Biweekly Update – March 20

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New Announcements

  1. 2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg!
  2. Plant sale list! Check our list of 2025 plant sales and make sure yours is listed. Additions or corrections should be sent to Devon dvj@vt.edu by March 25
  3. Webinar Series
    • April 7, 2:00 pm | Horticultural Therapy & Therapeutic Horticulture: Definitions & Examples of Practice with Leah Diehl: Leah Diehl, Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at Wilmot Botanical Gardens and Lecturer in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida will discuss horticultural therapy. Register for the April 7 webinar here
    • All webinars are recorded and posted in the webinar archive
  4. York/Poquoson Spring Plant Sale – May 3rd, 8am-12pm, York Learning Garden 301 Goodwin Neck Road (adjacent to the York County Public Safety Building). More info in flyer here.
    • Are you looking for new plants at great prices? If so, we have the sale for you! York/Poquoson Master Gardeners will hold their Annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 3rd from 8 a.m. to Noon at the York Learning Garden located at 301 Goodwin Neck Road (adjacent to the York County Public Safety Building). Annuals, perennials, native plants, shrubs, trees and Yorktown onions will be for sale. Come early as favorite plants run out fast! For more information, call the Extension Office at 757-890-4940.
  5. Heart of Virginia education series:
    • Food Preservation 4/3/25 Noon – 1 pm Buckingham Extension Office, 54 Administration Ln, Buckingham, VA Join us to learn about preservice food using canning and freeze drying.  Want your pressure cooker tested?  Bring it along!
    • Ollas for watering 5/3/25 Noon – 1 pm Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA: Join us for an exciting discussion about using Ollas in your garden
  6. Heart of Virginia Plant Sale – 5/3/25 8 am till sold out – Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA
    • Rain or shine!  Come shop our selection of plants.  There will be a nice selection of native plants as well as house plants, trees, shrubs, bulbs, etc.  We look forward to seeing you there!
  7. Abingdon Garden Faire 2025 – April 11 & 12 – Higher Education Center, I-81, Exit 14, Abingdon, VA
    • The Abingdon Garden Faire features two days of garden lectures and workshops presented by outstanding horticulturists, artists, and others.  The garden marketplace includes over 50 vendors (inside and outside) selling plants of every description (including natives and rare pollinator plants), gardening tools, yard art and furniture, and much more.  Bring garden tools for sharpening.  Spend the day and enjoy lunch in the cafe or grab a quick coffee and chocolate treat. For more information and a class schedule visit www.gardenfaire.net  or like us on Facebook:  Washington County VA Master Gardeners
  8. Intro to Carnivorous Plants – April 7, 2025, 7 pm via ZOOM – VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Intro to Carnivorous Plants – Welcome to the seemingly sinister and ever-intriguing world of carnivorous plants in this introduction class! From the humid southern pine savannas, to the humid tropical jungles of Borneo – there’s so much to explore when it comes to these intriguing insectivores.
    • The Presenter is Alexandra Cantwell with Norfolk Botanical Gardens.  Alex has over 10 years with the Garden, 4 years as a horticulturalist focusing on native plants, habitat building and sustainable landscaping.  She currently serves as Director Adult Education and Conservation. 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 2025 as you explore our website!
  9. Rapidan River Master Gardener Annual Plant & Yard Sale – April 26th, 2025, 9:00AM-4:00PM – Carver Center 9432 North James Madison Hwy Rapidan, Virginia 22733 – Join us for our annual plant sale, featuring a diverse selection of locally 🌿grown indoor and outdoor plants🍅 In addition to plants, browse our yard sale for gardening tools and decorative items. More info in flyer here.

Old March Events

  1. 14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant Nurture Grow – Loudoun County Extension Master Gardeners – Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Academies of Loudoun, 42075 Loudoun Academy Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175 Join the Loudoun County Master Gardeners for our 14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant-Nurture-Grow on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9 am to 3 pm
  2. Northern Neck Master Gardeners 31st annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar – March 29, 2025 – Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Dr., White Stone, VA 22578 – More info on the Norhtern Neck event in the flyer here
    • Mark the date, note the location, and get ready for it: the Northern Neck Master Gardener’s 31st annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar (GNN) 2025 returns to White Stone Church of the Nazarene on March 29, 2025! Come for the camaraderie with fellow gardeners, come for the legendary homemade goodies at the hospitality table, come for the information from fantastic speakers, and lastly, the Marketplace with stunning yard art selected just for the event! 
  1. This year’s theme, “Gardeners: Caretakers of the Environment” will entice with information on fabulous plants that make a huge impact and emphasize the importance of creating a garden that encourages biodiversity.
  2. The three renowned speakers are: Dan Benarcik, of Chanticleer Garden, who will share with us the 25 plants that he could not garden without; Alyssa Morel-Ford will teach us how to welcome fireflies and other wonderful guests to our gardens; and Peggy Singlemann, host of the television series Virginia Home Grown, will present “Connecting the Garden to our Environment.”
  3. Michelle Kramer, Northern Neck Master Gardener president, states she is excited by the outstanding speaker lineup and about the NNMGs taking part in the Marketplace by offering both plants and yard art for the first time.The funds GNN raises will be given out to local students for 4-H and college scholarships. New this year is the Diane Kean scholarship in honor of a beloved Northern Neck Master Gardener who we lost in 2024.

