Monthly Archives: February 2024

Biweekly Update – February 28

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New Announcements

  1. EMG Webinar Series 2024: All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please register for each webinar:
    • March 18, 11:00 am | Piedmont EMGs and Habitat for Humanity Partnership – Ralph Morini and Rozanne Oliver, Piedmont Extension Master Gardener: Piedmont EMGs have successfully worked with their local Habitat for Humanity to ensure that new homeowners have the skills and materials they need to succeed with their new landscapes. Learn about their program and partnership. Register now
  2. Submit a digital brag board for College 2024! Showcase your unit’s amazing projects by creating a short presentation for us to play at virtual EMGC: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwXmuS-69_asJVdSc_noWb2xRVAfv2QcmrGHvZUuMX29kqHA/viewform?usp=sf_link
  3. Invasive Plants in Southside Virginia –  3/8/2024 – South Boston Halifax County Museum 1540 Wilborn Ave. South Boston, VA 24592
    • Natalie Walker will discuss common invasive plants in Southside Virginia and their negative impact on our environment.
  4. Heart of Virginia Lunch & Learn Series Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA
    • 3/1/2024 – 12:00:00 Spring pruning with David Fowlkes– We are lucky to have Mr Fowlkes come and share his vast knowledge about Spring Pruning and all things garden. Many people are familiar with Mr Fowlkes who kept Farmville’s landscapes so beautiful for many years. His knowledge is so vast and we are lucky to have him share with us! At Noon – bring your lunch to munch
    • 4/4/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Saving & Starting Seeds
    • 5/4/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Rain Barrels
    • 8/1/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Lawn Renovation
    • 10/3/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Mushrooms
  2. Suffolk EMG Plant Sale at the Earth & Arts Festival – 4/20/2024 – Downtown Suffolk
    • Suffolk EMGs are again participating in the City’s Earth & Arts Festival, which includes the Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale. The event has moved to take over historic Downtown Suffolk on Main Street, from 10 – 4. Attendance is free, and the plant sale proceeds support VCE MG programming. EMGs will also hold a rain barrel workshop (registration/fee applies), planned native tree seedling giveaway, and children’s gardening booth. More detail, including plant list, to come in early April at https://www.suffolkmastergardener.org/plant-sale/.
  3. Epic Tomatoes from YOUR Garden – 4/8/2024 Online – Zoom
    • VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Epic Tomatoes from YOUR Garden Speaker: Craig LeHoullier, Author, Storey Publishing; Advisor for tomatoes, Seed Savers Exchange This colorful, fast paced, info packed workshop takes participants deep into Craig’s world of tomatoes (based on 40 years of gardening), from planning and seed selection through seed saving. The first part of the talk focuses on stories, history and varieties, and the second on all cultural aspects of successfully growing tomatoes in the audience’s growing conditions. The objective is to help the audience members successfully navigate the diverse world of tomatoes so that they are happy with their tomato growing results 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 2024 as you explore our website!
  4. Small Fruit Class – Lexington – 3/19/2024 – Learn about blackberry and raspberry production! Dinner provided, class fee $25/person or $30/couple. Learn more

Old Announcements – March:

  1. Northern Shenandoah Valley 2024 Symposium – March 2, 2024 – Middletown, VA https://nsvmga.org/events/symposium/
  2. Patrick County Master Gardeners Spring Symposium: Master Your Garden – March 9, 2024 Patrick & Henry Community College 212 Wood Brothers Drive, Stuart VA 24171
    • Registration: $10 payable by check or money order via mail or at the door 8:30am Doors Open 9am – Welcome 9:15-10:45am – Eli Roberson – “Using Container Gardens to Lower Your Grocery Bill” 10:45-11:30am – Break – coffee, tea, snacks, and vendors 11:30am-12:50 – Eric Johnson – “Old Salem Heirloom Gardens & Their Legacy Today” 12:50pm – Closing
  1. GROW THE GOOD LIFE – Bedford Area Master Gardeners – March 9 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
  2. As you begin your garden plans for 2024, the Bedford Master Gardeners offer some helpful instruction and advice with our annual Grow The Good Life program. This year’s seminar will be three presentations on gardening with a focus on the environment. The seminar will be on March 9, 2024, in-person at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 Old Moneta Road, Moneta, VA from 9AM to 3PM. The speakers for this year’s Grow The Good Life are Joe Lamp’l, Jim McCormac, and Jim McGlone.
  1. VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Plant This, Not That with Stacie McGraw, VB Master Gardener
    • Looking for reliable, easy to grow perennials and shrubs? Thinking about planting natives, but worried that your garden will look weedy? This talk will explore tried and true native alternatives to common landscape plants with a focus on natives that behave and perform well in a variety of growing conditions and garden styles. 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 2024 as you explore our website!

