Master Gardener – Answers
Newly Answered Questions
Have a question? Submit your question above, search our database of gardening know-how or browse our list of newly answered questions.
Becoming a Master Gardener
-
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.
Question
Answer
Fruit trees for shade
-
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.
Question
Answer
Selecting grass for lawn
-
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!
Question
Answer
Starting a garden in city medians
-
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.
Question
Answer
Master Gardener Class
-
Date Posted: Tue, Dec 17 - 12:29 am
- can you direct me to a Master Gardener certification class starting in 2025 in the city of Richmond or close by? Thank you
- Hello Steve! Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a master gardener. We will have students going through the class offered by Chesterfield county that is starting in January, however the application process has already closed and our candidates have already been selected. The application period opened this past September, and I am hopeful we will be able to offer the class again and can reopen the application process next fall. I'll add you to a list to send information to once it is available. In the mean time, you could try connecting with other units to see if anyone is on a different time schedule. Other units you could try to connect with are Henrico, Hanover, and Goochland. Good luck!
Question
Answer
Native landscaping
-
Date Posted: Fri, Dec 06 - 4:13 pm
- Hello! I'm interested in making my property more sustainable by adding wildflower meadows and native plantings to support the wildlife. I am located in Manakin Sabot. If there are any book resources or other websites you would recommend I would greatly appreciate it. I am an architect by training and have considered getting more of an education in landscape design and horticulture to help make the biggest impact on our community through my projects, both at home and for others. Thanks so much!
- Hello! We love your passion for bringing more wildflowers and natives to your yard. A few resources for you to look into: Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/ and any books by Doug Tallamy. There is a guide for Native Virginia plants that you can reference: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/plant-rva-natives. Lewis Ginter often offers classes about landscaping and natives and they currently have some spring classes available for sign up on their website. Moulton Hot Natives is also a very knowledgeable resource and a great place to get plants and seeds: https://moultonhotnatives.square.site/ Whenever you are in the city, I suggest driving by Amelia Street School. Behind the school are several different beautiful native beds that may give you some inspiration! I hope these resources will help get you started and you will have fun and learn a lot along the way!
Question
Answer
Becoming a Master Gardener
-
Date Posted: Tue, Nov 26 - 1:25 am
- Hello! I am interested in becoming a master gardener! Can you point me in the direction for signing up for courses and what certification entails?
- Hi Susan! Thanks so much for your interest in becoming a Master Gardener! I will send you an email with some information.
Question
Answer
Becoming a Master Gardener
-
Date Posted: Wed, Nov 20 - 12:49 am
- I am very interested in becoming a Master gardener. Is the program available in Richmond, Virginia? If it is not is there a different location I can attend? Thank you so much. Have a lovely day, Cynthia
- Hello Cynthia! Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a master gardener! There are several units throughout the central Richmond area offering classes soon, and we are lucky to have some space in one of those programs. I will send you an email to follow up with more information.
Question
Answer
Master Gardener Class
-
Date Posted: Tue, Nov 12 - 2:49 am
- Interested in taking a master Gardner class.
- Hi Dee! Great timing! Our applications for our upcoming 2025 program are currently open. It has been several years since we have been ableto host new master gardeners, but this year we are excited to host two students and our application is now live: https://bttr.im/70gik Applications are due by November 15th. Information about the upcoming class: The class will be run through the Chesterfield County Extension office and will meet January 9, 2025- March 27, 2025 on Tuesdays 9am-12p (virtually) and Thursdays 4p-7p (in person). Cost to participate is $225 (and includes all educational materials) Requirements for Master Gardener interns: Complete 50 educational hours and 50 volunteer hours Ongoing requirement for Master Gardeners: Complete 8 educational hours and 20 volunteer hours per year The Richmond Master Gardeners are a small, but fun unit! We have not had an extension agent since 2021 and operate mostly independently. We typically meet every other month on the first Monday of the month at 6pm at the West End Branch library and will often have speakers come to our meetings. Currently, our volunteer efforts are primarily focused at the Richmond Public Libraries and Richmond area Schools. If you have any questions about the application process or being a Master Gardener, please e-mail them to rvamastergardeners@gmail.com
Question
Answer
Fall/Winter Vegetables for the home garden
-
Date Posted: Sun, Nov 03 - 8:07 pm
- Hello,i would like to know what type of vegetables in this time of year i can have in home conditions like a small garden? Thank you so much for respond and please if there is any useful resource that i can get some innovative idea please let me know i would really appreciate that,have a wonderful day. Thank you and have a flower day:)
- One of my favorite resources for vegetable gardening in Virginia is the Grow Great Vegetables in Virginia book by Ira Wallace and the Virginia Extension Home Garden Vegetable Planting guide is also an excellent resource: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-331/SPES-170.pdf Many people are still harvesting beans, broccoli, carrots, greens, etc from their fall gardens although it is a little late in the year to try to get these planted now. The thing to plant right now is garlic for a June harvest. (I always plant garlic around Halloween to harvest around Father's day) Because we have been having a very warm fall, you could still try to plant carrots, beets, winter radishes, spinach or kale and see if the weather cooperates for you. This is also a great time of year to start planning what you will plant as spring approaches! You can then think about what seeds you may want to purchase and if you have space to start seeds inside and if so gathering the supplies. I also recommend keeping an eye on our local garden nurseries (Sneeds, Great Big Greenhouse, Strange's) after the new year as many will have classes for vegetable gardening available. Lewis Ginter also offers great classes. Good luck and happy gardening!