Want to Learn More

Educational Opportunities – There are many classes available to the public. Some are free, some require pre-registration.

Home Gardening Series – Join us on Thursday afternoons for a free Home Gardening Series ZOOM presentation. We will present a new topic each week. pre-registration is necessary so that we can send you a link for the class. Check back for updates to the schedule. HGS Summer 2021. Links will be added to each presentation as they are completed so that you can see any you might have missed.
Master Gardener Training – Virginia Cooperative Extension offers training to those wanting to learn more about gardening. The course is 60 hours long taught over a series 10 weeks. More information and links to registration application.

Here are some articles that may be of interest.

Constructing and Maintaining a Water Garden – Water gardens come in all sizes
Conditioning Cut Flowers – tips to make your cut flowers last longer
Remove Invasive Vines to Promote Tree Health – text version of letter to editor – link to newspaper
Squash the Squash Bugs – best ways to deal with this pest
Understanding Your Soil Sample Report – help with interpreting the results
Keeping a Gardening Journal – a useful garden tool
All the Leaves on the Trees are Falling – dealing with leaves in the fall
On Line Classes from Prince George Master Gardeners – Zoom on Wednesdays and available on youtube.
Cross Striped Cabbageworm – dealing with this garden pest
Crisis Gardening Journal – Observations about gardening and these troubled times.
My Secret Garden – Victoria has a special garden spot.
Tips for a new Gardener – Letter from Ginny to her niece with advice about starting a garden.
Starting Your own Garden and be Fun and Easy – some tips on how to get started
Summer Guests – Story of chickadees nesting on front porch.
Relationship between Plants and Pollinators – Plants have a unique relationship with the insects that pollinate them.
Creating a Gardening Journal – Have you ever considered a gardening journal? It can have many forms and functions.
Easy Orchard – Many of the typical fruits are difficult to grow in our region. Here are some alternatives you might like to try.
CONTROLLING PESTS IN THE GARDEN HGS 2019 – Presentation from Home Gardening Series on 4/6/19.
Diagnosing Plant Damage In The Garden HGS 2019 – Presentation from Home Gardening Series on 4/6/19.
Good Bugs, Bad Bugs 2019 HGS – Presentation from Home Gardening Series on 4/6/19.
Plants at Scotchtown in 2017 – Plants currently in the historical gardens at the home of Patrick Henry.
Historical Plants at Scotchtown – List of historical plants grown at the home of Patrick Henry.
Pruning Does and Don’ts – List of best practices for pruning.
Why Should You Use Native Plants – Native plants are important for several reasons. Read more to find out why you should consider them for your next plant purchases.
As we age volunteering can improve your quality of life. See list of various ways to volunteer some of which will include sharing your love of gardening. http://www.aginginplace.org/how-to-volunteer-as-a-senior/
Boxwood Blight Information – Series of videos addressing boxwood blight.
Favorite Links Here is a list of some of our favorite links. Check back as we add more to the list. You can share your favorites by sending them to hanover.master.gardeners@gmail.com.
Options for Extending the Growing Season – Links to articles about cold frames, row covers and other ways to extend the growing season.
Tick Identification – Learn more about how to identify ticks and what diseases they carry.
Three Methods of Tree Grafting – Learn more about the methods to attach trees to a more durable root stock.
Common Lawn Weeds – Identify those pesky weeds you find in your yard. Identification can lead to how to get rid of them.
How to Make a Worm Bin – Grow red wigglers who will turn your garbage into great fertalizer for your plants.
Three Bin Composting System – Make a three bin system using pallets.
How to Get Started in Composting – Learn how to set up a composting system.
Resources for Native Bees – Learn more about native bees in our area.
Bee Loss in Virginia – There was a 60% loss of bee population in Virginia last winter.
Decisions – There are reasons not to rake leaves. Here are some of them.
Getting Ready for Gardening Season – Get those neglected muscles back in shape for the gardening season.
Pest Management – The appearance and control of pests can vary from month to month. See the charts for the months of April, May, June and July.
Weather Happens Tomatoes versus the Environment – Wet, dry, hot, cold. Weather can have an influence on your tomato crop. Even when you can’t control the environment at least learn more to know what to expect.
When is the Right Time to Pick Vegetables – How do you know when a cantaloupe is ripe or the best time to pick corn? Learn more about some of our local produce.
Fall Is for Berries – We have some very attractive berries in the fall that are enjoyed by people and animals alike.
Native Bee Presentation – Mason and Leafcutter – Native bees serve an important role as pollinators. Learn more about two of Virginia’s native bees – the Mason and Leaf Cutter bees.
Neem Oil – Need oil can be an organics solution to pest management.
When to Plant Your Vegetables – Chart of dates ranges to plant local vegetables.
How to Become a Master Gardener – Turn your gardening enthusiasm into an opportunity to learn more and share your knowledge with others.
From our Gardens to Yours – Did you buy plants at our annual spring plant sale? Learn more about them.
Month by Month Gardening Chores – Each month of the year presents opportunities for gardening chores. Find out what you should be doing now.
Fall Container Gardening – Container gardens in the fall can include cool weather veggies.
Bok Choy – Learn more about this vegetable.

Be sure to check out the link to the Virginia Cooperative Extension web site. They have hundreds of articles available to answer most any question. Link to documents on Virginia Cooperative Extension Web Site