 

Old Announcements – April:

  1. Save the Date! The Northern Neck Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension Invite You to the 30th Annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar “Creating Outdoor Spaces-Defining Your Lifestyle”. Saturday, April 13, 2024. Lancaster Elementary School, 191 School St., Kilmarnock, VA. Registration Opens February 1, 2024.
  2. MGACRA 2024 Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future” – 4/13/2024 – Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22405.
    • The Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area invite you to join us for our 12th Annual Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future.” We have three guest speakers: Dr. Leonard Githinji presenting Introduction to Sustainable Gardening, and, back by popular demand, Bryce Lane presenting two sessions “So You Want A Garden: First Steps to Growing Your Own Food.” and “Is it Warm in Here?: New Approaches to Gardening in a Changing Climate”, and Jenny Rose Carey presenting Become the Ultimate Flower Gardener! 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 $85.00 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 get a registration form online at https://www.mgacra.org/spring-symposium.html

Old Announcements:

  1. VT Sweet Satisfaction Survey – Did you receive edamame seeds from the VT Sweet research program? If so, please fill out this survey and let the researchers know your thoughts:  https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AYGGxZza1e
    • Want to request more edamame seeds for an EMG project (community or school garden)? Email Patrick at pwb@vt.edu.

Biweekly Update – February 15

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New Announcements – State Office:

  1. EMG Webinar Series 2024: All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please register for each webinar:
    1. February 16, 11:00 am | Gravel Bed Planting – Barb Bailey, Loudoun Extension Master Gardener Coordinator: Loudoun Extension Master Gardeners maintain a gravel bed planting project where they raise trees that will be planted at Tree Steward sites. Gravel beds are irrigated bed or pile of gravel where woody plants are planted for several months to increase fibrous root systems. Register now
    2. March 18, 11:00 am | Piedmont EMGs and Habitat for Humanity Partnership – Ralph Morini and Rozanne Oliver, Piedmont Extension Master Gardener: Piedmont EMGs have successfully worked with their local Habitat for Humanity to ensure that new homeowners have the skills and materials they need to succeed with their new landscapes. Learn about their program and partnership. Register now
  2. Submit a digital brag board for College 2024! Showcase your unit’s amazing projects by creating a short presentation for us to play at virtual EMGC: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwXmuS-69_asJVdSc_noWb2xRVAfv2QcmrGHvZUuMX29kqHA/viewform?usp=sf_link
    1. Save the date! Master Gardener College (EMGC) 2024 will be held virtually June 5-9.
  3. Giving Day 2024 – Save the date for Virginia Tech Giving Day – Noon February 21-22. Donations benefit our micro-grant program!

 

Old Announcements – February:  

  1. GreenScapes Symposium 2024 – Join Brookside Gardens for a day of virtual lectures on Friday, February 16, 2024, as industry experts share valuable lessons from the field that fill in the gap between sustainable design theory and practice. Learn how to create masterpieces for all season interest using naturalistic planting designs with strong perennials and grasses. Lectures will reimagine traditional landscapes with native plants and offer the latest in ecologically focused management strategies. Take advantage of the Early Bird fee of $50 that ends on Friday, January 12. All sessions will be recorded and made available online to registrants. For more information and to register online, visit www.brooksidegreen.org.
  2. Garden Expo with Seed Share – February 17: Save the date and join the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners for the Garden Expo with Seed Share!! (Formerly known as Seed Swap).
    1. The Expo will be held at Louisa Baptist Church, 305 East Main Street, Louisa, VA. The event will provide free seeds, free gardening presentations, community organizations, door prize giveaways and a basket raffle. Bring your dried, labeled seeds if you have them to share. However, bringing seeds is NOT required. We hope to see you there! For more Information, please go to: https://www.louisacvmg.org/ or the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners Facebook Page.

 

Old Announcements – March:

 

