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.
 |
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.
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 ask@ssmga.org.
