New Announcements

1. Thank you to everyone who attended Master Gardener College! Please be on the lookout for our conference follow-up survey.
1. The brag board slideshow is available here: https://youtu.be/S3se5DBwcAE
2. Bumblebee Jamboree 2023, June 17 – Maymont Children’s Farm 1000 Spottswood Rd Richmond VA 23220
1. What: Kick off National Pollinator Week with free family-friendly activities buzzing with fun! The 11th annual Bumblebee Jamboree provides an opportunity for children to better understand the role pollinators play and what each of us can do in our own backyard to protect natural resources. Families are invited to participate in hands-on experiences at this free event that encourages kids to learn about birds, butterflies, bees, beetles, and bats. Children will enjoy pollinator-related crafts, snacks, games, and other interactive activities. They can get close to pollinators by watching enclosed observation beehives.
2. When: Saturday, June 17, 2023, 10:30 am–2:30 pm Information: Free admission. This event is hosted by the Chesterfield County Master Gardeners and the Chesterfield County office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Contact: For more information, call (804) 751-4401 or visit bit.ly/2023BBJ. View flyer here.
3. EMG Webinar Series 2023: The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please plan to register for each webinar:
1. July 20 at 10:30 am – Hydroponics: Industry to Home Use, Dr. Josh Kardos, VT SPES. This talk will introduce hydroponics, discuss the pros and cons, describe various systems used and crops grown, highlight the industry, and describe how you can grow hydroponically at home. Register for the July webinar here
2. August 18th at 10am – Forest Health Update, Lori Chamberlin VDOF. Learn about the most common pests and diseases in Virginia’s forests. This presentation will teach participants how to identify forest health disturbance agents, and how to prevent damage. Our speaker, Lori Chamberlin, is the Forest Health Manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry. Register for August webinar here

Old June Announcements

4. Louisa County Backyard Gardening Seminar Series
1. The Louisa County Master Gardeners present their 2023 Backyard Gardening Seminar Series. These seminars take place one Saturday a month from 10:30 – 11:30am at the Louisa Co. Public Library. The next sessions include:

• April 15: Planning a cut flower garden
• May 20: Container Gardening
• June 17: Irrigation and Water Conservation
• July 15: Vegetable Garden Diseases and Stress
• August 19: Native, Invasive and Riparian Gardening
• For more information call, 540-967-3422 ext 7619 or email: louisamg@gmail.com 

5. Gardening in the Valley Garden Tour – Northern Shenandoah Valley – June 24, 2023 – Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Gardening in the Valley Tour, hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension with support from the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association. The tour is June 24, 2023, from 9am–4pm, rain or shine.

1. The gardens on this year’s tour include formal garden spaces, herb gardens, native plant areas, pollinator gardens, water features, art, and more. The featured gardens are: Warren Heritage Society Gardens (101 Chester St., Front Royal), The Blue House (Downtown Front Royal), Tall Oaks (approx. 1.5 miles east of I-81 in Frederick County), Montevento (approx. 5 miles west of Berryville in Clarke County)
2. Additional information and advance tickets ($10 each) are online at http://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/
1. Henrico County Celebration of Pollinators – June 1-30, 2023  Recognizing National pollinator Week (June 19-25, 2023) and reinforcing many of its own strategic initiatives in supporting pollinator health in Virginia, the Henrico County Virginia Cooperative Extension office , and its contingent of volunteer Extension Master Gardeners have planned a month-long celebration of pollinators commencing in June to educate, enlighten, and inspire Henrico County citizens about pollinators and their vital place in our daily lives and world. The events are free to attend:
1. Thursday, June 22, 7 p.m.: Screening of the documentary film My Garden of a Thousand Bees in the Board Room at Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road; and
2. Sunday, June 25, 1-3 p.m.: Pollinators at the Park in the Butterfly Garden at Armour House & Gardens at Meadowview Park, 4001 Clarendon Road. In addition, residents will be able to take advantage of several programs and activities that will last throughout June: • Pollinator Lego Expo: Youth ages 5 to 19 are encouraged to assemble a pollinator-inspired Lego creation and submit a digital image and description. Prizes will be awarded in three categories; • Pollinator Displays at the Tuckahoe, Libbie Mill, Fairfield and Varina libraries
3. Henrico Master Gardeners Plant Clinics, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays at Strange’s Florists, Greenhouses and Garden Centers, 12111 W. Broad St.
4. For more information, visit: https://henrico.ext.vt.edu/news/celebration_of_pollinators_2023.html and view the flyer here

Old Announcements

6. Results Released for First Survey of Native Plants at Roanoke Nurseries Gardeners now have a snapshot of where to find native plants in the Roanoke area. Members of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, Plant SWVA Natives, and other dedicated gardeners surveyed all independent general nurseries, not including big box stores, within the Roanoke Valley who offer native plants for sale.

1. The survey was conducted in Spring 2022 to include plants native to the SWVA mountain region, as well as some plants native to nearby regions, such as North Carolina and the eastern portion of Virginia. The survey included cultivars (cultivated varieties of native plants) offered for sale. Each cultivar was evaluated by the team to determine whether the cultivar appeared to have a similar ecological benefit for pollinators. These results were then compiled for the benefit of the public and can be found here: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/native-plant-nursery-survey
2. Other groups are welcome to use the materials developed for this project to conduct a survey in their area. For more information, contact Sharon Burnham at 540-343-0080 or at seabird66@cox.net.

7. “BMPs in Turfgrass” Trainings: Dr. Mike Goatley, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, has recorded and posted best management practices in turfgrass training material divided into two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) on the Virginia Tech Turfgrass web site: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/.  To access these trainings, go to the Turf webpage (turf.spes.vt.edu/). Click on the Menu drop down and then expand the Extension Tab. Select the “VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Training” tab to access the recordings and accompanying handouts. You can also go to the MG page directly: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/Extension/VCE-MGVolTraining.html 

3. Many more updates etc. are planned in the coming weeks and months. You can bookmark the VT Turf website and check back periodically for these improvements!

8. Extension Master Gardener handbook (2023 edition) now available!

4. Revisions and updates to the EMG Training Handbook have been completed. The 2023 edition of the handbook can be downloaded by visiting: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112743. The digital textbook version has been published and can be found here: https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/. The print version will follow shortly, more details will be provided in April.
5. Many thanks to all who assisted in this undertaking. We appreciate all our editors, authors, and contributors! 

New Announcements

Master Gardener College registration is now closed. We look forward to seeing everyone next week! Please check your inbox for the “Know Before You Go” email. That will have all the details you need as you plan your trip to Virginia Tech’s Campus.

1. EMG Webinar Series 2023: The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please plan to register for each webinar:
   1. July 20 at 10:30 am – Hydroponics: Industry to Home Use, Dr. Josh Kardos, VT SPES. This talk will introduce hydroponics, discuss the pros and cons, describe various systems used and crops grown, highlight the industry, and describe how you can grow hydroponically at home. Register for the July webinar here
   2. August 18th at 10am – Forest Health Update, Lori Chamberlin VDOF. Learn about the most common pests and diseases in Virginia’s forests. This presentation will teach participants how to identify forest health disturbance agents, and how to prevent damage. Our speaker, Lori Chamberlin, is the Forest Health Manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry. Register for August webinar here
2. Henrico County Celebration of Pollinators – June 1-30, 2023  Recognizing National pollinator Week (June 19-25, 2023) and reinforcing many of its own strategic initiatives in supporting pollinator health in Virginia, the Henrico County Virginia Cooperative Extension office , and its contingent of volunteer Extension Master Gardeners have planned a month-long celebration of pollinators commencing in June to educate, enlighten, and inspire Henrico County citizens about pollinators and their vital place in our daily lives and world. The events are free to attend:
   1. Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Henrico Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival at Deep Run Park, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway
   2. Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m.-noon: Pollinators at the Park at Short Pump Park Pollinator Garden, 3329 Pump Road;
   3. Thursday, June 22, 7 p.m.: Screening of the documentary film My Garden of a Thousand Bees in the Board Room at Henrico County Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road; and
   4. Sunday, June 25, 1-3 p.m.: Pollinators at the Park in the Butterfly Garden at Armour House & Gardens at Meadowview Park, 4001 Clarendon Road. In addition, residents will be able to take advantage of several programs and activities that will last throughout June: • Pollinator Lego Expo: Youth ages 5 to 19 are encouraged to assemble a pollinator-inspired Lego creation and submit a digital image and description. Prizes will be awarded in three categories; • Pollinator Displays at the Tuckahoe, Libbie Mill, Fairfield and Varina libraries
   5. Henrico Master Gardeners Plant Clinics, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays at Strange’s Florists, Greenhouses and Garden Centers, 12111 W. Broad St.
   6. For more information, visit: https://henrico.ext.vt.edu/news/celebration_of_pollinators_2023.html and view the flyer here

Old June Announcements

4. Virginia Native Plants Plant Sale June 10th, 2023 Blacksburg, VA (During EMGC)
   1. Please join fellow native plant enthusiast/gardeners at the New River Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society Plant Sale on June 10th from 9:30 to 1:30 pm. Just four blocks behind Cabo Fish Taco restaurant at the Price House, SEEDS, corner of 107 Wharton Street and Lee Street, Blacksburg VA 24060. rain or shine View the list of native plants on our website https://vnps.org/newriver/native-plant-sale/ Other vendors and exhibitors will be present such as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. More info here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JFJ2mq6WXftc70f2Pw7JViO0WQeCQFED/view?usp=share_link
5. Louisa County Backyard Gardening Seminar Series
   1. The Louisa County Master Gardeners present their 2023 Backyard Gardening Seminar Series. These seminars take place one Saturday a month from 10:30 – 11:30am at the Louisa Co. Public Library. The next sessions include:

• April 15: Planning a cut flower garden
• May 20: Container Gardening
• June 17: Irrigation and Water Conservation
• July 15: Vegetable Garden Diseases and Stress
• August 19: Native, Invasive and Riparian Gardening
• For more information call, 540-967-3422 ext 7619 or email: louisamg@gmail.com

6. Gardening in the Valley Garden Tour – Northern Shenandoah Valley – June 24, 2023 – Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Gardening in the Valley Tour, hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension with support from the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association. The tour is June 24, 2023, from 9am–4pm, rain or shine.

