February Garden Talk: Loving Natives

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You may have heard the buzz about using native plants in your home landscape. You may also have heard that some can be downright unruly. In this presentation, we will discuss common invasive plants to break up with and native plants that we love for color, texture, and size in a suburban setting.

A beautiful purple-petaled passionflower with green leaves

Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2024
Time 6:30—7:30 p.m.
Place Portsmouth Public Library
Churchland Branch
4934 High Street West

Download Flier HERE

January Library Talk Resources

Our January Library Talk on Getting Your Garden Going included many resources. We could only offer a few of them at the welcome table. Here is a complete list of PDFs and Books to check out to begin planning your garden.

FREE PUBLICATIONS

Vertical Gardening Using Trellises, Stakes, and Cages SPES-450
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/HORT/HORT-189/SPES-450.pdf

Intensive Gardening Methods PUB 426-335
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-335/426-335.pdf

Sheet mulching — aka lasagna composting — builds soil, saves time
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/sheet-mulching-aka-lasagna-composting-builds-soil-saves-time

Vegetable Garden Planting Guide SPES-170
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-331/SPES-170.pdf

Virginia’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant

Comparison of Raised Bed Methods, Materials, and Costs SPES-425
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/spes/spes-425/spes-425.pdf

Container and Raised-Bed Gardening Vegetable Gardening in Containers PUB 426-020
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-020/426-020.pdf

Virginia Cooperative Extension Gardener Handbook
https://pressbooks.lib.vt.edu/emgtraining/

BOOKS

The American Horticulture Society Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening – CONTAINER GARDENING

LASAGNA GARDENING – Home & Gardening Information Center (Aug. 29, 2019)

STRAW BALE GARDENS Complete. Cool Springs Press   Joe Karsten

The Vegetable Container Gardener’s Container BIBLE by Edward C. Smith

January Garden Talk: Get Your Garden Going

Shake off the chill of winter and come join us as we discuss how to get your 2025 garden off the ground with raised beds, save space with containers, or use low-till methods. In this presentation, we will explore various types of gardens as well as how to select the right location and plan your layout.

Image from Freepik

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2024
Time 6:30—7:30 p.m.
Place Portsmouth Public Library
Churchland Branch
4934 High Street West

Download Flier HERE

December Garden Talk: Creating a Wildlife Habitat

This lecture will include information on the elements needed to attract wildlife in the back- yard garden. Learn how to construct a habitat for the birds, bees and other small creatures. We will discuss different types of bird feeders and the food that attracts different birds. Lists of favorite food sources will be provided.
Come and learn how fun and beneficial creating a wildlife habitat can be!

squirrel on trunk
Photo by Mike Bird on Pexels.com

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Time 6:30—7:30 p.m.
Place Portsmouth Public Library
Churchland Branch
4934 High Street West

Download Flier HERE

November Garden Talk: The Value of Trees

The goals of this presentation are to show the value of the urban forest to the homeowner, why we need trees and the benefits of trees.
We will discuss major considerations for proper tree location, teach homeowners how to correctly plant a tree, and how to take care of newly planted trees for long-term survival.

Date Wednesday, November 21, 2024
Time 6:30—7:30 p.m.
Place Portsmouth Public Library
Churchland Branch
4934 High Street West

Download Flier HERE