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!

Events and Activities

Events are starting to pile up!  Check a few of the activities below, and always check out the Calendar page!  There are events that are already scheduled.  

We are very lucky to have permission to use and quote some of the OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC.  A new section is listed near the bottom of this page.

It is March 2024!

The Master Gardeners are working to develop our new Community Gardens (see info below) as well as our youth school gardens.  Hours of meetings to meet the Leads to coordinate duties and crops and school principals to lay out an educational plan.

Start your seedlings indoors for a jump start to spring.  Fertilizing fruit trees is another job for March.

Rain barrel workshops are back!

We have many workshops available for April, June, July, and August.  Click on the workshop you prefer to Pre-RegisterPay $80 upon arrival by check, cash, or credit card (processing fee of $2.18 will be added).  All workshops will be held at Penn Forest Worship Center 3735 Chaparral Dr. Roanoke.

Please ensure that you have a vehicle large enough to carry a 60 gallon barrel home!!

April 18th @ 6 pm          April 20th @ 3 pm

June 18th @ 6 pm          June 22nd @ 3 pm

July 16th @ 6pm             July 20th @ 3pm

                     August 10th @ 3pm

Black Family Wellness Expo

National Impact Day of Service March 16, 2024

Pilgrim Baptist Church 1415 8th St. NW, Roanoke

9 am - 1 pm

Senior Service Expo

Vinton War Memorial
814 East Washington Avenue
VINTON, VA 24179

March 26, 2024   10am - 2pm

Free Admission


Historic Garden Tour

$30 pp in advance or $40 pp day of Tour.  Contact: VAGardenWeek.org for payment and tour information

April 27th 10am-4pm 

Roanoke Master Gardeners will be located at the Community Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College


Pear Tree Grafting Class

Learn how to graft a scion onto rootstock.

April 1, 2024  3pm-5pm

$20 - Pre-register to attend

3738 Brambleton Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA

Click here for more detailed information

Senior Fun & Health Fair Day

April 10, 2024 10am-2pm held at the Salem Civic Center

This is geared toward Seniors 55 and over. Obtain valuable information from our vendors and learn about products and businesses that can help make decisions about things that affect your daily lives and future. The cooking shows, bingo, dancing and musical entertainment add to the fun. FREE PARKING & FREE ADMISSION 

More Activities to Come

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.

Something NEW!  A company that carries Native Seeds! Online presence:  https://www.allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com/

The Alliance of Native Seed Keepers has a multitude of native seeds of flowers, vegetables,  and herbs.  Very reasonably priced,  Check out their website and plan a whole garden of natives!

Our Plant Hardiness Zone has Changed!!

The new map—jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group—is more accurate and contains greater detail than prior versions. 

Their changes were based on an intense amount of factors including a 30 year temperature average

You can visit the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov and enter your zip code to find your exact hardiness zone. If your zone has changed then make sure to reference your new zone on the Virginia Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide before you finalize your planning for spring vegetables. 

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

So far, the Community Gardens committee has determined that our volunteers will assist with many gardens.  There are no set dates or times yet.

Click the Learn More button below to find out more. 

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.

OPEN ENROLLMENT for 2024 is over.  If you were not able to submit an application, you can complete the 2025 Waitlist Form at the bottom of the Join Us Page.

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!


THE OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC

Have you seen a Giant Hogweed plant?

It is a sight to behold!  It can grow to over 18 feet.  Don't be taken in by its large maple-like leaves, beautiful flowers, and its mythical bean stalk character.  This monster only weaves BLACK magic! This deceptive plant has sap that can burn our skin causing dermatitis and when exposed to the sun creates blisters that scars for years.

It isn't kind to our flora  either as it shades out our native plants and in turn degrades the wildlife habitat.  Removing it requires protective clothing from the sap.  And, if it is in bloom (every 3-5 years), steps have to be taken to collect all the seeds and place them in a sealable black plastic bag in the sun for 1-2 weeks to ensure their demise.  Do not burn or use them in compost!

Most importantly, a sighting should be reported to our local invasive plant organization (Click here for more information) and our ANR Agent at the Extension Office.

Look for more great articles on their website:  almanac.com

All information quoted here is done with written permission from The Old Farmers Almanac held at the Extension office,