1. 1. The gardens on this year’s tour include formal garden spaces, herb gardens, native plant areas, pollinator gardens, water features, art, and more. The featured gardens are: Warren Heritage Society Gardens (101 Chester St., Front Royal), The Blue House (Downtown Front Royal), Tall Oaks (approx. 1.5 miles east of I-81 in Frederick County), Montevento (approx. 5 miles west of Berryville in Clarke County)
   2. Additional information and advance tickets ($10 each) are online at http://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/

Old Announcements

7. Results Released for First Survey of Native Plants at Roanoke Nurseries Gardeners now have a snapshot of where to find native plants in the Roanoke area. Members of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, Plant SWVA Natives, and other dedicated gardeners surveyed all independent general nurseries, not including big box stores, within the Roanoke Valley who offer native plants for sale.

1. 1. The survey was conducted in Spring 2022 to include plants native to the SWVA mountain region, as well as some plants native to nearby regions, such as North Carolina and the eastern portion of Virginia. The survey included cultivars (cultivated varieties of native plants) offered for sale. Each cultivar was evaluated by the team to determine whether the cultivar appeared to have a similar ecological benefit for pollinators. These results were then compiled for the benefit of the public and can be found here: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/native-plant-nursery-survey
   2. Other groups are welcome to use the materials developed for this project to conduct a survey in their area. For more information, contact Sharon Burnham at 540-343-0080 or at seabird66@cox.net.

8. “BMPs in Turfgrass” Trainings: Dr. Mike Goatley, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, has recorded and posted best management practices in turfgrass training material divided into two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) on the Virginia Tech Turfgrass web site: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/.  To access these trainings, go to the Turf webpage (turf.spes.vt.edu/). Click on the Menu drop down and then expand the Extension Tab. Select the “VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Training” tab to access the recordings and accompanying handouts. You can also go to the MG page directly: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/Extension/VCE-MGVolTraining.html

1. 3. Many more updates etc. are planned in the coming weeks and months. You can bookmark the VT Turf website and check back periodically for these improvements!

9. Extension Master Gardener handbook (2023 edition) now available!

1. 4. Revisions and updates to the EMG Training Handbook have been completed. The 2023 edition of the handbook can be downloaded by visiting: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112743. The digital textbook version has been published and can be found here: https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/. The print version will follow shortly, more details will be provided in April.
   5. Many thanks to all who assisted in this undertaking. We appreciate all our editors, authors, and contributors!

New Announcements

1. Master Gardener College registration open NOW! Rate increases May 18: Today, May 17, is the last day to register at the early bird rate of $210.
   1. Registration is now open for Master Gardener College! We have a phenomenal lineup of speakers, tours, and workshops this year for College. This is a great experience for learning and for connecting with fellow EMGs throughout the state.

                                       i.      Register for the conference here

                                      ii.      Register for on-campus lodging 

                                      iii.      Learn more about EMGC and view the program here

1. 2. Tree Steward training is now full! Thank you!
2. Submit a brag board for EMGC 2023! Highlight your unit’s unique projects and events! Create a short PowerPoint presentation for display during EMGC. Ask your agent or coordinator for details on submitting. You do not need to attend College to create a brag board.
3. Gardening in the Valley Garden Tour – Northern Shenandoah Valley – June 24, 2023 – Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Gardening in the Valley Tour, hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension with support from the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association. The tour is June 24, 2023, from 9am–4pm, rain or shine.
   1. The gardens on this year’s tour include formal garden spaces, herb gardens, native plant areas, pollinator gardens, water features, art, and more. The featured gardens are: Warren Heritage Society Gardens (101 Chester St., Front Royal), The Blue House (Downtown Front Royal), Tall Oaks (approx. 1.5 miles east of I-81 in Frederick County), Montevento (approx. 5 miles west of Berryville in Clarke County)
   2. Additional information and advance tickets ($10 each) are online at http://nsvmga.org/events/garden-tour/
4. EMG Webinar Series 2023: The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please plan to register for each webinar:
   1. July 20 at 10:30 am – Hydroponics: Industry to Home Use, Dr. Josh Kardos, VT SPES. This talk will introduce hydroponics, discuss the pros and cons, describe various systems used and crops grown, highlight the industry, and describe how you can grow hydroponically at home. Register for the July webinar here
   2. August 18th at 10am – Forest Health Update, Lori Chamberlin VDOF. Learn about the most common pests and diseases in Virginia’s forests. This presentation will teach participants how to identify forest health disturbance agents, and how to prevent damage. Our speaker, Lori Chamberlin, is the Forest Health Manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry. Register for August webinar here

Old May Announcements

5. Louisa County Backyard Gardening Seminar Series
   1. The Louisa County Master Gardeners present their 2023 Backyard Gardening Seminar Series. These seminars take place one Saturday a month from 10:30 – 11:30am at the Louisa Co. Public Library. The next sessions include:

• April 15: Planning a cut flower garden
• May 20: Container Gardening
• June 17: Irrigation and Water Conservation
• July 15: Vegetable Garden Diseases and Stress
• August 19: Native, Invasive and Riparian Gardening
• For more information call, 540-967-3422 ext 7619 or email: louisamg@gmail.com

Old June Announcements

6. Virginia Native Plants Plant Sale June 10th, 2023 Blacksburg, VA (During EMGC)

1. 1. Please join fellow native plant enthusiast/gardeners at the New River Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society Plant Sale on June 10th from 9:30 to 1:30 pm. Just four blocks behind Cabo Fish Taco restaurant at the Price House, SEEDS, corner of 107 Wharton Street and Lee Street, Blacksburg VA 24060. rain or shine View the list of native plants on our website https://vnps.org/newriver/native-plant-sale/ Other vendors and exhibitors will be present such as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. More info here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JFJ2mq6WXftc70f2Pw7JViO0WQeCQFED/view?usp=share_link

7. International Master Gardener Conference 2023 – June 18-22, 2023

1. 2. Registration is open for the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference in Kansas this June. Early registration of $397 runs through March 1. It includes 5 keynote speaker presentations, 8 rounds of concurrent sessions, a trade show and 6 meals. If you enjoyed our 2021 virtual conference in Virginia, you’re sure to love the opportunities that are available during this in person conference! Learn more at www.imgc2023.com.

Old Announcements

8. Results Released for First Survey of Native Plants at Roanoke Nurseries Gardeners now have a snapshot of where to find native plants in the Roanoke area. Members of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, Plant SWVA Natives, and other dedicated gardeners surveyed all independent general nurseries, not including big box stores, within the Roanoke Valley who offer native plants for sale.

1. 1. The survey was conducted in Spring 2022 to include plants native to the SWVA mountain region, as well as some plants native to nearby regions, such as North Carolina and the eastern portion of Virginia. The survey included cultivars (cultivated varieties of native plants) offered for sale. Each cultivar was evaluated by the team to determine whether the cultivar appeared to have a similar ecological benefit for pollinators. These results were then compiled for the benefit of the public and can be found here: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/native-plant-nursery-survey
   2. Other groups are welcome to use the materials developed for this project to conduct a survey in their area. For more information, contact Sharon Burnham at 540-343-0080 or at seabird66@cox.net.

9. “BMPs in Turfgrass” Trainings: Dr. Mike Goatley, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, has recorded and posted best management practices in turfgrass training material divided into two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) on the Virginia Tech Turfgrass web site: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/.  To access these trainings, go to the Turf webpage (turf.spes.vt.edu/). Click on the Menu drop down and then expand the Extension Tab. Select the “VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Training” tab to access the recordings and accompanying handouts. You can also go to the MG page directly: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/Extension/VCE-MGVolTraining.html

1. 3. Many more updates etc. are planned in the coming weeks and months. You can bookmark the VT Turf website and check back periodically for these improvements!

10. Extension Master Gardener handbook (2023 edition) now available!

1. 4. Revisions and updates to the EMG Training Handbook have been completed. The 2023 edition of the handbook can be downloaded by visiting: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112743. The digital textbook version has been published and can be found here: https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/. The print version will follow shortly, more details will be provided in April.
   5. Many thanks to all who assisted in this undertaking. We appreciate all our editors, authors, and contributors!

New Announcements

1. Master Gardener College registration opening soon!

• Registration will open next week for Master Gardener College. Master Gardener College is the annual continuing education conference for EMGs throughout the state.
• The main portion of MG College will take place from June 8th – 11th in Blacksburg. Our advanced training this year, Tree Steward Training, begins on June 7th.
• We have a phenomenal lineup of speakers, tours, and workshops this year for College. This is a great experience for learning and for connecting with fellow EMGs throughout the state. We will be sending out a College edition of the InSeason newsletter soon with a detailed program and lots of information about the conference. Information will also be posted here in the coming days: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/college/
• We hope to see many of you in Blacksburg! 

