (beginning of the month)
lettuce, head*

8a
Beets
Carrots (beginning of the month)
Chard, Swiss
Collards, Kale
Kohlrabi
leeks*
Lettuce Baby Salad
Mustard
Radish
Rutabaga (beginning of the month)
Spinach
Turnips

broccoli*
Cauliflower (beginning of the month)
cabbage* (beginning of the month)
Chinese cabbage**
lettuce, head*

07/30/2026

07/28/2026

Did you know? Research from the landmark Tufts University Study of Positive Youth Development shows that 4-H youth are 4 times more likely to contribute back to their communities compared to their non-4-H peers.

We’re so proud of Daniel, a Westmoreland 4-Her.

07/21/2026