Gardening Talks and Workshops
Gardening Talks
The Gardening Talks and Workshops committee of the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners plans and hosts a series of lectures for the public each year. The one-hour lectures are currently being offered via Zoom. The lectures are not sequential, so you can attend all, or just your favorite topics. All talks are free and open to the public. No registration is required.
The Gardening Talks and Workshops committee of the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners plans and hosts a series of lectures for the public each year. The one-hour lectures are currently being offered via Zoom. The lectures are not sequential, so you can attend all, or just your favorite topics. All talks are free and open to the public. No registration is required.
2024 Gardening Talks Schedule
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January 22
Phenology: Tracking Seasonal Changes in Plants and Animals Speakers: Lisa Wallace, Associate Professor of Biology; and Robert Stiffler Distinguished Professor of Botany, Old Dominion University Climate change is shifting the natural world in many ways. You’ve perhaps experienced the tidal changes felt across Hampton Roads with rising sea levels, but did you know that plants and animals are changing their yearly growth patterns too? Scientists around the globe are eager to understand these responses of plants and animals to a warming climate and rely on a network of volunteers who regularly observe species at their homes and in local parks and botanical gardens. In this talk, I’ll explain what phenological research is, discuss some of the findings scientists have made recently, and show you how you can become an observer and help us learn more about the changes happening in Southeastern Virginia. March 11 Plant This, Not That Speaker: Stacie McGraw, VBMG Looking for reliable, easy to grow perennials and shrubs? Thinking about planting natives, but worried that your garden will look weedy? This talk will explore tried and true native alternatives to common landscape plants with a focus on natives that behave and perform well in a variety of growing conditions and garden styles. April 8 Epic Tomatoes from YOUR Garden Speaker: Craig LeHoullier, Author, Storey Publishing; Advisor for Tomatoes, Seed Savers Exchange This colorful, fast-paced, info-packed workshop takes participants deep into Craig’s world of tomatoes (based on 40 years of gardening), from planning and seed selection through seed saving. The first part of the talk focuses on stories, history and varieties, and the second on all cultural aspects of successfully growing tomatoes in the audience’s growing conditions. The objective is to help the audience members successfully navigate the diverse world of tomatoes so that they are happy with their tomato growing results. |
May 6
How to Grow Beautiful Roses Speaker: Robert Gormley, M.D., VBMG Growing beautiful roses isn’t as difficult as most people think. This program outlines the steps to successfully growing the queen of flowers and the official flower of the United States. We also cover some problems you may encounter and how to overcome them. September 9 Creating Winter Interest in the Garden Speaker: Heather Gargano, VBMG; Adjunct Professor, TCC Horticulture; Landscape Designer, Garden Girl Designz Winter gardens don’t have to be drab and lifeless – especially in Tidewater. Heather will present techniques and “out of the box” ideas for spicing up the landscape and creating a garden that entices you to venture out – even in the cold. November 4 Salt Tolerant Plants Speaker: Liz Maurer, VBMG Our proximity to the ocean means our landscape plants are subject to salt spray that can drift inland during high winds. Salt can accumulate on plant surfaces as well as in the soil. In some areas, brackish flood waters may contribute to challenges the plants face. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and possible ways to help your plants survive as well as suggestions for plants that can best withstand these conditions. |