2.             VMGA Scholarships available to Master Gardener College 2023

• The Virginia Master Gardener Association (VMGA) is offering scholarships to Master Gardener College this June. Please reach out to your Agent or Coordinator for application information and additional details.
• The Scholarship recognizes those volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional potential in their local Units and is part of VMGA’s educational mission. It’s awarded to deserving Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) to help them in their continuing education efforts through attendance at EMGC and to increase the number of EMGs able to attend the conference. Any interested active EMG is eligible for nomination; financial need is not a required criterion. Trainees, interns, and prior VMGA Scholarship recipients are not eligible. This year’s Scholarships are intended to cover most of the costs to attend EMGC.
• Nominations are accepted through midnight April 30, 2023.

3.             Norfolk Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale, April 13 & 14, 2023 at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens

• The Norfolk Master Gardeners are looking forward to welcoming everyone to their annual spring plant sale, which will be held on Thursday, April 13 from 10am – 7pm and Friday, April 14 from 10am to 3pm. Norfolk EMGs have expanded their sale offerings to include more native plants, in addition to a large selection of other annuals, perennials, shrubs, and small trees. There will also be a “green elephant” booth featuring gently used garden supplies, pots, tools, and yard decor, as well as a bargain book booth where horticultural, gardening, and plant books can be found. 

4.             Case Studies in Lawn Replacement, Friday, April 14, 10:00 – 11:30 am, Virtual Presentation

• Join Extension Master Gardeners Alyssa Ford Morel and Carolyn Vincent to see examples of similar efforts by several Extension Master Gardeners, who will share how the process went in their own Northern Virginia yards and what lessons were learned. Free.
• RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/

5.             Best Bets: Native Plants for Shade, Friday, April 21, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m, Virtual Presentation

• Gardeners often consider it a challenge to plant in the shady parts of their gardens, but home landscapes with trees can bring welcome relief from the increasing summer heat we are experiencing in our region. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills to learn how to make the most of your shady yard. After discussing degrees of shade, the importance of using layered vegetation, and techniques for building your soil, she will introduce a variety of native plants from trees and shrubs to wildflowers, ferns, and ground covers that will bring beauty through the year while providing important support to local wildlife. Free.
• RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.

6.             Strategies for Dealing with Deer, Friday, April 28, 2023, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., Virtual Presentation

• Do deer consider your landscape to be an all-you-can-eat buffet?  These beautiful but ravenous creatures are a problem in many of our gardens.  Join Extension Master Gardener Kathie Clements to learn strategies for coping with deer. Deer pressure requires that we think creatively about our home landscapes.  She will discuss deer behavior and how it can help you develop ways to better protect your garden.   Creative hardscape options as well as resourceful use of shrubs and smart plant placement will be covered.  Find out about exclusion tactics such as barriers, repellants, and scare devices.  Advice for making wise plant choices and recommended resources to guide your selection of plant materials will be shared.  Free.
• RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.

7.             Glencarlyn Spring Celebration and Plant Sale, Sunday, April 30

• Glencarlyn Library Community Demonstration Garden, 300 S Kensington St, Arlington 22204 
• Join the VCE Master Gardeners of Glencarlyn Library for their annual celebration of all things Spring!  Tour the garden in all its Spring beauty, learn what plants will flourish in your garden, sip an herbal drink and munch plant themed goodies while shopping at native plant vendors.  A perfect weekend activity for all. For more information email to: glencarlynlibrarygarden@gmail.com

8.             Results Released for First Survey of Native Plants at Roanoke Nurseries

• Gardeners now have a snapshot of where to find native plants in the Roanoke area. Members of the Roanoke Master Gardeners, Roanoke Master Naturalists, Blue Ridge Wildflower Society, Plant SWVA Natives, and other dedicated gardeners surveyed all independent general nurseries, not including big box stores, within the Roanoke Valley who offer native plants for sale.
• The survey was conducted in Spring 2022 to include plants native to the SWVA mountain region, as well as some plants native to nearby regions, such as North Carolina and the eastern portion of Virginia. The survey included cultivars (cultivated varieties of native plants) offered for sale. Each cultivar was evaluated by the team to determine whether the cultivar appeared to have a similar ecological benefit for pollinators. These results were then compiled for the benefit of the public and can be found here: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/native-plant-nursery-survey
• Other groups are welcome to use the materials developed for this project to conduct a survey in their area. For more information, contact Sharon Burnham at 540-343-0080 or at seabird66@cox.net.

Old April Announcements 

9.             EMG Webinar Series 2023

• The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please plan to register for each webinar:

§  Thursday, April 20 at 9am. Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqc-yqrTwrG9A2j7P60ZCF9X7CcHhIJQgM. Topic: Compost – Basics and Beyond.

§  Friday, May 12 at 1pm. Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsc-qgqjwuGdTMwpcyu4YJJLz5xOG2Swf9  Topic: Invasive Plant Management – Description: Dr. Laurie Fox will give a presentation on invasive plant management and answer questions on the topic. This presentation will be available as a MG resource after the webinar.

§  Save the Date: 

                                                    i.July 20th webinar with VT School for Plant & Environmental Sciences professor, Dr. Josh Kardos. Topic and registration link coming soon. 

                                                  ii.August 18th at 10am webinar with Lori Chamberlin, the Forest Health Manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry. This Virginia forest health update will cover the most common pests and diseases in Virginia’s forests. This presentation will teach participants how to identify forest health disturbance agents, and how to prevent damage. Registration link coming soon.

10.          Louisa County Backyard Gardening Seminar Series

• The Louisa County Master Gardeners present their 2023 Backyard Gardening Seminar Series. These seminars take place one Saturday a month from 10:30 – 11:30am at the Louisa Co. Public Library. The next sessions include:

·       April 15: Planning a cut flower garden

·       May 20: Container Gardening

·       June 17: Irrigation and Water Conservation

·       July 15: Vegetable Garden Diseases and Stress

·       August 19: Native, Invasive and Riparian Gardening

·       For more information call, 540-967-3422 ext 7619 or email: louisamg@gmail.com 

11.          Abingdon Garden Faire 2023 – Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 – Abingdon VA

·       The Master Gardeners of Washington and Russell Counties present the 24th Annual Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire, at the Higher Education Center, on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon VA. on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. The event will feature a garden marketplace of plants, yard art, tools, outdoor furniture and much more. Two full days of gardening related classes and seminars will include speakers from Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, and others. There will also be tool sharpening, a plant clinic, shopping sprees, door prizes, and sit-down dining. More info at www.gardenfaire.net

12.          17th Annual Spring Garden Fest – April 29, 2023 – Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland, VA

·       The Goochland – Powhatan Master Gardeners Association will hold its 17th annual Spring Garden Festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland. This annual event, held in cooperation with RCC and the Virginia Cooperative Extension is a FREE, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening. Spring Garden Fest 2023 will include the much loved GPMGA Plant Sale, with plants suited to Central Virginia gardens at great prices, an Ask the Master Gardener station for free gardening help, and lots of fun gardening related vendor booths.

·       For a small registration fee you can also increase your gardening knowledge through classes, workshops, and tours offered throughout the day. Examples of class topics include propagating native plants, landscape design for small gardens, vegetable gardening, native shrubs for wildlife, and exploring butterflies. If you like to learn by doing then you can take advantage of hands-on workshops including building a mosaic decorated pot, cultivating a mushroom log, or creating your own floral tiara. Finally, if you prefer observing while learning you can join tours of the college’s gardens focused on topics such as herb garden design, rain garden design, and how a landscape design matures over time.

·       Online registration for these educational opportunities is available at http://www.gpmga.org or contact the Goochland Cooperative Extension office at 804-556-5841. Sign-up now as classes can fill up quickly.

Old May Announcements

13.          HCMGA 21st Annual Festival of Gardening – May 6, 2023 – Riverside Park, 2238 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg

·       The Hill City Master Gardener Association’s 21st annual Festival of Gardening (FOG)will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. at Riverside Park in Lynchburg on Saturday, May 6. Many categories of plants will be available for sale including popular favorites such as Herbs, Tomatoes, Vegetables, and Native plants. Also available will be Annuals, Container gardens, Trees and Shrubs, Groundcovers, Tropicals, and Houseplants. Master Gardeners grow these selections from seed or from divisions from their own gardens and house plant collections. Plants are potted, hardened off, and nurtured until time to offer them for sale at FOG. For more information, go to www.hcmga.com.

14.          Popular Plant Sale Returns – May 6, 2023 from 9:00 am-12:00pm – Williamsburg Botanical Garden

• James City County Williamsburg Master Gardener Association (JCCWMGA) is hosting a plant sale on Saturday, May 6 from 9 am to 12 pm at the Williamsburg Botanical Garden (WBG) located within Freedom Park at 5537 Centerville Road. This sale runs only on Saturday, May 6, rain, or shine. Admission to the WBG and parking in Freedom Park are free.
• The sale offers a wide selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, and shrubs. Much of the plant stock has been raised by the Master Gardeners themselves. In addition to plants, visitors can shop the Green Thumb Market for gently used tools, equipment, and specialty items to perk up their garden décor.

Old June Announcements

15.          International Master Gardener Conference 2023 – June 18-22, 2023

·       Registration is open for the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference in Kansas this June. Early registration of $397 runs through March 1. It includes 5 keynote speaker presentations, 8 rounds of concurrent sessions, a trade show and 6 meals. If you enjoyed our 2021 virtual conference in Virginia, you’re sure to love the opportunities that are available during this in person conference! Learn more at www.imgc2023.com. 

