Master Gardener Second Saturday in August

By Laverne Fuller

The Master Gardener Second Saturdays series at the Halifax Farmer's Market continues on August 13 from 8 to 11 a.m. with a 9:30 demonstration on how to divide perennials. Perennials are a mainstay of the landscape in that they come back year after year. You can Google native Virginia perennials to find varieties that are suited to our soils and weather conditions. Once a perennial bed is established, little maintenance is required to keep the area beautiful.

After a few years, you may notice that the blooms on your perennials are getting smaller or the plant gets thinner in the center. This is a sure sign that the plants roots are crowded and need some attention. Perennials can be divided in several ways. The entire plant can be dug up and the roots separated into multiple plants to be replanted. Another method is to use a shovel and to dig into the root ball of the plant and remove some of it. Either way provides more space for the roots to spread out and gives you happier, healthier plants. You can establish new beds or share the extras with friends and neighbors.

The Southside Master Gardeners will be dividing Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum odoratum and Bearded Iris.  The Master Gardeners will share the divisions with attendees as long as the divisions last.  Dividing Solomon’s Seal uses the common hack and whack method to separate a large root ball into smaller divisions.  This is a plant for a shady spot.  Bearded Iris need full sun to look their best.  Dividing the rhizomes uses a technique unique to bearded iris.  They also require a special planting technique.  The Master Gardeners will show you both the dividing and the planting technique. 

In celebration of National Farmers Market Week the Market will have food on site, kids activities, grilling demo, vendor samples, free recipes and more!  As always the market vendors will have organic meats and eggs, fresh produce, homemade herbal soaps and salves, local honey and fresh baked goods.  Inside the market are many other vendors with dog supplies, collectables, portrait photography and arts and crafts.

Another special event will be a display of the Golden Leaf Quilters’ Guild’s Raffle Quilt at the Hudson Heritage Farm’s meat wagon.  The quilt has a patriotic theme consisting of red, cream and blue colors with "Home of the Free Because of the Brave" embroidered on the border.  This is a perfect match since Hudson Heritage Farm is Veteran Owned and their grass raised meat products carry the label HomeGrown by Heroes.  Raffle tickets will be for sale for $1 each or 6 for $5.  Give your support to win this beautiful quilt that will benefit the South Boston – Halifax County Museum.

Join the Master Gardeners at the Halifax Farmer's on August 13 to learn more about maintaining a beautiful landscape and to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

For more information about the Master Gardener program, call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147, option 0, visit the website at www.ssmga.org

or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Caption for picture: Join the Southside Master Gardeners at the Halifax Farmers on August 13 for a special demo at 9:30 dividing this beautiful Solomon’s Seal, a great plant for the shade border.