VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners

12/31/2022

Loudoun County Landfill

Loudoun Offers Christmas Tree Recycling at Several Locations

Loudoun County is offering five locations for residents to recycle their Christmas trees now through January 20, 2023. Only natural cut trees and wreaths will be accepted: no artificial trees or artificial wreaths. The trees will be converted into mulch, which is available free of charge to Loudoun County residents year-round at the Loudoun County landfill.

Residents who receive curbside recycling service may contact their homeowners association, town office or recycling service provider for Christmas tree collection schedules.

Whether dropping off at one of the county’s Christmas tree collection sites or at the curb, remember to remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, wire, stand and tree bag. If the tree is in a tree bag, remove and dispose of the bag with your regular trash. To recycle a natural wreath, remove and dispose of all wire, bows, twine, lights and ornaments before recycling the wreath. If removal of these items is not possible, then dispose of the tree or wreath with your regular garbage.

The Christmas Tree Recycling Program is a public service for Loudoun County residents only. Tree vendors operating in Loudoun County with leftover trees may recycle them at the Loudoun County landfill for $68 a ton. Netting, rope, wire, tags and other items must be removed and disposed of prior to recycling. Visit loudoun.gov/landfill or call 703-771-5500 for more information.

For residents, Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling free of charge at the following locations through January 20, 2023:

Leesburg: Loudoun County Landfill Recycling Center, 21101 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, 20175, Open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lovettsville: Game Protective Association, 16 South Berlin Pike, Lovettsville, 20180, Open daily
Purcellville: Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville, 20132, Open daily, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
South Riding: Town Hall, rear parking lot next to tennis court, 43055 Center Street, South Riding, 20152, Open daily
Sterling: Claude Moore Park, 46150 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 20164 (Use Loudoun Park Lane entrance, follow signs for ball fields.), Open daily, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More information about the Christmas Tree Recycling Program and other Loudoun County recycling programs is available at loudoun.gov/recycle.

Loudoun County Landfill

12/27/2022

A very informative lecture. You can help to stop the Spotted Lanternfly.

12/19/2022

Virginia Cooperative Extension agent offers care tips for holiday plants

Virginia Cooperative Extension agent offers care tips for holiday plants

Winter holiday plants such as poinsettia, holiday cacti, and amaryllis make wonderful additions to indoor spaces. Choosing healthy plants, watering appropriately, and keeping them at the right temperature can help extend bloom time so that you get the most out of these plants.

12/14/2022

Winter Salad Bowl

https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/280/Winter-Salad-Bowl/?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=mail&utm_campaign=nl_2022-12-10

You can have fresh salad greens from the garden all winter long, even in the North. Here's how.

12/08/2022

VCE Loudoun is proud to announce seventeen new Extension Master Gardener graduates and welcome them into the VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners! Congratulations! The graduates completed over 65 hours of instruction and 75 hours of their internship learning about best practices in horticulture. They join a county-wide volunteer organization with over 120 active members. We appreciate their service as they will educate the public on best management practices for environmentally sound and sustainable landscapes. Read more at: bit.ly/VCE221207

12/06/2022

Support LCMGA

Did you know that you can support the funding of VCE Loudoun Master Gardener programs as you shop this season through Amazon Smile? When purchasing from Amazon, go through the Amazon Smile site instead! It is very easy. A small percentage of your purchase is donated to the Association. Here is the link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1883791. Specify Loudoun County Master Gardeners as the recipient.

The mission of the Loudoun County Master Gardeners Association is to support the VCE Loudoun Master Gardener programs that educate the Loudoun County community on environmentally safe, effective, and sustainable landscape management practices.

Thank you.

11/30/2022

The Benefits of a Live Christmas Tree - Virginia Department of Forestry

In case you missed it last year.

By Cory Swift-Turner, VDOF Public Information Specialist — Every holiday season, thousands of Virginians carry on a family tradition by loading up in their car and driving to one of the state’s nearly 500 Christmas tree farms, to find the tree that will be the centerpiece of their Christmas deco...