Old April Events

  1. Suffolk EMG Plant Sale at the Earth & Arts Festival – April 26, 2025 – Historic Downtown Suffolk – Suffolk’s EMG plant sale is again part of the Suffolk Earth & Arts Festival. Volunteers will have an assortment of native perennials & shrubs, ready-to-plant vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and a variety of other perennials, annuals, and trees to add to your garden at reasonable prices. A free native tree giveaway is planned, along with an Ask a Master Gardener booth and recycled garden tools sale. Proceeds support VCE MG programming in the City of Suffolk.
  2. GPMGA 18th Annual Spring Garden Fest – April 26, 2025 – Reynolds Community College 1851 Dickinson Rd, Goochland, VA
    • The 18th Annual Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Associations Spring Garden Fest will be held 8am-3pm April 26, 2025 at Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Rd, Goochland, VA 23063. This is a free, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening. For a small registration fee you can sign up for 3 of the 12 classes being offered on topics including invasive and native plants, year-round color in the landscape, attracting birds and pollinators, deterring pests and disease, gardening in the shade, and organic vegetable gardening. If you like to learn by doing you can take advantage of hands-on workshops on building a rain barrel, propagating plants, and solving problems with Orchids (bring yours). Online registration and a complete list of these educational opportunities is available at
      https://www.gpmga.org/spring-garden-fest

 

Old Announcements

  1. Allium leafminer – Participate in a citizen science project to monitor the spread of this new pest of alliums!

 

Biweekly Update – February 27

Posted on by

New Announcements  

  

1.    2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg! 

2.    Continuing Education Survey: Take this quick survey to give us some information about your Continuing Education needs: EMG CE Survey 

3.    Allium leafminer – Participate in a citizen science project to monitor the spread of this new pest of alliums! 

4.    State EMG Office CE Webinar Series 

·         March 11, 1:00 pm | Sustainable Vegetable Production with Ashley Jernigan: This session will cover management practices that affect the soil biological processes necessary for sustainable crop production, with a focus on nutrient management and soil disturbance. It will also explore soil biological communities, their role in plant growth, and how you can assess soil biological health. Register for the March 11 webinar here 

·         April 7, 2:00 pm | Horticultural Therapy & Therapeutic Horticulture: Definitions & Examples of Practice with Leah Diehl: Leah Diehl, Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at Wilmot Botanical Gardens and Lecturer in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida will discuss horticultural therapy. Register for the April 7 webinar here 

·         All webinars are recorded and posted in the webinar archive 

5.    Northern Neck Master Gardeners 31st annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar – March 29, 2025 – Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Dr., White Stone, VA 22578 – More info on the Norhtern Neck event in the flyer here 

·         Mark the date, note the location, and get ready for it: the Northern Neck Master Gardener’s 31st annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar (GNN) 2025 returns to White Stone Church of the Nazarene on March 29, 2025! Come for the camaraderie with fellow gardeners, come for the legendary homemade goodies at the hospitality table, come for the information from fantastic speakers, and lastly, the Marketplace with stunning yard art selected just for the event!   

This year’s theme, “Gardeners: Caretakers of the Environment” will entice with information on fabulous plants that make a huge impact and emphasize the importance of creating a garden that encourages biodiversity. 

The three renowned speakers are: Dan Benarcik, of Chanticleer Garden, who will share with us the 25 plants that he could not garden without; Alyssa Morel-Ford will teach us how to welcome fireflies and other wonderful guests to our gardens; and Peggy Singlemann, host of the television series Virginia Home Grown, will present “Connecting the Garden to our Environment.” 

Michelle Kramer, Northern Neck Master Gardener president, states she is excited by the outstanding speaker lineup and about the NNMGs taking part in the Marketplace by offering both plants and yard art for the first time.The funds GNN raises will be given out to local students for 4-H and college scholarships. New this year is the Diane Kean scholarship in honor of a beloved Northern Neck Master Gardener who we lost in 2024.  

The seminar fee is $50. Lunches will be available for an additional fee. Registration forms will be available February 1 at www.nnmg.org 

6.    Winter Webinar: Connections with VA State Agencies – DWR and DCR – March 5, 9:30am – More info on the Goochland-Powhatan webinar in flyer here 

·         Topic: Connections with VA State Agencies – DWR and DCR Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners Association would like to invite you to join our 2025 Winter Webinar to be held on March 5, 2025 from 9:30-noon. This year, the focus is on learning more about the valuable information and services that our VA State Agencies provide for gardeners and how we may support the work they do. Our speakers are Kevin Heffernan from the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Stephen Living from the VA Department of Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). You can find more information on the attached flier. Registration link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9CkuF_stRdGTvq0Ty0pBEA#/registration 

7.    Suffolk EMG Plant Sale at the Earth & Arts Festival – April 26, 2025 – Historic Downtown Suffolk – Suffolk’s EMG plant sale is again part of the Suffolk Earth & Arts Festival. Volunteers will have an assortment of native perennials & shrubs, ready-to-plant vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and a variety of other perennials, annuals, and trees to add to your garden at reasonable prices. A free native tree giveaway is planned, along with an Ask a Master Gardener booth and recycled garden tools sale. Proceeds support VCE MG programming in the City of Suffolk. 

8.    Plant Communities Large and Small – March 20, 2025 6-8:30pm – VMGA Spring 2025 Continuing Education – More info on the VMGA CE webinar here 

·         Speakers:  
Maddie Bright is the Executive Director at Earth Sangha where she has worked full-time on native plant conservation since 2011. Bright has worked closely with ecologists, botanists, and park managers across the Northern Virginia region on plant conservation and ecological restoration projects over the years. She regularly teaches for Arlington Regional and Fairfax Master Naturalist Chapters.  
 
