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Events, Programs and Workshops
Annual and Seasonal Events
Bumblebee Jamboree
Bumblebee Jamboree is metro Richmond’s premier National Pollinator Week event hosted by the Chesterfield County Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension, along with other community partners tied to pollinator conservation.
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
Location: Maymont Park, Children’s Farm Entrance, 1000 Spottswood Ave., Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: Free and open to the public during Maymont’s hours.
For more information, visit us on our Bumblebee Jamoree Facebook page (@bumbleejamboree).
First Saturdays in the Garden
Join Chesterfield Master Gardeners on the following Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension demonstration garden to learn about gardening and watch live demonstrations.
Dates and Demonstration Topics
- May 7 - Container Gardening
- June 4 - Composting and Vermiculture
- July 9 - Planning Fall Garden (Note: This is the second Saturday.)
- Aug. 6 - Garden Pests
- Sept. 3 - Building Soils
- Oct. 1 - Cover Crops and Winterization
Location
Cooperative Extension Demonstration Garden
9501 Lori Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Chesterfield County Farmers Market
Virginia farmers markets are an important resource for communities to provide access to local fresh produce, food, horticultural goods and hygiene products. You also support local businesses by shopping at a farmers market.
2022 Season
The Chesterfield County Farmers Market will be held on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning May 11 to and ending Sept. 28. For more information, view the county calendar and visit the Chesterfield County Farmers Market Facebook.
If you are a vendor or local producer, please email farmersmarket@chesterfield.gov for more information.
Location
6707 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Vendors
- Becerra Farms
- Brandermill Vinegars
- Chesterfield County CFit
- Crows Nest Cookies
- Dandelion Springs Apiary
- Designs by DejaVaughan
- Ellis Farm
- Garden Spot
- Gourds for All
- Haley's Honey
- Heath Farm
- Jarratts Produce
- Jason's Hot Sauce
- JenCare
- Jerry's Backyard BBQ Sause
- Lemonade and Shaved Ice
- Master Gardeners Table
- Melrose Farm
- Neighborhood Flags
- Pops Kettle Treats
- Red Velvet Affairs and Guilty Pleasures
- San Calamar Studio
- Sign Gypsies
- The Sweet Bell Prepper
- Time for Sweets
- Unkol Chuck's Brunswick Stew
- Willowland Farm
Shopping Farmers Markets Benefits
Shop local because farmers markets:
- Have better taste and nutrition: Products are grown locally and picked at the peak of the season, making nutrients more abundant.
- Give opportunities to meet your farmers: The same people who grow the food sell their products and have a wealth of knowledge to share.
- Support local business: When you shop at local farmers markets, you’re keeping money in your own community going directly to the farmer.
Plant a Row for the Hungry
Join Cooperative Extension and Chesterfield Master Gardeners in support of Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR), a national people-helping-people program that encourages gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce. Chesterfield gardeners can help feed the hungry by donating extra produce at the Cooperative Extension office, Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, from May 2 to Oct. 31 (excluding county holidays - check the county calendar for all dates). Donated produce should:
- be recently harvested
- have no signs of mold, spoilage, bruising or insects
- have excess dirt brushed off, but remain unwashed
- be brought in clean paper bags (preferred) or plastic bags
Donated produce will be given to support SEVA Truck, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing hunger in the Richmond area by serving free nutritious meals to those in need.
Programs
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
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
What's in your water? Did you know that private water supplies like wells and springs are unregulated? It is your responsibility to regularly test water quality and maintain the water system.
The 2022 well water testing clinic will occur in August 2022; additional information will be available in June 2022. For more information about the Virginia Household Water Quality Program, as well as many resources relevant to private water systems, please visit Water Quality Program.
Workshops and Classes
Composting Made Easy
Turn waste into black gold! Learn tips for success and get individualized help with your composting needs. Join Chesterfield Master Gardener and Master Composter for an informative discussion of home composting. Learn how to make beneficial compost out of household waste. Have a positive impact on the environment while helping your own garden and yard. A free geobin will be provided to all attendees.
Date and Time
Saturday, July 9, 1-3 p.m.
Location
Cooperative Extension
9501 Lori Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
This workshop will take place in the Central Library large meeting room.
Cost
$35 per person. This workshop has limited slots available; slots will be filled on a first to pay, first to reserve basis. Registration deadline is Thursday, July 7.
Registration
To register, please call 804-751-4401 or email Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - payment is required to reserve your slot. Checks will be payable to Treasurer, Chesterfield County.