The Piedmont Master Gardener Association provides research-, science-based gardening information to the community of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville.
Here you will find our calendar of gardening events, resources to answer your gardening questions, a lively and topical monthly newsletter (The Garden Shed), a list of our projects and community partners, and information on how to become a Piedmont Master Gardener.
“Ask a Master Gardener” posts go live on our Facebook page HERE every other Wednesday. Read our most recent question and answer: I heard on TV that the Japanese maple tree is considered an “invasive” plant. I have one of these trees in my yard. Should I remove it?
Join us in adopting sustainable living practices. Read more HERE on how to be a steward of the environment.
Upcoming Events & Programs
PMG’s Garden Basics Workshops Will Resume Online
PMG’s Garden Basics workshops will resume this fall with three online classes. Topics to be covered include how to achieve year-round beauty with bulbs (9/19, how to create a garden habitat that attracts and supports birds (10/17), and how to manage water in the landscape efficiently (11/21).
All classes are from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Although there is no charge, participants must register at least five days in advance of each class. To register, email your name and the class you wish to attend to info@piedmontmastergardeners.org. An invitation to the Zoom session will follow. For more information, visit our events page.
Online Program Offers Strategies for Reducing Household Food Waste
According to the USDA and the EPA, 30 – 40% of the food produced in this country each year is wasted. Consumer food waste, the uneaten leftovers and spoiled food we throw in the trash, is the largest contributor to this problem.
To learn more about this complex issue and how to be part of the solution, please join us at 3 p.m. Monday, August 17, when the Piedmont Master Gardeners present “Love Food; Hate Waste!” The free online program is offered by The Center at Belvedere and is accessible via Zoom. Visit https://thecentercville.org/calendar/event/11619 to obtain a link to the session and the meeting ID.
Piedmont Master Gardeners Association cancels all in-person programming until further notice.
The Piedmont Master Gardeners Association has made the decision to cancel all in-person programming until further notice, consistent with the Governor’s executive order and policies adopted by Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). It is unclear at this time when we will be able to resume our in-person events. We regret any inconvenience for those we serve, but we must prioritize public health and safety in this rapidly evolving situation. Continue to check our website for updates regarding re-opening our local extension office as well as resuming in-person programming. Please keep in mind that when we do begin interacting with the public again, we will be operating under certain safety guidelines to help protect our office staff, our volunteers, and the public. Our office is always available by phone at 434-872-4580 from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and a VCE staff member will help direct your inquiries to the correct contact.
The good news is that the Piedmont Master Gardeners will continue to offer online resources and programs:
Every week on our website we will post a different horticulture topic in the sidebar on our home page, with every post archived under the home page drop down menu.
Our Horticultural Help Desk remains open to answer any plant-related questions by email and phone. Direct your questions to albemarlevcehelpdesk@gmail.com or leave a message at 434-872-4583.
You can sign up for our free monthly newsletter, The Garden Shed, for local garden tips, articles, and delicious recipes every month.
Be sure to “like” us on Facebook to keep up with programming updates and topics from our latest online program, “Ask a Master Gardener,” where we post a new gardening question and answer every other Wednesday.
We hope you will keep up with us virtually and keep gardening!
Albemarle County is closing our office buildings to the general public until further notice due to COVID-19.
Albemarle County staff will still provide the quality services you rely on, but we’re making some changes to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. In an effort to balance the need to maintain essential services while reducing transmission and protecting vulnerable populations, the County Office Buildings at 401 McIntire Road and 1600 Fifth Street Extended will close to the general public until further notice, effective Friday, March 27 at 5 pm, with limited exceptions.
We are still checking phone messages for our office, the help desk office, and all emails. Please contact us if you need anything as we are all working from home and checking messages frequently.
