We are a volunteer group of Master Gardeners that support the Virginia Cooperative Extension in offering horticultural-related education and assistance to the people within the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford and the City of Fredericksburg.

Pardon our Growing Pains

We are in the process of designing a new website to bring you even more upcoming events and helpful information. Please come back and check on our progress!

Meanwhile, our volunteers do their best to keep the website current and up to date as possible.

MGACRA General Meeting

Beate Jensen, the Buildings and Grounds Preservation Supervisor at Gari Melchers Home and Studio will speak on the Belmont Woods and Gardens. They are becoming a work of natural art. Come learn about the continuing restoration of the historic gardens and the development of the woods and as a recreational and wildlife habitat

Wednesday, July 21^st at 7 pm

at the Central Regional Rappahannock Library

(1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401)

If you have any questions or need directions, contact Tina Will at 374-5233

Have you checked out the website for VCE- Stafford?

Be sure to visit the website for the d helpful information and advice.

Stafford Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension at http://offices.ext.vt.edu/stafford/

You can find information on upcoming events sponsored by the extension office, as well as details on Master Gardener Classes.

Butterfly Garden Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to help maintain the Belmont Butterfly Garden this summer.

Volunteers meet for Wednesday mornings at 9am and are usually done by 10am.

Please contact Rich Hicks at colrich@comcast.net if interested.

Plant Clinics

MGCARA has several plant clinics in the area as a great way to reach out to the community. You can earn volunteer hours, learn a lot, and have a ton of fun while doing it!

The Porter Library Plant Clinic (Stafford) takes place indoors on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 pm.

The Route 3 Farmer’s Market Plant Clinic (Spotsylvania in the commuter parking lot off Gordon Road) takes place in the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings from 9-12.

The Salem Church Library Plant Clinic (Spotsylvania) takes place indoors on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 pm.

The Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market Plant Clinic (at Hurkamp Park in Fredericksburg) takes place in the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings from 9-12.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Spotsylvania or Stafford plant clinics, contact Karen Ehrhard at tkaze@aol.com for days and details!

For the Fredericksburg plant clinic, contact Lin Leong through Gwen at gpote@vt.edu.

More Volunteer Opportunities!

Stafford VCE Office

Volunteers needed to help out at the office answering horticultural questions and performing other related jobs. To volunteer, contact Gwen at gpote@vt.edu.

Spotsylvania VCE Office

Come help at the Spotsy Extension office with the horticultural help-line! Spotsy@vt.edu or 540-507-7570.

Speakers Bureau

Guy gets a ton of requests to give talks each year, way more than he could ever schedule in! We are looking for Master Gardeners or MG Interns who are willing to speak to a group. You can pick your preferred topics and times -- we will contact you when an applicable request comes in, but YOU get to decide if you are available. Remember that educating the public is the purpose behind the Master Gardener program. Contact Gwen at gpote@vt.edu

Upcoming Education

Herb Classes by Ann Gorrell:

July 22 (Thursday) Dill-The Herb for 2010 is Dill! So after sampling dilly goodies and discussing its growing and harvesting habits, we will make an herbal bouquet featuring our Herb of the Year. Participants are asked to bring a colorful, empty tin can, with label still on and fresh herbs and flowers from their gardens. (If you don't have herbs, come any way, there will be plenty.)

August 26 (Thursday) Basils- The variety of basil is astounding! Participants are asked to bring different sprigs of basil from their gardens for show and tell! Then we will make herbal vinegars. Participants are asked to bring sprigs of different herbs to share and a clean (run through the dishwasher) bottle for their vinegar (no metal tops). Vinegar will be provided along with spices, garlic, hot peppers, lemon and some herbs.

September 23 (Thursday) Rosemary- Yes, I lost my big rosemary to last winter's fury. We'll talk about winter hardy varieties and horticultural needs. Then we will make harvest swag to bring in the autumn season. Participants are asked to bring any grasses, flowers or herbs that will dry well after assembled into the swag.

If you are interested in attending any or all, please contact Ann Gorrell, 540 972-7613 or anngorrell@cs.com

Benefits for Being MGACRA Members!

Members of the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) can get discounts at more fabulous local businesses. The Stone and Mulch Center in Stafford is also supporting the Master Gardener mission by offering discounts to MGACRA members.

Stone and Mulch Center is offering a contractor’s 10% percent on mulch and stone related products. It is located at 78 Shelton Shop Road just south of the Bloom shopping market off Garrisonville Road.

Manual Therapy Solutions (2300 Fall Hill Avenue, Suite 211, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) specializes in helping restore flexibility, balance, and ease of movement when chiropractic or massage isn’t helping. Carol Orrell, the owner and fellow Master Gardener, is offering MGACRA members a 15% discount. Visit Carol’s web site at www.manualtherapysolutions.com.

Riverby Books (805 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) offers a wide variety of gently used books, including gardening books. Owners Paul & Steve Cymrot will give MGACRA members a 20% discount.

Grounds Keepers of Old Towne Fredericksburg (11515 Old William Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) is located just on your left as you are going into downtown on William Street going East from Routes 3 and 1. They are offering 20% discount on all plants and garden items, save for the statuary, which is being offered at 10%.

Membership in MGACRA

Your membership dues help keep the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) going! We use the money to support many Master Gardener projects as well as paying for the expenses at the annual picnics and Gala ceremonies. The funds are also used to publish “The Latest Dirt” newsletter and for continuing education programs like getting speakers for our monthly general meetings.

Membership is currently open to all Master Gardeners and interns.

Please consider joining to help MGACRA continue to contribute to the community and support the MG programs. Dues are $20 a person.

You can bring your check made out to MGACRA to the General Meetings, to the Stafford Extension Office, or you can mail them care of MGACRA to PO Box 339 Stafford, VA 22555.

Volunteer Spot

Place, time, & contact info

Ferry Farm

Thursdays

9am-12pm

Gwen at gpote@vt.edu

Kenmore

Tuesdays

9am-12pm

Gwen at gpote@vt.edu

Belmont

Wednesdays

9am-12pm

Terry Drew

Gyrene05@aol.com

Mary Washington House

Thursdays

9am-12pm

Pat Lovett

PTLovett@aol.com

Chatham

Fridays

9am-12pm

Sara Broyles

sarajanice@verizon.net

Stafford Extension Office

Gwen Pote

gpote@vt.edu

Spotsy Extension Office

Spotsy@vt.edu

Spotsy Plant Clinic

Gordon Road

April through September

Saturday mornings

Karen Ehrhard

tkaze@aol.com

Salem Church Library Plant Clinic

February through Summer

Mondays 6-8:30pm

Karen Ehrhard

tkaze@aol.com

Porter Library Plant Clinic

May through August

Tuesdays

Karen Ehrhard

tkaze@aol.com

Fredericksburg Plant Clinic

Saturdays 9-12

Karen Ehrhard

tkaze@aol.com

PD 16 Master Gardener Message Board

Master Gardeners have their own message board to post messages and chat! Here area Master Gardeners can socialize and talk about gardening. Sign up! It is free, and is only open to Planning District 16 MGs (MACRA and Non-MACRA Members).

You can list upcoming projects, exchange information, plants, ideas, etc!

To sign up, go to:

MGACRA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Then, to post a message, go to:

MGACRA@yahoogroups.com

If you need to unsubscribe, go to:

MGACRA-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

List owner:

MGACRA-owner@yahoogroups.com

The moderator is Laurie Clarkston. Contact her at garadh@verizon.net or call 540-582-2699

Click Here for Hours Forms

Click Here for MGACRA Bylaws