Turf to Trees
By Barbara Bailey, Community Engagement Coordinator Master Gardener Coordinator Virginia Cooperative Extension, Loudoun County
Last September, Loudoun Extension Master Gardener Cynthia Falconer spearheaded a cost share grant project, Virginia Trees for Clean Water, awarded by the VA Dept. of Forestry, for her Potomac Green HOA common area.
The objective was to convert sections of turf to mulched beds with native trees and ground cover, thereby reducing runoff and nutrients flowing into Russell Branch Creek, which runs through the property, and reducing in-stream sediment. The trees will also shade a 600-foot section of the community trail system and provide an object lesson in the benefits of trees to community members.
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Virginia Beach seed library cart enters fourth season
By Debi Edwards, Virginia Beach Master Gardener
The Virginia Beach Seed Library was created as a joint project of the Meyera E Obendorf (MEO) Central Library and Virginia Beach Master Gardeners (VBMG) to entice the general public to start planting home gardens. Since the grand opening in 2018, we have distributed 23,287 seed packets (over 232,000 seeds!) to 719 participants.
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Colonial Williamsburg Arboretum Educational Tree Project
Colonial Williamsburg (CW) has within its boundaries a unique collection of trees and woody plants. The majority of them are native to the Mid-Atlantic region, and those that are not, were introduced into the Virginia Colony prior to 1800. Although these plants were familiar to Virginia colonists, many of today’s visitors do not recognize them because they are not readily available in commercial nurseries.
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Fred Heutte Demonstration Garden COVID Response
By: Paul Ziegler, Norfolk Extension Master Gardener
For over 10 years, Norfolk Master Gardeners have operated a Demonstration Garden at the Fred Heutte Center in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood. The garden, consisting of 40 4ft X 4ft raised beds, utilizes Square Foot Gardening techniques to demonstrate how to maximize food growing potential in an urban environment. The entire garden is maintained by a cadre of extremely dedicated Norfolk Master Gardeners and a few neighborhood volunteers. All produce is donated to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. It has served as a hands-on educational opportunity for not only our Interns, but for our “seasoned perennials” as well. It has been a central focal point to helpgroups and individuals interested in growing their own produce.
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In Chesterfield, plant disease diagnosis goes virtual amid coronavirus
By: John McBride
In Chesterfield, plant disease diagnosis goes virtual amid coronavirus
Last summer, a local first-time vegetable gardener called the Chesterfield County Master Gardener Help Desk with a big problem: all his tomato plants seemed to be dying. Peg Tipple, Chesterfield County Master Gardener volunteer, jumped into action. After dissecting plant samples brought to the lab, she identified the problem. The gardener had planted his tomatoes in containers that were too small.
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