May 4 through 10 is International Compost Awareness Week, aimed worldwide to raise public awareness on why we all should compost our organics and use compost in our yards and gardens to create healthier soil. This year, the Piedmont Master Gardeners are doing their...
The Piedmont Master Gardeners Association provides science-based horticulture and gardening information to the community of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville.
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Help Combat Food Insecurity
Our program helps you put your garden’s extra bounty
to good use by sharing it with these local food banks and food pantries.
Upcoming PMG Events
Spring Plant Sale
Annual Event
Saturday, May 3, 2025
10:00am – 2:00pm
Albemarle Square Shopping Center
Garden Basics: Invasive Species
Not all plants are created equal
Saturday, May 17, 2025
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Trinity Episcopal Church in Charlottesville
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A Lifetime of Learning
Enjoy our latest articles below
Timely Topics
Protecting Darkness at Night, and Why Gardeners Should Care
April 21-28, the week of this month’s new moon, is International Dark Sky Week. This is a worldwide celebration of darkness at night. It is also part of an effort to build awareness about the harmful impact of light pollution on humans and wildlife, including birds...
Enriching Lives Through Therapeutic Horticulture
All of us who work in the garden appreciate how it can enhance our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With a variety of hands-on activities, the Piedmont Master Gardeners’ Therapeutic Horticulture Project is bringing these benefits to groups of underserved...
Ask a Master Gardener
Red Imported Fire Ants in Virginia
Question: Red imported fire ants (RIFA) have been reported in southeastern Virginia and some Virginia cities and counties have been placed under quarantine. Are these ants spreading to other areas in the State, including Albemarle County? What do we need to know about...
Planning a Vegetable Garden Irrigation System
Q: I am planning to install a raised bed vegetable garden irrigation system. What are some things I should be considering? By Kathryn Schick, Piedmont Master Gardener Intern Irrigation systems can be a game-changer for home gardeners looking to maximize efficiency...
Protecting and Preserving Topsoil During New Home Construction
Question: I’ve contracted to have a new home built and groundbreaking starts soon. What measures should be taken prior to and during construction to preserve and protect the topsoil and native plants on my site? By Carla Throckmorton, Piedmont Master Gardener Intern...
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Alert: Invasive Plants, Insects, and Diseases
Vascular Streak Dieback: Threat to Redbuds and Dogwoods
You may wonder why you haven’t seen many flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) or Eastern Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) in local nurseries lately. This is likely due to concern about Vascular Streak Dieback, a fungal infection attacking these and other trees.
Spotted Lanternfly
A potentially very serious pest of grapes, peaches, hops and a variety of other crops, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, was detected in Albemarle County, Virginia, in July 2021. As of June 15th, 2022, Albemarle County has been placed in a Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine.
