Piedmont Master Gardeners

'Turn Your Garbage to Gold,' an Outdoor Workshop on Composting
2026-06-07 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, VA, United States
The next in our series of free outdoor workshops on composting will be held at the compost demonstration site in the Bread & Roses Gardens at Trinity Episcopal Church. We will showcase a range of techniques for turning household waste such as food scraps, yard trimmings, uncoated paper, cardboard, and sawdust into the ideal soil amendment for the yard and garden. We will also show how all households, large and small, can keep compostable waste out of landfills. When added to a landfill, food scraps decompose anaerobically (without oxygen) and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change. When composted, food scraps contribute to healthy soil and plants and to cleaner water and air.
Register below to reserve your place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. June 6 or when the workshop is full.

Garden Basics: Herb Gardening—Discover the History and Magic of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
Growing an herb garden provides easy access to herbs that can be eaten fresh or stored for later use. We will explore the current culinary use of herbs, as well as their historic use in medicine and cooking in Virginia. Participants will gain skills for planning and planting an herb garden in ground or in a container and learn how to harvest and dry. Participants will take home herbs to dry and make into a tea or spice mix.
Space is limited. Please register below to reserve your place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. June 26 or when the class is full.
Our Garden Basics sessions are presented in partnership with James Monroe’s Highland and the Bread & Roses program at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Photo designed by Freepik

Garden Basics: More Trees, PLEASE!
2026-07-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, VA, United States
This session will look at suitable trees for home landscapes, emphasizing native species of trees and their appropriate placement. We will also promote a greater understanding of the nature of trees and highlight their benefits.
Space is limited. Please register below to reserve a place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. July 17 or when the class is full.
Our Garden Basics sessions are presented in partnership with James Monroe’s Highland and the Bread & Roses program at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Entries Due for the Albemarle County Fair
2026-07-29 12:00 - 20:00 | James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
Gardeners, fruit growers, brewers, bakers, beekeepers, wine makers, artists, photographers and crafters are invited to enter the Agriculture and Home Arts contests at this year’s Albemarle County Fair. Visit the fair’s website to find contest categories and to register online.
The Piedmont Master Gardeners, in partnership with Albemarle/Charlottesville 4-H Youth Development and other volunteers, will accept contest entries from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at the Agriculture and Home Arts Barn at James Monroe’s Highland. Ribbon winners will be selected the next day and will be on display throughout the fair, which runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 30, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1.
This year’s Agriculture and Home Arts contests include several new entry categories in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence, celebrating creativity, history and community spirit. These range from an America 250 poster contest for children and youth to America 250-themed floral designs, vegetable art, decorated cakes, wind chimes and dioramas. Entry submissions are free; fair admission is $5. Email ACFhortandarts@gmail.com for more information or assistance with registration.
The fair will offer an array of learning opportunities for both children and adults. On Saturday, August 1, Master Gardeners will be on hand in Highland’s educational food garden to describe what they’re growing, including varieties cultivated for vegetable trials. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day, there will also be a presentation in the garden on antique garden tools and how they were used in their time. Throughout the fair, Master Gardeners will be available at our Help Desk to answer questions about your yard and garden.

Join Us in Scottsville to Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardene
2026-09-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Scottsville Library, 330 Bird Street, Scottsville, VA, 24590
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 will tell you how to take part in the 2027 training class for Master Gardeners serving the Charlottesville and Albemarle County area. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can deepen your expertise in gardening and share it with the community in fun and rewarding ways.

Join Us at Northside Library to Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardener
2026-09-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Northside Library, 705 Rio Road West, Charlottesville, VA, 22901

Join Us Online to Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardener
2026-09-03 17:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-09 17:00 - 19:00 | VA
Are you passionate about gardening? Would you enjoy sharing your passion with others? Then consider becoming an Extension Master Gardener. This online information session will tell you how to take part in the 2027 training class for Master Gardeners serving the Charlottesville and Albemarle County area. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can deepen your expertise in gardening and share it with the community in fun and rewarding ways. Register HERE to receive the Zoom invitation to take part.

Join Us at the Central Library to Learn How You Can Become an Extension Master Gardener
2026-09-11 09:30 | Central Library, 201 East Market Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902
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 will tell you how to take part in the 2027 training class for Master Gardeners serving Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can deepen your expertise in gardening and share it with the community in fun and rewarding ways.

Garden Basics: Planting Out Cool Weather Crops—Extending Your Garden Harvest
2026-09-19 10:00 - 12:00 | James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
Cool weather crops are essential for gardeners aiming to extend their growing season and make the most of early spring and fall. We will delve into the specifics of selecting the right crops, preparing the garden bed, and managing the unique challenges that come with cool weather gardening. We’ll cover key techniques and timing for planting out cool weather crops, ensuring strong starts and robust harvests.
Space is limited. Please register below to reserve your place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. September 18 or when the class is full.
Our Garden Basics sessions are presented in partnership with James Monroe’s Highland and the Bread & Roses program at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Photo by Mario Rui Andre on Unsplash

Garden Basics: Growing Tomorrow—Plant Propagation
2026-10-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Join us for this overview of common methods of propagating plants, including seed starting, cuttings, division, and layering. We will explain the extra steps some seeds need to sprout, and we will tell you how to sow in winter, how to use the Forsythe pot for propagation of stem cuttings, and how to propagate a Christmas cactus from stem cuttings so you can grow your own holiday gifts and share plants with others.
Space is limited. Please register below to reserve your place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. October 16 or when the class is full.
Our Garden Basics sessions are presented in partnership with James Monroe’s Highland and the Bread & Roses program at Trinity Episcopal Church.

'Turn Your Garbage to Gold,' an Outdoor Workshop on Composting
2026-11-08 13:30 - 14:30 | Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, VA, United States
The next in our series of free outdoor workshops on composting will be held at the compost demonstration site in the Bread & Roses Gardens at Trinity Episcopal Church. We will showcase a range of techniques for turning household waste such as food scraps, yard trimmings, uncoated paper, cardboard, and sawdust into the ideal soil amendment for the yard and garden. We will also show how all households, large and small, can keep compostable waste out of landfills. When added to a landfill, food scraps decompose anaerobically (without oxygen) and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change. When composted, food scraps contribute to healthy soil and plants and to cleaner water and air.
Register below to reserve your place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. November 7 or when the workshop is full.

Garden Basics: Is that a good bug or a bad bug on my vegetable plants?
2026-11-21 10:00 - 12:00 | James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA, 22902, United States
We’ll dive into the latest integrated pest management (IPM) process to learn practical approaches to controlling pests while promoting ecological balance and sustainability. We will give attendees the opportunity to practice pest management steps they can use in their own gardens.
Space is limited. Please register below to reserve a place in the class. Registration closes at 5 p.m. November 20 or when the class is full.
Our Garden Basics sessions are presented in partnership with James Monroe’s Highland and the Bread & Roses program at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Photo by Carlos Macedonio on Unsplash