  1. Northern Shenandoah Valley 2024 Symposium – March 2, 2024 – Middletown, VA https://nsvmga.org/events/symposium/
  2. Patrick County Master Gardeners Spring Symposium: Master Your Garden – March 9, 2024 Patrick & Henry Community College 212 Wood Brothers Drive, Stuart VA 24171
    1. Registration: $10 payable by check or money order via mail or at the door 8:30am Doors Open 9am – Welcome 9:15-10:45am – Eli Roberson – “Using Container Gardens to Lower Your Grocery Bill” 10:45-11:30am – Break – coffee, tea, snacks, and vendors 11:30am-12:50 – Eric Johnson – “Old Salem Heirloom Gardens & Their Legacy Today” 12:50pm – Closing
  1. GROW THE GOOD LIFE – Bedford Area Master Gardeners – March 9 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
    1. As you begin your garden plans for 2024, the Bedford Master Gardeners offer some helpful instruction and advice with our annual Grow The Good Life program. This year’s seminar will be three presentations on gardening with a focus on the environment. The seminar will be on March 9, 2024, in-person at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 Old Moneta Road, Moneta, VA from 9AM to 3PM. The speakers for this year’s Grow The Good Life are Joe Lamp’l, Jim McCormac, and Jim McGlone.
    2. The registration fee for attending the event in person covers the three speakers, your choice of lunch, and plenty of time to visit with our wonderful vendors, including Justin Kelley — a professional tool sharpener. The lunch selection options will be given during registration checkout.
    3. More information here: https://www.bedfordareamastergardeners.org/event/grow-the-good-life-bedford-area-master-gardeners/
  1. VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Plant This, Not That with Stacie McGraw, VB Master Gardener
    1. Looking for reliable, easy to grow perennials and shrubs? Thinking about planting natives, but worried that your garden will look weedy? This talk will explore tried and true native alternatives to common landscape plants with a focus on natives that behave and perform well in a variety of growing conditions and garden styles. 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 2024 as you explore our website!

 

Old Announcements – April:

  1. Save the Date! The Northern Neck Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension Invite You to the 30th Annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar “Creating Outdoor Spaces-Defining Your Lifestyle”. Saturday, April 13, 2024. Lancaster Elementary School, 191 School St., Kilmarnock, VA. Registration Opens February 1, 2024.
  2. MGACRA 2024 Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future” – 4/13/2024 – Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22405.
    1. The Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area invite you to join us for our 12th Annual Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future.” We have three guest speakers: Dr. Leonard Githinji presenting Introduction to Sustainable Gardening, and, back by popular demand, Bryce Lane presenting two sessions “So You Want A Garden: First Steps to Growing Your Own Food.” and “Is it Warm in Here?: New Approaches to Gardening in a Changing Climate”, and Jenny Rose Carey presenting Become the Ultimate Flower Gardener! 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 $85.00 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 get a registration form online at https://www.mgacra.org/spring-symposium.html

Old Announcements:

  1. VT Sweet Satisfaction Survey – Did you receive edamame seeds from the VT Sweet research program? If so, please fill out this survey and let the researchers know your thoughts:  https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AYGGxZza1e
    1. Want to request more edamame seeds for an EMG project (community or school garden)? Email Patrick at pwb@vt.edu.

 

Biweekly Update – February 2

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New Announcements – State Office:

  1. Submit a digital brag board for College 2024! Showcase your unit’s amazing projects by creating a short presentation for us to play at virtual EMGC. Deadline: May 30: Submit your brag board here!
    • Save the date! Master Gardener College (EMGC) 2024 will be held virtually June 5-9. Registration opens early-mid April.
  2. Giving Day 2024 – Save the date for Virginia Tech Giving Day – Noon February 21-22. Donations benefit our micro-grant program!
  3. EMG Webinar Series 2024: All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please register for each webinar:
    • February 16, 11:00 am | Gravel Bed Planting – Barb Bailey, Loudoun Extension Master Gardener Coordinator: Loudoun Extension Master Gardeners maintain a gravel bed planting project where they raise trees that will be planted at Tree Steward sites. Gravel beds are irrigated bed or pile of gravel where woody plants are planted for several months to increase fibrous root systems. Register now
    • March 18, 11:00 am | Piedmont EMGs and Habitat for Humanity Partnership – Ralph Morini and Rozanne Oliver, Piedmont Extension Master Gardener: Piedmont EMGs have successfully worked with their local Habitat for Humanity to ensure that new homeowners have the skills and materials they need to succeed with their new landscapes. Learn about their program and partnership. Register now
  4. “Volunteering with the EMG program” document available in BI: The old handbook’s chapter 1 “Intro to Master Gardenering” is not present in the new version of the handbook. Until we produce a replacement document, please see an adaption of old chapter 1 in BI titled “Volunteering with the EMG Program.”
    • To locate: Select files” from the dropdown menu on the My Profile button.  The document is then located in the EMG Documents folder.

