New Announcements

1. Save the date: 5th Annual Prince William Native Plant Symposium – February 11, 2023, Saturday – Verizon Auditorium George Mason University
2. Shade Gardening – February 6, 2023 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Zoom
   1. VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Shade Gardening: Presented by Stacie McGraw, VCE Virginia Beach Master Gardener Explore the differences between full and part shade gardens, as well as dry and moist shade. Plant selection for each will be discussed, along with how to sneak in spring color and year-round interest. We’ll also look at the adaptations that allow shade plants to thrive in low light conditions. Gardening Talks is presented via Zoom and is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. No registration is required. Gardening Talks are one hour. Go to VBMG.org and click on the Zoom link! Check out upcoming Gardening Talks for 2023 as you explore our website!
3. Native Snakes of Virginia – January 21, 2023 – 10am- 2:30pm – Historic Manassas Courthouse, 9250 Lee Ave, Manassas, VA
   1. Learn to accurately identify local snake species of Virginia. Review some best practices on how you can limit snakes from coming onto your property and/or into your house. Deep dive into the notorious Eastern Copperhead as well as discuss the other two venomous snakes of VA (Northern Cottonmouth and Timber Rattler). For registration questions, email to mastergardene@pwc.gov
4. Seed Exchange at Blandy Farm – Virginia State Arboretum, Clarke County
   1. Annual Northern Shenandoah Valley VCE Master Gardeners will have their annual free seed exchange at Blandy Farm in Clarke County on Saturday, Jan. 28.  It is free admission and free parking at Blandy to get your choice of flower, vegetable, shrub and tree seeds.  The doors will open at 10am. There will be a book and magazine swap.  Bring your extra seeds to share. Please check the Blandy website to make sure you are not bringing any invasive seeds. MG website is nsvmga.org for more information and the Seed Exchange flier is attached.
5. IMGC 2023 Search for Excellence Open
   1. Submissions for the International Master Gardener Search for Excellence are open now! Virginia EMGs are encouraged to submit. Deadline is February 6. https://imgc2023.com/awards-submissions-2/

Old January Announcements

6. Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners Seed Swap – January 21, 2023 – Rockbridge Area Relief Association, 350 Spotswood Dr., Lexington 24450
   1. RAMGA members have grown, collected, cleaned, and packaged a wide variety of seeds to share with our community.
7. Louisa EMG Seed Swap – January 28, 2023 – Louisa Baptist Church, 305 East Main Street Louisa, VA 23093
   1. Chase Away Those Winter Blues by Collecting Seeds and Starting Plans for Your Spring Garden! Please join the Louisa Extension Master Gardners for their First Seed Swap to be held at the Louisa Baptist Church, 305 E. Main Street Louisa, VA 23093. The  free Seed Swap will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Educational gardening demonstrations, literature and information will be available.  Basket raffles and door prizes will be awarded at the event. 
      Please join us to beat those Winter Blues! Read more here.
8. Central Rappahannock Area Extension Master Gardeners’ 7th Annual Seed Swap – January 28, 2023, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm – Rowser Building, 1739 Richmond Hwy., Stafford VA.
   1. Save your seeds and the date for our 7th Annual Seed Swap! Bring your packaged and labeled seeds and any garden related items you want to trade (such as books, magazines, pots, tools, plants and cuttings). Don’t have seeds to swap? Come anyway! There will be speakers, children’s activities, a trade table for garden items, free seeds and more. Garden Talks: “Quick Fixes for Disturbed Soils.”  Pat Reilly will offer dos and don’ts to help you achieve optimal soil health while minimizing weeds and seeing your landscapes thrive! And “Winter Sowing: Make Growing Seedling Fun and Easy.” Lisa Waddell will demonstrate a method of starting seeds outdoors in the winter thus eliminating the use of grow lights and trays. Visit https://www.mgacra.org/ for additional information.

Old April Announcements

9. MGACRA Spring Symposium “Flower Power: From Roots to Blooms” – April 1, 2023 — Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, Virginia, 22405.
   1. The Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area invite you to join us for our 11th Annual Spring Symposium “Flower Power – From Roots to Blooms” . Spend the day with us learning how to grow beautiful flowers in your garden. We have three guest speakers: back by popular demand – Bryce Lane presenting two sessions “Understanding Garden Soils” and “Accenting Your Landscape With Color”, Stacy Chapman “Westwind Flowers – From our Field to Your Vase”, and Nancy Berlin “Container Gardening With Northern Virginia Natives.” All attendees will be able to explore the gardens at the Belmont Estate, spend time in their outstanding museum gift store, and visit with fellow Master Gardeners. Tickets are $80.00 which includes a full day of thought-provoking lectures focusing on purposeful gardening and includes morning coffee/tea & light breakfast, a delicious buffet lunch, and afternoon cookies. Registration is now open. You can register online at https://www.mgacra.org/2023-spring-symposium.html

Old Announcements

10. Leadership development training recordings and materials are available! If you missed leadership development training, check out the recordings here.

Congratulations to Hanover Extension Master Gardeners on the groundbreaking at their new horticultural learning center! Read more: https://www.hanovercounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=657