Old Announcements

16.          “BMPs in Turfgrass” Trainings

·       Dr. Mike Goatley, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, has recorded and posted best management practices in turfgrass training material divided into two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) on the Virginia Tech Turfgrass web site: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/. 

·       To access these trainings, go to the Turf webpage (turf.spes.vt.edu/). Click on the Menu drop down and then expand the Extension Tab. Select the “VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Training” tab to access the recordings and accompanying handouts. You can also go to the MG page directly: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/Extension/VCE-MGVolTraining.html 

·       Many more updates etc. are planned in the coming weeks and months. You can bookmark the VT Turf website and check back periodically for these improvements!

17.          Extension Master Gardener handbook (2023 edition) now available!

·       Revisions and updates to the EMG Training Handbook have been completed. The 2023 edition of the handbook can be downloaded by visiting: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112743. The digital textbook version has been published and can be found here: https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/. The print version will follow shortly, more details will be provided in April.

·       Many thanks to all who assisted in this undertaking. We appreciate all of our editors, authors, and contributors! 

New Announcements

1. Final Week to submit a proposal to the EMG Microgrant Program 2023: Environmental Stewardship 

• The 2023 EMG microgrants will go to support local Extension Master Gardener (EMG) groups in their efforts to promote environmental stewardship in their local communities. This could include efforts to improve or protect water quality, pollinator gardens/gardening for wildlife, native plants education, gardening for climate change, biodiversity projects, cover crops, and more. All proposals should show strong dedication to the EMG mission of sharing knowledge and empowering communities.
• Applicants may request up to $1,000 to support EMG projects focused on environmental stewardship. Submissions will be accepted February 27 through March 26. Applications will be accepted through Google Forms this year, not through email.
• Learn more and view application requirements here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/grant/  
• Please note these grants are only available to EMG groups, not to outside partners. If working with an outside organization as part of the project, the EMG group has to be the one to apply for the grant and handle the funds through their local VCE office.

2.             Extension Master Gardener handbook (2023 edition) now available!

• Revisions and updates to the EMG Training Handbook have been completed. The 2023 edition of the handbook can be downloaded by visiting: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/112743. The digital textbook version has been published and can be found here: https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/. The print version will follow shortly, more details will be provided in April.
• Many thanks to all who assisted in this undertaking. We appreciate all of our editors, authors, and contributors!

3.             HCMGA 21st Annual Festival of Gardening – May 6, 2023 – Riverside Park, 2238 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg

• The Hill City Master Gardener Association’s 21st annual Festival of Gardening (FOG)will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. at Riverside Park in Lynchburg on Saturday, May 6. Many categories of plants will be available for sale including popular favorites such as Herbs, Tomatoes, Vegetables, and Native plants. Also available will be Annuals, Container gardens, Trees and Shrubs, Groundcovers, Tropicals, and Houseplants. Master Gardeners grow these selections from seed or from divisions from their own gardens and house plant collections. Plants are potted, hardened off, and nurtured until time to offer them for sale at FOG. For more information, go to www.hcmga.com.

4.             Abingdon Garden Faire 2023 – Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 – Abingdon VA

• The Master Gardeners of Washington and Russell Counties present the 24th Annual Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire, at the Higher Education Center, on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon VA. on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. The event will feature a garden marketplace of plants, yard art, tools, outdoor furniture and much more. Two full days of gardening related classes and seminars will include speakers from Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, and others. There will also be tool sharpening, a plant clinic, shopping sprees, door prizes, and sit-down dining. More info at www.gardenfaire.net

5.             Popular Plant Sale Returns – May 6, 2023 from 9:00 am-12:00pm – Williamsburg Botanical Garden

• James City County Williamsburg Master Gardener Association (JCCWMGA) is hosting a plant sale on Saturday, May 6 from 9 am to 12 pm at the Williamsburg Botanical Garden (WBG) located within Freedom Park at 5537 Centerville Road. This sale runs only on Saturday, May 6, rain, or shine. Admission to the WBG and parking in Freedom Park are free.
• The sale offers a wide selection of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, and shrubs. Much of the plant stock has been raised by the Master Gardeners themselves. In addition to plants, visitors can shop the Green Thumb Market for gently used tools, equipment, and specialty items to perk up their garden décor.

6.             Louisa County Backyard Gardening Seminar Series

• The Louisa County Master Gardeners present their 2023 Backyard Gardening Seminar Series. These seminars take place one Saturday a month from 10:30 – 11:30am at the Louisa Co. Public Library. The next sessions include:
• April 15: Planning a cut flower garden
• May 20: Container Gardening
• June 17: Irrigation and Water Conservation
• July 15: Vegetable Garden Diseases and Stress
• August 19: Native, Invasive and Riparian Gardening
• For more information call, 540-967-3422 ext 7619 or email: louisamg@gmail.com 

Old March Announcements

7.             Piedmont Master Gardeners Announce Spring Lecture Series, final session – March 30, 2023 – Online

• “Gardening for a Healthy Planet” will be the theme of the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ 2023 Spring Lecture Series, to be presented online from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on four Thursdays in March.  Admission is $10 for each lecture. To register for the webinars, visit https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/. The schedule includes: 
• March 30—Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson, Attractive, Functional, Sustainable Solutions to Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Yard and Garden. Landscape designers Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson will show how smart planting and attractive rain gardens can reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants that threaten rivers and streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay. A graduate of London’s Inchbald School of Design, Meara hails from the Dominican Republic and is owner of the Native Plant Landscape Design Corp. in Falls Church. Thompson grew up in the English countryside and holds a master’s degree in landscape design from The George Washington University. She strives to create “outdoor rooms that people and nature can love.”

8.             In Your Own Backyard: 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar – Saturday, March 25, 2023 – White Stone, VA

• The Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) have announced the date and theme for the 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar (GNN). The theme of the 2023 seminar is “In Your Own Backyard.” Gardening in the Northern Neck will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive in White Stone. This will be the 29th Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar. Speakers will be Heather Holm, a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author; Barbara Pleasant, an avid gardener and award winning author; and Edward Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Horticulture agent for Henrico County. The fee for the seminar is $50. Lunches will be available for an additional fee. Additional information is available at nnmg.org/gnn/. Registration forms will be available on February 1, 2023, at www.nnmg.org/gnn.

9.             EMG Webinar Series 2023

• The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website (https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/webinar-archive/). Please plan to register for each webinar:
• Friday, March 24 at 1pm. Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtfuGhqD0rGdC_5swXseKfujvHl1FLL0Tq Topic: The Value of Trees – Description: Dr. Laurie Fox will give tips and an overview of a presentation template that MGs can customize and use for talks to civic leagues, homeowner associations, garden clubs, etc. The template will be available as a resource after the session concludes.
• Thursday, April 20 at 9am. Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqc-yqrTwrG9A2j7P60ZCF9X7CcHhIJQgM. Topic: Compost – Basics and Beyond.
• Friday, May 12 at 1pm. Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsc-qgqjwuGdTMwpcyu4YJJLz5xOG2Swf9  Topic: Invasive Plant Management – Description: Dr. Laurie Fox will give a presentation on invasive plant management and answer questions on the topic. This presentation will be available as a MG resource after the webinar.
• Save the Date: 

                                                        i. July 20th webinar with VT School for Plant & Environmental Sciences professor, Dr. Josh Kardos. Topic and registration link coming soon. 

                                                       ii. August 18th at 10am webinar with Lori Chamberlin, the Forest Health Manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry. This Virginia forest health update will cover the most common pests and diseases in Virginia’s forests. This presentation will teach participants how to identify forest health disturbance agents, and how to prevent damage. Registration link coming soon. 

Old April Announcements 

10.          MGACRA Spring Symposium “Flower Power: From Roots to Blooms” – April 1, 2023 — Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, Virginia, 22405. 

• 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 

11.          Plants for Pollinators – April 3, 2023 – Virtual

• VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS
• Join us on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Plants for Pollinators: Presenter – Ruth Burch, VCE Virginia Beach Master Gardener – Want to attract more butterflies and beneficial insects to your garden? Join Ruth as she discusses both native and non-native plants that will bloom through three seasons, providing a food source for pollinating insects during their active periods as well as filling your garden with flowers! 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!

12.          17th Annual Spring Garden Fest – April 29, 2023 – Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland, VA

• The Goochland – Powhatan Master Gardeners Association will hold its 17th annual Spring Garden Festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland. This annual event, held in cooperation with RCC and the Virginia Cooperative Extension is a FREE, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening. Spring Garden Fest 2023 will include the much loved GPMGA Plant Sale, with plants suited to Central Virginia gardens at great prices, an Ask the Master Gardener station for free gardening help, and lots of fun gardening related vendor booths.
• For a small registration fee you can also increase your gardening knowledge through classes, workshops, and tours offered throughout the day. Examples of class topics include propagating native plants, landscape design for small gardens, vegetable gardening, native shrubs for wildlife, and exploring butterflies. If you like to learn by doing then you can take advantage of hands-on workshops including building a mosaic decorated pot, cultivating a mushroom log, or creating your own floral tiara. Finally, if you prefer observing while learning you can join tours of the college’s gardens focused on topics such as herb garden design, rain garden design, and how a landscape design matures over time.
• Online registration for these educational opportunities is available at http://www.gpmga.org or contact the Goochland Cooperative Extension office at 804-556-5841. Sign-up now as classes can fill up quickly.

