Chesapeake Master Gardeners

Have you got plans for your garden this month? August is a busy time for planting! 🌞🌱

Direct Sowing:

Zones 6A & 6B: Beets, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnips

Zone 7A: Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Rutabaga, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 7B: Beets, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Rutabaga, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 8A: Bush Beans, Beets, Carrots, Collards, Kale, Cucumber, Eggplant, Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Okra, Peppers, Southern Pea, Summer Squash, Turnips

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

Transplanting:

Zones 6A & 6B: Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce

Zone 7A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce

Zones 7B & 8A: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leeks, Head Lettuce, Tomatoes

Zone 8B: Check the publication linked below!

You can prepare for the entire planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide
To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

🌿 Bring Nature Home with the Chesapeake Master Gardeners! 🦋🐝

We're excited to invite you to two upcoming FREE events in our Pollinator Series: Bring Nature Home!

Discover how simple changes—like incorporating native plants into your landscape—can create a thriving habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife. Whether you have a large garden or a few containers on your porch, you'll leave with practical ideas you can put into action right away.

🌼 Free 1-hour educational seminar
🌼 Open to the public
🌼 No gardening experience required

Learn how your yard can become part of Homegrown National Park and why native plants are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. Every yard, no matter the size, can make a difference.

Space may be limited, so plan to arrive early!

👉 See the event details below and join us in helping bring nature home—one yard at a time. 💚

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026
🕙 1:00 PM
📍 Greenbrier Library, 1214 Volvo Pkwy, Chesapeake

📅 Friday, August 21, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Indian River Library, 2320 Old Greenbrier Road, Chesapeake

🌽 Chesapeake Master Gardeners were up with the sun once again for a second round of gleaning corn.

Their early morning dedication is a reminder of what can happen when people come together in service.

Enjoy these snapshots from the farm—they capture a bountiful harvest and the heart behind the work. 💚

Very dedicated Chesapeake Master Gardeners met at 6:30 AM to glean 12 rows of corn for distribution to local food banks. We are extremely grateful to help provide fresh, nutritious food to our neighbors.

Thank you Bergey's Breadbasket for this opportunity to serve our community! 💚

Looking for a free, fun, outdoor family friendly event next weekend? Learn more and register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/julys-once-upon-a-garden

Came make fairy houses Fred Heutte Garden . This free children’s activity is magical fun. We’ll read books, do a little scavenging for materials and make a beautiful place for visiting fairies. Saturday July 18th at 10am. Be sure to register.

You can learn more and register for this workshop by visiting: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/julys-free-fred-talk-elizabeth-river-projects-luisa-black

Gardening is changing, and so is the way we care for our landscapes. Join us for a free Fred Talk with Elizabeth River Project’s Luisa Black as she shares practical, inspiring strategies for creating beautiful gardens that can thrive through heat, drought, flooding, and our changing climate.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, you’ll leave with ideas you can put to work in your own yard while helping build a healthier, more resilient Norfolk.
🌿 Free to attend. Registration is encouraged through our website.

🌸 Love Hydrangeas as much as we do? 🌸

Discover the beauty and care of one of the garden's favorite flowering shrubs at our Hydrangeas Workshop at the Dr. Clarance V. Cuffee Library on July 22nd from 2:00 - 4:00.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, you'll learn:
🌿 How to choose the right hydrangea for your landscape
💙 Tips for planting, watering, and fertilizing
✂️ The secrets to proper pruning
🌼 How to keep your hydrangeas blooming beautifully year after year

Come enjoy a fun, informative session, connect with fellow garden enthusiasts, and leave with the confidence to grow gorgeous hydrangeas in your own yard.