11/29/2022

Timeline photos

Why you should leave the leaves in your yard:

🍂 They act as a natural mulch and fertilizer that suppresses w**ds and returns nutrients to your yard
🍂 They insulate and protect the roots of trees and plants from cold weather
🍂 They provide shelter to many wildlife species

If grass is a priority, you can still use leaves for these benefits; learn how: https://dof.virginia.gov/in-praise-of-fallen-leaves/

11/16/2022

The Demonstration Garden at Ida Lee Park is the proud recipient of the Signatures Of Loudoun 2022 Award. The garden won under the Legends Category- projects or places that have stood the “test of time” over 25 years or more – icons that make Loudoun County unique!
Congratulations to all the volunteers who contribute to the care of the garden and to the many visitors who come to learn or to enjoy the beauty of this spectacular public space. More information about the award can be found at https://www.loudoun.gov/signaturesofloudoun#:~:text=This%20program%20recognizes%20the%20buildings,and%20public%2C%20large%20and%20small

11/15/2022

Help Desk | Loudoun County Master Gardeners

Do you have a question about composting those leaves, garden clean up, digging or storing bulbs for the winter, bringing in plants that may not survive an extreme winter? The Help Desk is still open and available to answer your questions. Speak with someone live, in person, or via phone 703-771-5150 from 10am-noon November 21, 28 or 29. As always, you can contact the Help Desk on-line anytime by filling out a form located at https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/gardening-advice/help-desk/ and emailing [email protected]

The VCE Loudoun Master Gardener Volunteers are here to help you with your landscape questions. Is something eating your hostas? Does your tree look sick? When is the best time to fertilize your lawn? Are you interested in constructing a compost pile? Is a strange w**d overrunning your vegetable bed?...

11/08/2022

Interested in getting started with hydroponics? VCE Loudoun's Beth Sastre is teaming up with PennState Extension to offer Hydroponics Growers School 101. Learn about which vegetables are best suited for hydroponic growing, practical growing methods, useful equipment, and food safety. Sign up at bit.ly/3DfIHVt

11/02/2022

Preparing Your Garden for Winter

Master Gardener Carol Ivory shares best practices for winterizing your garden to set yourself up for success in the spring.

Sunday, November 6 • 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. •
Rust Library in Leesburg

11/02/2022

Are you wondering how to prepare your garden as winter approaches? Vegetable gardens and ornamental gardens each have different needs. VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners' Carol Ivory will share best practices for winterizing your garden and setting yourself up for success in the spring. Join her on Sunday, November 6, at Rust Library. Sign up for event reminders at: https://conta.cc/3Tr0gY6

11/02/2022

Interested in getting started with hydroponics? VCE Loudoun's Beth Sastre is teaming up with PennState Extension to offer Hydroponics Growers School 101. Learn about which vegetables are best suited for hydroponic growing, practical growing methods, useful equipment, and food safety. Sign up at bit.ly/3DfIHVt

10/20/2022

Fall and winter offer plenty of opportunities for birding! Virginia is in the East Coast flyway, which means we can observe many species as they travel thorough heading south for the winter. Lucky winter birders might even see a snowy owl* or a golden eagle who has migrated down from Canada to overwinter in Virginia.

Anywhere there is scrub brush where birds can eat and hide from a predator, you’ll see birds. Even Virginia's most urban locations have birds to enjoy!

A few recommendations for winter viewing are: cardinals, blue jays, dark-eyed juncos, American goldfinches, bellied sapsuckers, tufted titmice, white-throated sparrows, American robins, bald eagles, sharp-shinned hawks, and red-tailed hawks.

More on fall birding: https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2022/10/fall-birding-offers-unique-opportunities-to-appreciate-migrating.html

*Snowy owls aren't present this far south every year--only during irruptions when they leave their northern range. If you want to see a snowy owl, follow birding news so you know when they are coming and visit the eastern parts of the state where they migrate along the coast.

