PMG Speakers Bureau Presentation
Tuesday, April 4 @ 6:30 pm
In-person at The Center at Belvedere
540 Belvedere Blvd. in Charlottesville
Admission: Free
Register ⇒ https://thecentercville.org/calendar/event/82752.
Dr. Linda K. Blum, a soil scientist in the University of Virginia’s Environmental Sciences Department and a Piedmont Master Gardener, will explain why a soil test is essential to determining how much fertilizer, lime and other amendments may be needed in lawns and gardens. Adding supplements in the absence of a soil analysis risks unnecessary or excessive fertilization that can damage plants and lead to increased nutrient pollution in waterways and dead zones in the Chesapeake Bay, even when organic fertilizers are used.
Dr. Blum will offer instructions on how to collect a soil sample, how to have it tested, how to interpret the results and how to follow the recommendations included with the test results.
UVA Tree Walk with C’ville Area Tree Stewards
Sunday, April 9, 9:30 to 11:30
Limited to 15 adult participants
Register for the walk HERE
Join Tree Stewards Dana Denbar and Carol Wise at the University of Virginia on this walk through a gently sloping area of paved walkways and grass, under a high canopy of trees.
Tree Identification by Season: Spring (via Zoom)
Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Register HERE
Garden Basics: “Planting Your Annual Garden”
Saturday, April 15, 2–4 pm
In-person at Trinity Episcopal Church
1118 Preston Ave., Charlottesville
Admission: Free
Register ⇒ https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/events/.
Space is limited.
An annual garden adds beauty, color, texture, and diversity into any yard, and it’s easy on the pocketbook. Whether standing alone or supplementing a perennial garden, it can be in sun or shade, and it can be adapted to fit into almost any spot, large or small. This Garden Basics class will cover how to choose a site, create a design, select the seeds, prepare the soil, and keep annuals attractive and healthy through the growing season. Garden Basics is a partnership with the Bread and Roses Ministry at Trinity Church. The class will include a tour of the Bread and Roses annual beds.
If you have a disability and desire assistance or accommodation to take part in one of these programs, please contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension office for Albemarle County and Charlottesville prior to registering for the event at 434-872-4580 during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). The TTD number is (800) 828-1120.
Charlottesville Tree Stewards Spring Tree Sale
@ Virginia Department of Forestry, 900 Natural Resources Drive, Charlottesville.
–Saturday, April 15, 10:00-12:00
Spring Tree ID Walk
Saturday, April 15 from 1:30 to 3:30
Limited to 13 participants
Register for the walk HERE
Join Emily Ferguson at the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDoF) to see which emerges first from buds; leaves or flowers. VDoF is located at 900 Natural Resources Drive in Charlottesville.
Blue Ridge PRISM’s 2023 Spring Meeting
“All About Callery Pear,” with audience Q&A
Wednesday, April 19
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
(via Zoom)
REGISTER
Coming up in May . . .
The Piedmont Master Gardeners’ 20th Annual Spring Plant Sale
Albemarle Square Shopping Center Charlottesville, VA * If extreme weather causes a change in schedule, we will announce it on our Facebook page.Join us for our 20th Annual Spring Plant and Green Elephant Sale. The sale offers something for all gardens:
• plants for sun, shade, or something in between
• annuals, perennials, native and pollinator plants
• herbs
• vegetables
• houseplants
• trees
• shrubs
• fruit
New this year: Native plant combination trays for sun and shade.
Also available: The Virginia Native Plant Society Wildflower of the Year, Eutrochium fistulosum, (Tall Joe Pye Weed). Grows eight feet tall, adapts to average garden conditions but loves sunny moist sites. The shorter cultivar Eutrochium dubium (‘Little Joe’) will also be for sale.
Plus, have your tools and knives sharpened.
Cash, credit cards, and checks accepted. Sale happens rain or shine.* Wagons or carts are welcome to load up your plants.
Master Gardeners will offer demonstrations, educational displays, and a Horticultural Help Desk to answer your questions about problem plants, insects and more. Plan to pick up a soil test kit.