Berkeley-Jefferson Extension Master Gardener Association

09/02/2026

Come join the "fun."

Volunteers needed!
Morgan’s Grove Garden Party Prep- September 5th @ 9am
Come help us w**d & finish putting down fresh wood chip to get our garden “party ready” for our Garden Opening Celebration on the 13th!
Bring- gloves, wheelbarrows, rakes, w**ding tools & water

09/01/2026

https://www.journal-news.net/life/food/tomato-fest-sees-juicy-turnout-in-14th-year/article_3c920fa6-cc04-5b5b-b09f-5e58991f28c2.html

The 14th annual Tomato Fest drew an estimated 600 visitors to the Berkeley County Youth Fair grounds, where the Berkeley-Jefferson Extension Master Gardener Association offered tastings of more than 30

09/01/2026

What a fun day!!! at this year's Tomato Fest last Saturday. So many from our communities came to taste the 30 different tomatoes and vote for their favorite. After that they/we enjoyed the food and shopped the merchandise and farmer's market booths. And the 13 or so vendors, who did not have tomatoes, had other goodies!!!
We know you're holding your breaths to find out which tomato pleased the most taste buds and who answered the most questions on the fun quiz. As soon as we know, you'll see it here.

08/28/2026

🍅 TOMATO FEST IS ALMOST HERE! 🍅

From Harpers Ferry to Kearneysville, Leetown to Inwood, Martinsburg to Hedgesville, our Tomato Fest banners have been popping up across Berkeley and Jefferson counties. You’ve seen us on social media, heard about us from friends, and maybe even spotted one of our flyers around town.

Now, the wait is almost over!

And the weather is predicted to be beautiful—perfect for getting out and enjoying Tomato Fest!

Join the Berkeley-Jefferson Extension Master Gardeners this Saturday, August 29, for our 13th Annual Tomato Fest at the Berkeley County Youth Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come taste tomatoes and vote for your favorite, visit our Plant Doctor, browse exhibits and vendors, enjoy educational presentations and children’s activities, and check out the food, bake sale, and farm market.

Admission is FREE!

🍅 Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Berkeley County Youth Fair
2419 Golf Course Road, Martinsburg, WV

Bring your family, bring your friends, and come celebrate all things tomato with us!

08/20/2026

RESTORING NATURE: Invasive plants in your landscape come from two primary sources: plants that you inadvertently bought or acquired as part of an established landscape, or volunteer plants that have grown from seeds and nuts brought in by wildlife, blown in by the wind, or attached to shoes, clothing, or vehicles.

Familiarizing yourself with as many invasive species as possible will help you spot new invasive plants before they take root and set seed. It will also help you determine which already established plants you will want to remove and replace.
For more information, see pages 4.8 to 4.15 in Nature’s Action Guide on plant identification apps and websites. (https://www.naturesactionguide.org/)

08/16/2026

Joslyn Noland, owner of Middleway Farm in Kearneysville and an EMG, has been recognized as a Distinguished Woman in Agriculture by WV Dept of Agriculture. Congratulations, Joslyn!

Congratulation to the recipients of the 2026 Women in Agriculture Award, honored today at the State Fair of West Virginia. l to r: Michelle Wilfong, Beth Southern, Commissioner Kent Leonhardt, Kimberly Dollinger, Heather Gorman and Joslyn Noland.

08/15/2026

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Tomato Fest is just two weeks away. We're excited to introduce B-Chosen, Valinor Manor, and Missy Mae's Farm.

B-Chosen: Handmade cold process soaps and upcycled T-shirts.

Valinor Manor: Woman-owned | Veteran-owned creating meaningful handmade decor. Crafted with passion and purpose.

Missy Mae's Farm: Veteran-Owned Cottage Food Business

Come support these local businesses and discover their unique products and services!

13th Annual Tomato Fest
Saturday, August 29 • 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds
2419 Golf Course Road
Martinsburg, WV 25404

08/12/2026

What's invasive in NoVA is invasive in the WV Eastern Panhandle. It just hasn't been labeled so. Please educate yourself on these plants so we have fewer invasives like the Bradford (Callery) Pear, Autumn Olive and Tree of Heaven invade our public lands where they overpower and crowd out our Native plants.

RESTORING NATURE: Sadly, many invasive plants are still available for purchase! Out of 1,200 plant species designated as invasive in the United States, over 700 are still propagated and sold in wholesale or retail nurseries. In Virginia, 48% of the plants on the state’s invasive list are still available, although legislation has been enacted requiring that 39 of the most significant invasives be labeled at their point of sale in plant nurseries, effective on January 1, 2027. This will allow gardeners to make informed decisions regarding their plant purchases.
Learning to identify which common ornamental plants are invasive will help you to avoid inadvertently adding them to your landscape either by purchasing them or accepting them from neighbors or local plant shares.

For more information see page 4.6 in Nature’s Action Guide and resources on the MGNV website under Invasive Plants and Native Alternatives, including fact sheets and short videos on species designated as invasive in the Mid-Atlantic region.
https://www.naturesactionguide.org/
https://mgnv.org/invasives-native-alternatives/

08/12/2026

Our cover photo is the native Clematis virginiana, AKA Virgin's Bower. It will be in bloom with these creamy white flowers from now until the end of September in full sun to full shade. The Virgin's Bower attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.