10/19/2022

Are you wondering how to prepare your garden as winter approaches? Vegetable gardens and ornamental gardens each have different needs. VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners' Carol Ivory will share best practices for winterizing your garden and setting yourself up for success in the spring. Join her on Sunday, November 6, at Rust Library. Sign up for event reminders at: https://conta.cc/3Tr0gY6

10/05/2022

Virginia tree alert 🍁 The Virginia Department of Forestry seedling shop is open. The Virginia Department of Forestry has been growing seedlings for Virginians for more than 100 years. The cultural practices they use in growing seedlings in seedbeds are based on more than 60 years of research and experience in quality production. These seedlings are specially sourced and selected for Virginia.

Note: These are bare root plants (they won't come repotted, just as a plant with roots which you will need to plant). Orders are accepted from October to mid-April. Seedlings will be shipped between the end of February and the end of April depending on weather conditions.

https://www.buyvatrees.com/shop/

09/27/2022

Don't miss our fall 2022 Trumpet Vine Newsletter!https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-Fall-Trumpet-Vine.pdf

Educational Signage in the demo garden – page 2
Gardening for Birds – page 3
Safety 101 for our Four- Legged Gardening Companions – page 8
Outsmart Those W**ds – page 12
What Are Those Bugs on My Crape Myrtle? – page 14
It’s Time to Plant Native Perennial Seeds – page 16
Growing a Winter Salad Garden – page 19
Cold Frames: How to Extend the Growing Season – page 22
Spotted Lanternfly in Loudoun County – page 24
Floriography – page 30
Barred Owls – page 34

We hope you enjoy it.

09/21/2022

Become An Extension Master Gardener | Loudoun County Master Gardeners

Interested in becoming a VCE Loudoun Master Gardener? Reminder that our information meeting is Thursday 9/22/22 at 7pm via zoom for those interested in applying to the program for the class of 2023. Please register for the meeting by 4pm on Thursday 9/22, the mailbox will not be monitored after that time. You can find all the information at https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/become-a-master-gardener/
Applications will open on Friday September 23rd.

Thank you for your interest in the VCE Master Gardener Program. There will be a virtual Information Meeting on Thursday, September 22 at 7PM, for those interested in applying to the program for the class of 2023.

09/17/2022

Join us for our October Virtual Lecture!
The Right Tree for the Right Place: Selecting Ecologically Valuable Native Trees

Thursday, October 6, 2022
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Virtual Lecture
with Matt Bright
Conservation Manager at Earth Sangha

Choosing a tree is a long-term investment in a landscape, and one of the most ecologically significant choices one can make either in the home garden or in an ecological restoration project. Matt will discuss native tree species that are robust and ecologically important, how these species can support wildlife and recreate valuable habitat, and how to choose good quality trees for your property.

Matt Bright is the Conservation Manager at Earth Sangha where he has worked full-time on native plant conservation since 2011. At the Earth Sangha, Matt oversees the Wild Plant Nursery, the region’s largest effort to grow native plants exclusively from local genotypes. He works with park managers, gardeners, and hobbyists on choosing and selecting native plants. Matt also teaches for the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist program.

WebEx Event Details:

https://loudoun-gov.webex.com/loudoun-gov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e1e2001dbacea0bc6bfc87b43fe330745

Password: LCPL

09/13/2022

VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners welcome you to celebrate Native Tree Week, and we hope to see you at our Educational Tree Walks. Certified Master Gardener Tree Stewards are hosting guided tours on Tuesday, September 27 at 12:00pm and Thursday, September 29 at 5:30pm. Meet them at the Demonstration Garden at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg! Check out the Master Gardener’s Event Calendar for more information: loudouncountymastergardeners.org

09/12/2022

If you want MORE wildflowers and grasses, leave the dried stems and seedheads! The birds will feast on them and redistribute the seed, sowing spring's bounty! Grow your garden for good. Plant for the pollinators.

