We have an Agent Associate / Master Gardener Coordinator position open in Charles County. Apply today or share with others who may be interested!



Some changes have been made to the hours entry form:

• Youth gardening is now available as an activity code
• The 'Activity Date' has changed from a dropdown box to a text entry field. Please follow the format shown (mm/dd/yyyy) and enter the full date, for example '01/09/2024'. You can refer to this PDF for instructions.

Thank you to all who shared the public program evaluation survey last year. Here you can find the link and QR code to distribute this year's survey.

https://go.umd.edu/MGprograms24

If you have a presentation for your county/city report, please send it to Kaitlyn at kbaligus@umd.edu.

Did you miss any of our continuing education webinars last year?

Check out the recordings below! You can always see both upcoming continuing education opportunities and recorded webinars on the State MG Continuing Education webpage.

Chessie Green, as it is known within the industry, is a two-day event packed full of engaging and informative horticulture education. The symposium will be held on February 15 and 16, 2024, at the Maritime Institute. Come for an excellent education and enjoy networking, vendor showcase, and silent auction (to benefit scholarship).

Early registration costs are $125 for members and $185 for non-members. The cost of registration from February 2nd onward is $185, regardless of membership status.

The program brochure, which includes a full schedule, a listing of the sessions, and recertification credits, is linked here. Both days can count toward CE hours.

2024 GreenScapes Symposium – Early Bird Discount Ends Soon

Don’t miss out on the Early Bird fee of $50 that ends on Friday, January 12. Join industry experts as they share practical lessons from the field that fill in the gap between sustainable design theory and practice. We’ll explore the latest research from the University of Delaware, including case studies from award-winning public gardens and museums. Lectures will reimagine traditional landscapes with native plants and offer the latest in ecologically focused management strategies.

This will be offered as a series of live Zoom lectures with audience Q&A. Each session will be recorded and a link to watch the symposium will be emailed to participants. To learn more about the speakers and lecture topics, please visit: www.brooksidegreen.org.

This counts for 5 CE hours.

Landscape Contractors Association-

Sustainability Symposium

February 20, 2024 from 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Early bird price- $249.00 ends on Feb 1

Keynote speaker Doug Tallamy, Author of Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape

Other sessions include Local Industry Leaders Sustainability and Inspiring Women Landscaping Sustainably

Counts for 5.75 CE hours

The Spring semester at CCBC is just 4 weeks away: classes start January 29^th.  All classes are held at CCBC Dundalk, with the exception of one evening class offered at CCBC Catonsville. View the entire schedule Here 

There are scholarships available for some classes! Please contact Program Director Dr. Bradley Thompson with questions: bthompson3@ccbcmd.edu office: 443-840-3754. Or for help with registration, call Winny Tan in the CCBC Sustainable Horticulture office: 443-840-3787. Email: wtan@ccbcmd.edu  

Environmental Horticulture & Sustainable Agribusiness

Example of courses offered this semester:

HORT 105 Intro. to Sustainable Landscaping  - 2 semester hours

Gain a broad overview of trends within the Green Industry, including techniques and approaches for maintaining and improving soil health, composting, and managing stormwater, as well as provide a basic understanding of growth and nutrition to ensure environmental sustainability. Students will learn about national, state, and local guidelines promoting sustainability in landscape design and management. 

Monday, 7:30 - 9:10 p.m.              CRN #32802, Online

HORT 258 Sustainable Landscape Management - 3 semester hours

Hone landscape management skills by an in-depth study of proper planting and pruning techniques. Learn how to properly evaluate soil sites and conditions. Select appropriate amendments & develop fertilization programs.

Tuesday, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.             CRN 32807, CRN 32808 Lab, Hybrid format 

HORT 271 Plant Propagation and Production     - 3 semester hours

Discover the basic principles and skills used to propagate and produce a wide range of ornamental and edible plants, including natives, annuals, perennials and fruits. Lab will focus on seed propagation, cuttings, grafting, budding, division, layering, and tissue culture.                                                                                                                         

Thursday, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.            CRN 32809, CRN 32810 Lab, Face-to-face

Students can take these classes for credit or audit. Maryland residents 60 years and older may be eligible for a tuition waiver. Students pay only fees.  

For further information about this course and other courses offered this semester see attached or contact Stephen Dubik (240) 567-7803 or steve.dubik@montgomerycollege.edu

►In-county tuition rates available for Business/Industry employees

►Web registration: www.montgomerycollege.edu

Proper Care Extends Beauty of Holiday Plants

By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County, University of Maryland Extension

Ground Beetles:

How to Support These Garden Helpers During the Winter

By Alireza Shokoohi, M.S. Student, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park

The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.