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Learning about native plants
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Date Posted: Thu, Mar 06 - 10:02 pm
- Hi, I am interested in native plant gardening in Richmond VA. Do you offer classes or do you have recommendations for classes on this topic? Thank you!
- Hi there! We’re thrilled to hear about your passion for growing native plants! Every small effort makes a big difference in supporting our environment, and you’re taking a wonderful step in that direction. While we don’t currently offer classes or workshops, we hope to provide those opportunities in the future. In the meantime, I’d love to share a few helpful resources with you: 1. Lewis Ginter has two upcoming classes on the topic of native plants listed on their website: March 15th: Beginner Native Perennials for the Home Garden https://www.lewisginter.org/event/beginner-native-perennials-for-the-home-garden/ April 19th: Container Gardening with Native Plants https://www.lewisginter.org/event/container-gardening-with-native-plants/ 2. The Virginia Native Plant Society has a lot of resources available, for both members and non-members, including this archive of videos: https://vimeo.com/vnps 3. This is a resource about native plants local to our area that is available for free download: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/plant-rva-natives 4. The City of Richmond is fortunate to have several native plant beds behind Amelia Street School. In google, you can find them by searching "Amelia Street Urban Forest". Google should take you to several beds that are outside of the fenced playground area. And there is also a large bed inside the playground area that you are welcome to wander through outside of school hours. We hope to be able to offer various workshops in this space in the future, you can follow @ameliastreeturbanforest and/or @rva_mastergardeners on instagram to stay in the loop about any future opportunities happening in this space. 5. If you are interested in having a home consult with a master gardener and you live within the City of Richmond, email us at rvamastergardeners@gmail.com to see about getting connected to a master gardener directly. Happy gardening!
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Growing Herbs
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Date Posted: Mon, Mar 03 - 11:09 pm
- How to grow healthy Herb plant? Plants like Basil, cilantro, Rosemarys.
- Growing herbs is so rewarding! I love having what I need for a recipe growing outside the back door! Basil, cilantro, and rosemary each have their own needs, so here’s a quick guide to help them thrive: Basil: Loves warmth and the sun and needs at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily, prefers well-draining, nutrient-rich soil, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy — water when the top inch feels dry, pinch off the top leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering (which can make the leaves bitter), snip stems just above a leaf pair — this helps the plant grow fuller. Cilantro: Prefers cooler weather and about 4–6 hours of sun, this is a great spring and fall plant but typically doesn't survive in Virginia summers, too much heat can make it bolt (flower) quickly, likes loose, well-drained soil with some compost mixed in, water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging, cilantro grows fast — consider planting seeds every few weeks for a continuous harvest. Rosemary: Thrives with at least 6–8 hours of full sun, prefers sandy, well-drained soil — it hates sitting in water, let the soil dry out between waterings. Rosemary prefers to stay on the drier side, trim regularly to keep the shape and encourage new growth, there is a lot of Rosemary in our area that survives the winter, but its not a big fan of winter and does best if its in a warm sunny spot or you could bring it inside for the winter. Happy gardening! Enjoy your herbs!
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Gardening Basics
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Date Posted: Mon, Mar 03 - 11:00 pm
- Learn basics of gardening
- It’s wonderful to hear that you’re interested in learning more about gardening! Starting out can feel a bit overwhelming, but with the right resources and a little patience, it can be incredibly rewarding. Here are a few first steps and resources to help you get started: 1. Understand Your Growing Zone: Knowing your USDA Hardiness Zone will help you choose the right plants for your area. The City of Richmond and nearby areas are in the 7b zone. (If you are outside of the city you can find your zone here by entering your zip code: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov) 2. Start Small: Consider beginning with a small garden bed, container garden, or even a few pots on a patio. Herbs, lettuce, and tomatoes are great starter plants! 3. Soil Health is Key: Good gardening starts with good soil. We always recommend getting a soil test to help understand what amendments you might need. Soil test kits are provided by the Master Gardeners through the Extension Office at many of the Richmond Public Libraries. 4. The Extension office has a lot of resources available through their website https://ext.vt.edu/lawn-garden.html and also by following their social media accounts @virginia_cooperative_extension 5. There are many gardening classes offered throughout the greater Richmond area, especially as spring arrives. You can look for classes at our local nurseries like Sneeds, Strange's and many others. Also, Lewis Ginter often has many gardening classes. 6. One of my favorite vegetable gardening books is "Grow Great Vegetables in Virginia" by Ida Wallace. This book is specific to our area and offers a lot of great step by step guidance for each month. Gardening is a rewarding hobby that helps you connect with nature, reduce stress, and enjoy the satisfaction of watching things grow. Whether you’re growing flowers, vegetables, or herbs, it brings beauty, peace, and a sense of accomplishment. I always think of it as an experiment too. Each year I learn things that worked well, as well as things that didn't. Good luck, and have fun!
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Master Gardener Program
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Date Posted: Sun, Mar 02 - 2:31 am
- Hello, I'd love more information on the next Master Gardener course! Very interested in joining and being part of the RVA gardening community.
- We are always excited to hear from people who are interested in joining the Richmond Master Gardeners! Classes are currently underway right now. We hope to have another class start in early 2026. Application information for this class should be available around September of this year. If you are interested in being on the mailing list for the application information, please send an email to rvamastergardeners@gmail.com
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Master Gardener Training
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Date Posted: Tue, Feb 25 - 1:04 am
- Hello, I'm interested in signing up for the next VA Master Gardening Course - would you be kind enough to send information on when it'll be open for registration? Thank you, Jaime
- Hello Jaime! We are really excited to hear that you are interested in getting involved with the Master Gardeners in Virginia. There are several different units throughout the state based on locality. The Richmond Master Gardeners currently have two students going through a training program and we hope to have at least two spaces again for a class that should start in the beginning of 2026. I'll follow up with an e-mail to you so that we can stay in touch when more information is available for the future class. There may be other localities surrounding the Richmond area that are offering classes with a sooner start date.
