Wednesday, April 10 7 to 8:30 pm at Fairlington Community Center

This introductory workshop, led by Alan Ford of the Virginia Native Plant Society, will explain why native plants benefit the environment, provide examples of native plants in our area, and highlight some native “look-alikes” that can replace common “exotic” invasive plants.

It may be chilly today, but in a month, we will be complaining about how hot it is; and everything will be growing like gangbusters. In addition to an impressive line-up of guest speakers, Extension is also pleased to be providing classes for the Adult Education program of Arlington Public Schools and at special events. The April line up of Urban Agriculture and Natural Resource management offerings is extensive and has a lineup of excellent program presenters.  It all begins with a double header of programming on April 2; Dr. Marcus Comer will teach Shiitake Mushroom Production from Virginia State University.  This is a hands-on grow your own workshop and demonstration of the Organic Vegetable Garden’s mushroom growing logs and gardens. Potomac Overlook Park 1-4pm; $35.  From 7-9 pm the same evening, Dr. Comer will provide a public program at the Fairlington Community Center on Sustainable and Alternative Urban Agriculture Production. FREE! For more information please go to www.mgnv.org or call the Horticulture Help Desk at 703 228 6414.  April 3 from 7-8:30 author and guest speaker Evelyn Hadden talks about lawn alternatives in her program entitled  Beautiful No Mow Lawns followed on April 10th with a program called Incorporating Native Plants in Your Garden from 7- 8:30 pm at Fairlington Community Center. We are pleased to present our guest speaker for this event, Alan Ford of the Virginia Native Plant Society
All programs are free unless otherwise stated.  Register to attend by calling the Horticulture Help Desk at 703 228 6414 or email to mgarlalex@gmail.com
Look for ANR volunteers at the Arlington Central Library Wednesdays in the Garden Talks:  starting March 18 through October, Alexandria Earth Day at Ben Brenman Park on April 20, NoVA Food Coalition events at George Mason University on April 21 and at our plant clinics at many local farmer’s markets in both Arlington and Alexandria.
 
For more info about all of these programs and more look at the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia www.mgnv.org