Hi GKS,
Just a couple of suggestions. Take your soil samples now. In VA they are so cheap (free). See if you can borrow a soil tube from your local extension office where you will get instructions.
We might be able to respond better if you told us more about what you are growing, what you want to grow, and what your conditions are. So, more words please.
The most important thing to do now, though, is to be ordering your first mint julep at a dockside restaurant somewhere in the Florida Keys watching the sunset. Here, a Wintery mix means forzen and non frozen precipitation. There, a mix involves GIN.
Hank

Hi, I'm new to gardening, too. I found your forum by doing a search for "alpine strawberries" because I'd like to grow something in containers that my two daughters would really enjoy. My home is in a wooded area, so our yard doesn't have many bright spots. We live in Southern Maryland and I'd like to grow a couple of vegetables, too. Any ideas for what I could grow? Our yard has a lot of moss in it instead of grass. Does that mean we have a lot of shade, or does that have to do with the soil ph? We also have a lot of pine trees. Do the pine needles make the soil acidic? I've had a lot of luck growing impatiens and beautiful hostas every summer, but that's about the extent of my gardening. Everytime I try to grow anything that requires light, like monarda, butterfly bush, etc, they tank. Thanks!