02.27.2024

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66º | 24% chance of precipitation
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🪴 Inside Richmond’s Master Gardener program

Inside Richmond’s Master Gardener program

Three people stand around a table at an outdoor expo

Richmond Master Gardeners Marilyn Campbell and Charles Hester at a VCE event, providing educational material and answering questions. | Photo via Don Moore

Don Moore has been gardening for decades, but he’s been a Master Gardener for the last nine years. In that time, he’s done hundreds of hours of education and community service at places like Shalom Farms and Biggs Community Garden.

A branch of the Virginia Cooperative Extension out of Virginia Tech, most counties and cities around the state have Master Gardener programs in place through their public library systems.

To be certified, each Master Gardener had to complete a 50 hour course and amass another 50 hours of volunteer work. To keep up a certification, gardeners have to undertake 20 hours of volunteer work and eight hours of continuing education every year.

At 22 full-fledged members, Moore says Richmond’s Master Gardener program is smaller than that of Henrico or Chesterfield, but it’s members are no less busy.

Richmond’s Master Gardeners get a lot done around the River City. They do volunteer work out at Shalom Farms in Powhatan, as well as work at Biggs Community Garden on the Southside. They also teach courses through RPL, run a seed library in an old card catalog at the Main Branch, and answer questions through the RPL website.

A card catalog full of seed packets — The Master Gardeners also keep a seed library stocked in an old card catalog at RPL’s Main Branch.
|
Photo via Don Moore

Pro tip: Looking to learn more about gardening in Richmond? The entire back catalog of answered questions is available as a browser-friendly, searchable database.

Moore says that a huge number of the questions he receives revolve around native planting, mindful pest management, and options for more sustainable lawn and garden designs. The community’s focus on native horticulture and pollinator-friendly species has been a shift in the last several years.

Have a question for Don and the other Master Gardeners? Submit one through the RPL website.

This is the first of a series of articles digging into Richmond’s Master Gardener program. Keep your eyes open for Don Moore’s breakdown of native planting.

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 27

“To Kill a Mockingbird” | Tuesday, Feb. 27-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $35-$99 | Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning story comes to the Altria via Broadway in Richmond.*

Wednesday, Feb. 28

RVA Night @ VSU | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Singleton Hall, Sudent Commons 1st Floor, Petersburg | Free | Join ChamberRVA for a reception with VSU students to discuss living and working in Richmond after graduation.
VCU Men’s Basketball vs. Rhode Island | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., Richmond | $25-$30 | It’s a battle of the Rams at this A-10 game.

Thursday, Feb. 29

More Than Just a Wall: The History of the Virginia War Memorial | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Education Director Jim Triesler will guide attendees through a history of the Virginia War Memorial and its programming.
VCU Jazz Plays Motown | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, 922 Park Ave., Richmond | $5-$10 | The multi-ensemble performance will include creative approaches to Motown classics.

Friday, March 1

CultureFest Friday | Friday, March 1 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Children’s Museum of Richmond, 2626 West Broad St., Richmond | $0-$9 | This month’s cultural celebration will explore Ireland with performances, snacks, and crafts.

Dozens more events

Click here to have your event featured.

Talk

Events

Add to cal: Sunrise Science at the Science Museum of Virginia

Presented by a RICtoday Partner

Exterior view of the Science Museum of Virginia building.

Ideas take flight at the Science Museum of Virginia. | Photo by the Science Museum of Virginia

This isn’t your average lecture. Picture this: A coffee-fueled discussion led by a powerhouse female speaker, exploring how STEM fundamentals can be a catalyst for success — regardless of your chosen career path.

Whether you’re looking to mingle with like-minded professionals or seeking a spark of inspiration, set your alarms for From Engineer to Executive: How STEM Can Shape Diverse Paths, a Sunrise Science talk happening on Tuesday, March 5, at 8 a.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Hear from Mariana Fonseca Medina, Mastercard’s Senior Vice President of Loyalty for Latin America, on how her background in civil engineering paved the way for prominent roles in finance, marketing, and strategy (think: the potential of a STEM education to supercharge your career).

So, make your way to the Science Museum of Virginia for this free talk + a complimentary cup of coffee. Registration is required.

Reserve your spot

News Notes

Development

Developers in Henrico are considering a major mixed-use project near the Altria Headquarters. The Reynolds Crossing complex at the corner of West Broad Street and Forest Avenue could feature residential buildings in addition to the office buildings, retail spaces, and hotel already present. (Richmond BizSense)

Pets

Over 173 pets competed in the RACC’s first-ever dog and cat show on Sunday. Nearly 900 people showed up to Main Street Station to watch local critters compete for such titles as “floofiest,” “best underbite,” and “best missing body part.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Film

Studio Two Three, in partnership with CinemaNiche, will host a showing of “Sisters with Transistors: Electronic Music’s Unsung Heroines” on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. The documentary chronicles electronic music’s female pioneers. Tickets are $10.

History

A call and response exhibition has opened at the Valentine Museum. “Our America/Whose America?” features modern ceramics and commercially produced historic plates arranged in conversation with one another. Check it out on a Wickham House Tour through April 21.

Concert

The Richmond Symphony will present Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” live in concert at the Altria on Saturday, April 13. Attendees can watch the Oscar-winning film on the big screen while an ensemble of musicians perform the score live. Tickets start at $44.

Transit

Transit ridership is up to pre-pandemic levels in Richmond, thanks in part to the fare-free policy adopted by GRTC. The Virginia Mercury has an in-depth breakdown of the viability of free rides and how the River City fits into larger national trends.

Read

Love to read in bed? Us, too. Some helpful tools we love: a rechargeable book light to clip on books or a remote control page turner for Kindle readers.*

Civic

Chesterfield open for early voting

Chesterfield opens five early voting satellite locations

Early voting accounts for a major percentage of voting statewide. | Photo by @ginter.park

Chesterfield has opened five satellite locations for in-person early voting for the presidential primary. All five will remain open until early voting ends at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

The early voting locations are:

North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Rd.
LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Rd.
Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd.
Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Rd.
Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr.

The General Registrar’s office also remains open for early voting until March 2. Vote from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays or 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Prefer to vote on election day? The presidential primary will be held on Tuesday, March 5. Consult our election guide to find your polling place.

The Buy

The Buy 2.27.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Something from Six & Main’s Brands That Give Back collection, so you can shop your favorite coffee, jewelry, cards, and tees all while knowing you’re supporting brands that make a difference. Causes include: animal rescue groups, local water based incentives, and national parks.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I had a great time meeting Don Moore out at Maymont for today’s interview, and I definitely consulted my notes while I was starting my own batch of seedlings this weekend.

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