Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!
The Plant Clinic at the Small Space Garden is staffed by VCE Master Gardeners, who answer general gardening questions as well as questions about pests, diseases, and plant identification. They also provide free soil test kits on request. The Plant Clinic coincides with the Fairlington Farmers Market and is located at the back of the Fairlington Community Center.
Economically, exotic invasives cost the United States over $120 billion annually (Pimentel et al. 2005). Exotic invasives come in all shapes, sizes, and kingdoms. Virginia has over 90 species of exotic invasive plants. "Right Plant, Right Place" is an easy guide for homeowners to remember when planting. Extension Master Gardeners have many other solutions to planting beautiful eco-friendly gardens as alternatives to invasive plants. See examples of pollinator beds and shade loving plants. We will be on hand to answer your questions about the demonstration gardens and "Right plant, Right place."
The Plant Clinic at Arlington Central Library is staffed by VCE Master Gardeners, who answer general gardening questions as well as questions about pests and diseases and plant identification. They also provide free soil test kits on request. The clinic is located in the East Lobby of the Library.
Are you curious about saving seeds from your garden? Or from veggies you bought at a farmer’s market or grocery store? Gardeners across the country are saving their own seeds to develop plants with the qualities they value, and that are adapted to their own specific gardens. Join Extension Master Gardeners Libby Good and Kathryn Kellam to learn when and how to save seeds, which ones are likely to be reliable, and which ones may surprise you. Choose wisely and you may develop your very own heirloom strain!
Join us at our celebration of Fall and nature with plants, crafts, food and education! Taste foods and beverages featuring herbs; Visit the Ball-Sellers House for tours and the Glencarlyn Library for story time at 10:30 am; Buy Native plants, pottery, honey, T-shirts; Make sachets from dried herbs; Learn from Extension Master Gardeners!
Stop by while you're at the Fairlington Farmers Market! Extension Master Gardeners Anne Reed and Debbie Keefe will introduce the Green Invaders (invasive plants) and Groot (the superhero that controls and can protect native plants). Children will see some of Virginia’s “Dirty Dozen” Green Invaders and learn why they are harmful. Kids will hear about Groot’s “mastermind plan” to grow natives. A free native plant will be offered per family. For children ages 5-10. Due to space limitations, participants are limited to 15 kids – first come, first served.
Come sample the many kinds of peppers we grow and tour the garden! Extension Master Gardeners will answer questions about growing peppers and other beloved summer crops. We’ll also cover topics such as composting, soil preparation, seed selection, protecting crops from insects and animals, and ideas for your garden this Fall.
Did you know that Fall is the ideal time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials? This class offers easy tips for planting, onsite composting, providing winter habitat and food for wildlife, and end-of-season care of tools and equipment. We’ll help you identify opportunities to learn from this year’s successes and failures (we all have them) to lay the groundwork for next year. Speakers are Extension Master Gardeners Joan McIntyre, who leads the VCE-MGNV Neighborhood Champions program that supports Extension Master Gardeners as they offer gardening expertise to their neighborhoods, and Molly Newling, who excels at teaching the fine points of pruning, among her many other gardening talents.
Fall is the perfect time to practice good composting and mulching practices for your trees and plant beds and to start a compost system to create black gold for your spring garden. Instead of raking leaves to the curb, allow fallen leaves to feed your trees, enrich the soil and provide overwinter protection for roots and habitat for insects. Extension Master Gardener Nina DeRosa discusses where to compost, what to compost and what not to compost, and how to manage your compost system.
Come discover the critters that live in the litter. Explore the importance of leaf litter as a home for very small animals. The program for children ages 4 to 10 will be offered at Fairlington Small Space Garden by Master Gardeners Anne Reed and Debbie Keefe on Sunday, October 9 at 10:30 am. Adults are asked to accompany children and remain with them. Participants are limited to 15, first come, first served.
Native grasses, sedges and rushes can add structure and beauty to your garden all year long while also playing an important role in supporting our local wildlife. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills to explore how to use these plants in your home landscape and how to maintain them. Elaine researches and writes the resources for the Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic at https://mgnv.org/plants/.
Join Kirsten Conrad, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent, for an in-person presentation on end of season gardening tool care, including cleaning and sharpening tools to prepare them for cold weather storage.