Bert Harris Ph.D.is the Co-Director of The Clifton Institute, a nature center and research station on 900 acres in Warrenton. Harris researches and develops actionable ecological restoration for landowners, with an emphasis on native plant and animal communities. PhD, University of Adelaide Australia. Adj. Professor at American University and George Mason University.  
 
So, whether a landowner has acreage that they want to restore with a native plant meadow, or a small plot in their yard, Bright and Harris will give you, the Master Gardener, the science and practical knowledge needed to teach the gardening public in your area.  
 
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJ6nC6CmI6r8ite4ddjHyDuCyoBhgAMuOoOjJX-GR-78cWIQ/viewform  You will be sent a Zoom link the week of the 

9.    GPMGA 18th Annual Spring Garden Fest – April 26, 2025 – Reynolds Community College 1851 Dickinson Rd, Goochland, VA  

·         The 18th Annual Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Associations Spring Garden Fest will be held 8am-3pm April 26, 2025 at Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Rd, Goochland, VA 23063. This is a free, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening. For a small registration fee you can sign up for 3 of the 12 classes being offered on topics including invasive and native plants, year-round color in the landscape, attracting birds and pollinators, deterring pests and disease, gardening in the shade, and organic vegetable gardening. If you like to learn by doing you can take advantage of hands-on workshops on building a rain barrel, propagating plants, and solving problems with Orchids (bring yours). Online registration and a complete list of these educational opportunities is available at  
https://www.gpmga.org/spring-garden-fest 

Old March Events 

10.  14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant Nurture Grow – Loudoun County Extension Master Gardeners – Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Academies of Loudoun, 42075 Loudoun Academy Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175 Join the Loudoun County Master Gardeners for our 14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant-Nurture-Grow on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9 am to 3 pm 

 

Biweekly Update – February 27

Posted on by

New Announcements  

  

1.    2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg! 

2.    Continuing Education Survey: Take this quick survey to give us some information about your Continuing Education needs: EMG CE Survey 

3.    Allium leafminer – Participate in a citizen science project to monitor the spread of this new pest of alliums! 

4.    Webinar Series 

·         March 11, 1:00 pm | Sustainable Vegetable Production with Ashley Jernigan: This session will cover management practices that affect the soil biological processes necessary for sustainable crop production, with a focus on nutrient management and soil disturbance. It will also explore soil biological communities, their role in plant growth, and how you can assess soil biological health. Register for the March 11 webinar here 

·         April 7, 2:00 pm | Horticultural Therapy & Therapeutic Horticulture: Definitions & Examples of Practice with Leah Diehl: Leah Diehl, Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at Wilmot Botanical Gardens and Lecturer in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida will discuss horticultural therapy. Register for the April 7 webinar here 

·         All webinars are recorded and posted in the webinar archive 

5.    Northern Neck Master Gardeners 31st annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar – March 29, 2025 – Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Dr., White Stone, VA 22578 – More info on the Norhtern Neck event in the flyer here 

·         Mark the date, note the location, and get ready for it: the Northern Neck Master Gardener’s 31st annual Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar (GNN) 2025 returns to White Stone Church of the Nazarene on March 29, 2025! Come for the camaraderie with fellow gardeners, come for the legendary homemade goodies at the hospitality table, come for the information from fantastic speakers, and lastly, the Marketplace with stunning yard art selected just for the event!   

This year’s theme, “Gardeners: Caretakers of the Environment” will entice with information on fabulous plants that make a huge impact and emphasize the importance of creating a garden that encourages biodiversity. 

The three renowned speakers are: Dan Benarcik, of Chanticleer Garden, who will share with us the 25 plants that he could not garden without; Alyssa Morel-Ford will teach us how to welcome fireflies and other wonderful guests to our gardens; and Peggy Singlemann, host of the television series Virginia Home Grown, will present “Connecting the Garden to our Environment.” 

Michelle Kramer, Northern Neck Master Gardener president, states she is excited by the outstanding speaker lineup and about the NNMGs taking part in the Marketplace by offering both plants and yard art for the first time.The funds GNN raises will be given out to local students for 4-H and college scholarships. New this year is the Diane Kean scholarship in honor of a beloved Northern Neck Master Gardener who we lost in 2024.  

The seminar fee is $50. Lunches will be available for an additional fee. Registration forms will be available February 1 at www.nnmg.org 

6.    Winter Webinar: Connections with VA State Agencies – DWR and DCR – March 5, 9:30am – More info on the Goochland-Powhatan webinar in flyer here 

·         Topic: Connections with VA State Agencies – DWR and DCR Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners Association would like to invite you to join our 2025 Winter Webinar to be held on March 5, 2025 from 9:30-noon. This year, the focus is on learning more about the valuable information and services that our VA State Agencies provide for gardeners and how we may support the work they do. Our speakers are Kevin Heffernan from the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Stephen Living from the VA Department of Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). You can find more information on the attached flier. Registration link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9CkuF_stRdGTvq0Ty0pBEA#/registration 

7.    Suffolk EMG Plant Sale at the Earth & Arts Festival – April 26, 2025 – Historic Downtown Suffolk – Suffolk’s EMG plant sale is again part of the Suffolk Earth & Arts Festival. Volunteers will have an assortment of native perennials & shrubs, ready-to-plant vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and a variety of other perennials, annuals, and trees to add to your garden at reasonable prices. A free native tree giveaway is planned, along with an Ask a Master Gardener booth and recycled garden tools sale. Proceeds support VCE MG programming in the City of Suffolk. 

