Speaker's Bureau
The following is a current list of topics available through the Virginia Beach Master Gardener Speakers' Bureau.
To request one of these programs, please complete this form. These programs are designed for adult audiences. For youth and children's programs, please visit our Youth Programs page.
To request one of these programs, please complete this form. These programs are designed for adult audiences. For youth and children's programs, please visit our Youth Programs page.
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AREC Garden Tours (Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Extension Center at 1444 Diamond Springs Road). Speakers will be a Master Gardener Water Steward. This walking tour is conducted at the Agricultural Research Extension Center only.
Backyard Composting Let’s talk trash! Get answers to your questions about composting – even the ones you’re afraid to ask. This talk covers the basics of establishing a backyard compost, various methods of composting, and how to maintain it. Vermiculture (worm composting) is an optional topic that can be requested with this presentation. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Eileen Walsh Color in Your Autumn Landscape Explore plants that offer great fall color in your garden. Annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees are discussed for their flower and foliage colors. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Betty Villers Concrete Leaf Casting Learn how to make a concrete leaf casting for use as a bird bath, feeder, or decorative garden art. This presentation can be either a demonstration or a hands-on workshop. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: No Time: 45 minutes Speaker: Eileen Walsh Container Gardening Learn the important elements of putting together your own container garden: how to plant, choosing the right container, picking and arranging the plants, and taking care of the container throughout the season and beyond. Focus can be on flowers in the container and/or containers including vegetables. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Mary Hubbard Crape Myrtles This presentation provides an in-depth look at one of Virginia Beach’s favorite plants. Learn about the different varieties and sizes of crape myrtles and how to choose the right one for your landscape, as well as general care guidelines and correct pruning practices. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Betty Villers Destination Trees: Trees to visit on your next road trip A look at trees to incorporate into your various travels throughout continental United States. Trees may be champions, weird in some way, or display a unique characteristic. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Sherry Kern |
Herbs Then and Now
Learn about herbs used in Colonial times to Victorian times, to counter-act the odors in the street and during a time when people bathed infrequently. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: No Time: 30 minutes Speaker: Paula McCann Jumpstart Your Garden with Seeds Find out how to extend your garden season by starting seeds indoors. This PowerPoint-based talk covers indoor seed sowing, seedling care, and transplanting. The presentation is appropriate for high school and adult ages. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 45 - 60 minutes Speaker: Deb Henry Miniature Gardens Learn about the fundamentals of creating a miniature garden. Presentation will include discussion of outdoor and/or indoor gardens, succulent container gardens, terrariums and aeriums. Discussion will include choosing the right container, soil, choosing plants, how to plant in different containers, choosing accessories, and taking care of your garden. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 45 minutes Speaker: Mary Hubbard Our Natives Are Under Attack Learn about both old and new diseases and insect pests that threaten our valuable native trees and shrubs. This talk discusses these pests and how to protect the trees and what to expect in the future. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 45 minutes Speaker: Sherry Kern Pruning Your Shrubs and Trees Learn the basics of pruning the shrubs and trees in your landscape. This talk includes information on tools, when to prune, how to make correct pruning cuts, and the many reasons for pruning. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes + some show-&-tell examples Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Sherry Kern Right Tree, Right Place Selecting the right tree or shrub for your landscape can minimize future maintenance problems. This talk will discuss factors to consider when choosing woody perennials for your yard or garden, including mature size, pruning, and soil and light requirements. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 45 or 60 minutes Speaker: Sherry Kern The Things We Do to Our Trees (And Still Expect Them to Live!) Learn which common practices can actually be harmful to your trees. This talk discusses the wrong (and right) way to care for trees in the landscape. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 45 minutes Speaker: Sherry Kern Virginia Beach Master Gardener Volunteers This talk provides an overview of the Virginia Beach Master Gardener volunteer program and the goals of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. It includes information about Master Gardener projects throughout the city of Virginia Beach, as well as how to become a Master Gardener. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 30 or 45 minutes Speaker: Betty Villers Water Quality: You and Your Garden Can Make a Difference This presentation guides the homeowner through simple steps that can be taken in the yard to positively affect water quality. Hampton Roads has many waterways….and even more paths to those waterways. Everyone benefits from clean water...the oysters and you. Handouts Available: Yes Power Point: Yes Time: 25 minutes Speaker: Mary Ann Kincaid |
