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; Allison’s Ace
Hardware in Lottsburg, VA; Stratford Fall Festival near Montross, VA; and
the Earth Store in Kilmarnock, 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
During the school year, NNMGs present science
programs to third grade students at both Lancaster and Northumberland
Elementary School. The programs focus on soils and shoreline ecology. 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 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.
The NNMGs also conduct this program for third graders at the Lancaster
Primary School.
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.
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 horticultural activities for the residents
of The Orchard, an assisted living and nursing home facility, in Warsaw, VA
on the third Friday of each month.
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 or teaching children and adults how to grow
food locally. The current teaching gardens managed by the NNMGs
in cooperation with hosting organizations are:
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A Shoreline Garden at the
Reedville Fisherman's Museum in Northumberland County, which
demonstrates the effective uses of native shoreline plants to protect
water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
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A Colonial Kitchen Garden managed
by the NNMGs in cooperation with the National Park Service at the George
Washington Birthplace Memorial National Park in Westmoreland County,
which educates the public on herbs and other plants in a historical
kitchen garden.
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A Typical Residential Entrance
Demonstration Garden at the Northumberland County Extension Office in
Heathsville, VA, which includes rain water harvesting for use in
the garden.
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A Community Garden located at the
Northern Neck Farm Museum in Northumberland County, which is a garden
designed to help children and adults learn about and participate in
growing food locally.
Rain Barrel Workshops
In 2008 and
2009, NNMGs held workshops for the general public on how
to construct a rain barrel. Reusing fifty-gallon barrels supplied by
pickle and other manufacturers, participants are guided through steps that
lead to the transformation of a basic container into a functional and
affordable rain barrel, complete with spigot, screened lid and overflow
pipe. Rain barrels not only provide a source of clean, sodium-free
water for the garden, but also help eliminate run-off problems that may
occur after rainfall. NNMGs plan to hold additional workshops in 2010.
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 updated and expanded this publication in 2007. The
updated version can be purchased for $10.
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 March, 2009 NNMGs sponsored a seminar entitled “Grow
Local, Buy Local, Eat Local: Food for Thought”. This seminar provided
information on how to prepare a garden site; grow
vegetables organically; preserve produce; and incorporate fruits, nuts and other edibles into
the total landscape. It also provided information on local
producers.
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.
Seasonal Lectures
NNMGs sponsor one or more seasonal lectures given by certified
experts on various horticultural and environmental subjects. In
August, 2009, they sponsored "Beautiful Lawn, Healthy Bay". This
seminar provided information on how to establish and maintain a lawn.
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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