8.    Plant Communities Large and Small – March 20, 2025 6-8:30pm – VMGA Spring 2025 Continuing Education – More info on the VMGA CE webinar here 

·         Speakers:  
Maddie Bright is the Executive Director at Earth Sangha where she has worked full-time on native plant conservation since 2011. Bright has worked closely with ecologists, botanists, and park managers across the Northern Virginia region on plant conservation and ecological restoration projects over the years. She regularly teaches for Arlington Regional and Fairfax Master Naturalist Chapters.  
 
Bert Harris Ph.D.is the Co-Director of The Clifton Institute, a nature center and research station on 900 acres in Warrenton. Harris researches and develops actionable ecological restoration for landowners, with an emphasis on native plant and animal communities. PhD, University of Adelaide Australia. Adj. Professor at American University and George Mason University.  
 
So, whether a landowner has acreage that they want to restore with a native plant meadow, or a small plot in their yard, Bright and Harris will give you, the Master Gardener, the science and practical knowledge needed to teach the gardening public in your area.  
 
Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJ6nC6CmI6r8ite4ddjHyDuCyoBhgAMuOoOjJX-GR-78cWIQ/viewform  You will be sent a Zoom link the week of the 

9.    GPMGA 18th Annual Spring Garden Fest – April 26, 2025 – Reynolds Community College 1851 Dickinson Rd, Goochland, VA  

·         The 18th Annual Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Associations Spring Garden Fest will be held 8am-3pm April 26, 2025 at Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Rd, Goochland, VA 23063. This is a free, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening. For a small registration fee you can sign up for 3 of the 12 classes being offered on topics including invasive and native plants, year-round color in the landscape, attracting birds and pollinators, deterring pests and disease, gardening in the shade, and organic vegetable gardening. If you like to learn by doing you can take advantage of hands-on workshops on building a rain barrel, propagating plants, and solving problems with Orchids (bring yours). Online registration and a complete list of these educational opportunities is available at  
https://www.gpmga.org/spring-garden-fest 

Old March Events 

10.  14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant Nurture Grow – Loudoun County Extension Master Gardeners – Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Academies of Loudoun, 42075 Loudoun Academy Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175 Join the Loudoun County Master Gardeners for our 14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant-Nurture-Grow on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9 am to 3 pm 

 

Biweekly Update – Feb 14

Posted on by

New Announcements  

  

1.    Please send us info on your plant sales! Submit them as biweekly items or send them directly to Devon dvj@vt.edu:  

2.    2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg! 

·         Brag boards: We plan to display paper poster brag boards (rather than the digital versions). Our current plan is that we will have poster easels to display flat posters (not tri-folds or other accessories) 

3.    State Office CE Webinar Series 

·         Feb 18, 2025 – Turfgrass Management and Disease Prevention with Elisabeth Kitchin: This session will cover essential practices for maintaining turfgrass lawns, including proper mowing, irrigation, and fertilization. It will also explore strategies for preventing, identifying, and managing common turfgrass diseases, with practical advice for achieving healthy, resilient lawns Register for the Feb 18 webinar here 

·         March 11, 1:00 pm | Sustainable Vegetable Production with Ashley Jernigan: This session will cover management practices that affect the soil biological processes necessary for sustainable crop production, with a focus on nutrient management and soil disturbance. It will also explore soil biological communities, their role in plant growth, and how you can assess soil biological health. Register for the March 11 webinar here 

·         April 7, 2:00 pm | Horticultural Therapy & Therapeutic Horticulture: Definitions & Examples of Practice with Leah Diehl: Leah Diehl, Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at Wilmot Botanical Gardens and Lecturer in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida will discuss horticultural therapy. Register for the April 7 webinar here 

·         All webinars are recorded and posted in the webinar archive 

4.      14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant Nurture Grow – Loudoun County Extension Master Gardeners – Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Academies of Loudoun, 42075 Loudoun Academy Drive, Leesburg, VA 20175 Join the Loudoun County Master Gardeners for our 14th Annual Gardening Symposium: Plant-Nurture-Grow on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9 am to 3 pm 

5.    Native Plant Communities, Big and Small – Virtual: Thursday, March 20, 6:00-8:30pm  – Zoom – Join VMGA for their Spring Educational Event: Native Plant Communities, Big and Small! VMGA Spring 2025 Continuing Education: From the multi-acre meadow creation/restoration to the quintessential English cottage garden, Maddie Bright and Brett Harris will elaborate on the science and practical aspects of native plant ecology as it relates to native plant meadows. Register here

·         Speakers: 

                                             i. Maddie Bright is the Executive Director at Earth Sangha where she has worked full-time on native plant conservation since 2011. Bright has worked closely with ecologists, botanists, and park managers across the Northern Virginia region on plant conservation and ecological restoration projects over the years. She regularly teaches for Arlington Regional and Fairfax Master Naturalist Chapters. 

                                             ii.Bert Harris, Ph.D. is the Co-Director of The Clifton Institute, a nature center and research station on 900 acres in Warrenton. Harris researches and develops actionable ecological restoration for landowners, with an emphasis on native plant and animal communities. PhD, University of Adelaide Australia. Adj. Professor at American University and George Mason University. 

6.    GPMGA Winter Webinar: State Agencies for VA Gardeners – March 5 – Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners Association would like to announce our 2025 Winter Webinar to be held on March 5, 2025 from 9:30-noon.  This year, the focus is on learning more about the valuable information that our VA State Agencies provide for gardeners and how we may support the work they do. Our speakers are Kevin Heffernan from the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Stephen Living from the VA Department of Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).  You can find more information and the registration link on the attached flier. 

