Welcome to “Garden Topics” by Jackie Fairbarns, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener! Jackie has years of hands-on experience puttering in the garden, trying out new ideas, and sharing with her community. Her topics are timely and full of great tips and ideas to help you with your garden adventures. Questions? Please leave a comment and the “Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners Association” will get right back to you!
*Due to many challenges, Jackie had to put her very popular Garden Topic podcasts on hold. Check back often to see if a new one appears! We will also post an announcement in our HOVMG Facebook page.
“Good Plants for Bad Places – the Sturdy Seven”
March 2022: Growing green things add a touch of sophistication and a breath of fresh air to any indoor space. What, your space has no growing green things? Lacking bright natural light and big windows may mean you have to forego flowers, but some of these plants have colorful variegated foliage varieties to add interest. Check out these sturdy seven green plants that can cope with almost any situation.
Contact: heartofvamg@gmail.com for more information.
Click on the play button to listen to Jackie’s podcast:
Click here for a copy of Jackie’s script: “Good Plants for Bad Places – The Sturdy Seven” : 2022 HOVMGA script.
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“Holiday Plants: Choosing and Keeping Them All Year
October 2021: The Holidays are here! In this podcast we focus on some of the most familiar holiday flowers – how to select them and how to keep them going for a repeat performance next year. If you have wondered how to get more life from your Amaryllis bulb, Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus or Orchid, check out Jackie’s tips for selecting a healthy plant and keeping it that way ’til next blooming season. Questions?
Contact: heartofvamg@gmail.com for more information.
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
Click here for a copy of Jackie’s script: “Holiday Plants: Choosing and Keeping Them All Year”: 2021 October WFLO HOVMGA script.
“Saving Seeds”
August 2021: Are you thinking about saving your seeds for the next planting? Dry processing? Wet processing? Storage? Germination test? Jackie’s podcast has many facts, tips, and tricks to saving your favorite flower or vegetable seeds for another year of successful planting. Be sure to consider “borrowing seeds” from Buckingham’s Master Gardener’s collection! Contact: heartofvamg@gmail.com for more information.
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
Click here for a copy of Jackie’s script: “Saving Seeds”: 2021WFLORadioSpotJulyScript
“Celebrate the (HOVMGA) Season”
April 2021: HOVMGA Master Gardener, Jackie Fairbarns, presents “Celebrate the Season” – talking about the 20th year party of Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners. She discusses the natural garden Bayscape, the plant sale, and many other timely topics. See you May 22nd – 10:00 till noon at the VCE Building, 100 Dominion Blvd, Farmville, VA 23901.
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
Click here for a copy of Jackie’s script “Celebrate the (HOVMGA) Season”: 2021 WFLO Radio Spot April
“All about Master Gardeners”
January 2021: “All about Master Gardeners” – Do you need FREE expert garden advice? Want to start a compose pile? See a strange bug on your squash? Need a speaker for an event? In this podcast Jackie Fairbarns will share what is a (VCE) “Master Gardener” – how to contact one for help – and even how to become one! Questions? Please leave a comment and the “Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners Association” will get right back to you!
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
A copy of Jackie’s January script “All about Master Gardeners” can be found here: 2021 01HOVMGA_Script_What_Is_a_Master_Gardener
“Twelve Tiny Bulbs to Light Up Your Spring”
October 2020: “Twelve Tiny Bulbs to Light Up Your Spring Garden” – Let’s talk about bulbs to light up your spring! In this podcast Jackie Fairbarns will describe “tiny” bulbs that can be your first wave of color in the Spring. Whether you plant these bulbs outdoors or in pots for indoor blooming, they are sure to bring a smile to your face. Resources as well as many ideas are included in this delightful radio spot by Jackie.
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
A copy of Jackie’s October script “Twelve Tiny Bulbs to Light Up Your Spring” can be found here: 2020 10HOVMGA_Tiny_Spring_Bulbs
“Herb Gardens for a More Flavorful Future”
July 2020 : “Herb Gardens for a More Flavorful Future” – It’s not too late to plant your favorite herbs to enjoy for many months to come. Jackie shares how to plant, where to plant, and even some ideas for recipes in this radio spot. Come hear all about herbs in your garden!
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
A copy of Jackie’s July script “Herb Gardens for a More Flavorful Future” can be found here: 2020 07HOVMG Herb Gardening
“Bring Spring Early to Indoor Spaces”
April 2020 : In this broadcast, Jackie lists many suggestions for getting your garden area ready and preparing your plants.
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
A copy of Jackie’s April script “Bring Spring Early to Indoor Spaces” can be found here: 2020 04HOVMG Script Healthy Gardening
“Bring Spring Early to Indoor Spaces”
January 2020 : “Bring Spring Early to Indoor Spaces”. Have you ever tried to cut flowering branches to bloom indoors? (Forsythia, quince, pussy willow, lilac, dogwood, and many fruit trees) In this radio spot, Jackie give us detailed instructions on when and how you can force blooms indoors during the cold months.
Click on the play button to listen to her WFLO radio broadcast:
A copy of Jackie’s January script “Bring Spring Early to Indoor Spaces” can be found here: 2020 01HOVMG Script Forcing