09/08/2022

These spooky-looking webs are created by fall webworms--a funny looking, but usually not problematic, forest pest!

Native to North America, the fall webworm occurs throughout the United States and southern Canada. Its hosts include more than 100 species of deciduous forest, shade, and fruit trees, with preferences varying from region to region.

Newly emerged larvae immediately begin to spin a silken web over foliage on the terminal portions of the branches. The larvae feed on the leaves within the webbing. As the larvae grow, webs enlarge and enclose more foliage. Large portions of tree branches are commonly enclosed by such webs and are most apparent from mid- to late-summer.

Young larvae feed on the upper surfaces of the leaves while older larvae eat entire leaves except for the midrib and large veins. The insect is considered an ornamental pest due to the unsightliness of the webs, but it is usually not an important forest pest.

Pupation occurs in thin cocoons usually spun in dead plant material on the ground or just beneath the surface of the soil below the host plant. The adult moth has a wingspan of about 1-1.2 inches and is snowy white, usually with dark spots on the wings but sometimes pure white.

Learn more about fall webworms: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/2808/2808-1013/2808-1013.html

Image citation: "1274063" Ronald F. Billings, Texas A&M Forest Service , Bugwood.org; "1370054" Milan Zubrik, Forest Research Institute - Slovakia, Bugwood.org; "1635174" John .A. Davidson, Univ. Md, College Pk, Bugwood.org

08/31/2022

We are so proud of our Demonstration Garden and the 30 years of its existence. VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners broke ground on it in 1992 with a small 40' x 40' plot for growing organic vegetables. Today it is 1/3-acre supporting produce and ornamental gardens to teach food production and sustainable gardening.

We were honored yesterday to receive a Resolution of recognition from Board of Supervisor's Chair Randall and Supervisor Umstattd for the 30 years of dedication and efforts to educate Loudoun residents. Congratulations!

08/26/2022

Stop The Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly

Check out this new video Stop The Spread of the Spotted Lanternfly!
The invasive and destructive spotted lanternfly has been found in Loudoun County, signaling a new stage in efforts to limit the damage the insect can cause to agricultural crops and home gardens. Learn about the spotted lanternfly, how to recognize the insect, and what to do if you encounter one.

The invasive and destructive spotted lanternfly has been found in Loudoun County, signaling a new stage in efforts to limit the damage the insect can cause t...

08/25/2022

Loudoun County, VA

Loudoun County, VA

Carex - The Plant Your Garden is Missing!

08/22/2022

We're a little over 6 weeks out from the estimated first frost dates for Virginians in the coolest parts of the state!

60 days still still plenty of time to plant quick-maturing and frost tolerant veggies, such as beets, broccoli, cilantro, kale, mustard greens, and radishes!

For more info on what to plant: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-331/426-331.html

Image text: first frost dates
Zone 6a
First Fall Frost
10/5 - 10/15

Zone 6b
First Fall Frost
10/5 - 10/15

Zone 7a
First Fall Frost
10/15-10/25

Zone 7b
First Fall Frost
10/25 - 11/5

Zone 8a
First Fall Frost
11/5 - 11/25

08/16/2022

Join us for our monthly FREE virtual lecture series! Presented by VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners in partnership with Loudoun County Public Libraries. Here's what is coming on SEPTEMBER 1st!

Carex - The Plant your Garden is Missing!
Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm
with Wendy Brister

The elusive Carex. Everyone talks about their "wonders", but there are SO MANY! Where to begin? Wendy will talk about some of the native Carex species available in the trade, their cultural needs, and how they can integrate into your current landscape.

Wendy Brister is the marketing director for Cavano’s Perennials Inc. in Kingsville, Maryland. She holds a B.S. in landscape architecture from Temple University and has worked in the green industry for over 25 years. As the former conference coordinator for the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference (Millersville, Pennsylvania), Wendy has an appreciation for native plants and gardening to support pollinator biodiversity.