 

Biweekly Update – Jan 31

Posted on by

New Announcements  

  

1.    2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg! 

·         Brag boards: We plan to display paper poster brag boards (rather than the digital versions). Our current plan is that we will have poster easels to display flat posters (not tri-folds or other accessories) 

2.    Allium leafminer – Participate in a citizen science project to monitor the spread of this new pest of alliums! 

3.    Webinar Series 

·         Feb 18, 2025 – Turfgrass Management and Disease Prevention with Elisabeth Kitchin This session will cover essential practices for maintaining turfgrass lawns, including proper mowing, irrigation, and fertilization. It will also explore strategies for preventing, identifying, and managing common turfgrass diseases, with practical advice for achieving healthy, resilient lawns 

·         Register for the Feb 18 webinar here 

·         All webinars are recorded and posted in the webinar archive 

4.    New Volunteer Handbook available in Better Impact – A new version of the EMG Volunteer Handbook (previously chapter 1 of the training handbook) is available on the “files” section of Better Impact. This document is available only to current EMGs and will not be linked here. 

Old February Announcements 

5.    Upcoming Northern Shenandoah Valley Events: 

·         Indoor Plant Clinic: Late winter is the perfect time to give your indoor plants a little love. Learn how to take care of the plants you already have. Plus, participants go home with FREE easy-to-grow houseplants that they re-pot from a division or rooting. Please consider joining the fun on February 1, 2025, from 10am to 2pm at Bowman Library in Stephens City, Virginia. NSV EMGs will be on hand to provide plant care basics, along with presenting informative sessions on topics such as Eastern Prickly Pear, Growing Orchids and House Plant Tips and Propagation, etc. Kids are invited, too, and can join in an educational activity. For more details, please access the link: https://nsvmga.org/events/indoor-plant-clinic/ 

 

Biweekly Update – January 17

Posted on by
  1. 2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg! 
  2. Webinar Series 
    • Feb 18, 2025 – Turfgrass Management and Disease Prevention with Elisabeth Kitchin This session will cover essential practices for maintaining turfgrass lawns, including proper mowing, irrigation, and fertilization. It will also explore strategies for preventing, identifying, and managing common turfgrass diseases, with practical advice for achieving healthy, resilient lawns 
    • Register for the Feb 18 webinar here 
    • All webinars are recorded and posted in the webinar archive 
  3. Home Food Preservation and Preparation volunteer work: The EMG program is exploring collaboration with VCE’s Master Food Volunteer program. To help us get started, we kindly ask you to complete this quick survey to let us know what type(s) of program(s) you’ve conducted previously and what you’re interested in offering in the future. This will help us strategically plan and provide a roadmap for piloting collaborations. 
  4. NRV Winter Sowing Workshop – Saturday, January 25th (10am – 12pm) – Multi-Purpose Room 1, Montgomery County Government Center –  755 Roanoke St, Christiansburg VA 24073 – $5.00 supply fee (cash or check payable to NRVMGA)  
    • Join the NRV Master Gardeners for our very popular Winter Sowing Workshop, led by Master Gardener Beth Kirby! You will leave with two of your own completed winter sowing jugs, planted with seeds of your choice.  
    • Supply fee is waived for current Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Interns and Master Gardener Trainees.   For NRV Master Gardeners:  This event will count toward continuing education hours for 2025, if you have not attended previously.  Be sure to enter these hours into Better Impact after you attend. 
    • Come early for the Seed Swap – starting at 9am in the Government Center Lobby. Registration is not required for the seed swap.  See flyer or New River Valley Master Gardener Association Facebook page for more info. Questions?  Please contact nrvmastergardenerassoc@gmail.com 
Old January Announcements 
  1. Upcoming Northern Shenandoah Valley Events: 
    • Seed Exchange: What can one do in the dead of winter when the ground is frozen, and plants are dormant? Please consider joining the NSV EMGs for their annual Seed Exchange on January 18, 2025, from 10am to 2pm.  The Seed Exchange will be indoors at a new location, Strasburg High School Cafeteria in Strasburg, Virginia. The new location will help to minimize any weather-related impacts.  For those who would like to share their extra seeds or those who might like to acquire free seeds, everyone will leave a winner!  For more details, please access the link: https://nsvmga.org/events/seed-exchange/ 
    • Indoor Plant Clinic: Late winter is the perfect time to give your indoor plants a little love. Learn how to take care of the plants you already have. Plus, participants go home with FREE easy-to-grow houseplants that they re-pot from a division or rooting. Please consider joining the fun on February 1, 2025, from 10am to 2pm at Bowman Library in Stephens City, Virginia. NSV EMGs will be on hand to provide plant care basics, along with presenting informative sessions on topics such as Eastern Prickly Pear, Growing Orchids and House Plant Tips and Propagation, etc. Kids are invited, too, and can join in an educational activity. For more details, please access the link: https://nsvmga.org/events/indoor-plant-clinic/ 
 

Biweekly Update – December 5

Posted on by

New Announcements

 2025 Extension Master Gardener College Save the Date: June 10-15 in Blacksburg!

  1. Webinar Series
    • December 19 2:00 pm | Invasive Plants, Restoration and the Sound of Urban Streams with Gabrielle Ripa – In this presentation, Gabrielle will present her PhD work on acoustic monitoring of stream ecosystems and the impact invasive species have on the acoustic landscape.