New Announcements – Events:

  1. Garden Expo with Seed Share – February 17: Save the date and join the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners for the Garden Expo with Seed Share!! (Formerly known as Seed Swap).
    • The Expo will be held at Louisa Baptist Church, 305 East Main Street, Louisa, VA. The event will provide free seeds, free gardening presentations, community organizations, door prize giveaways and a basket raffle. Bring your dried, labeled seeds if you have them to share. However, bringing seeds is NOT required. We hope to see you there! For more Information, please go to: https://www.louisacvmg.org/ or the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners Facebook Page.
  1. Patrick County Master Gardeners Spring Symposium: Master Your Garden – March 9, 2024 Patrick & Henry Community College 212 Wood Brothers Drive, Stuart VA 24171
    • Registration: $10 payable by check or money order via mail or at the door 8:30am Doors Open 9am – Welcome 9:15-10:45am – Eli Roberson – “Using Container Gardens to Lower Your Grocery Bill” 10:45-11:30am – Break – coffee, tea, snacks, and vendors 11:30am-12:50 – Eric Johnson – “Old Salem Heirloom Gardens & Their Legacy Today” 12:50pm – Closing

 

  1. GROW THE GOOD LIFE – Bedford Area Master Gardeners – March 9 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
    • As you begin your garden plans for 2024, the Bedford Master Gardeners offer some helpful instruction and advice with our annual Grow The Good Life program. This year’s seminar will be three presentations on gardening with a focus on the environment. The seminar will be on March 9, 2024, in-person at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 Old Moneta Road, Moneta, VA from 9AM to 3PM. The speakers for this year’s Grow The Good Life are Joe Lamp’l, Jim McCormac, and Jim McGlone.
    • The registration fee for attending the event in person covers the three speakers, your choice of lunch, and plenty of time to visit with our wonderful vendors, including Justin Kelley — a professional tool sharpener. The lunch selection options will be given during registration checkout.
    • More information here: https://www.bedfordareamastergardeners.org/event/grow-the-good-life-bedford-area-master-gardeners/
  1. VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, March 11, 2024, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Plant This, Not That with Stacie McGraw, VB Master Gardener
    • Looking for reliable, easy to grow perennials and shrubs? Thinking about planting natives, but worried that your garden will look weedy? This talk will explore tried and true native alternatives to common landscape plants with a focus on natives that behave and perform well in a variety of growing conditions and garden styles. 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 2024 as you explore our website!

Old Announcements – February:

  1. Spring to Green 2024, February 3rd, 2024, Olde Agricultural Center
    • “Spring to Green” is Back!!!! Come join us for the Danville Master Gardeners 11th annual Spring to Green ” Work Less, More Garden ” 9am to 3pm on February 3rd 2024.@ Olde Agricultural Center 19783 US HWY 29 Chatham, VA 24531. Speakers are Pat Lust, Bryce Lane and Mary Ann Hansen. To register https://www.eventbrite.com/manage/events/718731554427/preview_publish or go to danvillemastergardeners.org to get a mail in registration form or to get more information.
  1. 6th Annual Prince William Native Plant Symposium – Saturday, February 10, 2024
    9:00 am – 4:00 pm Featuring keynote speaker Keith Tomlinson, Smithsonian Associates Study Leader      https://vnps.org/princewilliamwildflowersociety/events/6th-annual-prince-william-native-plant-symposium/
  2. GreenScapes Symposium 2024 – Join Brookside Gardens for a day of virtual lectures on Friday, February 16, 2024, as industry experts share valuable lessons from the field that fill in the gap between sustainable design theory and practice. Learn how to create masterpieces for all season interest using naturalistic planting designs with strong perennials and grasses. Lectures will reimagine traditional landscapes with native plants and offer the latest in ecologically focused management strategies. Take advantage of the Early Bird fee of $50 that ends on Friday, January 12. All sessions will be recorded and made available online to registrants. For more information and to register online, visit www.brooksidegreen.org.

Old Announcements – March:

 

  1. Northern Shenandoah Valley 2024 Symposium – March 2, 2024 – Middletown, VA https://nsvmga.org/events/symposium/

 

Old Announcements – April:

  1. Save the Date! The Northern Neck Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension Invite You to the 30th Annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar “Creating Outdoor Spaces-Defining Your Lifestyle”. Saturday, April 13, 2024. Lancaster Elementary School, 191 School St., Kilmarnock, VA. Registration Opens February 1, 2024.
  2. MGACRA 2024 Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future” – 4/13/2024 – Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22405.
    • The Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area invite you to join us for our 12th Annual Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future.” We have three guest speakers: Dr. Leonard Githinji presenting Introduction to Sustainable Gardening, and, back by popular demand, Bryce Lane presenting two sessions “So You Want A Garden: First Steps to Growing Your Own Food.” and “Is it Warm in Here?: New Approaches to Gardening in a Changing Climate”, and Jenny Rose Carey presenting Become the Ultimate Flower Gardener! 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 $85.00 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 get a registration form online at https://www.mgacra.org/spring-symposium.html

Old Announcements:

  1. VT Sweet Satisfaction Survey – Did you receive edamame seeds from the VT Sweet research program? If so, please fill out this survey and let the researchers know your thoughts:  https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AYGGxZza1e
    1. Want to request more edamame seeds for an EMG project (community or school garden)? Email Patrick at pwb@vt.edu.