WebEx Event Details
https://loudoun-gov.webex.com/loudoun-gov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e6e9651e8a37f69a6ae0c7434e65dbdf9
Password: LCPL

08/07/2022

Thinking about garden planning for next year? Think like a pollinator with these tips from the US Forest Service:

- Go Native. Pollinators are “best” adapted to local, native plants, which often need less water than ornamentals
- Bee Bountiful. Plant big patches of each plant species (better foraging efficiency.)
- Bee Sunny. Provide areas with sunny, bare soil that’s dry and well-drained, preferably with south-facing slopes.
- Bee Showy. Flowers should bloom in your garden throughout the growing season. Plant willow, currant, and Oregon grape for spring and aster, rabbit
brush and goldenrod for fall flowers.
- Bee Patient. It takes time for native plants to grow and for pollinators to find
your garden, especially if you live far from wild lands.

More info including some plant suggestions:https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/AttractingPollinatorsV5.pdf

08/05/2022

Spotlight on our Master Gardeners! Great project to increase tree canopy!

Master Gardener project spotlight: The Turf to Trees project in Loudoun helps populate turf space with native trees!

From VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners ➡️ VCE Loudoun MG Cynthia Falconer spearheaded a cost share grant project, Virginia Trees for Clean Water, awarded by the VA Dept. of Forestry last September for her Potomac Green HOA common area.

The objective was to convert sections of turf to mulched beds with native trees and ground cover, thereby reducing runoff and nutrients flowing into Russell Branch Creek, which runs through the property, and reducing in-stream sediment. The trees will also shade a 600-foot section of the community trail system and provide an object lesson in the benefits of trees to community members.

An HOA Town Hall was organized to promote the project. Loudoun EMGs Sally London and Mo Page hosted a VCE Loudoun County Master Gardener information table and Becky Hutchings hosted a Spotted Lanternfly table, and a Plant Nova Natives table rounded out the preprogram speakers Jim McGlone, VDOF, and Doug Tallamy, noted author, entomologist and conservationist.

Potomac Green HOA removed 1,400 square feet of turf on April 19th and replaced it with a total of 22 native tree species: white oak, swamp white oak, scarlet oak, yellow poplar, and black cherry. Educational information is housed in realtor boxes at either end of the trail with two-sided fact sheets created by Loudoun EMG Sharon Perryman.

If you're in Loudoun and would like to become an Extension Master Gardener or get advice on your gardening challenges, check out the Loudoun EMGs: https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/

08/04/2022

The spotted lanternfly has been found in County. You can help slow the spread of this invasive, destructive insect. Find out how: https://bit.ly/3bpUMMW

07/29/2022

It's still not too late to plant vegetables! Here's what you can plant in late July across Virginia.

ℹ️ Find more detailed information in our full planting guide and calendar here ⤵️
www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-331/426-331.html

07/21/2022

Catch a Glimpse of Caterpillars During National Moth Week

Catch a Glimpse of Caterpillars During National Moth Week

As National Moth Week nears, learn more about the larvae of Lepidoptera and their fascinating forms, habitats, and behaviors.

07/14/2022

Disease spotlight! Anthracnose on snap beans

Anthracnose is a major disease of the common snap
bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and can occur on other legumes. It is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. When environmental conditions are favorable, crop losses can be as high as 100 percent on susceptible cultivars of snap beans.

The anthracnose fungus can be seed-borne, but the
fungal inoculum can also survive in infested crop
debris. Air currents, water, contaminated garden tools
or insects can spread the fungus, as can people or
animals moving through the garden. The fungal spores can germinate and begin the infection process in as little as 6 hours when environmental conditions are favorable. Sporulation and infection can occur at temperatures from 55° to 79°F, but cool temperatures (approximately 63°F) are most conducive to severe outbreaks. Moist conditions favor sporulation and infection. Periods of wet weather, combined with wind that carries spores to new infection sites, can result in serious outbreaks of this disease.