                                   i. Gabrielle Ripa is a PhD student at Virginia Tech who is studying how to limit invasive plants on stream restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Because of her background in wildlife ecology, Gabrielle is also seeking to connect the changes to the stream environment, due to invasion and restoration, to the animal community through acoustic monitoring. She hopes her work can inform the design of restoration projects that are better at recovering both plant and animal communities.

                                     ii.  Register for the Dec 19 webinar here

                                     iii.  Water Stewards: This content is good quality CE for your Advanced EMG certification.

  2. 2025 Focus Theme: Home Food production
    • As we move into the new year, the Virginia Extension Master Gardener Program will be focusing on a critical and timely theme: Home Food Production. This initiative comes in response to the significant community challenges faced by Southwest Virginia in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Many communities are still recovering, and we believe our skills, resources, and dedication can make a real difference in promoting sustainable, resilient food systems at the household level. We also believe that we can be positive change agents across the commonwealth through this work.

Throughout 2025, we will be working together to educate, empower, and support local gardeners, families, and communities in growing their own food. Whether it’s through kitchen gardens, community plots, or container gardening, our goal is to help people increase their food security, improve their nutrition, and build a more sustainable future. We invite all of you to join us in this important work.

  1. Upcoming Northern Shenandoah Valley Events:
    • Seed Exchange: What can one do in the dead of winter when the ground is frozen, and plants are dormant? Please consider joining the NSV EMGs for their annual Seed Exchange on January 18, 2025, from 10am to 2pm.  The Seed Exchange will be indoors at a new location, Strasburg High School Cafeteria in Strasburg, Virginia. The new location will help to minimize any weather-related impacts.  For those who would like to share their extra seeds or those who might like to acquire free seeds, everyone will leave a winner!  For more details, please access the link: https://nsvmga.org/events/seed-exchange/
    • Indoor Plant Clinic: Late winter is the perfect time to give your indoor plants a little love. Learn how to take care of the plants you already have. Plus, participants go home with FREE easy-to-grow houseplants that they re-pot from a division or rooting. Please consider joining the fun on February 1, 2025, from 10am to 2pm at Bowman Library in Stephens City, Virginia. NSV EMGs will be on hand to provide plant care basics, along with presenting informative sessions on topics such as Eastern Prickly Pear, Growing Orchids and House Plant Tips and Propagation, etc. Kids are invited, too, and can join in an educational activity. For more details, please access the link: https://nsvmga.org/events/indoor-plant-clinic/

Biweekly Update – November 14

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New Announcements

 

  1. Webinar Series
    • November 18 2:00 pm | Peach Basics with Andy Rollins – In this session, Andy Rollins of South Carolina Extension will cover peach growing basics for home gardeners. For EMGs who provide plant troubleshooting services to your locality, this session will improve your ability to solve peach challenges for your stakeholders. Peaches are a great choice for Virginia gardeners interested in fruit production–Andy will give us all tips for a successful peach crop!

                                                              i.      About the Speaker: Andy Rollins is the Horticultural Agent for the upstate of SC. He is specialized in commercial fruit and vegetable production and assists new growers with problem diagnosis and multiple decisions including soil testing/preparation, location/size of the planting, spray choices, calibration, and variety selection. Andy is actively involved in research projects with Clemson University as well as USDA-ARS specialists, and also does some new product testing.

                                                             ii.      Register for the November webinar here

    • December 3 2:00 pm | Invasion Biology Wrap-Up with Jacob Barney

                                                              i.      Jacob Barney currently serves as the Director of the Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC). The ISC is a faculty collaborative that began in the Global Change Center at Virginia Tech with support from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. The ISC nurtures transdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, industry, and communities to promote a deep understanding of the impacts of invasive species on ecosystems and society and foster an inclusive environment where science and policy meet to tackle this global challenge. Dr Barney also teaches several courses at Virginia Tech, including “Biological Invasions,” a course on the causes, consequences, and epidemiology of invasive plants, animals, and microbes.

                                                             ii.      Register for the Dec 3 webinar here

                                                           iii.      Land Stewards: This content is good quality CE for your Advanced EMG certification.

    • December 19 2:00 pm | Invasive Plants, Restoration and the Sound of Urban Streams with Gabrielle Ripa – In this presentation, Gabrielle will present her PhD work on acoustic monitoring of stream ecosystems and the impact invasive species have on the acoustic landscape.

                                                              i.      Gabrielle Ripa is a PhD student at Virginia Tech who is studying how to limit invasive plants on stream restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Because of her background in wildlife ecology, Gabrielle is also seeking to connect the changes to the stream environment, due to invasion and restoration, to the animal community through acoustic monitoring. She hopes her work can inform the design of restoration projects that are better at recovering both plant and animal communities.

                                                             ii.      Register for the Dec 19 webinar here

                                                           iii.      Water Stewards: This content is good quality CE for your Advanced EMG certification.

Old November Announcements

 

  1. Heart of Virginia Lunch & Learn Series Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA
  • 11/21/24 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session of fun holiday decoration make and take with Prince Edward Extension Agent, Erin Small.  The class is limited in size and registration is required. Call to register 434-392-4246.

