Events, Programs and Workshops

Grass Roots

Get a healthier lawn with the Grass Roots program!

Are you frustrated with the condition of your lawn? Tired of throwing away money on seed and fertilizer, only to see no improvements? Get to the root of the problem through the Grass Roots program! Grass Roots offers residents the opportunity to learn about and remedy specific problems contributing to your lawn’s current condition. The program includes:

• A site visit by a Master Gardener who measures your lawn area and takes soil sample(s).
• A detailed site evaluation of lawn, including soil compaction and weed cover.
• Some personalized recommendations tailored to your lawn’s needs.

Registrants receive the following:

• Personalized lawn care report - and recommendations to help you get started
• Publications on lawn care in our area are referenced throughout the report
• Seasonal newsletter with tips and information on upcoming lawn care seminars

Safety Guidelines
With the safety of our volunteers and you as our clients in mind, Grass Roots follows a zero-contact policy. For the safety of our Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs), you must stay distant when MGVs are measuring your yard and collecting soil samples - do not approach them. 

MGVs have been instructed to leave a property immediately if they are approached by homeowners or loose pets. We reserve the right to forego soil sampling and evaluating properties if pets have not been removed from the sampling area during the stated evaluation timeframe.

We understand that you may have questions about the program or your lawn. Please call the Extension Office at 804-751-4401 or email our office with any questions or concerns – do not approach the MGVs.

Registration
Registration for the 2022 season is closed. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for the 2023 season, you can call us at 804-751-4401 or email the Cooperative Extension Office for more information.

Additional Resources

• Visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension - How-to Lawn Care Tips website.
• Visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension - Lawn Care Publications website.

Learn Your Landscape

Learn how to maintain and enhance your property with help by Chesterfield Master Gardeners.

The program includes a site visit by trained Master Gardener volunteers who will evaluate and answer site specific questions regarding your property, such as:

• What plants will grow well in my area of Chesterfield County?
• What plants are on my property and how do I take care of them?
• How can I create habitat for beneficial wildlife like birds and bees?

Registration
Registration for the 2022 season is closed. If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for the 2023 season, you can call us at 804-751-4401 or email the Cooperative Extension Office for more information.

Cost
Program cost is $30, which covers the cost of supplies, materials and personalized guide. A limited number of registrations are accepted, so register early if you would like to take part.

Program Details
Soil sampling will not be included with the visit, but you will be provided with a soil sampling kit that you can submit on your own, see Grass Roots for more information. Trained Master Gardener volunteers will review registration applications and schedule initial site visit.

Initial site visits include:

• Master Gardener volunteers assess your landscape (limited to 1.5 hours)
• Site assessment of landscape - prioritized by preferences listed in application

Final site visits include:

• Take place several weeks after initial site visit
• One-on-one review of recommendations with Master Gardener volunteers (limited to 1 to 1.5 hours)
• You will receive a map of property with current plantings and site conditions noted from initial visit
• You will receive a customized reference binder full of fact sheets on current plantings and general gardening info for our area

This program features an optional wildlife habitat component to the site assessment, in cooperation with the Habitat Partners © Program of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Well Water Testing Clinic

Affordable, confidential water testing and education will be offered through Virginia Cooperative Extension offices in Chesterfield County. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Water samples collected by participating homeowners will be analyzed for 14 parameters, including bacteria, metals, nitrate and hardness at a cost of $65 (per kit).

Pick up your kits on Monday, Aug. 22, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and plan to drop off your samples on Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 7-10 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension office. Results and water system care and maintenance information will be sent to each participant either by email or mail, and a pre-recorded video or live presentation will be made available to help explain the summary results and recommendations to address problems.

Please contact Sierra Seekford by email or call 804-751-4401 or register online before Friday, Aug. 12. For more information about the Virginia Household Water Quality Program, as well as many resources relevant to private water systems, please visit the Virginia Household Water Quality Program website.