Welcome to
Suffolk Extension Master Gardeners
We Exist to Serve You
The Suffolk Extension Master Gardeners (Suffolk EMGs) are proud residents of the City of Suffolk, VA who volunteer their time and expertise, to provide FREE horticultural resources for the residents of the City of Suffolk. Resources concerning tree care, native plants, flower gardening, vegetable gardening, pest and disease identification and management are just a few of the topics we can assist you with! We also maintain gardens all over the City of Suffolk where we conduct educational programs, guided tours, and other events.
Ask a Master Gardener
Getting help is easy! Suffolk EMGs can be found at our office, on Facebook, by phone, email, and at various Suffolk farmers markets. Take advantage of our Ask a Master Gardener program, where you can contact us from the comfort of your own home! To submit a question, email us at SuffolkMG@gmail.com or call us at 757-514-4335. When emailing, attach pictures of the plant, pest, or problem and provide a detailed description. This will allow us to serve you. A Suffolk EMG volunteer will respond in a timely manner. Beginning in 2024, volunteers will be providing monthly office hours. Stop by our Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) classroom and obtain research-based assistance with your gardening questions and concerns.
Spotted Lanterfly Information
Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly Identification
and Reporting in Virginia
Save the Dates
Earths & Arts Festival and EMG Plant Sale
April 20, 2024
National Pollinator Week
June 17-23, 2024
Suffolk Master Gardeners
Do you make any type of compost for your garden? 🪱
Want to know more about what compost is and the benefits it has for your garden? Check out this guide. 👇
www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/452/452-231/452-231.html ... See MoreSee Less
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“Why Common Violets?” Yep, we sold Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia) at our plant sale, we give them away at events, and we grow them in our gardens. Why? Well, a few reasons are:
1. They bloom early, late, and often.
2. They’re native to the City of Suffolk.
3. They’re a nectar source for bees and butterflies.
4. They’re the host plant for Fritillary Butterflies. (In this area, that’s mostly variegated fritillary, and just to our west it’s the great spangled.)
5. They’re beautiful!
This low-growing native plant is a wonderful choice as a ground cover in lieu of or over mulch. They are aggressive spreaders, by both seed and rhizome, but are easy to pull or divide and transplant. Learn more at plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/viola-sororia/. ... See MoreSee Less
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My first spring here, I was jealous of everyone's violets when I went on walks. The next spring, several of them popped up in my yard. I was thrilled! This year I have an abundance. I need to learn how to divide them so they don't take over. I look forward to seeing some caterpillars on them!
I have them also
Happy Earth Day! 🌎
Here is a list of some of the ways you can provide food and habitats for butterflies and birds in your own backyard!
Is there anything on the list you can focus on? ... See MoreSee Less
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Did you know that Virginia has over 400 different native bee species?
Yup, that is right!
Sadly more than half of North Americas native bee species are in decline.
So let's learn what we can do to help them!
Some info on protecting pollinators and their decline: www.dcr.virginia.gov/insights/protecting-the-pollinator-population?fbclid=IwAR2xGNjqw5oydDNLDHn8u...
A list with some of our beautiful native bees: collection.ento.vt.edu/2018/09/05/a-checklist-of-bee-species-in-the-virginia-tech-insect-collecti... ... See MoreSee Less
Protecting the Pollinator Population
www.dcr.virginia.gov
The Rusty-patched bumble bee was listed as a federally endangered species in 2017. DCR Natural Heritage staff documented the species in Rockingham and Augusta counties in 2019. You’ve probably heard...0 CommentsComment on Facebook