Light pollution is making nights almost 10 percent brighter every year. The disappearing darkness not only limits our view of the stars but also has serious implications for the health of all living things. Biological processes have evolved with our planet’s rhythm of night and day. Lighting up the night disrupts this predictable cycle. In… Read More »PMG Speakers Bureau: Saving Dark Skies
Light pollution is making nights almost 10 percent brighter every year. The disappearing darkness not only limits our view of the stars but also has serious implications for the health of all living things. Biological processes have evolved with our planet’s rhythm of night and day. Lighting up the night disrupts this predictable cycle. In… Read More »PMG Speakers Bureau: Saving Dark Skies
Part of our regular series at The Center at Belvedere, this program was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 1. It has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 8. Join us that evening to discover how to give your garden four-season interest, whether with the plants themselves or with bird or human activity. Simple steps… Read More »Planting for Fall and Winter Interest–POSTPONED to October 8
Part of our regular series at The Center at Belvedere, this program was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 1. It has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 8. Join us that evening to discover how to give your garden four-season interest, whether with the plants themselves or with bird or human activity. Simple steps… Read More »Planting for Fall and Winter Interest–POSTPONED to October 8
Pruning landscape trees, especially when young, will set them on a path to a long, healthy life. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, the Center at Belvedere will host a free presentation by the Piedmont Master Gardeners on “When, Where, and How to Prune.” It will cover: the basics of structural pruning, when to prune… Read More »PMG Speakers Bureau: When, Where, and How to Prune
Pruning landscape trees, especially when young, will set them on a path to a long, healthy life. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, the Center at Belvedere will host a free presentation by the Piedmont Master Gardeners on “When, Where, and How to Prune.” It will cover: the basics of structural pruning, when to prune… Read More »PMG Speakers Bureau: When, Where, and How to Prune
Landscape architect Thomas Rainer, a leading authority in ecological landscape design, will deliver PMG's 2025 Spring Lecture, "Horticultural Futurism: Designing a Plant-Centric Future." The 6:30 p.m. lecture will be preceded by a public open house beginning at 5:30 p.m. in The Center at Belvedere’s Rose and Pollinator Demonstration Gardens. As climate change and mass extinctions reshape… Read More »Free Spring Lecture: ‘Horticultural Futurism,’ featuring Thomas Rainer, a leading voice in ecological landscape design
Aleen Carey of Cultivate Charlottesville Food insecurity and food access are serious problems for many people in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Community gardens—land cultivated by a group of people individually or collectively—can help. Join Aleen Carey (Executive Director, Cultivate Charlottesville) and leaders of Piedmont Master Gardeners community garden projects to learn about the scope of… Read More »How Your Garden and Others Can Help Address Food Insecurity
Maintaining a lawn can be labor intensive and environmentally challenging—but what are the alternatives? Piedmont Master Gardener Janette Martin will present options for reducing your lawn and making it more environmentally friendly, such as replacing some lawn with clover, ground covers, and wildlife-friendly native plant beds. She will also suggest solutions for problem spots like… Read More »Strategies for Environmentally Friendly Lawn Substitutes
Invasive species like tree-of-heaven, Japanese stiltgrass, autumn olive, and oriental bittersweet create serious problems in ecosystems. Plant invaders contribute to the decline of native flora and fauna; decrease soil, water, and air quality; and have detrimental economic impacts and adverse effects on human health. Soil scientist and Master Gardener Linda Blum will describe why some… Read More »What Makes a Species Invasive?
The plants we DO NOT want are among a gardener's biggest challenges. Piedmont Master Gardeners will help you win the “weed war” with advice and help on the following topics: • Understanding weed biology and life cycle • Identifying your weeds • Practices and strategies for weed management • Choosing tools to get the job… Read More »Weeds in the Garden: PMG Speakers Bureau at The Center at Belvedere
On April 7 at The Center at Belvedere, gardening educator Shannon Currey will share her knowledge and expertise about the importance of native plants in creating ecologically sound landscapes. Join us at 4:30 p.m. for an open house in The Center’s Rose and Pollinator Demonstration Gardens followed by her presentation at 5:30 p.m. You will… Read More »2026 Spring Lecture — Shannon Currey on “Soft Landings: Add Life Under Trees”