The Fred Heutte Center Bulletin Board

Fall 2018

Extending the Growing Season

Cooler temps are on the horizon, but that doesn't mean the gardening season has to end. Cold frames can provide needed warmth to keep plants growing and protect seeds and seedlings during colder weather. They are relatively simple to construct and don't require electricity. With a few alterations, a cold frame can be converted to a hot bed, providing additional heat during the coldest months.

Small, temporary structures can also be used to protect vegetables and ornamental plants. These are particularly useful when an early cold snap happens and plants just need a night or two of coverage until temperatures warm up. These structures can be used in fall, winter, and spring to get the most out of the growing season. For more on these structures and how to build them, click here.

In other news, this newsletter is changing to a quarterly schedule. You can expect to receive one digital newsletter per season with tips and advice pertaining to that season.

Happy Gardening!

Have gardening questions? Help is available year round through the Master Gardener Help Desk by calling 757-385-8156 or email your question to vbmghelp@vbgov.com.

Community Survey

As you are aware the Master Gardener Volunteer Program is an outreach program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. The volunteers are able to deliver programming to the community based on the needs of the community. In order to gauge these needs, we periodically survey the community and we would love your input!

Virginia Cooperative Extension is in the process of completing a statewide Situation Analysis for each city and county. We developed a survey to identify the needs and issues of the Virginia Beach community. Please take 10 minutes to share your opinions. The results of this survey will help in shaping Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) programs in Virginia Beach.

Take the Survey

Fall in the Garden

PRUNE

Abelia

Arborvitae

Beautyberry

Boxwood

Cotoneaster

Gardenia

Juniper

Osmanthus

Red Twig Dogwood

Rose of Sharon

Smoke Tree

Sumac

Yew

12-month Pruning Calendar

PLANT

Cool season veggies - transplants

Trees

Shrubs

Perennials

Spring blooming bulbs

Water new plants frequently until established
Replenish mulch to help protect plant roots from cold
Remove vegetable debris from garden to help prevent disease next year
Gather seeds for sowing in spring

Upcoming Events

Oct 8 - Herbs: Preserving the Harvest

Cyndi Wyskiewicz, VCE Extension Agent - Horticulture, Portsmouth

Learn how to harvest, dry, and store your herbs.

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 7-8pm. Free & open to the public.

Oct 13 - Rain Barrel Workshop

All rain barrel workshops are held at the Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market, 3640 Dam Neck Rd., 9 - 10am. Cost: $50 per barrel. Pre-registration required at www.vbmg.org

Oct 22 - Gardening Talk - A Conversation About Insect Pests & Your Home

Jack Horsley, Technical Specialist, Terminix

Insect pests may have a significant impact on health or property value, which drives a need to control them. Some may look fearsome, but could be tolerated with little consequence. Here we will survey some common insects found in Hampton Roads & discuss which category they might fall into.

Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 7-8pm. Free & open to the public.

Oct 27 - Workshop - Bird Bark Butter Log

Attract many beautiful and colorful birds to your backyard with a bark butter log feeder. Build a bark butter log & whip up a batch of bark butter.

9:00 - 10:30am; HRAREC

Free, but pre-registration is required.

Rethinking the Modern Garden