Disease Alert for mid-Atlantic region

Disease Alert:  The first report of late blight in the mid-Atlantic region was confirmed to be occurring on tomato transplants in western Maryland.  Please be alert, and consult the Pest Management Guide for any recommendations. 

Feeding the Mind, Body & Spirit Gardening Workshops, Richmond, VA—June 4, 11, 18

Join us for any of these hands-on workshops to get you up and gardening! 

All Workshops are held 9 AM - 11 AM

WORKSHOP LOCATION: Second Baptist Church, 3300 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA

REGISTER ONLINE: http://goo.gl/forms/OG1EiruYHf

A PDF flier for this event is attached.

Participants who join all three workshops are eligible to receive a free 4' x 12’ raised bed and starter plants for their fall garden.

June 4
Container Gardening for Small Spaces
Dr. Leonard Githinji, Virginia State University

Nothing beats the flavor of home-grown fruits and vegetables. Gardening in containers enables one to grow fruits and vegetables where traditional gardens are not possible including apartment balconies, small backyards, decks, patios, and areas with poor soil. For this workshop, you will learn the steps for successful gardening in containers including choosing the right container, soil and soilless mixes, watering, fertilizing, and how to diagnose some common plant ailments. You’ll make your own potting soil mix, transplant a tomato in a provided container and learn how to ensure it thrives and produces this summer.

June 11
Feeding the Soil
Dr. Greg Evanylo, Virginia Tech

Healthy soil is alive and helps ensure your garden produces more produce than you can eat. For this workshop you will learn about a smart gardening practice that recycles garden and yard waste. An expert will show you how to create worm compost in a bucket as well as how to construct and manage an outside compost bin. You’ll learn layering techniques that produce healthy soil amendments while keeping vegetable peelings, grass clippings and newspapers out of the landfill.

June 18
Birds, Bees and Butterflies

Kate Short, Virginia Master Naturalist, former Master Gardener and an active member of the Raleigh Parish Garden Club

Thanks to the wonderful work of pollinators, much of the food we eat and flowers and plants we enjoy are possible. For this workshop, you’ll learn why pollinators are so important in your garden as well as how to create inviting habitats for your yard or garden. You’ll also learn the importance of companion and succession planting to reduce pests and diseases without resorting to harsh chemicals.

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For more information, call (804) 524-5960 or email Mollie Klein at mklein@vsu.edu

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Mollie Klein at (804) 524-5960 /TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Sign up for monthly e-mail about the 2017 International Master Gardener Conference

You are invited to to receive a short newsletter about the 2017 International Master Gardener Conference.  You can join our Constant Contact mailing list by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/hvkwezp

The newsletter will contain the latest conference news and announcements, as well as fun tidbits about Portland and beyond.  Our first newsletter is in the works!  We intend to send out monthly emails, starting this July.