Old June Announcements

13.          International Master Gardener Conference 2023 – June 18-22, 2023

• Registration is open for the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference in Kansas this June. Early registration of $397 runs through March 1. It includes 5 keynote speaker presentations, 8 rounds of concurrent sessions, a trade show and 6 meals. If you enjoyed our 2021 virtual conference in Virginia, you’re sure to love the opportunities that are available during this in person conference! Learn more at www.imgc2023.com. 

Old Announcements

14.          “BMPs in Turfgrass” Trainings

• Dr. Mike Goatley, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, has recorded and posted best management practices in turfgrass training material divided into two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) on the Virginia Tech Turfgrass web site: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/. 
• To access these trainings, go to the Turf webpage (turf.spes.vt.edu/). Click on the Menu drop down and then expand the Extension Tab. Select the “VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Training” tab to access the recordings and accompanying handouts. You can also go to the MG page directly: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/Extension/VCE-MGVolTraining.html 
• Many more updates etc. are planned in the coming weeks and months. You can bookmark the VT Turf website and check back periodically for these improvements!

New Announcements

1.   “BMPs in Turfgrass” Trainings

• Dr. Mike Goatley, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, has recorded and posted best management practices in turfgrass training material divided into two sections (Part 1 and Part 2) on the Virginia Tech Turfgrass web site: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/. 
• To access these trainings, go to the Turf webpage (turf.spes.vt.edu/). Click on the Menu drop down and then expand the Extension Tab. Select the “VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Training” tab to access the recordings and accompanying handouts. You can also go to the MG page directly: https://turf.spes.vt.edu/Extension/VCE-MGVolTraining.html 
• Many more updates etc. are planned in the coming weeks and months. You can bookmark the VT Turf website and check back periodically for these improvements!

2.             EMG Webinar Series 2023

• The EMG monthly webinar series has returned! We look forward to bringing you a wide range of new and interesting topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted to our website. Please register for each webinar you plan to attend.
• Friday, March 24 at 1pm

1. The Value of Trees – Dr. Laurie Fox will give tips and an overview of a presentation template that MGs can customize and use for talks to civic leagues, homeowner associations, garden clubs, etc. The template will be available as a resource after the session concludes.
2.  Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtfuGhqD0rGdC_5swXseKfujvHl1FLL0Tq 
• Thursday, April 20, time TBD 

                                                         .Composting – More information coming soon!

• Friday, May 12 at 1pm 

1. Invasive Plant Management – Dr. Laurie Fox will give a presentation on invasive plant management and answer questions on the topic. This presentation will be available as a MG resource after the webinar.
2. Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsc-qgqjwuGdTMwpcyu4YJJLz5xOG2Swf9 

3.             17th Annual Spring Garden Fest – April 29, 2023 – Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland, VA

• The Goochland – Powhatan Master Gardeners Association will hold its 17th annual Spring Garden Festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Reynolds Community College, 1851 Dickinson Road, Goochland. This annual event, held in cooperation with RCC and the Virginia Cooperative Extension is a FREE, family friendly event that is a celebration of all things related to gardening. Spring Garden Fest 2023 will include the much loved GPMGA Plant Sale, with plants suited to Central Virginia gardens at great prices, an Ask the Master Gardener station for free gardening help, and lots of fun gardening related vendor booths.
• For a small registration fee you can also increase your gardening knowledge through classes, workshops, and tours offered throughout the day. Examples of class topics include propagating native plants, landscape design for small gardens, vegetable gardening, native shrubs for wildlife, and exploring butterflies. If you like to learn by doing then you can take advantage of hands-on workshops including building a mosaic decorated pot, cultivating a mushroom log, or creating your own floral tiara. Finally, if you prefer observing while learning you can join tours of the college’s gardens focused on topics such as herb garden design, rain garden design, and how a landscape design matures over time.
• Online registration for these educational opportunities is available at http://www.gpmga.org or contact the Goochland Cooperative Extension office at 804-556-5841. Sign-up now as classes can fill up quickly.

4.             Plants for Pollinators – April 3, 2023 – Virtual

• VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS
• Join us on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Plants for Pollinators: Presenter – Ruth Burch, VCE Virginia Beach Master Gardener – Want to attract more butterflies and beneficial insects to your garden? Join Ruth as she discusses both native and non-native plants that will bloom through three seasons, providing a food source for pollinating insects during their active periods as well as filling your garden with flowers! 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!

Old March Announcements

5.             Gardening in the Valley Symposium – March 11, 2023 – Shenandoah University, Winchester

• Save the date for the Gardening in the Valley Symposium. The symposium will be held at Shenandoah University, Henkel Hall. Check our website for more information. Topics this year include, The Ecology of the Garden, The Journey from the Vineyard to the Tasting Room, Intentional Garden Design, The Best Flowers for the Best Life and Fungi of Appalachia and Home-Grown Mushrooms. Cost will be $65 per person and proceeds go to our NSVMGA Memorial Scholarship Fund. www.nsvmga.org/events/symposium www.nsvmga.org/events/symposium 

6.             PCMG Spring Symposium – March 11, 2023 – Patrick County Community Center

• PBS naturalist Patrick McMillan will deliver two presentations — Underutilized Native Plants and Gardening for the Senses — at the Patrick County Master Gardeners’ Spring Symposium on March 11 at the Patrick County Community Center, just off Route 58 in Stuart, VA. Admission is $10, including mid-morning refreshments. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. with the program beginning at 9 and running through noon. Early registration is recommended in light of the popularity of the speaker and the limited capacity of the auditorium. Pre-registration forms will be available at various venues in Stuart,  as well as on the PCMG Facebook page or by contacting PCMG volunteer Glenda Cobbler at 932 Palmetto School Road, Stuart, VA 24171.

7.             Grow the Good Life 2023 – March 11, 2023 – Moneta, VA and Zoom

• The Bedford Area Master Gardeners Association offers its annual Grow The Good Life. Three presentations provide instruction and advice on how to get more out of your garden space without increasing the size of your garden. Grow the Good Life 2023 will take place on March 11, by Zoom and in person, from 9am – 3pm. The in person location is Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 Old Moneta Road, Moneta, VA. Attendance fee: $25 for Zoom attendance $35 for in person attendance (includes lunch). Register in advance with the Sign Up form found on the website: www.bedfordareamastergardeners.org 

8.             26th Annual York/Poquoson Horticultural Extravaganza – March 11, 2023 – Tabb High School, 4431 Big Bethel Rd., Yorktown, VA

• Are you eager for more signs of spring? Want to learn how to use more sustainable or “smart” practices in your garden? Want to meet, interact, and network with your fellow gardeners? Then you should plan to attend the 26th Annual Horticultural Extravaganza. Garden enthusiasts will learn from experts how to use research-based knowledge to cultivate beautiful gardens that will benefit themselves and wildlife. Whether you’re interested in growing a vegetable garden, flowers for pollinators, or pots on your patio, we can help you make the most of your garden space. Our speakers include:
• Mark Viette: Celebrated gardener, author, and host of Down Home Virginia
• Dr. Cynthia Wood: Columnist and Master Naturalist
• Kate Dooley: Owner of Kate’s Next Door Market, an urban farm
• Becky Heath: Owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
• Early Registration until March 2nd is $25.00. Beginning March 3rd, cost is $30.00. Online Registration closes March 8th. Register online at https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=2254850

9.             Best of the Best Vegetables for 2023 – March 17, 2023 – South Boston Halifax County Museum 1540 Wilborn Ave. South Boston, VA 24592

• Bill McCaleb, Program Assistant, ANR will give an overview of the best vegetable varieties for disease and pest resistance as identified by several Universities research. This is based on disease and/or insect resistance. We all look for the best taste, texture, and ease of care and the best for our growing zone. We’ll concentrate on those for USDA zones 7a & 7b. To register for this program, please call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 ext 0 or email to ask@ssmga.org leaving your name and email address or telephone number by March 14, 2023.

10.          Piedmont Master Gardeners Announce Spring Lecture Series – March  9, 16 and 30, 2023 – Online

• “Gardening for a Healthy Planet” will be the theme of the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ 2023 Spring Lecture Series, to be presented online from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on four Thursdays in March.  Admission is $10 for each lecture. To register for the webinars, visit https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/. The schedule includes: 
• March 9—Bob Schamerhorn, Attracting Birds and Other Wildlife to Your Garden with Easy-to-Create Water Features. Bob Schamerhorn’s multimedia presentation will demonstrate water’s powerful attraction to birds and other wildlife in every season and will suggest ways to enhance our enjoyment of nature by bringing water into our backyards. Based in Richmond, Schamerhorn is an award-winning nature photographer and a lifelong bird and nature enthusiast. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions and publications, including Virginia Wildlife and Audubon, the National Audubon Society’s magazine. 
• March 16—Kim Eierman, Designing a Pollinator Victory Garden for a Changing Climate. Kim Eierman, an ecological landscape designer specializing in native plants, will cover the dramatic decline of pollinators due to factors that include climate change and will offer simple strategies gardeners can use to support bees and an array of other pollinator species. Based in Westchester County, New York, Eierman is author of The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening. She teaches at the New York Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, among other places. 
• March 30—Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson, Attractive, Functional, Sustainable Solutions to Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Yard and Garden. Landscape designers Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson will show how smart planting and attractive rain gardens can reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants that threaten rivers and streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay. A graduate of London’s Inchbald School of Design, Meara hails from the Dominican Republic and is owner of the Native Plant Landscape Design Corp. in Falls Church. Thompson grew up in the English countryside and holds a master’s degree in landscape design from The George Washington University. She strives to create “outdoor rooms that people and nature can love.”

