April Public Education Programs from the Virginia Cooperative

Post date: Mar 16, 2017 12:37:49 PM

DATE: March 14, 2017

TO: Arlington/Alexandria Community Organizations

FROM: Cherri Harris, Publicity Chair, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (Alexandria/Arlington)

SUBJ: April 2017 Free Public Education Programs

The following are free public education events for April 2017. They are open to all, and posted at https://mgnv.org/events/mgnv-events/.

Saturday, April 1, 9am – noon. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington, 22206

Sustainable Landscaping 3: Plant Selection, Design & Planting

Learn how to select plants that will function best in your location, focusing on the 3,000 native and naturalized plant alternatives to commonly used non-native plants. You will learn about designing with the propagation and habit of plants in mind, best practices for planting, companion planting, and identifying and removing invasive plants. Free. Advance registration required as space is limited, at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 2, 1-4pm. Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Rd., Arlington 22207

Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden

Join our very own VCE Master Gardeners who maintain the Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden when they answer your questions about organic gardening, including controlling pests and diseases without the use of chemicals. The garden is located beyond the Nature Center. No registration necessary.

Tuesday, April, 11 a.m. to noon, Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe St., Alexandria (by the YMCA).

Simpson Gardens Stroll

Stop by and chat with the VCE Master Gardeners who maintain the Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens and see what is springing to life. Have all your gardening questions answered too! No registration necessary.

Monday, April 17, 7-8:30 pm. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria 22304

Thursday, April 20, 7-8:30pm, Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd., Alexandria 22304

Plan, Plant and Use Herbs (note class is offered 2 times)

Taught by our Guest Lecturer, learn about the elements of an herb garden and tips for planting a successful herb garden. And now that you’re growing it, what are you going to do with it? Come and explore the many uses of herbs for cooking and crafting. Free. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com

Monday, April 17, 7-8:30. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., Alexandria 22314

Container and Window Box Edible Gardening

Use your prettiest containers or sunny window to grow herbs, vegetables, and other edibles. Learn what works best in these special places, and tips for maintaining them in our tough climate. Free. Advance registration requested, at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 30, 1-3pm, Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe St., Alexandria (by the YMCA).

Creating a Bird-Friendly Garden

Learn easy tips to entice birds and other beneficial pollinators to your yard. Master Gardeners and Audubon at Home volunteers will be on hand to offer tours, answer your gardening questions, and distribute free seeds. No registration necessary.

…….and don’t miss the Wednesday Night Series, Central Library Garden Talks, featuring a different timely gardening topic each week. 7pm every Wednesday thru October at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St, Arlington 22201. Check www.plotagainsthunger.afac.org, http://arlingtonva.libcal.com/ or download the entire schedule at: https://afac.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GardenTalks.Central.2017.pdf

Check out our Plant Clinics! The Arlington Central Library Plant Clinic has opened and will operate from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. every Wednesday to October 25, 2017. It is located in the East Lobby of the library, 1015 N. Quincy Street. (Directions/Map). The Arlington Farmers’ Market Plant Clinic opens April 16 and will operate every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through September. The Farmers’ Market is located at N. 14th St. and N. Courthouse Rd. (Directions/Map). Our other Plant Clinics will open in May.

Note to All: Our Help Desk operates year-round and we welcome your garden-related questions, including those related to plant and insect identification. The Help Desk operates from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays at the VCE office, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. Contact us at 703-228-6414 or mgarlalex@gmail.com, or drop by to speak with our Help Desk volunteers. But it’s best to call before you come to make sure we’re available.

Also, check out the resources on our website, mgnv.org. You’ll find a Quick Guide for Gardeners in Northern Virginia, with our hardiness zone and frost dates; a list of problem plants and better alternatives; and an extensive list, with pictures and descriptions, of Tried and True Native Plants for the Mid-Atlantic area. Our schedule of gardening programs is posted on this website, so be sure to check it often.

Virginia Cooperative Extension http://www.ext.vt.edu is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. VCE programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. 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; Jewel E. Hairston, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.