Neighbors Helping Neighbors Grow – May 2024b

Welcome to the James City County Williamsburg Master Gardener Association

Serving Williamsburg, James City, Charles City, Upper York, and New Kent 

May 2024

 

 

Peonies for Mother's Day

Peonies are some of the oldest plants in cultivation, associated with femininity, wealth, status and honor.  A peony plant in bloom makes a wonderful gift at Mother’s Day because it is a gift that will live and provide flowers for many decades to come.  Plant peonies with confidence that they will survive and thrive in our area.  Read more here...

May and June: To Do and To Do Less

Avid gardeners find lots to do during May and June as spring melts into summer.  Taking care of business early in the season will result in a more attractive garden and more success through the summer months ahead.  Learn more here-

 

Hedges and Hedgerows Part 2

You will find hundreds of good choices of trees and shrubs for our area.  Careful site evaluation and a little research will result in a successful landscaping project.    Learn more here

Hedges and Hedgerows, Part 1

Hedging is an ancient gardening art form that remains relevant today because of the many benefits a hedge provides.  Make yours useful and beautiful through careful planning and thoughtful maintenance.  Learn more...

Top Plants for Summer Color

Colorful flowers and enticing plants fill every table and rack at garden centers right now. Even the most experienced gardener may feel a little overwhelmed with so many beautiful choices. Learn more about flowers in Part 1    Learn more about foliage plants in Part 2

 

Making a Drought-Tolerant Garden Part 1

Drought tolerant plants have design features to  help them take full advantage of rain or irrigation when water is available and survive dry spells.  They have adapted to climates where the weather remains sunny and dry for much of the year.  Discover how to identify drought tolerant plants and use them to make your garden beautiful all summer long.  Learn more about drought tolerant plants here...

Making a Drought Tolerant Garden Part 2

We can’t change the weather, but we can make small changes to make our plantings more resilient. Drought-tolerant gardening strategies can help us enjoy beautiful, abundant gardens throughout the year with little or no supplemental watering.  Read more to learn about techniques and strategies here ...

A Native American Tea

There is a homegrown tea tradition more than a thousand years old in the Southeastern United States. While yaupon tea went out of fashion for a time, it is just as tasty and healthful as ever and still grows here to quench our thirst today.  Learn more here

A Tea Story: Past and Future

Perhaps the time has come for gardeners to discover the simplicity and joys of growing our own tea.  Read more to learn how to begin...

Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel blends into the fabric of the woods through much of the year before bursting into bloom, suddenly elegant and beautiful, in late April and early May. Read more!

Landscaping with Herbs

Herbs are among the simplest plants to grow. Planting perennial herbs allows us to garden more sustainably with less waste, less work, and a positive environmental impact.  Learn more here, Part 1,   Herbs Part 2,   Herbs Part 3

Landscape Love Open!

Our Master Gardeners meet with you, the homeowner, right in your yard to review your garden issues and recommend solutions.  To apply for your FREE consultation complete the application form here!

Garden Questions?

Click for help.

Our War With Plants

These days, gardeners and naturalists often look at one another and wonder, "What has happened to nature? And how do we restore her?"  For the past few decades we have been at war with plants.  For the good of our planet, let’s accept plants as “native to planet Earth, indigenous to this part of the universe.”  Learn more here

Zone Change!

Click to enlarge the photo

The USDA has updated the Plant Hardiness Zone map and we're now in zone 8A. The trend reveals a picture of how many parts of our country are warming.  Read more ...

May Newsletter

Read the May 2024 Newsletter