 

Old Announcements

  1. Use this QR code to direct people to “invasive species” tagged material on the pubs.ext.vt.edu site: get the qr code here

 

Biweekly Update – October 31

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Change in Policy Regarding Pesticide Use by Volunteers – The use of pesticides by Extension Master Gardener volunteers in their volunteer role is governed both by state law and by Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Tech policies. You may have heard that there has been a change in the state law to allow use of herbicides by volunteers under very limited and specific circumstances. The Extension Master Gardener program leaders and the Virginia Master Naturalist program leaders have worked together with the Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs director and the Virginia Tech Office of Risk Management to revise the policy in order to match the new law. The revised policy is attached here. You can consider this policy effective as of today, but we will be adding it to the upcoming new version of the Volunteer Handbook. Please read it thoroughly and feel free to ask questions as needed. 

 New Announcements

  1. Webinar Series
    • November 18 2:00 pm | Peach Basics with Andy Rollins – In this session, Andy Rollins of South Carolina Extension will cover peach growing basics for home gardeners. For EMGs who provide plant troubleshooting services to your locality, this session will improve your ability to solve peach challenges for your stakeholders. Peaches are a great choice for Virginia gardeners interested in fruit production–Andy will give us all tips for a successful peach crop!

                                                              i.      About the Speaker: Andy Rollins is the Horticultural Agent for the upstate of SC. He is specialized in commercial fruit and vegetable production and assists new growers with problem diagnosis and multiple decisions including soil testing/preparation, location/size of the planting, spray choices, calibration, and variety selection. Andy is actively involved in research projects with Clemson University as well as USDA-ARS specialists, and also does some new product testing.

                                                             ii.      Register for the November webinar here

    • December 3 2:00 pm | Invasion Biology Wrap-Up with Jacob Barney

                                                              i.      Jacob Barney currently serves as the Director of the Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC). The ISC is a faculty collaborative that began in the Global Change Center at Virginia Tech with support from the Fralin Life Sciences Institute and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. The ISC nurtures transdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, industry, and communities to promote a deep understanding of the impacts of invasive species on ecosystems and society and foster an inclusive environment where science and policy meet to tackle this global challenge. Dr Barney also teaches several courses at Virginia Tech, including “Biological Invasions,” a course on the causes, consequences, and epidemiology of invasive plants, animals, and microbes.

                                                             ii.      Register for the Dec 3 webinar here

                                                           iii.      Land Stewards: This content is good quality CE for your Advanced EMG certification.

    • December 19 2:00 pm | Invasive Plants, Restoration and the Sound of Urban Streams with Gabrielle Ripa – In this presentation, Gabrielle will present her PhD work on acoustic monitoring of stream ecosystems and the impact invasive species have on the acoustic landscape.

                                                              i.      Gabrielle Ripa is a PhD student at Virginia Tech who is studying how to limit invasive plants on stream restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Because of her background in wildlife ecology, Gabrielle is also seeking to connect the changes to the stream environment, due to invasion and restoration, to the animal community through acoustic monitoring. She hopes her work can inform the design of restoration projects that are better at recovering both plant and animal communities.

                                                             ii.      Register for the Dec 19 webinar here

                                                           iii.      Water Stewards: This content is good quality CE for your Advanced EMG certification.

  2. VMGA November Educational Event November 9th: Register now
    • The Virginia Master Gardener Association (VMGA) is excited to announce its Fall Continuing Education Day, scheduled for Saturday, November 9th, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Washington VA Volunteer Fire Meeting Hall, located at 10 Firehouse Lane, Washington, VA 22747.
    • This event will feature a lineup of expert speakers, each bringing a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields:

                                                              i.      Janet Davis of Hill House Nursery will delve into the Propagation of Woody Plants, with a special focus on native species. Janet’s expertise in nurturing and multiplying these essential plants will provide valuable insights for anyone interested in expanding their garden or landscape.

                                                             ii.      Matt Bright from Earth Sangha will speak on the importance of Keystone Plants and Plant Communities. Keystone plants play a critical role in supporting local ecosystems, and Matt will guide us in understanding which species are vital for the health and biodiversity of our natural surroundings as well as how you create Plant Communities with them.

                                                           iii.      Pat Lust, Professor Emerita from Longwood University, will share her extensive knowledge on Seed Propagation. Pat’s session will cover the fundamentals of starting plants from seed, offering both practical tips and a deeper understanding of the science behind successful propagation.

    • Following the morning lectures, participants will have the opportunity to visit Hill House Nursery, located just 15-20 minutes from the Fire House. This field trip will allow attendees to see many of the propagation techniques discussed during the lectures in action and explore the nursery’s diverse collection of plants. (We will carpool to and from the nursery). This event promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning your journey in horticulture. Don’t miss this chance to learn from some of the best in the field and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Mark your calendars for November 9th, and join us for a day of education, inspiration, and community! 
  1. Danville Master Gardeners’ 12th annual Spring to Green (STG) conference will be held on February 8, 2025. Registration is now open, and STG shirts are available for purchase! To register, go to Eventbrite.com and look for Spring to Green. If you want to register by mail, go to Danvillemastergardeners.org and download a registration form and mail the completed form to 326 Taylor Dr, Suite 100, Danville, VA 24541.

Old November Announcements

  1. Heart of Virginia Lunch & Learn Series Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA
    1. 11/21/24 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session of fun holiday decoration make and take with Prince Edward Extension Agent, Erin Small.  The class is limited in size and registration is required. Call to register 434-392-4246.
  2. Salt Tolerant Plants: November 4, 2024 |VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on:  Salt Tolerant Plants    Speaker: Liz Maurer, VBMG
    • Our proximity to the ocean means our landscape plants are subject to salt spray that can drift inland during high winds. Salt can accumulate on plant surfaces as well as in the soil. In some areas, brackish flood waters may contribute to challenges the plants face. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and possible ways to help your plants survive as well as suggestions for plants that can best withstand these 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 2024 as you explore our website!

