World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet’s natural environment and resources – our water, air, sunlight, soil, minerals and fuels. Although these resources...
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A Lifetime of Learning
Enjoy our latest articles below
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Having a cup of joe? Thank a pollinator!
(Posted June 18, 2025) Did you have a cup of coffee this morning? A banana or blueberries with your cereal? Then thank a pollinator. This week—June 16-22—is National Pollinator Week, a time to celebrate all the essential gifts that pollinators bring to us, including a...
Compost: Turn Your Garbage into Gold
May 4 through 10 is International Compost Awareness Week, aimed worldwide to raise public awareness on why we all should compost our organics and use compost in our yards and gardens to create healthier soil. This year, the Piedmont Master Gardeners are doing their...
Ask a Master Gardener
Identifying, Preventing and Treating Termite Infestations
Question: Some of my neighbors in Central Virginia have reported termite damage on their properties. How can I tell if the insects I see are ants or termites? What measures can I take to prevent termite infestations? The Eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes...
Controlling Groundhogs in the Garden
Question: Groundhogs have taken over my vegetable garden and eaten some crops almost entirely. How do I get rid of them and how do I prevent the problem from happening again? By Carolyn Huyghe, Piedmont Master Gardener Intern Gardeners work diligently to tend their...
Red Imported Fire Ants in Virginia
Question: Red imported fire ants (RIFA) have been reported in southeastern Virginia and some Virginia cities and counties have been placed under quarantine. Are these ants spreading to other areas in the State, including Albemarle County? What do we need to know about...
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Alert: Invasive Plants, Insects, and Diseases
Vascular Streak Dieback: Threat to Redbuds and Dogwoods
You may wonder why you haven’t seen many flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) or Eastern Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) in local nurseries lately. This is likely due to concern about Vascular Streak Dieback, a fungal infection attacking these and other trees.
Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a potentially serious pest of grapes, peaches, hops and a variety of other crops, is now widespread in the Charlottesville-Albemarle County area. It is no longer necessary to report sightings to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Also, the Virginia Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine is no longer in effect. Click this button to learn more about this pest and VCE’s management recommendations.
Red Imported Fire Ants
Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) entered Virginia in 1989 and were first reported in Albemarle County in November 2024. They swarm and attack aggressively when their colony is disturbed, posing a danger to humans and livestock. They also damage agricultural crops and can girdle young trees with their hills. For now, Charlottesville and Albemarle County remain outside the state’s recently expanded fire ant quarantine area. Click here to learn more about this invasive species and how to identify it.
