Every time it rains, stormwater carries nutrients from fertilizers, bacteria from pet waste, and chemicals from herbicides and pesticides from our homes to local waterways. Using a rain barrel at home is a way to reduce stormwater pollution and conserve water. A single rain barrel can collect hundreds, even thousands of gallons of rainwater annually.… Read More »Rain Barrel Workshop at Starr Hill Downtown
Are you passionate about gardening? Would you enjoy sharing your passion with others? Then consider becoming an Extension Master Gardener. This information session at Gordon Avenue Library will tell you how to take part in the 2026 training class for Master Gardeners serving the Charlottesville and Albemarle County area. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn… Read More »Join Us: Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardener
Are you passionate about gardening? Would you enjoy sharing your passion with others? Then consider becoming an Extension Master Gardener. This in-person information session at the Scottsville Library, 330 Bird Street, will tell you how to take part in the 2026 training class for Master Gardeners serving the Charlottesville and Albemarle County area. Don’t miss… Read More »Join Us: Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardener
Are you passionate about gardening? Would you enjoy sharing your passion with others? Then consider becoming an Extension Master Gardener. This in-person information session at the Northside Library, 705 Rio Road West, will tell you how to take part in the 2026 training class for Master Gardeners serving the Charlottesville and Albemarle County area. Don’t… Read More »Join Us: Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardener
Consumers are responsible for most of the wasted food that winds up in our landfills and harms our environment. Learn some easy and practical strategies to reduce food waste, such as properly storing and preserving food for later use, including food harvested from the garden. Freezing, canning, dehydrating, and fermenting are great options. Space is… Read More »Garden Basics: Household Food Waste—The Big Picture: How food storage and preservation can be part of the solution
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?
Microgreens and sprouts are the most local food you can eat. In this hands-on class, you will learn simple and inexpensive ways to grow delicious microgreens and sprouts. Small but mighty, these nutrition powerhouses are especially welcomed in the winter months. Space is limited. Registration opens August 11 and closes at 5 p.m. October 17… Read More »Garden Basics: Tiny Indoor Gardens for Winter Green Thumbs—Easy, Nutritious Microgreens and Sprouts
Join us at Gordon Avenue Library to learn how to harvest, process, and replant seeds from ornamentals, native plants, and vegetables you enjoy. The class will cover: • The benefits of saving your own seeds • How plants are pollinated • Cross-pollination issues and preserving variety integrity • Plants that are good candidates for seed… Read More »Seed Saving Class at Gordon Avenue Library
Join this hands-on class to learn food preservation skills from Virginia Cooperative Extension. The class will provide step-by-step instructions for safe and successful boiling water-bath canning. You will also learn what equipment you will need and where to find additional resources. Plus, you will take home some recipes. For more information, contact Courtney Russ, FCS… Read More »Food Preservation Class
At the compost demonstration site in the Bread & Roses Gardens at Trinity Episcopal Church, Piedmont Master Gardeners and members of the Bread & Roses Gardens team will present "Turn Your Garbage to Gold," a free outdoor composting workshop. According to EPA, in a year the U.S. sends more than 292 million tons of solid… Read More »Turn Your Garbage to Gold: Outdoor Composting Workshop
Proper pruning can improve the health and structure of trees and shrubs. In this session, we will focus on: • the basics of structural pruning, • when to prune various species, • where and how to make proper cuts, • the right tools and how to use them, and • how to prune safely. Arrive… Read More »Garden Basics: When, Where and How to Prune—plus a tool checkup
Unpredictable temperatures, new pests, flooding and drought, windy and stormy weather—how is the gardener to cope? By adopting sustainable practices, opting for wise plant choices and landscaping strategies, and continuing to stay on top of the latest research, gardeners can prepare themselves to confront unpredictable changes in climate. Join Master Gardeners Fern Campbell and Christine… Read More »PMG Speakers Bureau: Adapting Your Garden to a Changing Climate