Roanoke Master Gardeners Association

Sharing knowledge. Empowering communities.

People outdoors in garden area

Serving the Roanoke Valley since 1987

Extension Master Gardeners are volunteer educators who work within their communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices through sustainable landscape management, education, and training. As an educational outreach component of the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), the Roanoke Valley Chapter of Master Gardeners brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, to the Roanoke Valley, Botetourt County, and Craig County. 

What's New!

The Rain Barrel Workshops are back!


The workshops are now closed.  We will advertise next year when all the workshops will be scheduled.

We will be having two workshops for the month of September this year.  September 28th @ 6PM and September 30th @ 3PM.   Next year, they will be a regular occurrence as long as we have people signed up.

Learn how to build a rain barrel to harvest water from your roof.  Workshop will be held on September 28th at 6pm or September 30th at 3pm at the Penn Forest Christian Church 3028 Penn Forest Blvd, Cave Spring, VA 24018.  Please fill out the form below to register and bring $75 check or cash to the workshop for payment.  For questions please call 540.404.3408.  Program will be taught by Master Gardeners of the Roanoke Virginia Cooperative Extension.


The rain barrel is a 60 gallon size plus you will be adding approximately 12 inches to the outside of it.  Please ensure that you have a vehicle that can transport the rain barrel to its home.

Events and Activities

Always check out the Calendar page!  These are a couple of events that are already scheduled.  

Salem Farmers Market

July 15, 2023 

August 19, 2023

September 16, 2023

8am - 12:00pm

The Salem Farmers Market always has something for everyone.  Master Gardeners have monthly presentations on the hotest topic from our Help Desk.  The questions come in and we compile them to present to the public much needed information for your garden. 

3 East Main Street, Salem

Okra Festival

September 10, 2023

3pm-8pm

Held at Lick Run Farm 1626 10th St. NW, Roanoke.

Early Bird ticket by Sept. 9th: $5 +2.18 fee

Day of Festival: $10 + 2.51 fee

A celebration of Okra and other late summer fruits and vegetables including: food vendors, recipe demos, farm tours,, yard games, arts and crafts, open mic, live music and a bonfire after dark! 


In the Know...

Sometimes we get information that we just HAVE to share.  

They are usually short bits but to the point and usable information. 

We hope you enjoy these tidbits.

Pick Your Own Flowers at Branches and Blooms

It is brand new and part of Jamison Orchards Farm Market located at 5635 Grandin Road Extension.  Prices start at $15 for a small bouquet and $20 for pre-picked flowers.  They are open Tuesday and Wednesday 3-7pm, Friday 9-5pm, and Saturday from 9-3pm.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension Gardener Handbook Is Now Available for Download!

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Ready to upgrade your gardening knowledge? The Virginia Cooperative Extension Gardener Handbook is now available online! Read through 19 chapters of educational gardening content, from vegetable gardening and plant pathology to design, conservation, and wildlife habitats. If you like what you read and want to put theory into action, consider joining us as an Extension Master Gardener.  The Join Us page of our website has more information about joining our organization.


Find the Handbook here:  https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/112743

Our programs

4H & Youth Programs

Engaging with young people and fostering the next generation of gardeners.

Speakers Bureau

We provide our community with learning opportunities through our tailored programming. Complete a Program Reqest form or Contact us if you have questions.

Horticulture Therapy

Facilitating the opportunity for gardening as a means of physical, psychological and social well-being.

Community Gardens

Discover our demonstration garden beds at Mountain View Community Garden where we provide gardening consultations and educational opportunities to the public.  We also support LEAP with their various gardens and special activities like the Seed Swap at their new location.

Community Arboretum at VWCC

Supporting our community partner, the Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College, with events, groundskeeping, plant propagation, and tours.

Programs & Events

Throughout the year we offer public presentations and booths at various events including Farmers Markets, GoFest, Berglund Home Show, Earth Day, and more.  All of our events are posted on the Calendar.

Our local 4-H organization is sponsored through Virginia Tech and as Master Gardeners we support and encourage participation in this extremely worthy group for children from 5-19 years old.  All activities, classes, and workshops (except the annual camping experience) are free to these children.  Don't miss out on these opportunities for your child!  

Become a Master Gardener

Join a network of passionate gardeners serving their community through the Extension Master Gardener program. Each year we offer Master Gardener training which involves both textbook and hands-on learning, designed to help each new member gain the foundation they need to confidently serve our community.

Plant problems? We can help.

Our help desk is available to assist you with numerous horticulture related concerns including:

This program is offered free of charge to the communities we serve. To best serve you, please include a detailed description and clear, well-lit images. Use the online request form or call 540-776-7178.
See our Help Desk page for commonly asked questions.

Please allow 3-7 business days for a response.

Spotted Lanternfly Awareness

Help us monitor and better understand the impact of the Spotted Lanternfly in our area. If you discover one at any stage of development please contact us with the location you found it and an image (if possible); or if you're able to collect the specimen you can deliver it to any local extension office.

The first known sighting in the Roanoke area was in 2022. Monitoring continues through the collaborative effort of numerous organizations and local citizens.

Please see the Learning menu for more in depth information.

The Garden Dirt

The Garden Dirt is our quarterly newsletter filled with upcoming events, classes, monthly garden chores and activities, and lots more. Complete the form to the right to subscribe!