MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION OF THE CENTRAL RAPPAHANNOCK AREA - (MGACRA) (FREDERICKSBURG & THE COUNTIES OF STAFFORD, SPOTSYLVANIA, KING GEORGE & CAROLINE)
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    • Home Landscape Course
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    • Gala Awards Dinner
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​MGACRA

Meetings & Activities

                   Meetings to be held Virtually!  

Stay tuned for more information.






​



February 2020
Speaker- Sherri Graham
​Topic- Trees We Need!

January 2020
Speaker- Guy Mussey
​Topic- Q&A about Gardening Issues

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New Officers elected

They will begin serving in January 2020. 

General Meeting - November 20, 2019
Lisa Ellis- How  Members 
Collect contact information and
Enter information on
​The Virginia Volunteer System



​General Meeting - September 2019

Speaker: John & Laura Westermeier
Topic: Landfill to Native Plant Demonstration Garden

General Meeting - June 2019
Speaker: Sherry Graham
Topic: Fairy Gardens

General Meeting - May 2019
Barbara Ellison
Topic: Up Close and Personal: The Botanical Portrait and It's Story

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General Meeting - March 2019
Adam Downing
​Pruning

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​
General Meeting- February 2019
Tracey Blevins-
California Plant Trials

​

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​General Meeting- January 2019
​Guy Mussey- Virginia Cooperative Agent


General Meeting- October 2018
Gwen Pote
Fruit Trees  


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Fourth Tuesday-
Container Gardening

June 26, 2018

Crows Nest- Old Growth Forest

General meeting-June 20, 2018
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Master Gardeners Join Fredericksburg's Earth Day Celebration

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Master Gardener General Membership Meeting

 April 18, 2018     
​Iris by ​Lois Rose

April's General MGACRA Meeting was filled with pictures and passionate insights about the planting and care of a tremendous number of varieties of Irises!   

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Join us for our Next Meeting!

May 16, 2018                7 PM
​Turf

Geoffrey Rinehart
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June 20, 2018              7 PM
​Crow's Nest: Old Growth Forest

Mike Lott
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July 18, 2018
​7 PM
Small Fruit

Tim Ohiwiler
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August 15, 2018
​7 PM
Using and Tasting Ethnic Vegetables

Wanda Johnson
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October 17, 2018
​7 PM
​Fruit Trees

Gwen Pote
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November 14, 2018
​7 PM
​Master Gardener College

Scholarship Recipients
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Past MGACRA Programs



October 18, 2017
​​Bartram Gardens

​                 ​​          Over 40 people enjoyed hearing about John Bartram at the Master Gardener General Meeting on October 18, 2017. ​
 
​       The speaker, Kevin P. Bartram, Ph.D., Master Gardener and Master Tree Steward, is a descendent of John Bartram, America’s Founding Father of Botany.  He spoke about the history of the family of America’s founding botanists and discoverer of the famed Franklinia tree and how his fascinating family influenced horticulture in the United States and Europe since before the American Revolution. 


           Dr. Bartram also spoke of Bartram Gardens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was  started by John Bartram as a living botanical museum and commercial nursery.  



Other Activities

Why include native plants in our gardens?

​John F Westermeier and Laura Jean Westermeier, both Master Gardeners, gave a number of compelling reasons, during a presentation at the Porter Branch of CRRL, Tuesday, September 26!

Plants native to our Rappahannock region, are uniquely suited for our climate and environment. They also contribute to a healthy watershed due to their intricate root systems that filter our waterways. Because they are suited to our area, they grow more easily and are more resistant to local pests and diseases. They provide year-round and food for wildlife. Native pollinators are attracted and flourish. As Mrs. Westermeier said, Native plants can provide the "ultimate right plant in the right place."

The presentation was also filled with information about history of desiring native plants, some current initiatives, and resources for finding native plants to fit any spot in your garden!
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​If you would like a free booklet on native plants of the central Rappahannock area contact Laura Westermeier at 
Laura.Westermeier@gmail.com for more information.


Making King George County
​even prettier!  

 

The MGACRA volunteers, along with help from the Little Zion Baptist Church, the staff of the KG Citizens' Center, and a generous donation from the James Madison Garden Club of the county, rejuvenated the KGCC's landscape.   It was absolutely beautiful day for this team to install plants following the design of Sherry Graham.

