NNMG Projects
Master Gardener Help Desk
NNMGs answer gardening questions via phone, e-mail and in
person at local extension offices from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM one day a week. In particular, they help diagnose plant, insect
and disease problems and provide information/advice on a wide range of
horticultural issues. From April through October, NNMGs are in the Westmoreland
Extension Office on Wednesday morning and in Lancaster on Thursday
morning. They are in the Northumberland Extension Office on Tuesday
morning throughout the year.
Plant Clinics
NNMGs hold plant clinics in various public places to help
people with gardening problems, e.g. insect, disease and plant
identifications. Currently plant clinics are held on Saturday mornings at
the Irvington and Heathsville Farmer’s Markets from April through September.
They are also held annually at Murphy’s Seed in Hague, VA and Allison’s Ace
Hardware in Lottsburg, VA.
In addition, NNMGs hold a pruning clinic late winter/early
spring to teach community residents how to prune trees and shrubs correctly.
Children’s Education
SUMS
SUMS (Students
Using Math and Science) is an after school program for 3rd graders at
Lancaster Elementary School. NNMGs meet with the children to study
horticulture for one hour on Wednesday afternoons from October through
May.
Outdoor activities include planting and tending 8 beds and a berm in a
garden next to the school and indoor activities include hands-on lessons
such as planting, observing and recording seed development, deciphering
seed catalogs and planning gardens, and studying local farm crops.
With contributions from several local businesses, NNMGs have
created a teaching garden called “A Backyard Classroom (ABC) Garden”
next to primary school. This garden has herb and vegetable beds,
perennial beds, fruit trees and a grape arbor. Teachers and students in all classes at the
primary school use this garden for educational activities.
3RD Grade Science Program
Three times during the school year, NNMGs present science
programs to third grade students at both Lancaster and Northumberland
Elementary School. The programs focus on soils, shoreline ecology and
plant life cycles. For example, for the shoreline ecology program,
children visit a series of stations that demonstrate shoreline organisms
and their needs; erosion and other shoreline problems, their prevention
and solutions; and the effect of pollution and runoff on watersheds.
Ready, Set, Grow Program
In cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay Garden Club, NNMGs
teach first and second graders at Northumberland and Lancaster Elementary Schools about
horticulture using hands-on demonstrations. For example, the children
plant flowers in milk cartons to be planted at school or taken home.
Earth/Arbor Day
As part of the annual Earth Day/Arbor Day celebrations in
both Lancaster and Northumberland Elementary Schools, NNMGs conduct an
educational activity, have a tree planting ceremony, and give every
child and teacher a tree sapling to take home and plant.
4-H Programs
For three days in June, NNMGs conduct two one-hour classes on
a horticultural topic for children attending 4-H Camp in Jamestown.
Summer Youth Programs
NNMGs conduct educational programs for children at libraries
and churches during summer vacation months. Programs have included the
“Groundwater Festival”, “Fun with Seeds”, “Fun with Herbs” and “Making
Terrariums”.
Horticultural Therapy
NNMGs conduct a one-hour horticultural activity for residents
at the Assisted Living Facility at Westminster/Canterbury retirement
community on the first and third Wednesday of each month. NNMGs have worked
with residents to plant and care for patio and raised bed gardens that
include both flowers and vegetables. Indoor activities include using plant
materials in decorations and crafts and establishing a terrarium.
Teaching Gardens
NNMGs have created several teaching gardens for specific
educational purposes, e.g. demonstrating how to landscape along the water’s
edge, showcasing native plants. Current teaching gardens are located at:
Reedville Fisherman’s Museum in Northumberland, George Washington Birthplace
in Westmoreland, and the
Northumberland County’s Extension Office.
Gardening in the Northern Neck Publication
In 2001, NNMGs wrote and published a publication called
Gardening in the Northern Neck as a resource for people who are just
starting to garden or who need help with gardening when they first move to
this area. NNMGs are currently updating and expanding this publication. The
updated version will be available in 2008.
Gardening in the Northern Neck Seminar
Each year NNMGs offer one or more seminars on subjects
related directly to gardening in this area. Subject matter and format change
from year to year. The seminars are taught by local NNMGs and other experts
on horticultural issues. In 2006 NNMGs sponsored two seminars: “Tough Plants for
Tough Places” and "Turf and Surf". The first seminar provided information on plants that will survive drought,
heat, humidity, wind, salt spray and other conditions that homeowners may
encounter in the Northern Neck. The second seminar provided
information on how to establish and maintain a lawn.
Speakers Forum
NNMGs receive requests from organizations for talks on
horticulture. MGs volunteer to present programs on topics in which they are
interested and knowledgeable. When NNMGs do no have the expertise or time to
give a requested presentation, they may recruit other knowledgeable members
of the community to give presentations.
Winter Lecture Series
NNMGs sponsor one or more winter lectures given by certified
experts on various horticultural and environmental subjects.
Just Gardens Tour
Just Gardens Tour is an annual event to showcase gardens of
interest in this area and raise money for the Haven Shelter. NNMGs
participate as chief hostesses and guides to help the public get as much
horticultural information as possible out of their garden visit.
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Northern Neck Master Gardeners