11.          In Your Own Backyard: 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar – Saturday, March 25, 2023 – White Stone, VA

• The Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) have announced the date and theme for the 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar (GNN). The theme of the 2023 seminar is “In Your Own Backyard.” Gardening in the Northern Neck will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive in White Stone. This will be the 29th Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar. Speakers will be Heather Holm, a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author; Barbara Pleasant, an avid gardener and award winning author; and Edward Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Horticulture agent for Henrico County. The fee for the seminar is $50. Lunches will be available for an additional fee. Additional information is available at nnmg.org/gnn/. Registration forms will be available on February 1, 2023, at www.nnmg.org/gnn.

12.           EMG Microgrant Program 2023: Environmental Stewardship 

• The 2023 EMG microgrants will go to support local Extension Master Gardener (EMG) groups in their efforts to promote environmental stewardship in their local communities. This could include efforts to improve or protect water quality, pollinator gardens/gardening for wildlife, native plants education, gardening for climate change, biodiversity projects, cover crops, and more. All proposals should show strong dedication to the EMG mission of sharing knowledge and empowering communities.
• Applicants may request up to $1,000 to support EMG projects focused on environmental stewardship. Submissions will be accepted February 27 through March 26. Applications will be accepted through Google Forms this year, not through email.
• Learn more and view application requirements here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/grant/  
• Please note these grants are only available to EMG groups, not to outside partners. If working with an outside organization as part of the project, the EMG group has to be the one to apply for the grant and handle the funds through their local VCE office.

Old April Announcements

13.          MGACRA Spring Symposium “Flower Power: From Roots to Blooms” – April 1, 2023 — Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, Virginia, 22405. 

• 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 June Announcements

14.          Extension Master Gardener Program Save the Date! Join us for Master Gardener College this year from June 8 – 11th in Blacksburg. More information and a full program will be shared soon! Tree Steward training will take place during College this year, beginning on June 7th. 

15.          International Master Gardener Conference 2023 – June 18-22, 2023

• Registration is open for the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference in Kansas this June. Registration includes 5 keynote speaker presentations, 8 rounds of concurrent sessions, a trade show and 6 meals. If you enjoyed our 2021 virtual conference in Virginia, you’re sure to love the opportunities that are available during this in person conference! Learn more at www.imgc2023.com. 

Old Announcements

16.          Disease Alert: Vascular streak dieback on trees and woody ornamentals 

• Vascular streak dieback has been observed in nurseries in Virginia as well as other states. Visit the Plant Disease Clinic’s Disease Alert webpage to learn more: https://spes.vt.edu/affiliated/plant-disease-clinic/plant-disease-alerts.html 

New Announcements

1.   EMG Microgrant Program 2023: Environmental Stewardship 

• The 2023 EMG microgrants will go to support local Extension Master Gardener (EMG) groups in their efforts to promote environmental stewardship in their local communities. This could include efforts to improve or protect water quality, gardening for climate change, pollinator gardens/gardening for wildlife, native plants education, biodiversity projects, cover crops, and more. All proposals should show strong dedication to the EMG mission of sharing knowledge and empowering communities.
• Applicants may request up to $1,000 to support EMG projects focused on environmental stewardship. Submissions will be accepted February 27 through March 26. Applications will be accepted through Google Forms this year, not through email.
• Learn more and view application requirements here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/current-resources/grant/  

2.             Best of the Best Vegetables for 2023 – March 17, 2023 – South Boston Halifax County Museum 1540 Wilborn Ave. South Boston, VA 24592

• Bill McCaleb, Program Assistant, ANR will give an overview of the best vegetable varieties for disease and pest resistance as identified by several Universities research. This is based on disease and/or insect resistance. We all look for the best taste, texture, and ease of care and the best for our growing zone. We’ll concentrate on those for USDA zones 7a & 7b. To register for this program, please call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 ext 0 or email to ask@ssmga.org leaving your name and email address or telephone number by March 14, 2023.

3.             26th Annual York/Poquoson Horticultural Extravaganza – March 11, 2023 – Tabb High School, 4431 Big Bethel Rd., Yorktown, VA

• Are you eager for more signs of spring? Want to learn how to use more sustainable or “smart” practices in your garden? Want to meet, interact, and network with your fellow gardeners? Then you should plan to attend the 26th Annual Horticultural Extravaganza. Garden enthusiasts will learn from experts how to use research-based knowledge to cultivate beautiful gardens that will benefit themselves and wildlife. Whether you’re interested in growing a vegetable garden, flowers for pollinators, or pots on your patio, we can help you make the most of your garden space. Our speakers include:
1. Mark Viette: Celebrated gardener, author, and host of Down Home Virginia
2. Dr. Cynthia Wood: Columnist and Master Naturalist
3. Kate Dooley: Owner of Kate’s Next Door Market, an urban farm
4. Becky Heath: Owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
• Early Registration until March 2nd is $25.00. Beginning March 3rd, cost is $30.00. Online Registration closes March 8th. Register online at https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=2254850

4.             Scale Control: Crape Myrtle, Holly and More – March 3, 2023 – Virtual

• Scale control: Crape Myrtle, Holly and More. March 3, 2023, 10:00-11:30 am, ONLINE
• Scale insects are among the most injurious and most common insect pests in our landscape. Join Kirsten Conrad, Extension Agent for Arlington County and City of Alexandria, to learn about these sap sucking insects, their particular host plants, their life cycles, and optimal timing and methods for controlling them. Find out how you can work with and encourage natural predators to keep your landscape plants healthy and free of these pests. FREE.
• To join RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes to receive a link to participate.

Old February Announcements

5. Virginia Farm to School Regional Network Meetings 

• The VDOE-SNP and VCE will host Virginia Farm to School Regional Network meetings immediately following the Bringing the Farm to School Workshops. These meetings are an opportunity to gather all farm to school stakeholders throughout the region to network and discuss goals, activities, and upcoming priorities for the year. Regions are based on the Virginia Superintendent Regions. Meetings are free to attend and open to the public. Registration must be completed via the online registration form (https://virginiadoe.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_01iXPdIhhAIz1hI). The two upcoming meeting dates are as follows:
• Regions 3 and 4: Friday, February 24, 2023, 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the Culpeper Baptist Church in Culpeper, Virginia
• Regions 1 and 2: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 1:00–3:00 p.m. at The Smithfield Center in Smithfield, Virginia

Old March Announcements

6. HOPE from the Garden – In Harmony with Mother Nature – March 1, 2023 – Webinar

• Mid-Winter Advanced Education Webinar. Sponsored by Goochland Powhatan Master Gardeners Association and VMGA. HOPE from the Garden – In Harmony with Mother Nature. March 1, 2022, 9:30am-1:00pm, via Zoom. David Close, Volunteer Engagement Specialist, VA Tech- “Trees Are the Answer’. Beth Mizell, Executive Director of Blue Ridge PRISM – “Native Alternatives for Invasive Plants in Your Landscape”. Ross Braun, former USDA Soil Conservationist – “Soil Science is not Rocket Science”. This seminar is open to all VA EMG volunteers. Register for this event at this link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qGDYOVlkShmHbRPQVjDLHQ 

7. Register Now for the Green Spring EcoSavvy Symposium – March 4, 2023 – Live Zoom Event

• The 19th Annual EcoSavvy Symposium, Feel-Good EcoSavvy Gardening, Good for you, Good for our World.
• Saturday, March 4, 2023 – 10:00 AM-12:00 PM – Live Zoom Event
• The Green Spring Extension Master Gardeners invite you to join them for two fascinating presentations exploring the healing power of gardening upon our physical, mental and health and the restorative power of sustainable gardening upon all of us and our world. Kathleen Wellington, LPC, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional will introduce us to the cultural and scientific history of how gardening affects your physical, mental and spiritual health. Laurie Fox, PhD, Horticulture Associate, Virginia Tech then will illustrate sustainable gardening techniques using plants to reclaim contaminated soil and groundwater. Presented by: VCE Green Spring Master Gardeners. Registration 703-642-5173 or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Cost: $25 in county/$27 out of county. Code: GRF.K8L9 (virtual)

8. Register Now! Green Spring Extension Master Gardeners 2023 EcoSavvy Symposium, “Feel-Good EcoSavvy Gardening: Good for You, Good for Our World” – March 4th, 2023, 10:00AM-12:00PM – Live Zoom Event (A recording will be available to all registered participants for post-event viewing.)

• Come explore the healing powers of gardening and make the world a better place for you and your loved ones with experts hosted by the Green Spring Master Gardeners: Kathleen Wellington, LPC, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, will share the cultural and scientific evidence that gardening restores our physical, mental and spiritual health. Laurie Fox, PhD, Horticulture Associate, Virginia Tech, will then show us how to put this power into practice with gardening techniques to reclaim contaminated soil and groundwater. Registration closes on Friday, March 3, 2023. To register, visit bit.ly/register-ecosavvy23 or call 703-642-5173. Cost (updated): $24 in county / $27 out of count. Code: GRF.K8L9 (virtual). A recording will be available to all registered participants for post-event viewing. Participants are eligible to earn up to 2 Landscape Industry Certified continuing education units (CEUs) from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

9. Spring Pruning – March 6, 2023 7:00 PM – Virtual Meeting/Zoom

• VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Spring Pruning: Presented by Jason Heizer of Bartlett Tree. We often think of winter as the proper time to prune, but spring flowering shrubs and trees require a different schedule to preserve their flower buds. Jason will talk techniques and timing for pruning a variety of flowering trees and shrubs. 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!

