LIBRARY HOURS
Mon-Thur 9am - 9pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday Closed

Garden Smarter

Calvert County Master Gardeners share their expertise on various gardening and landscaping topics throughout the year. Something for all levels of gardeners.

The schedule for 2012 is as follows:

January 28, 2012 , 10 AM:  Starting From Seed
Nancy Radcliffe -- MG
Use the full potential of a piece of ground and a handful of seeds.  Grow healthier plants and unique heirlooms.  Produce abundant harvests by starting seeds now. 
Support:  Darlene Householder and Gay Ludington

February 4, 10AM: First Things First in the Garden
Mimi Miller - MG
Learn the basic requirements for successful gardening:  when to start planting, basic
gardening tools, common weeds and pests, local gardening material and supply stores, internet gardening sites.  .  . and more.
Support:  Darlene Householder and Gay Ludington.

February 8,  7 – 8:30PM:  Integrated Pest Management
Herb Reed – Extension Agent
There are many critters who will find your garden plants tasty.  The program will focus mainly on insects, but strategies for managing all pests, including Odocoileus virginianus,  aka “Bambi,” will be discussed.
Support:  Pat Terlisner and Gay Ludington.

February 11, 10AM:  Propagation: Anticipating Spring’s Promise
Kay Parris - MG
A comprehensive review of propagation techniques, including seeds, division, and cuttings with an emphasis on planning for warmer weather.
Support:  Gay Ludington and Dom Raino

February 18, 10 AM: Cultivating Healthy Eating
Kathy Elwood - MG
What is it about the food we grow that makes it good for our health?  You will learn some basic nutrition concepts and  what food components are in our commonly grown fruits and vegetables.
Support:  Pam Enrico and Mary Butz

February 25, 10 AM: Create a Habitat with Native Plants 
Karen Anderson - MG
Beautify your yard while benefitting the environment and our native wildlife.  Learn which native plants will attract birds, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures.
Support:  Pam Enrico and Melanie Crowder

March 10, 10 AM: Ponds and Water Features
Janet Kennedy and Jim McVey - MG
Do you want to enhance your home with a pond or fountain? We will give you suggestions to consider when designing a water feature for your home landscape. 
Support:  Eileen McVey and Melanie Crowder

March 17, 10 AM: Bay Wise Gardening
Mary Butz and Judy Kay - MG
Learn the small changes you can make in your gardening habits to lessen your impact on the Bay and the surrounding environment, thus improving the health of the Bay.
Support:  Norma Imershien and Pam Enrico

March 31, 10 AM: Salad Boxes, Tables, and Containers
Lin Gauchat - MG
Home grown salad greens can be yours April to November.  Watch a demonstration on building and planting a salad box – great for deck, patio, condos, and apartments.
Support:  Norma Imershein and Curt Hules

April 5, 7 – 8:30 PM: Water Conservation and Erosion Control
RT West - MG
In this session, we will discuss our aquifers and rainfall, how we can use water wisely, and how to keep our topsoil from washing away. 
Support:  Kay Parris and Gina Rogers

April 14, 10 AM: Vegetable Gardening in Square Foot Sections/ Vertical Gardening
Tom Heath - MG
Learn when and what vegetables to plant in Calvert County, and what techniques will make your vegetable garden a success.  You will discover how to produce a bountiful harvest even if your area and/or sunlight are limited. 
Support:  Mary Butz and Gay Ludington

April 28, 10 AM: Practical Tips on Composting, and Raised Bed Gardening
      Norma Imershein, Mary Jo Ludvigson, and Jim McVey  -- MG
Why compost?  How do you compost?  What do you need to compost?  How do you use compost in a raised bed?  Find out this and more!
Support:  Eileen McVey and Gay Ludington

April 28 @ Annmarie Gardens -  Green Expo, 1:00 PM
Planting for Pollinators
Bob Boxwell - MG
Pollinators are essential for food production and plant propagation.  Learn how you can provide a habitat that benefits them by gardening appropriately and using native plants in your landscape.

May 12, 10 AM: Making Wreaths and Other Designs
Veronica Cristo – MG             
Preregistration required.  Call Calvert Library in Prince Frederick @ 410-535-0291
Enjoy a wreath making demonstration with lots of ideas for your own creations and create a special arrangement for yourself or your mother just in time for Mother’s Day.
Support:  Pam Enrico and Gay Ludington

June 16, 10 AM: Homegrown Herbs             
Mary Edington – MG
Planting, growing, and harvesting herbs that grow well in this region is easy and rewarding.  A personal herb garden is convenient for cooking and a decorative addition to your landscape.    
Support: Lucy Muehleisen and Gay Ludington

August 11, 10 AM: Edible Landscaping
Jean McDougall - MG
Bring beauty, fun, and nourishment to your home landscape with attractive and edible plants and trees.
Support: Gina Rogers and Pat Terlisner

August 18, 10 AM: Grow It, Eat It, Preserve It
Lorraine Harley – Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, University of MD Extension
Learn to identify safe food preservation practices, how canning preserves food, and processing high and  low acid foods using a water bath and pressure canner.
Support:  Gay Ludington and Anita Bruno

**August 25, 10 AM: Invasive Plant ID**Date change
Carla Porter - MG
Invasive plants are disrupting natural ecosystems throughout the U. S.  Most residents  are unaware if these plants are growing in their landscape or woods.  Learn to identify invasive plant species commonly found in Maryland.
Support:  Jim and Eileen McVey

September 8, 10 AM: Beekeeping Basics
Mary Oritt – MG and Beekeeper
What kinds of bees are in your garden?  Come learn the basics of bees:  how they pollinate, why only honeybees make honey, and why beekeeping can be such a joy!
Support:  Gay Ludington and Dom Raino

September 22, 10 AM: Putting Your Garden to Bed
Lucy Muehleisen - MG
Now is the time to clean up your garden for a long winter’s nap.  Learn how to properly winterize to eliminate future problems and improve your soil to ensure a good spring growing season.               
Support:  Anita Bruno and Romona Clark

November 17, 10 AM: Decorating with Natural Materials for the Holiday
Mary Oritt - MG
Come join us to learn where to gather natural materials from the outdoors to create decorations for your home, inside and out, to create a festive home for the holiday season!
Support:  Pam Enrico and Melanie Crowder