Master Gardener – Answers
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Master Gardener Class
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Date Posted: Sat, Feb 24 - 12:31 pm
- Hi, when is the next master gardener class registration? I’m a Richmond resident and would love to become a master gardener.
- Hello! We would love to have you join our group! Unfortunately the city has been without an extension agent for the last several years and this makes it so we are unable to offer the class. The extension agent serves as the class facilitator and organizer. We have had some conversations with various levels of state organization about being able to partner with another locality that offers virtual classes, but have not made any finalized plans with that avenue yet. In the mean time, there is the option of connecting with one of our neighboring counties (Chesterfield, Hanover or Henrico) to complete the classwork and then transferring your membership to the City of Richmond afterwards. I wish this was an easier process, we would love to add more master gardeners to our group!
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Adult Gardening Classes
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Date Posted: Mon, Feb 19 - 11:36 pm
- Do you have adult classes on any subjects about gardening. We are just retired but have been doing a little gardening both flowers and vegetables. Thanks Millie and Boris
- Hello Millie and Boris! Happy Retirement! What a great time to learn more about gardening. Unfortunately the Richmond Master Gardeners are not currently offering any classes but there are other options in the area. Chesterfield Master Gardeners offers classes and opportunities in their demonstration garden: https://www.chesterfield.gov/447/Events-Programs-and-Workshops And the Goochland Master Gardeners have their Annual Spring Garden Fest coming up on Saturday April 27th that will include multiple class/workshop options. You can find more info and sign up for that here: https://www.gpmga.org/sgf In addition, many of our local nurseries (Cross Creek, Strange's, Great Big Greenhouse, Sneeds, etc) are offering many different class options now through April/May. Happy Gardening!
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Building Healthy Soil
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Date Posted: Fri, Feb 16 - 12:58 pm
- Hi, I seem to have very low yield and success with my gardens that we planted the past few years. I was wondering if it might have to do with soil quality etc. Is there anyone I can turn to for a consultation? Free or paid? I'd love to just get some expert opinions on the best way to improve my yield and overall success.
- This is frustrating for a gardener for sure! Now is a great time of year to do a soil test to see how your soil needs to be amended before planting season. We are in the process of getting more soil test kits from the extension office and will have them out in the libraries again soon. Once these are back, I'd recommending picking one up to test the soil in your garden. The information you will get from this will guide you on what your soil is lacking so that you can focus on adding that back in. The plants will take nutrients from the soil each year and it is important that we are building the soil back up. Chesterfield County Master Gardeners has an upcoming workshop on March 9th about feeding the soil: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/chesterfieldparksrec/activity/search/detail/20270?onlineSiteId=7&locale=en-US This is a great opportunity to get information that will set you up for success and will also allow you the chance to ask questions that are pertinent to your garden. We also have many wonderful garden shops (Cross Creek, Sneeds, Stranges, Colesville, Great Big Green House) in the area with very knowledgable people on their teams. They are always willing to help guide you in store and some offer services to come out and consult on your property. Happy gardening! Hoping this year will be an abundant year for you!
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Soil test kits
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Date Posted: Sun, Feb 11 - 11:50 pm
- Just called ahead about soil test kits and the librarian says they’re out and the other branches are out of them as well. When might be in stock again?
- Thank you so much for letting us know that the library branches are all out of soil test kits. We definitely want to be sure they are restocked ahead of spring planting season! We will be working with the extension office and hope to have the branches restocked by the end of this week.
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Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale
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Date Posted: Thu, Feb 08 - 3:03 am
- Hello! Would you be able to recommend the best product for treating a severe case of Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale? The tree is about 5 years old and has been very healthy until last year when it got the scale. I have heard that it is best to treat with a systemic insecticide in the spring but there are a lot of products out there and the prices very quite a bit. Also if there is a better way to treat than an insecticide please let me know! Also a lot of the products recommend a treatment based on the trunk size if the crepe myrtle has multiple trunks do I add all the trunks up or should I treat based on a single trunk size? Thank you so much !
- These are great questions about Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale CMBS). I had to do a little bit of research myself to figure out how to best give you some guidance. A systemic insecticide in the spring does seem to be the recommended treatment. A soil drench of imidacloprid or dinotefuran is recommended when crape myrtles begin to leaf out in the spring, usually around April. Personally, I've had success with Bonide products and find them to be available at many local garden shops. Bonide has an annual tree and shrub product that has an active ingredient of imidacloprid. (Other insecticide recommendations from the extension office are available here: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/456/456-017/456-017.html) If you decided to go with an insecticidal soap spray, just be sure to refrain from applying it when pollinators or other beneficial insects such as ladybird beetles are present on the trees. Here are some guidelines for measuring the circumference of the tree trunk: 1. If it appears that a tree actually represents two or more trees that have their trunks pressing together, we measure the largest trunk. 2. If it appears that the tree tree is a single tree that splits below 4.5 feet, we measure at the narrowest point between the split and the ground. 3. If it appears that the tree tree is a single tree that splits above 4.5 feet, we measure the trunk at 4.5 feet. If you would really prefer to stay away from insecticides, another control option is to lightly scrub the main trunks of crape myrtles with soapy water made with mild dish detergent and a stiff-bristled brush to kill and remove CMBS. This also removes some of the sooty mold and the loose exfoliating bark that shelters CMBS, exposing the scales to any spray treatments that may be applied. And finally, its important to check and be sure your control methods are working. To asses if a control treatment was effective or not: check for live CMBS by running a fingernail over the scales and looking for a pinkish-red fluid. Dead scales will be dry, but their white bodies may persist on the trunk and branches of crape myrtle until they weather off.