 

 

Biweekly Update – October 17

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New Announcements

 

  1. Webinar Series
    • The Coreopsis That Died Probably Wasn’t Your Fault: Growing Reliable Perennials In and For the Garden with Paul Westervelt, Annual & Perennial Production Manager and Head Grower, Saunders Brothers, Inc. Register here.

                                                              i.      In this session, Paul Westervelt of Saunders Brothers Inc. will share his extensive knowledge and expertise on choosing perennials for your landscape. Paul will discuss perennials for fall planting and/or fall color.

  1. Tell us about your specialized expertise!  Help us gather insights from EMG volunteers about specialized horticultural skills. https://utk.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bQacDM4S86ExXjE
    • The survey should take approximately 12-15 minutes to complete.  The survey will close at the end of the day on Sunday, October 20.  (As a footnote, the survey will be conducted through the University of Tennessee and not Virginia Tech so the Qualtrics URL will reflect a UT-Knoxville and UT Extension origin.)
  2. Use this QR code to direct people to “invasive species” tagged material on the pubs.ext.vt.edu site: get the qr code here
  3. Salt Tolerant Plants: November 4, 2024 | VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on:  Salt Tolerant Plants    Speaker: Liz Maurer, VBMG
    • Our proximity to the ocean means our landscape plants are subject to salt spray that can drift inland during high winds. Salt can accumulate on plant surfaces as well as in the soil. In some areas, brackish flood waters may contribute to challenges the plants face. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and possible ways to help your plants survive as well as suggestions for plants that can best withstand these 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 2024 as you explore our website!
  4. NATIVE FLOWERS, FRUITS & FOLIAGE FOR FALL | October 23, 2024, 6:30 PM-8:00 PM | NATIVE FLOWERS, FRUITS & FOLIAGE FOR FALL – ZOOM: October marks a slowing down of the growing season, but there are still many native plants you might consider adding to your garden to introduce long-lasting blooms and colorful foliage to the fall landscape. Join Virginia Cooperative Extension with Extension Master Gardener and Wildlife Sanctuary Ambassador Elaine Mills as she discusses over 40 plants native to the Mid-Atlantic region, including perennials, ground covers, vines, shrubs, and trees that offer important support for local wildlife as well as beauty. She describes characteristics, attributes, and maintenance tips specific to these native plants and offers ideas for landscape uses.  To receive the Zoom link please register at: https://vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1H5uOuuFbU1awB0

 

Old October Announcements

  1. Hanover Home Gardening Series: Join us for engaging presentations that will broaden your gardening know-how, introduce you to new concepts, and help you connect with the Hanover Master Gardeners. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience.  Our Home Gardening Series is tailored for Hanover County’s home gardeners. Atlee Library | 9212 Rutlandshire Dr, Mechanicsville, VA 23116  Learn more and register
    • October 19 | Tree Stewards and Gardening Help Desk
    • November 16 | GROWING MUSHROOMS & BOKASHI COMPOSTING
    • January 18 | Gardening Tools and Invasives
    • February 15 | Seed Starting and Garden Planning
    • March 15 | Soil Testing and Bats, Dragonflies and Mosquitos
  2. Louisa Extension Master Gardeners’ Backyard Gardening Seminars:
  1. 2024 PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY PUMPKIN CONTEST Prince George Farmers Market Join the Prince George Master Gardeners for our 2024 Pumpkin Contest on October 26, 2024.

 

Old November Announcements

 

  1. VMGA November Educational Event: SAVE THE DATE!  November 9th
  • The Virginia Master Gardener Association (VMGA) is excited to announce its Fall Continuing Education Day, scheduled for Saturday, November 9th, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Washington VA Volunteer Fire Meeting Hall, located at 10 Firehouse Lane, Washington, VA 22747. WATCH FOR INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION SOON.  https://vmga.net/vmga-education-events/
  • This event will feature a lineup of expert speakers, each bringing a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields:
    • Janet Davis of Hill House Nursery will delve into the Propagation of Woody Plants, with a special focus on native species. Janet’s expertise in nurturing and multiplying these essential plants will provide valuable insights for anyone interested in expanding their garden or landscape.
    • Matt Bright from Earth Sangha will speak on the importance of Keystone Plants and Plant Communities. Keystone plants play a critical role in supporting local ecosystems, and Matt will guide us in understanding which species are vital for the health and biodiversity of our natural surroundings as well as how you create Plant Communities with them.
    • Pat Lust, Professor Emerita from Longwood University, will share her extensive knowledge on Seed Propagation. Pat’s session will cover the fundamentals of starting plants from seed, offering both practical tips and a deeper understanding of the science behind successful propagation.
  • Following the morning lectures, participants will have the opportunity to visit Hill House Nursery, located just 15-20 minutes from the Fire House. This field trip will allow attendees to see many of the propagation techniques discussed during the lectures in action and explore the nursery’s diverse collection of plants. (We will carpool to and from the nursery). This event promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning your journey in horticulture. Don’t miss this chance to learn from some of the best in the field and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Mark your calendars for November 9th, and join us for a day of education, inspiration, and community!
  1. Heart of Virginia Lunch & Learn Series Prince Edward Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA
  • 11/21/24 12-1 pm Bring your lunch and join us for a session of fun holiday decoration make and take with Prince Edward Extension Agent, Erin Small.  The class is limited in size and registration is required. Call to register 434-392-4246.