Master Gardeners of NoVa – MGNV.org – Offers Helpful Gardening Classes

Alexandria, VA – Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (MGNV) VCE-MGNV Virtual Classroom public education events for April and May 2020 are online and open to all. Register online at https://mgnv.org/public-education-events/vce-horticulture-programs-registration/ to receive the link to participate.

• Saturday, April 11, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, ONLINE

Vegetable Gardening Design for Success

Best location? How to lay out? Plan your garden for the best vegetables. Learn how to use flowers to attract pollinators. Online class offered by Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Register at mgnv.org to receive link to participate.

• Friday, April 17, 10:00 -11:30 am, ONLINE

Tomato Love

Americans love tomatoes – whether that first bite of a BLT, a bowl of cool gazpacho or cherry tomatoes picked off the plant and popped into your mouth – and tomatoes are the second most consumed vegetable in the world! Learn everything you need to know to grow exceptional tomatoes: understand the many varieties, select those that suit your needs, prepare your garden, plant and nurture your plants, and harvest tasty tomatoes of your own this summer. Online class offered by Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Register at mgnv.org to receive link to participate.

• Monday, April 20, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, ONLINE

Safely Enjoy the Outdoors Despite Mosquitoes and Ticks

As we welcome warmer weather, it- s time to prepare for the return of mosquitoes and ticks. Learn how to identify and control mosquitoes and ticks in a safe and effective manner – without the use of chemicals that kill beneficial insects. Participants will be able to submit questions via chat or by email. Online class offered by Arlington Regional Master Naturalists. FREE. To participate, see: tinyurl.com/vm4t8kc

• Friday, April 24, 10:00 – 11:30 am, ONLINE

The Art of Composting: How to Make Your Own Black Gold

Turn yard clippings, kitchen waste and excess paper into black gold for your garden! Extension Master Gardeners will show you how to start composting at home, what to put into a compost pile, how to easily maintain the pile so that the materials break down properly, and how to apply finished product to your own garden and lawn. Online class offered by Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Register at mgnv.org to receive link to participate.

• Friday, May 1, 10:00 – 11:30 am, ONLINE

Outdoor Container Gardening: Basics and Beyond

Learn how to grow edible and ornamental plants in containers on your porch, deck, balcony, or patio. This workshop will explore soil, containers, maintenance and selection of suitable plants. Online class offered by Extension Master Gardeners. Free. Register at mgnv.org to receive link to participate.

Note to All:

CANCELLED – Organic Vegetable Garden Open House Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

CANCELLED – Glencarlyn Library Garden Spring Celebration and Plant Sale Sunday, May 3, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

POSTPONED – Their Plant Clinics: Arlington Central Library Plant Clinic (located in the East Lobby of the Library, 1015 N. Quincy St), the Arlington Farmers Market Plant Clinic (N. 14^th St. & N. Courthouse Rd) and the Beatley Library Plant Clinic (5005 Duke St, Alexandria) are postponed until further notice.

POSTPONED – Healthy Food, Healthy Planet-Author Forum with Mark Winne and Walker Chapel MonarchFest Sunday, May 3, 2:30 – 5:30 pm New date to be announced.

POSTPONED – Information Night for Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program Thursday, May 21, 7:00 – 8:30 pm New date to be announced.

OPERATING! – The Extension Master Gardener Help Desk is still answering emails! They welcome your garden-related questions, including those related to plant and insect identification. The Help Desk is open 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon). Contact us at w[email protected].

Also check out the resources on their website, mgnv.org. You’ll find Gardening Basics for Arlington & Alexandria, VA listing their hardiness zone and frost dates, a list of problem plants and better alternatives, and an extensive compilation of Tried and True Native Plants for the Mid-Atlantic Area, complete with great color pictures and descriptions. Their  schedule of gardening programs is posted on this website, so be sure to check it often!

POSTPONED – The Wednesday Night Garden Talks at Arlington Central Library run from March to September 2020. 1015 N. Quincy St, Arlington 22201. Presented with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) – https://afac.org/plot-against-hunger/pah-events/.

Also, note that the help desk is up and running. Send questions and/or photos of problem plants or pests to [email protected].

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services, or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Arlington County Cooperative Extension five days prior to the event at 703-228-6400 or *TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. VCE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.