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English Ivy control & replacement
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Date Posted: Thu, Feb 08 - 2:21 am
- Hi there! I have a bunch of English Ivy in my sunny, south facing backyard in the neighborhood behind Pony Pasture. I'm interested in replacing it with a Native Species but want to make sure that I am replacing it with the right species for the space. It is on a downward slope towards the house-so I'm not sure if it is providing necessary runoff to protect the house. Do you have any recommendations for what species to use and any tips on how to work on replacing it? Thank you so much! Katie
- Katie, I'm sorry! English Ivy drives me crazy. I spent the first year in my current house attacking the ivy in my back yard. My best recommendation for removal is to pull it by hand after some rain when the ground is moist. It will come up a little bit easier that way. And just attack it in sections. Its better to be thorough and take a little longer than to rush through if you really want the chance to keep it away. After that first year, I've just done a little bit of maintenance each spring to pull out any that starts to grow, mostly because it creeps back in from my neighbors yard. The Virginia Native Plant society has a great document with several options for English Ivy replacement that can be found here: https://choosenatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Alternatives-to-English-Ivy.pdf Good luck and happy gardening!
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Interviewing a Master Gardener
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Date Posted: Wed, Jan 31 - 3:09 am
- Hello! My name is David Lefkowitz, I'm a reporter with RICtoday. I'd like to conduct an interview with a Master Gardener in Richmond on planting in the region, to run at some point in late February. Would somebody be available for such an interview in the next couple of weeks? Thanks!
- Hi David! Thank you for your inquiry. I will e-mail you directly to pass along contact information for one of our Master Gardeners.
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Native Dogwood and Holly
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Date Posted: Sat, Jan 27 - 3:05 am
- Two questions about native plants: are red twig dogwoods native to VA? I have seen dogwoods with red twigs in the woods, but never like the ones you see around cities or in people's yards like "arctic fire" with the really red branches. Besides the nativeness of red twig, do they need a lot of sun or can they do well in partial shade? Also, is holly native to the eastern us or is it naturalized nowadays and brought over by the colonists? Thanks, Neal
- Hi Neal! Great questions, I'll do my best to answer them. What most people refer to as "arctic fire" I think is the red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera Michaux). The nativity of this species in Virginia is questionable. It was historically reported to grow along the Potomac River in Fairfax Co., but supporting specimens currently appear to be lacking. It tends to do best in full sun to part shade with moist, rich soil. In nature, it is most often found growing in wet swampy areas. The silky dogwood (Cornus amomum P. Mill.) has a red/purple twig and is native to our area. American Holly (Ilex opaca Aiton var. opaca) is native to our area! It is common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont areas but infrequent in the mountains. The digital Atlas of Virginia Flora is a great resource for checking what is native to our area: https://vaplantatlas.org/index.php?do=start&search=Search
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Soil test kits
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Date Posted: Thu, Dec 28 - 3:33 pm
- Hello! I live in Richmond and would like to get a soil test done. Are there any free programs like the one for Henrico County residents?
- Most of the Richmond Public library branches should have soil test kits in stock. You can call ahead or stop by to ask for one. If you need any more information about getting good samples the Virginia Cooperative Extension has a great resource here: https://www.soiltest.vt.edu/content/dam/soiltest_vt_edu/PDF/urban-sampling.pdf Happy gardening!
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Master gardener classes and certification
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Date Posted: Wed, Dec 13 - 1:28 am
- Does Richmond offer Master Gardener classes and certification?
- Thank you for your interest in becoming a Master Gardener. I wish we were able to bring you on through the City of Richmond, but unfortunately the city does not have an extension agent in place and we are not sure when or if the position will be filled in the future. Without an extension agent in place, the current Richmond Master Gardeners are all volunteer lead, but unable to offer the training course. We are hoping to be able to offer the classes in an online version in connection with other counties in the future, but do not have any solid plans for that currently. You can reach out to the other counties to see when they will be offering classes if you would be interested in going through them to complete the program. Once a master gardener has completed the training process, you are able to transfer to a different locality if you wish.