10. Gardening in the Valley Symposium – March 11, 2023 – Shenandoah University, Winchester

• Save the date for the Gardening in the Valley Symposium. The symposium will be held at Shenandoah University, Henkel Hall. Check our website for more information. Topics this year include, The Ecology of the Garden, The Journey from the Vineyard to the Tasting Room, Intentional Garden Design, The Best Flowers for the Best Life and Fungi of Appalachia and Home-Grown Mushrooms. Cost will be $65 per person and proceeds go to our NSVMGA Memorial Scholarship Fund. www.nsvmga.org/events/symposium www.nsvmga.org/events/symposium 

11. PCMG Spring Symposium – March 11, 2023 – Patrick County Community Center

• PBS naturalist Patrick McMillan will deliver two presentations — Underutilized Native Plants and Gardening for the Senses — at the Patrick County Master Gardeners’ Spring Symposium on March 11 at the Patrick County Community Center, just off Route 58 in Stuart, VA. Admission is $10, including mid-morning refreshments. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. with the program beginning at 9 and running through noon. Early registration is recommended in light of the popularity of the speaker and the limited capacity of the auditorium. Pre-registration forms will be available at various venues in Stuart,  as well as on the PCMG Facebook page or by contacting PCMG volunteer Glenda Cobbler at 932 Palmetto School Road, Stuart, VA 24171.

12. Grow the Good Life 2023 – March 11, 2023 – Moneta, VA and Zoom

• The Bedford Area Master Gardeners Association offers its annual Grow The Good Life. Three presentations provide instruction and advice on how to get more out of your garden space without increasing the size of your garden. Grow the Good Life 2023 will take place on March 11, by Zoom and in person, from 9am – 3pm. The in person location is Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 Old Moneta Road, Moneta, VA. Attendance fee: $25 for Zoom attendance $35 for in person attendance (includes lunch). Register in advance with the Sign Up form found on the website: www.bedfordareamastergardeners.org 

13. Piedmont Master Gardeners Announce Spring Lecture Series – March 2, 9, 16 and 30, 2023 – Online

• “Gardening for a Healthy Planet” will be the theme of the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ 2023 Spring Lecture Series, to be presented online from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on four Thursdays in March.  Admission is $10 for each lecture. To register for the webinars, visit https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/. The schedule includes: 
• March 2—Michael Carter Jr., Africulture and Unique Organic Vegetables You’ll Want in Your Home Garden.Michael Carter Jr. will highlight the many contributions the African continent and people of African descent have made to farming and food traditions in the United States. He will also introduce some of the unique plants he grows organically at his family’s certified Virginia Century Farm in Orange County. Carter is the fifth generation of his family to farm this property and is managing director of Carter Farms and Africulture, a nonprofit focused on educating the public about the principles, practices, plants, and people of African descent that have contributed to U.S. agriculture.
• March 9—Bob Schamerhorn, Attracting Birds and Other Wildlife to Your Garden with Easy-to-Create Water Features. Bob Schamerhorn’s multimedia presentation will demonstrate water’s powerful attraction to birds and other wildlife in every season and will suggest ways to enhance our enjoyment of nature by bringing water into our backyards. Based in Richmond, Schamerhorn is an award-winning nature photographer and a lifelong bird and nature enthusiast. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions and publications, including Virginia Wildlife and Audubon, the National Audubon Society’s magazine. 
• March 16—Kim Eierman, Designing a Pollinator Victory Garden for a Changing Climate. Kim Eierman, an ecological landscape designer specializing in native plants, will cover the dramatic decline of pollinators due to factors that include climate change and will offer simple strategies gardeners can use to support bees and an array of other pollinator species. Based in Westchester County, New York, Eierman is author of The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening. She teaches at the New York Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, among other places. 
• March 30—Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson, Attractive, Functional, Sustainable Solutions to Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Yard and Garden. Landscape designers Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson will show how smart planting and attractive rain gardens can reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants that threaten rivers and streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay. A graduate of London’s Inchbald School of Design, Meara hails from the Dominican Republic and is owner of the Native Plant Landscape Design Corp. in Falls Church. Thompson grew up in the English countryside and holds a master’s degree in landscape design from The George Washington University. She strives to create “outdoor rooms that people and nature can love.”

14. In Your Own Backyard: 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar – Saturday, March 25, 2023 – White Stone, VA

• The Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) have announced the date and theme for the 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar (GNN). The theme of the 2023 seminar is “In Your Own Backyard.” Gardening in the Northern Neck will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive in White Stone. This will be the 29th Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar. Speakers will be Heather Holm, a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author; Barbara Pleasant, an avid gardener and award winning author; and Edward Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Horticulture agent for Henrico County. The fee for the seminar is $50. Lunches will be available for an additional fee. Additional information is available at nnmg.org/gnn/. Registration forms will be available on February 1, 2023, at www.nnmg.org/gnn.

Old April Announcements

15.   MGACRA Spring Symposium “Flower Power: From Roots to Blooms” – April 1, 2023 — Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, Virginia, 22405. 

• 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 June Announcements

16.   International Master Gardener Conference 2023 – June 18-22, 2023

• Registration is open for the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference in Kansas this June. Early registration of $397 runs through March 1. It includes 5 keynote speaker presentations, 8 rounds of concurrent sessions, a trade show and 6 meals. If you enjoyed our 2021 virtual conference in Virginia, you’re sure to love the opportunities that are available during this in person conference! Learn more at www.imgc2023.com. 

Old Announcements

17.   Share Your VCE Master Gardener College Tips 

• Have you attended VCE’s Master Gardener College in Blacksburg? If so, VMGA would like your advice! What did you bring with you that was vital to staying in an on-campus residence hall? If you stayed at a hotel, what tips do you have for getting to and around campus and getting meals? What did you do in your downtime? Share any tips you have to help other conference attendees have the best experience. VMGA is writing a series of articles and a one-page “tips sheet.” Please visit bit.ly/EMGCtips to share your information or email treasurer@VMGA.net. 

18.   Disease Alert: Vascular streak dieback on trees and woody ornamentals 

• Vascular streak dieback has been observed in nurseries in Virginia as well as other states. Visit the Plant Disease Clinic’s Disease Alert webpage to learn more: https://spes.vt.edu/affiliated/plant-disease-clinic/plant-disease-alerts.html 

19. VA Community Engagement Index Survey 

• The Virginia Community Engagement Index is an opportunity to take part in an exciting research study being conducted here in Virginia. As its name implies, this survey will ask you to consider the various ways you engage and contribute to your community — from checking in on a neighbor to volunteering and donating to causes you care about. You will also be asked to consider the challenges we face and how best to meet those challenges through greater levels of civic and community engagement. In short, your insights will be critical to helping leaders in Virginia develop more opportunities for people to give back and strengthen our communities together! This survey is being conducted on behalf of the Virginia Service Commission and will take no longer than 15 minutes of your time. All responses you give will remain confidential. No reporting associated with the results will contain personally identifiable information, and all findings will be reported in aggregate. SURVEY LINK: https://sirresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8xqwTJprXcxGVbE?org=vsc 

New Announcements

1. A New Look for Extension Master Gardeners!

• We are excited to introduce our new Extension Master Gardener program logo! This new logo is the result of a multi-program process in Virginia Cooperative Extension aimed at developing new, more modern logos for all of our Master Volunteer programs that help tie our programs together and tie them back to VCE as our supporting agency. The consulting firm that developed the new logo gathered feedback at several stages from EMG volunteers and other program stakeholders, and we are happy with the results. This more streamlined logo will be much easier to use in a consistent way on a variety of media. VCE has provided us with guidelines for use and additional resources (including customized logos for each unit) available here: https://mastergardener.ext.vt.edu/2023-logo/. Your unit EMG Coordinator/Extension Agent will receive additional details about the logo this week. 

2.              Virginia Farm to School Regional Network Meetings

• The VDOE-SNP and VCE will host Virginia Farm to School Regional Network meetings immediately following the Bringing the Farm to School Workshops. These meetings are an opportunity to gather all farm to school stakeholders throughout the region to network and discuss goals, activities, and upcoming priorities for the year. Regions are based on the Virginia Superintendent Regions. Meetings are free to attend and open to the public. Registration must be completed via the online registration form (virginiadoe.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_01iXPdIhhAIz1hI).
• Meeting dates are as follows:

·       Regions 5 and 8: Friday, February 17, 2023, 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the Miller Center in Lynchburg, Virginia

·       Regions 6 and 7: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Housing Center in Wytheville, Virginia

·       Regions 3 and 4: Friday, February 24, 2023, 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the Culpeper Baptist Church in Culpeper, Virginia

·       Regions 1 and 2: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 1:00–3:00 p.m. at The Smithfield Center in Smithfield, Virginia

3.              PCMG Spring Symposium – March 11, 2023 – Patrick County Community Center

• PBS naturalist Patrick McMillan will deliver two presentations – Underutilized Native Plants and Gardening for the Senses — at the Patrick County Master Gardeners Spring Symposium on March 11 at the Patrick County Community Center, just off Route 58 in Stuart, VA. Admission is $10, including mid-morning refreshments. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. with the program beginning at 9 and running through noon. Early registration is recommended in light of the popularity of the speaker and the limited capacity of the auditorium. Pre-registration forms will be available at various venues in Stuart, as well as on the PCMG Facebook page or by contacting PCMG volunteer Glenda Cobbler at 932 Palmetto School Road, Stuart, VA 24171.

