New Announcements

1. Microgrant applications now open! Our 2024 grants will support local Extension Master Gardener (EMG) groups in their efforts to promote work on invasive species in their local communities. This could include efforts for new and innovative outreach events to raise awareness, speakers for EMG continuing education, upgrades to invasive species displays for plant clinics and outreach events, workshops, native plants as replacements for plants affected by invasive species in demonstration gardens and more. All proposals should show strong dedication to the EMG mission of sharing knowledge and empowering communities. Request up to $1000 for your EMG project.
1. Learn more and find the application form here.
2. Master Gardener College – Registration will open April 15 – Mark your calendars.
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
1.  #inVAsives – April 22, 1:00pm | Scott M. Salom – Overview of invasive forest insects pests in VA – Join Dr. Scott Salom of Virginia Tech’s entomology department for this introduction to forest and insect pests in Virginia. Register now
4. #inVAsives – Film Screening: “Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species” – 4-20-24 from 2-4 PM at the Lyric Theater, Blacksburg VA. Uninvited introduces the concept of invasive species and explains how diverse partnerships and strategies can be used to prevent the spread of harmful species. Following the screening, a panel of invasive species professionals will be on hand to answer audience questions.
1. If you’re not near Blacksburg, you can watch the film on your own here.
2. As part of the documentary, they encourage viewers to report invasive species.  But we don’t use those reporting sites in Virginia.  Instead of using https://www.imapinvasives.org/, Virginia residents are encouraged to report using EDDMapS.org or directly with VA DCR.  Both methods linked at this page: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invsp-whatyoucando-map
5. VMGA Spring Continuing Education – Conservation Landscaping – 5/18/2024  Via Zoom – The Science and Practical Application to Create or Restore Biodiversity in the Home Garden Restoration Ecology of Urban Trees – Dr. David Burke, Ph.D. from Rutgers University, Research Chair of the Holden Arboretum. Concentrating on soil ecology, his presentation examines interaction between plants and soil microorganisms, especially mutualistic and associative soil organisms, to restore critical balances in urban trees and plants. Restore Biodiversity with Keystone Plants -Krista De Cooke, Innovation Project Manager for Homegrown National Park. How the homeowner can improve biodiversity that supports the birds, and the insects on which they rely. Krista has an M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Haslam College of Business. Watch the Bi-Weekly Update for a registration link
6. HCMGA 22nd Annual Festival of Gardening – 5/4/2024 On the lawn outside city auditorium at Glass H.S. – Plants to satisfy vegetable gardeners, native plant enthusiasts, annuals, tropicals, houseplants, and more will be available at the 22nd annual Festival of Gardening sponsored by the Hill City Master Gardener Association on Saturday, May 4, on the grounds at E. C. Glass High School. Rain or shine, Master Gardeners will offer plants for sale from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
7. Spring Celebration and Plant Sale – 4/20/2024 – Glencarlyn Library Demonstration Garden – Honor Arbor Day, Earth Day, plants and nature at the annual Spring Celebration and Plant Sale at the Glencarlyn Library Demonstration Garden in Arlington on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activites are available for the entire family including a kids’ table, family crafts in the library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a Master Gardener-led Tree Walk at 1, visits to Arlington’s oldest home the Ball-Sellers House all day, and nature-related vendors including native plants from Hill House Nursery, local vegetable and herb starts and plants propagated in the demonstration garden. Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you find the right plant and answer your garden-related questions.
8. Chesapeake Master Gardener Plant Sale – 4/26/2024 8-6 pm and 4/27/2024 8-noon at Warren Farms 448 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23322 – Chesapeake – It’s Planting Time! Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, native plants, trees, shrubs, & fruit trees. Ready to make your garden green. Expert advice available at the sale.

Old Announcements – April:

1. Epic Tomatoes from YOUR Garden – 4/8/2024 Online – Zoom

1. 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!

2. 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.
3. MGACRA 2024 Spring Symposium “Sustainable Gardening – Growing a Greener Future” – 4/13/2024 – Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22405.

2. 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

4. Suffolk EMG Plant Sale at the Earth & Arts Festival – 4/20/2024 – Downtown Suffolk

3. 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/.

5. Annual Spring Garden Fest! GPMGA – 4/27/2024 – Reynolds Community College – Goochland Campus – Annual Spring Garden Fest! Saturday, April 27, 2024 https://www.gpmga.org/sgf 8 am to 3 pm Reynolds Community College 1851 Dickinson Road Goochland, VA A FREE, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening so stop by to see: The GPMGA Plant Sale – a wide variety of plants at great prices! Ask the Master Gardener booth – free gardening help and advice Gardening vendor booths – lots of fun items to delight gardeners

Old Announcements:

6. 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.

7. Heart of Virginia Lunch & Learn Series Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA

1. 4/4/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Saving & Starting Seeds
2. 5/4/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Rain Barrels
3. 6/6/2024 – 12 – 1 pm  All about African violets with Jill Fischer.
4. 6/29/2024 11 am – 12 pm  Water Gardens for everyone!
5. 8/1/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Lawn Renovation
6. 10/3/24 – 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session on Mushrooms