Control:
Cultural- Remove or bury any plant debris to avoid harboring fungal inoculum that can cause future infections. Plant disease-free seed and do not save seed from legumes diagnosed with anthracnose. Rotate areas of the garden where anthracnose has been identified to crops other than legumes, such as corn or solanaceous crops, for two years. Avoid working in the garden when foliage is wet to prevent transport of fungal inoculum to new areas. Also, do not apply overhead irrigation which will wet and liberate fungal spore masses on foliage. Dry conditions inhibit infection and sporulation by the anthracnose fungus, so ensure adequate plant spacing which promotes foliar drying. W**d control will help promote proper air circulation and decrease moisture in the foliar canopy. Do not plant seeds before the recommended planting dates, because cool conditions favor development of this disease.

Resistance- Anthracnose-resistant bean cultivars are available. However, there are a number of races of the anthracnose pathogen and no single cultivar possesses reliable resistance to all races of the pathogen. Therefore, in cases where anthracnose has been identified, gardeners will have to test resistant cultivars to see which one(s) may prove resistant to the race(s) present in their gardens. ‘Opera’ and ‘Florence’ are two snap-bean cultivars with resistance to anthracnose.

Chemical- No fungicides are currently labeled for use by homeowners to control anthracnose on snap beans.

Pictured: Black/brown patchy pots cover green beans (Photo by E. Bush)

07/11/2022

We still have spots available! Come join LHR and Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun Master Food Volunteers in a four-part cooking series at Sterling Community Center that'll teach basic cooking skills you can use every day for delicious meals. Bonus: you get to taste the food you make in the class too! 😄

This is for adults 18 and older and will be on Mondays July 18th - August 8th. Call our office at 703-777-5911 to sign-up or if you have additional questions!

07/10/2022

UPDATE -- We apologize for the short notice, but the Loudoun County EMG in-person help desk hours are canceled for Monday 7/11. Please wait until Monday 7/18 10am-12pm to drop off any requested samples. Loudoun residents with gardening and plant questions can send those questions and photos at any time to the help desk at [email protected] and EMGs will respond over email.

07/06/2022

It's July! This is a transitional month in the vegetable garden--in warmer parts of the state you can keep planting summer veggies throughout July, but in cooler parts in Virginia, the first few weeks of July are your final opportunity to get summer veggies in the ground.

Towards the end of the month, you can also start to plant your fall veggie garden with cool-weather crops. For this reason, we'll be publishing TWO July planting graphics: this one for the first few weeks of July and one for the second half of the month.

🍅 View the full planting calendar: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-331/426-331.html

EARLY JULY Chart Text
* = transplant

ZONE 6A
Beans, lima
Beans, bush
Brussels Sprouts
Carrots
Cucumbers
Okra
Southern Pea
Squash, Summer
Sweet Corn

Cauliflower*
Eggplant*
peppers*
Tomatoes*

ZONE 6B
Beans, lima
Beans, bush
Carrots
Cucumbers
Okra
Southern Pea
Squash, Summer
Sweet Corn

Eggplant*
peppers*
Tomatoes*

ZONE 7A
Beans, bush
Beans, pole
Beans, lima
Cucumbers
Okra
Southern pea
Squash, summer
Squash, winter
Sweet corn
Sweet potato
Watermelon

Eggplant*
Peppers*
Tomatoes*

ZONE 7B
Beans, bush
Beans, pole
Beans, lima
Cucumbers
Muskmelons
Okra
Southern pea
Squash, summer
Squash, winter
Sweet corn
Sweet potato
Watermelon

Eggplant*
Peppers*
Pumpkins*
Tomatoes*

ZONE 8A
Beans, bush
Beans, pole
Beans, lima
Cucumbers
Muskmelons
Okra
Southern pea
Squash, summer
Squash, winter
Sweet corn
Sweet potato
Watermelon
Eggplant*
Peppers*
Pumpkins*
Tomatoes*