Flora of Virginia at The Porter Library


The Porter Library Branch, in Stafford, VA, initiated its new "Flora of Virginia" exhibit with a presentation on "Container Gardening" -- Wednesday, September 20, Grow vegetables and herbs into the fall with container gardening tips from Master Gardener, Waverly Brown.   Mrs. Brown included steps for the beginning gardener explore the advantages and joys of container gardening. Her advice and helpful handouts will lead participants to a successful venture!
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Fredericksburg Earth Day 2017


​Despite the rain and  chilly temperatures, this year's Earth Day Celebration  included 3 booths set up by Master Gardeners. The Tree Stewards had a great deal of information about caring for trees, the VA Extension booth had information and a game for young gardener proteges, and for those who braved the weather, the third had material and instructions for building an actual bird house! Fun and education rolled into one!
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"Growing Native Plants" -- Tuesday, September 26, 7:00–8:00. Master Gardeners Laura and John Westermeier talk about the many beautiful and different native plants found in Stafford and why it’s better to grow native.
 
"The Fungus Among Us: A Basic Course in Identifying Mushrooms" -- Saturday, October 7, 3:00–4:00. Some are to be avoided, some are yummy, and some boost the immune system. Learn to do spore prints, check out field guides, and see what’s growing here.  It’s FUN(gus)!

            Plant Clinics

Local gardeners can get publications,  advice, and lists of resources at a number of area plant clinics, including;
  • Celebrate Del Webb Plant Clinic
  • Falls Run Plant Clinic
  • Fredericksburg Farmer’s Market Plant Clinic
  • King George Farmer’s Market Plant Clinic 
  • Porter Library Plant Clinic
  • Salem Church Library Plant Clinic
  • Spotsylvania Farmer’s Market Plant Clinic
  • Stafford Farmers Market Plant Clinic
More information about the Plant clinics can be found in the "More" tab above, under projects.


MGACRA Meeting 4/19/2017
Local Growers of Cut Flowers


 George Snead, Dave Jenkins, ​Britton Barbee, and Tom Roberson, 
are local farmers who grow beautiful flower that can be purchased in our area.  It was fascinating to hear about the process and how their sustainable farming techniques contribute to the biodiversity of our Central Rappahannock Area.  

The video below shares some of the information about the local cut flower industry. 
“Local Flowers, Local Farmers: A Growing Movement,”
​youtube.com/watch?v=PEXs9UUgqqg

                         4th Tuesday                           

   Plants Map at Cossey Park                        Tracy Blevins                

An exciting resource for gardeners was introduced by Tracy Blevins at Salem Church Library on March 28, 2017. This tool plantsmap.com enables users to explore tagged plants at Cossey Park.  Users can also tag plants in their own gardens.  

To find out more, join an online demo-
         
Monday, April 3, 2017 at 4 PM.

 https://www.plantsmap.com/organizations/462/events/157

To participate visit  

Join.Me/Plantsmap
​
and follow the instructions on the screen.
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​Every Tuesday at 4 PM there is a demo at 


 https://info.plantsmap.com/help/live-demo-sessions/

​Join a session to learn about hundreds of plants and open a brand new aspect to your own garden!

https://info.plantsmap.com/help/live-demo-sessions/


2017 ​March Meeting


​MGACRA's March meeting was filled with organic farming insight and advice from Lawrence  Latané  of Blenheim Organic Gardens.  His presentation was illustrated by Becky Latané's photos of their organic farm. Some of the organic, sustainable farming practices encouraged were:  Including plants that support beneficial insects and wildlife and reduces harmful pests; Companion planting as a natural way to help plants grow better and increase yield; Cover crops that build soil, break up hard soil, provide organic matter, and reduce weeds; and planting native flowers borders that bring in pollinators. 

For more information visit their               website: Blenheimorganicgardens.org 
Home
About Us

Contact Us
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The Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline.  MGACRA is affiliated with Virginia Tech and Virginia State University through its sponsoring organization, the  Virginia Cooperative Extension, which has its administrative offices in the Rowser Building, 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, Va.
  • Home
  • Calendar
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Projects
    • Demonstration Garden
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Plant Clinics
    • Widewater SP- New Project
  • EVENTS
    • 2020 Symposium >
      • 2019 MGACRA Symposium
    • Seed Swap Event
    • Meetings & Activities
    • K G "Green Talks" >
      • Past KG Green Talks
    • Boxwood Workshops
    • More Events
    • 4th Tuesday >
      • Past Programs
    • Gardening Events in VA
  • Donations
    • Amazon Smile Contributions
    • Brent & Becky's Fund Raiser
  • About Us
    • Master Gardeners >
      • Become a Master Gardener
    • MGACRA in the News
    • Merchandise Sales
    • Board of Directors
    • MGACRA Documents
    • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
    • Winter 2019
    • Autumn 2018
    • Summer 2018
    • April 2018
    • February 2018
    • December 2017
    • October 2017
  • Courses Offered
    • Home Landscape Course
    • Tree Steward Course
    • Plant ID Course
    • Master Gardener Course
  • Current Master Gardeners
    • Garden Wonders
    • Master Gardener College
    • MGACRA Membership
    • Gala Awards Dinner
    • Annual Picnic
    • Year-end Gathering