Portsmouth Master Gardeners

Portsmouth Master Gardeners We are a unique group of volunteers who work under the guidance of VCE to provide unbiased, research-based, environmentally sound horticulture information.

See our pinned posts for information on accomodations for events and our photography policy. Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are a unique group of volunteers who work under the guidance of VCE to provide unbiased, research-based, environmentally sound horticulture information.

06/21/2026

Hello Summer! Time to water deep, mulch well, and enjoy the fruits (and veggies!) of your labor. Let the sunshine in.

🍓 Thank a Pollinator TodayMany of our favorite foods depend on pollinators:🥒 Cucumbers🍓 Strawberries🫐 Blueberries🍎 Apple...
06/20/2026

🍓 Thank a Pollinator Today

Many of our favorite foods depend on pollinators:

🥒 Cucumbers
🍓 Strawberries
🫐 Blueberries
🍎 Apples
🎃 Pumpkins

Pollinators support food production, healthy ecosystems, and biodiversity.

The next time you enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, remember the hardworking pollinators that helped make them possible.



Image: Portsmouth Master Gardener Member
Description: Corn and cucumber from the garden.

We're wrapping up pollinator week with a Pollinator Festival and plant sale from 9-12 at the extension office: 105 Utah ...
06/20/2026

We're wrapping up pollinator week with a Pollinator Festival and plant sale from 9-12 at the extension office: 105 Utah street. Come see us and learn about the power of pollinators!

🌺 Five Easy Ways to Help Pollinators1️⃣ Plant flowers that bloom from spring through fall.2️⃣ Choose native plants whene...
06/19/2026

🌺 Five Easy Ways to Help Pollinators

1️⃣ Plant flowers that bloom from spring through fall.
2️⃣ Choose native plants whenever possible.
3️⃣ Reduce pesticide use.
4️⃣ Provide water sources.
5️⃣ Leave some natural habitat, such as stems and leaf litter.

Small changes can make a big difference for pollinators.

What pollinator-friendly practices have you added to your landscape?



Image: Tobias Eicher via Pexels
Description: A close-up of a bee emerging from its underground nest in the dirt, showcasing natural behavior.

🦋 Monarchs Need MilkweedMonarch butterfly caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed plants. Without milkweed, monarch po...
06/18/2026

🦋 Monarchs Need Milkweed

Monarch butterfly caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed plants. Without milkweed, monarch populations cannot survive.

Consider planting:
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
• Butterfly W**d (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Adding milkweed creates critical habitat and helps support monarch migration.



Image: Matt via Pexels
Description: Detailed view of a Monarch caterpillar feeding on a milkweed plant in a natural environment.

🐝 Meet Our Native BeesWhile honey bees often get the spotlight, Virginia is home to hundreds of native bee species. Many...
06/17/2026

🐝 Meet Our Native Bees

While honey bees often get the spotlight, Virginia is home to hundreds of native bee species. Many are solitary bees that nest in the ground or in hollow stems.

Native bees are excellent pollinators and are important for wildflowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Help them by:
✔ Leaving some bare soil
✔ Avoiding unnecessary pesticide use
✔ Planting a variety of flowering plants



Image: Ali Goode via Pexels
Description: Macro shot of a mason bee resting on a stem, showcasing intricate details and textures.

🌿 Plant Native, Support PollinatorsNative plants and native pollinators evolved together. By adding native plants to you...
06/16/2026

🌿 Plant Native, Support Pollinators

Native plants and native pollinators evolved together. By adding native plants to your landscape, you provide the nectar, pollen, and habitat pollinators need to thrive.

Some great native choices for southeastern Virginia include:

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) (US Native)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
• Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Every native plant added to your garden helps create a healthier ecosystem.



Image: Wolfgang Vrede via Pexels
Description: A vibrant scene of a bumblebee pollinating a purple wildflower in a sunny meadow.

🐝 Happy Pollinator Week!Did you know that pollinators are responsible for helping produce about one-third of the food we...
06/15/2026

🐝 Happy Pollinator Week!

Did you know that pollinators are responsible for helping produce about one-third of the food we eat? Bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds, and bats all play important roles in pollinating plants.

Throughout this week, we'll share simple ways you can help support pollinators right in your own yard and community.

🌼 Follow along and tell us: What's your favorite pollinator?



Image: AnselMo via Pexels
Description: A female Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) on yellow flowers against a cler blue sky.

Address

105 Utah Street
Portsmouth, VA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17573935314

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