Welcome to
Suffolk Extension Master Gardeners
We Exist to Serve You
Suffolk Extension Master Gardeners (Suffolk EMGs) volunteer their time and expertise to provide FREE horticultural education for residents of the City of Suffolk, Virginia. They provide programs for both youth and adults on a variety of topics like tree care, native plants, flower and vegetable gardening, pest and disease identification, integrated pest management, and more. Visit the programs, events, and demonstration garden pages to learn more!
Ask a Master Gardener
Getting help is easy! Suffolk EMGs can be found at our office, on Facebook, by phone, email, and at various Suffolk farmers markets. Take advantage of our Ask a Master Gardener program, where you can contact us from the comfort of your own home! To submit a question, email us at SuffolkMG@gmail.com or call us at 757-514-4335. When emailing, attach pictures of the plant, pest, or problem and provide a detailed description. This will allow us to serve you. A Suffolk EMG volunteer will respond in a timely manner. Beginning in 2024, volunteers will be providing monthly office hours. Stop by our Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) classroom and obtain research-based assistance with your gardening questions and concerns.
Spotted Lanterfly Information
Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly Identification
and Reporting in Virginia
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You can prepare for the entire planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide
To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
🌿 Poison Oak vs. Poison Ivy: What's the Difference? 🌿
Poison oak and poison ivy are closely related, but they are not the same plant. Both belong to the same plant family as poison sumac and both contain urushiol, the oily compound that can cause an itchy, sometimes severe skin rash.
One of the easiest ways to tell them apart is by looking at their growth habit and leaves:
🍃 Poison Oak
• Typically grows as a shrub
• Usually reaches about 3 feet tall
• Leaves resemble those of a white oak tree
🍃 Poison Ivy
• Can grow as a small plant, shrub, or climbing vine
• Often climbs trees, fences, and other structures
• Has the familiar clusters of three leaflets ("Leaves of three, let it be!")
No matter which one you encounter, it's best to avoid touching any part of the plant. Both can cause dermatitis through contact with urushiol. ⚠️
Knowing how to identify these plants can help you stay safe while gardening, hiking, or enjoying the outdoors! 🌳 ...
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🕷️ Not all spiders are as scary as their reputation suggests! 🕷️
Many people are surprised to learn that while all spiders use venom to subdue their prey, the vast majority are not considered medically significant to humans. In fact, many harmless spiders are often mistaken for dangerous species.
Spider identification can be tricky and usually requires specialized knowledge and close examination. Because of this, harmless spiders are frequently misidentified, and many skin conditions or wounds that get blamed on "spider bites" are actually caused by something else, such as bacterial infections or other insects.
Spiders play an important role in our environment by helping control pest populations, making them valuable members of our garden ecosystems. 🌿
Before assuming a spider is dangerous, take a closer look, or consult a reliable identification resource.
📖 Learn more about Virginia spiders that are commonly confused with medically significant species:
www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ENTO/ENTO-73/ENTO-73.html
🕸️ These Virginia spiders don't deserve their bad reputation! ...
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Has the way you garden or what you grow changed over the years? 🥕 ...
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