World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet’s natural environment and resources – our water, air, sunlight, soil, minerals and fuels. Although these resources...
The Piedmont Master Gardeners Association provides science-based horticulture and gardening information to the community of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville.
Resources
Events
Programs
Help Combat Food Insecurity
Our program helps you put your garden’s extra bounty
to good use by sharing it with these local food banks and food pantries.
Upcoming PMG Events
Garden Basics: Attracting Birds to Your Garden
Using native plants, turn your yard into a songbird paradise. Planting a mixture of trees, shrubs and perennials can provide birds with year-round food, winter shelter and nesting areas. Water… Read More »Garden Basics: Attracting Birds to Your Garden
Free
Find out moreTrinity Episcopal Church,
1118 Preston Avenue
Charlottesville, VA United States
+ Google MapCharlottesville, VA United States
No-Till Gardening: An Easier Way to Grow
No-till gardening (also known as no-dig gardening) is built on four key principles: soil armor (keeping soil covered), minimizing disturbance, plant diversity, and maintaining living roots. By prioritizing soil biology… Read More »No-Till Gardening: An Easier Way to Grow
The Center at Belvedere,
540 Belvedere Boulevard
Charlottesville, VA United States
+ Google MapCharlottesville, VA United States
‘Turn Your Garbage to Gold,’ an Outdoor Workshop on Composting
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… Read More »‘Turn Your Garbage to Gold,’ an Outdoor Workshop on Composting
Free
Find out moreTrinity Episcopal Church,
1118 Preston Avenue
Charlottesville, VA United States
+ Google MapCharlottesville, VA United States
If you have a disability and desire assistance or accommodation to take part in any of these programs, please contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension office for Albemarle County and Charlottesville prior to registering for the event at 434-872-4580 during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). The TTD number is (800) 828-1120.
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While some photos are missing, article content is still available in past issues and posts.
A Lifetime of Learning
Enjoy our latest articles below
Timely Topics
Having a cup of joe? Thank a pollinator!
(Posted June 18, 2025) Did you have a cup of coffee this morning? A banana or blueberries with your cereal? Then thank a pollinator. This week—June 16-22—is National Pollinator Week, a time to celebrate all the essential gifts that pollinators bring to us, including a...
Compost: Turn Your Garbage into Gold
May 4 through 10 is International Compost Awareness Week, aimed worldwide to raise public awareness on why we all should compost our organics and use compost in our yards and gardens to create healthier soil. This year, the Piedmont Master Gardeners are doing their...
Ask a Master Gardener
Identifying, Preventing and Treating Termite Infestations
Question: Some of my neighbors in Central Virginia have reported termite damage on their properties. How can I tell if the insects I see are ants or termites? What measures can I take to prevent termite infestations? The Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes...
Controlling Groundhogs in the Garden
Question: Groundhogs have taken over my vegetable garden and eaten some crops almost entirely. How do I get rid of them and how do I prevent the problem from happening again? By Carolyn Huyghe, Piedmont Master Gardener Intern Gardeners work diligently to tend their...
Red Imported Fire Ants in Virginia
Question: Red imported fire ants (RIFA) have been reported in southeastern Virginia and some Virginia cities and counties have been placed under quarantine. Are these ants spreading to other areas in the State, including Albemarle County? What do we need to know about...
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Alert: Invasive Plants, Insects, and Diseases
Box tree moth caterpillar. Photo: Böhringer Friedrich, CC BY-SA 2.5
Box Tree Moth
The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is an invasive pest of boxwoods. Its caterpillars first attack leaves and can defoliate an entire plant within two weeks. After defoliating a plant, the caterpillars eat its bark. The resulting damage is usually fatal. Native to east Asia, the box tree moth was first detected in the United States in 2021. It arrived in Virginia in 2025. Learn more about this pest and how to prepare for it in this article.
Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a potentially serious pest of grapes, peaches, hops and a variety of other crops, is now widespread in the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area. It is no longer necessary to report sightings to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Also, the Virginia Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine is no longer in effect. Click this button to learn more about this pest and VCE’s management recommendations.
Red Imported Fire Ants
Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) entered Virginia in 1989 and were first reported in Albemarle County in November 2024. They swarm and attack aggressively when their colony is disturbed, posing a danger to humans and livestock. They also damage agricultural crops and can girdle young trees with their hills. For now, Charlottesville and Albemarle County remain outside the state’s recently expanded fire ant quarantine area. Click here to learn more about this invasive species and how to identify it.