4.              Piedmont Master Gardeners Announce Online Spring Lecture Series – March 2, 9, 16, 30

• “Gardening for a Healthy Planet” will be the theme of the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ 2023 Spring Lecture Series, to be presented online from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on four Thursdays in March. Admission is $10 for each lecture. To register for the webinars, visit piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/. The schedule includes:

• March 2—Michael Carter Jr., Africulture and Unique Organic Vegetables You’ll Want in Your Home Garden. Michael Carter Jr. will highlight the many contributions the African continent and people of African descent have made to farming and food traditions in the United States. He will also introduce some of the unique plants he grows organically at his family’s certified Virginia Century Farm in Orange County. Carter is the fifth generation of his family to farm this property and is managing director of Carter Farms and Africulture, a nonprofit focused on educating the public about the principles, practices, plants, and people of African descent that have contributed to U.S. agriculture.
• March 9—Bob Schamerhorn, Attracting Birds and Other Wildlife to Your Garden with Easy-to-Create Water Features. Bob Schamerhorn’s multimedia presentation will demonstrate water’s powerful attraction to birds and other wildlife in every season and will suggest ways to enhance our enjoyment of nature by bringing water into our backyards. Based in Richmond, Schamerhorn is an award-winning nature photographer and a lifelong bird and nature enthusiast. His work has appeared in numerous exhibitions and publications, including Virginia Wildlife and Audubon, the National Audubon Society’s magazine.
• March 16—Kim Eierman, Designing a Pollinator Victory Garden for a Changing Climate. Kim Eierman, an ecological landscape designer specializing in native plants, will cover the dramatic decline of pollinators due to factors that include climate change and will offer simple strategies gardeners can use to support bees and an array of other pollinator species. Based in Westchester County, New York, Eierman is author of The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline withEcological Gardening. She teaches at the New York Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, among other places.
• March 30—Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson, Attractive, Functional, Sustainable Solutions to Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Yard and Garden. Landscape designers Elisa Meara and Alex Thompson will show how smart planting and attractive rain gardens can reduce stormwater runoff and filter pollutants that threaten rivers and streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay. A graduate of London’s Inchbald School of Design, Meara hails from the Dominican Republic and is owner of the Native Plant Landscape Design Corp. in Falls Church. Thompson grew up in the English countryside and holds a master’s degree in landscape design from The George Washington University. She strives to create “outdoor rooms that people and nature can love.”

5.              Grow the Good Life 2023 – March 11, 2023 – Moneta, VA and Zoom

• The Bedford Area Master Gardeners Association offers its annual Grow The Good Life. Three presentations provide instruction and advice on how to get more out of your garden space without increasing the size of your garden. Grow the Good Life 2023 will take place on March 11, by Zoom and in person, from 9am – 3pm. The in person location is Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 13586 Old Moneta Road, Moneta, VA. Attendance fee: $25 for Zoom attendance $35 for in person attendance (includes lunch). Register in advance with the Sign Up form found on the website: www.bedfordareamastergardeners.org

6.              Disease Alert: Vascular streak dieback on trees and woody ornamentals

• Vascular streak dieback has been observed in nurseries in Virginia as well as other states. Visit the Plant Disease Clinic’s Disease Alert webpage to learn more: spes.vt.edu/affiliated/plant-disease-clinic/plant-disease-alerts.html

7.              HOPE from the Garden – In Harmony with Mother Nature – March 1, 2023 – Webinar

• Mid-Winter Advanced Education Webinar. Sponsored by Goochland Powhatan Master Gardeners Association and VMGA. HOPE from the Garden – In Harmony with Mother Nature. March 1, 2022, 9:30am – 1:00pm, via Zoom. David Close, Volunteer Engagement Specialist, VA Tech- “Trees Are the Answer’. Beth Mizell, Executive Director of Blue Ridge PRISM – “Native Alternatives for Invasive Plants in Your Landscape”. Ross Braun, former USDA Soil Conservationist – “Soil Science is not Rocket Science”. This seminar is open to all VA EMG volunteers. Register for this event at this link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qGDYOVlkShmHbRPQVjDLHQ 

8.              Spring Pruning – March 6, 2023 7:00 PM – Virtual Meeting/Zoom

• VIRGINIA BEACH MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT GARDENING TALKS: Join us on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 7 pm via ZOOM for a Gardening Talks presentation on: Spring Pruning: Presented by Jason Heizer of Bartlett Tree. We often think of winter as the proper time to prune, but spring flowering shrubs and trees require a different schedule to preserve their flower buds. Jason will talk techniques and timing for pruning a variety of flowering trees and shrubs. 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!

9.              Share Your VCE Master Gardener College Tips

• Have you attended VCE’s Master Gardener College in Blacksburg? If so, VMGA would like your advice! What did you bring with you that was vital to staying in an on-campus residence hall? If you stayed at a hotel, what tips do you have for getting to and around campus and getting meals? What did you do in your downtime? Share any tips you have to help other conference attendees have the best experience. VMGA is writing a series of articles and a one-page tips sheet. Please visit https://bit.ly/EMGCtips to share your information or email treasurer@VMGA.net.

10.           VA Community Engagement Index Survey

• The Virginia Community Engagement Index is an opportunity to take part in an exciting research study being conducted here in Virginia. As its name implies, this survey will ask you to consider the various ways you engage and contribute to your community — from checking in on a neighbor to volunteering and donating to causes you care about. You will also be asked to consider the challenges we face and how best to meet those challenges through greater levels of civic and community engagement. In short, your insights will be critical to helping leaders in Virginia develop more opportunities for people to give back and strengthen our communities together! This survey is being conducted on behalf of the Virginia Service Commission and will take no longer than 15 minutes of your time. All responses you give will remain confidential. No reporting associated with the results will contain personally identifiable information, and all findings will be reported in aggregate. SURVEY LINK: https://sirresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8xqwTJprXcxGVbE?org=vsc 

11.           Register Now! Green Spring Extension Master Gardeners 2023 EcoSavvy Symposium, “Feel-Good EcoSavvy Gardening: Good for You, Good for Our World” – March 4th, 2023, 10:00AM-12:00PM – Live Zoom Event (A recording will be available to all registered participants for post-event viewing)

• Come explore the healing powers of gardening and make the world a better place for you and your loved ones with experts hosted by the Green Spring Master Gardeners: Kathleen Wellington, LPC, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, will share the cultural and scientific evidence that gardening restores our physical, mental and spiritual health. Laurie Fox, PhD, Horticulture Associate, Virginia Tech, will then show us how to put this power into practice with gardening techniques to reclaim contaminated soil and groundwater. Registration closes on Friday, March 3, 2023. To register, visit bit.ly/register-ecosavvy23 or call 703-642-5173. Cost (updated): $24 in county / $27 out of count. Code: GRF.K8L9 (virtual). A recording will be available to all registered participants for post-event viewing. Participants are eligible to earn up to 2 Landscape Industry Certified continuing education units (CEUs) from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Old February Announcements

12. 5th Annual Prince William Native Plant Symposium – Saturday, February 11,

2023 – Verizon Auditorium George Mason University

Old March Announcements

13. Gardening in the Valley Symposium – March 11, 2023 – Shenandoah University, Winchester

• Save the date for the Gardening in the Valley Symposium. The symposium will be held at Shenandoah University, Henkel Hall. Check our website for more information. Topics this year include, The Ecology of the Garden, The Journey from the Vineyard to the Tasting Room, Intentional Garden Design, The Best Flowers for the Best Life and Fungi of Appalachia and Home-Grown Mushrooms. Cost will be $65 per person and proceeds go to our NSVMGA Memorial Scholarship Fund. www.nsvmga.org/events/symposium www.nsvmga.org/events/symposium

14. In Your Own Backyard: 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar – Saturday, March 25, 2023 – White Stone, VA

• The Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) have announced the date and theme for the 2023 Gardening in the Northern Neck seminar (GNN). The theme of the 2023 seminar is “In Your Own Backyard.” Gardening in the Northern Neck will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, 57 Whisk Drive in White Stone. This will be the 29th Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar. Speakers will be Heather Holm, a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author; Barbara Pleasant, an avid gardener and award winning author; and Edward Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Horticulture agent for Henrico County. The fee for the seminar is $50. Lunches will be available for an additional fee. Additional information is available at nnmg.org/gnn/. Registration forms will be available on February 1, 2023, at www.nnmg.org/gnn.

Old April Announcements

15. MGACRA Spring Symposium “Flower Power: From Roots to Blooms” – April 1, 2023 — Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth, Virginia, 22405.

• 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 www.mgacra.org/2023-spring-symposium.html

Old June Announcements

16. International Master Gardener Conference 2023 – June 18 – 22, 2023

• Registration is open for the 2023 International Master Gardener Conference in Kansas this June. Early registration of $397 runs through March 1. It includes 5 keynote speaker presentations, 8 rounds of concurrent sessions, a trade show and 6 meals. If you enjoyed our 2021 virtual conference in Virginia, you’re sure to love the opportunities that are available during this in person conference! Learn more at www.imgc2023.com.

17. Save the Date! MG College 2023: June 8 – 11, 2023

• Save the date for Master Gardener College 2023! MG College will take place on Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg from June 8 – 11. Tree Steward training will begin the day before on June 7th. More information about sessions, tours, and speakers will be announced through our Master Gardener College In Season in the coming months. We look forward to seeing many of you in June!