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Connecting with RVA Master Gardeners
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Date Posted: Sat, Feb 22 - 12:22 am
- I am the volunteer coordinator for Powhatan State Park in Powhatan, VA. We are hosting a volunteer event on March 8th where we will be planting up to 900 shrubs in the park to make wildlife corridor. I was hoping to get in touch with some of the RVA master gardeners so that they can distribute the information about this event among their members.
- Hello! Thank you for reaching out to the Richmond Master Gardeners! I will follow up with you by email.
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Becoming a Master Gardener
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Date Posted: Tue, Feb 18 - 2:29 am
- Hello, I am interested in becoming a master gardener, are there any classes that I can take or where do you suggest I begin?
- Hello! Thanks so much for your interest in becoming a master gardener! We are always excited to hear that people are interested in joining us. To become a master gardener, you must go through an intern training period that includes 50 hours of educational training and 50 hours of volunteering. The class is typically offered once a year and is currently in session. We hope to have applications open in the fall for the next class. I will follow up with an email to you please. Please email me back once you receive it if you are interested in being on our list for information for the next class once it is available.
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Fruit trees for shade
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Date Posted: Wed, Feb 12 - 1:52 am
- Hello! We have an empty corner in our yard that I'd like to fill with a fruit-bearing tree. This side of the house is north-facing and has several tall oaks creating lots of shade. Would a pawpaw work in this environment? Do you have other native tree suggestions? Thanks!
- Hello! A pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) could be a great option for your north-facing yard with shade from tall oaks. Pawpaws are native understory trees, meaning they naturally grow in forested environments with limited sunlight. They can thrive in partial shade, but for the best fruit production, they benefit from a few hours of dappled sunlight. In deep shade, they may grow more slowly and produce less fruit. We want to point out that pawpaws prefer moist, well-drained soil. In nature, they are often found in fertile bottomlands, along riverbanks, and in the understory of hardwood forests, where the soil retains moisture but does not stay waterlogged. If you choose pawpaws, it’s best to plant at least two for cross-pollination, as they are not self-fertile. Other native fruit-bearing trees and shrubs that do well in shade include: Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) – A small native tree that tolerates partial shade and produces sweet, blueberry-like fruit. American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) – This tree can handle some shade but fruits best with at least partial sun. It takes several years to begin producing fruit but is a hardy and rewarding choice. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – A shrub that thrives in moist, partly shaded areas and produces berries loved by both people and wildlife. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) – A native tree that tolerates some shade and produces small, dark fruits that attract birds and can be used in jams and jellies. Here is a great resource from another Virginia master gardener unit that you can reference: https://fairfaxgardening.org/shade-fruits/ Let us know if you have any additional questions.
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Selecting grass for lawn
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Date Posted: Fri, Jan 31 - 3:46 pm
- Hello Richmond Master Gardeners, I would love your expertise on what type of grass I should plant in my backyard, which is almost entirely bare. I live in the Chamberlayne Farms neighborhood in Northern Henrico, and our soil is very soft. Our lot backs up to woods, and the back of our house faces north east, so we get very little sunlight back there. Thanks, Sam Prescott
- Thanks for reaching out to the Richmond Master Gardeners for help with your yard. For lawns in our region, tall fescue is the best choice. Southern States offers a blend specifically formulated for shady areas, which may be a great option for you. We also highly recommend getting a soil test to better understand what your lawn needs to thrive. Soil test kits are available at many Richmond Public Library branches, and you can also check with the Henrico Master Gardeners for locations in your area. A soil test will provide valuable insights into any necessary amendments, such as adding lime or applying a starter fertilizer with the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For best results, fertilize just before seeding. When it comes to timing, fall is the best season for planting cool-season grasses like tall fescue. Once you've spread the seed, be sure to keep the soil consistently moist with light watering every day until germination, which typically takes about two weeks. For more detailed guidance, the Piedmont Master Gardeners have a fantastic article on growing turfgrass in central Virginia. You can check it out here: https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/22408-2/. If you need help selecting products, Southern States has knowledgeable associates who can assist you in choosing the right seed and fertilizers for your yard. If you're open to alternatives beyond grass, you might consider a woodland garden or a shade-friendly native plant landscape. These options can provide beauty, ecological benefits, and reduced maintenance compared to traditional lawns. There are many possibilities, from native ground covers to ferns, wildflowers, and understory shrubs. You can explore options in the Virginia Native Plant Society's regional native plant guide (https://vnps.org/virginia-native-plant-guides/), which provides recommendations suited to our local conditions. Henrico might also have Master Gardeners willing to come out for a home consult if this is an option you are interested in pursuing! Happy planting, and let us know if you have any other questions!
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Starting a garden in city medians
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Date Posted: Sun, Jan 12 - 5:53 pm
- I want to start a median garden in my neighborhood. How can I get started with the city to make sure they don't mow it down and what I plant is safe for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians?
- This is a great question! We love to see the city getting greened up and love your enthusiasm to contribute. It will be important to get the city on board, as we definitely know people that have seen their hard work get mowed down by city landscaping. We recommend that you start by reaching out to your city council member. If you don't already know who yours is, or have their contact information, you can find that on this website: https://www.rva.gov/richmond-city-council/council-contacts As far as what to plant, we would be happy to consult with you on a more specific plant list for the space you have in mind, but to get started you could reference this website: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/plant-rva-natives for Virginia natives. I'll follow up with you via e-mail incase we can be of more help to you as you pursue this idea! Thanks for reaching out.