Members Home Page

The 22nd Annual Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener College took place at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA from
June 16 - 21, 2009. This year featured Tree Steward training!

Click here to read a review of MG College by Kim Garcia, a first time attendee from Virginia Beach. Be forewarned, after reading Kim's article you will make plans to attend Master Gardener College in 2010!

2009 Intern Graduation - Location Change!

Please join us in welcoming the new Interns into the fold with their Graduation at Major Hillard Library next Tuesday, April 7, 2009!

I will have the main course, bread, salad, and drinks. If you can let me know whether you are coming or not and what side item or dessert you can bring that will help. Also if you can come early to help setup, decorate etc. Thanks!!!

Mike

Phone: 382-6348

Click here to email

Big Bloomers Field Trip

The Big Bloomers Flower Farm Trip is set for Thursday, April 9th! We will leave the Central Library Parking lot at 7 AM!! (where the city van is parked) and return at 7 PM. Mike will reserve the city van and if there are other willing drivers, we can get other city vehicles. Remember that we need storage space for all of the plants as well. Email Mike or call him at 382-6348 if you are coming and let him know if you can drive. 20 people have signed up already!

Big Bloomers Flower Farm is the grower and not just a retail outlet. Big Bloomers does not wholesale and grows specifically for the home gardener offering substantial savings directly to the customer from their 17 retail greenhouses representing over 30,000 sq. ft. of enclosed greenhouses. An extensive selection of garden-related merchandise such as garden statuary, fountains, metalwork and pottery fill a 3,000 sq. ft. Garden Shop area.

2008 Annual MG Picnic

Our trip started with 15 adventuresome MGs who caravanned to The Harbinger Lavender Farm in North Carolina. We arrived there with a flourish in spite of the near heart attack Angel experienced from observing my driving prowess first hand.

The fields were still beautiful even after a partial cutting and our hostesses were gracious and accommodating. They provided us with a tour of the fields as well as a explanation as to why the lavender does so well in a area that really shouldn't be able to grow it successfully. We were given tips on how to grow our own as well as information on what to do if problems should occur.

We could choose to cut our own bundles or purchase those pre-cut as well as lavender and hydrangea wreaths and other lovely products that they sold in their small shop. Several of us bought generous lavender plants as well.

Under a shady picnic grove, the ladies demonstrated how to make Lavender Wands (DeAnna made one on the way home in the back seat of my van) and provided us with wonderful lavender lemonade (everyone wanted that recipe) and lavender sugar cookies. The food from Saul's BBQ Restaurant was excellent as were all the side dishes we brought to share. With the pleasant breeze we experienced carrying the strong scent of lavender, most of us were looking for hammocks after we finished lunch!

The farm is located at 187 Church Rd., Harbinger, NC 2794. Click here for directions.

2008 MG Plant Sale

New Book - Gardening in the Northern Neck

After more than two years in the making, the Northern Neck Master Gardeners have published their definitive Guideline for success in horticultural activities in our hot/cold, wet/dry, windy/calm, clay/sandy, humid corner of Virginia. "Gardening in the Northern Neck" addresses these topics and more in 80 pages written and illustrated by our members. This easy-to-read book includes the good, the bad, and the ugly of all green things growing and is available for $10. Copies can be reserved by contacting Edward (Ted) Munns by e-mail and will be provided at VMGA meetings (to save on mailing costs).

Holiday Party for Chesapeake Master Gardener Volunteers

The Holiday Party for Chesapeake Master Gardener Volunteers was held on Saturday, December 1st, from 10am to 1pm in the cafeteria of the Great Bridge Presbyterian Church on Cedar Road across from our office. Mike supplied the main course, drinks and paper products as well as a gift for everybody in attendance. Master Gardeners brought a side dish, salad or dessert to share.

Help Support VMGA and enjoy Fine Gardening Magazine too

Fine Gardening magazine is partnering with VMGA and will donate $10 to our Educational Endowment Fund for every new paid subscription order placed online by May 31, 2008. This offer does not apply to renewals. To subscribe, click here.

Emeritus Status Awarded

On August 8th, at the MG Monthly Meeting, emeritus status was granted to Elaine Peterson. A Master Gardener since 1997, Elaine has contributed over 1300 hours to community outreach programs. Emeritus status is an honor bestowed upon those active Master Gardeners who have completed at least 1000 hours of service. Congratulations Elaine!

Use your Food Lion MVP card to contribute to VMGA's Coordinator Endowment Fund

If you register your Food Lion MVP card with VMGA and use it at any Food Lion, Food Lion will contribute to the VMGA's Coordinator Endowment Fund. Here's how to link your card to the Endowment:

Go to www.Foodlion.com
on the left side, find "in the Community" and click on it
Click on Lion Shop and Share, then:
register MVP cards
select Organization
select State (pause/wait then arrow down to VA)
select City (pause/wait then arrow down to GOLDVEIN)
select Organization (pause/wait then down arrow to Virginia Master Gardener Association)
Click OK
Add MVP cards
Fill in information and then click NEXT to exit the site.

Every purchase adds a small amount and small amounts really do add up!

Plant A Row for the Hungry

PAR collected 665 lbs. of produce this week bringing the grand total for this year to 2246 lbs.! Don't forget that you can bring in your excess fruit, vegetables and herbs to feed the hungry of Chesapeake. Donations are accepted in the trailer from 9:00am to Noon on Tuesdays. If that time is not convenient for you, you may drop off your produce at the extension office on Monday. Canned goods accepted also.

2007 Master Gardener College Review by Pinky Derieux

Virginia Master Gardeners are very fortunate in having available to them the phenomenal resource of Master Gardener College at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. 2007 celebrated the 20th anniversary of Master Gardener College and it was an outstanding event executed beautifully. If you attended, you will agree with me that it was a truly rewarding and worthwhile experience. Not only are you exposed to terrific speakers and added education but you also have the luxury of meeting MGs from around the state and interacting with them, learning the many ways in which the MG program is applied in different areas, networking with new acquaintances and renewing old friendships.

If you have not attended Master Gardener College in the past, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this notable opportunity to attend next year and on into the future. You'll be glad you did.

Emeritus Status Awarded

On June 13th, at the 2007 MG picnic, emeritus status was conveyed upon Sheela Macumber. A dedicated volunteer, Sheela has contributed over 2500 hours to the MG program since her intern class of 1994. Emeritus status is an honor bestowed on active Master Gardeners who have contributed at least 1000 hours over the years. Sheela may no longer have to report her hours, but we know we can count on her for another 2500. Congratulations Sheela!

2007 Annual Master Gardener Picnic

The 2007 annual Chesapeake Master Gardener picnic was held at the home of Janet Hong on June 13th. Her magnificent gardens were in bloom, showcasing her huge collection of daylilies, most of which are offered for sale. A good time was had by all in attendance. Thank you, Janet, for being such a gracious hostess!