Did you know that pruning a pepper plant can maximize your yield by up to 50% per plant! Whether you’re growing bell peppers, hot chili varieties, or sweet banana peppers, pruning can improve airflow, reduce disease, and encourage stronger, more productive plants. Learn more about the dos and don'ts right here to help you ensure that you get as many peppers as you can from your plants.

If your soil is too acidic, applying lime will tend to neutralize soil acidity, but how do you ensure that you’re not applying too much or too little? read this article to learn all about lime application.

The Colonial SWCD is excited to announce that landowners within the City of Newport News are now eligible to participate in the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP).

Discover the benefits of assassin bugs in your garden! Learn how these stealthy predators provide natural pest control to help to transform your garden into a pest-free haven.

Virginia is home to an incredible variety of native plants. If you're considering a shade bed, we have some suggested options to plant in place of some of the nonnative / invasive species that are used frequently in home gardens.

CSWCD Summer 2025 Newsletter published

The Jamestown High Envirothon team won Virginia’s 2025 Dominion Energy Envirothon State Competition and will be moving forward to the NCF-Envirothon International Competition this July at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The team placed first for the Forestry and Soils stations.

Riparian buffers are vegetated areas intentionally planted or preserved along the shorelines of water bodies or wetlands. They play a crucial role in protecting water quality and the surrounding environment as they serve as the transition between the upland land use and the waterbody or wetland. Science has confirmed that it is much easier (less costly) to control and manage pollutants in the upland setting than to physically remove pollutants from the water. Learn more about

Join us at Cousiac Manor on June 4th for Colonial's Conservation Kick Off!

The Berkley Plantation Living Shoreline Project was selected to receive the “Excellence in Problem Solving/Creative Solutions” recognition for the 2025 PISCES program.

Permeable pavement is one of the most popular best management practices in the Colonial SWCD service area with landowners who are considering applying for the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program. Learn more about this popular option from CSWCD staff member, Robyn Woolsey.

Virginia is home to an incredible variety of native plants. Maybe it’s time to try adding some edible native species to your garden and enjoy the fruits (and leaves) of your labor for many years to come!

Jamestown High School placed first overall in the 2025 Area III Envirothon Competition, held at Dorey Park on April 15, 2025.

Several ladybug species are useful as biological control agents and you can benefit from their voracious appetites for the pests in your gar

CSWCD Spring 2025 Newsletter published

The Colonial District congratulates Paul Davis on this No-Till Award, and is excited to share a video of Paul’s accomplishments.

A quick note about our February 10th Conservation Breakfast Event.

There are so many exciting opportunities available to students in the Colonial District. Learn more!

SWCDs are a key resource for providing conservation ed, financial assistance, & technical assistance to local landowners and land users.

John Bryant of Old Tavern Farm talks about how he benefits from the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program.