Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicator Training
This year we are offering three spring/summer Pesticide Re-certification Classes. On March 9, 2022, we will offer for Commercial Pesticide Applicators Categories 3A, 3B, 10 and 60. Location will be Lamberts Point Community Center in Norfolk 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Registration will begin at 8:30 AM. Contact Chris Epes in the Norfolk VCE Office for more information (757) 683-2819, cpes1@vt.edu. Please Click this link to Register.
May 18, 2022 - York County - Contact Megan Tierney, VCE Agent ( 757) 890-4940 megank@vt.edu
June 15, 2022 - Chesapeake - Contact Mike Andruczyk, VCE Agent - (757) 382-6348 Mikeand@vt.edu
If you have questions relating to turf and lawn, horticulture, gardening, pruning, pesticides, master gardener or pond questions, please email the Horticulture Extension Agent, Cyndi Wyskiewicz at cyndiw@vt.edu or call (757) 393-5314.
Winter is for Pruning
Below are several VCE publications on pruning trees and shrubs. See PDFs.
- Pruning Crapemyrtles
- Pruning Shrubs
- Pruning Basics and Tools Evergreen Tree Pruning Calendar
- Deciduous Tree Pruning Calendar Pruning Hydrangeas
- Deciduous Shrub Pruning Calendar
- How To Plant A Tree (video)
Gardening Classes and Workshops
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Portsmouth Master Gardeners have not been able to hold
in-person workshops or classes. They have been able to do some virtual classes via zoom.
Below are the links to the most recent virtual library lectures:
Fall Vegetable Gardening - September 16, 2020, given by Bob Perkins, PMG
https://video.vt.edu/media/1_o4vm1fbo
Pollinators in the Garden - August 19, 2020, given by Bob Perkins, PMG
https://video.vt.edu/media/1_36xgpt7e
Hot Trends in Houseplants - October, 2020, given by Amand Mines, PMG
https://video.vt.edu/media/1_en1mv2z8
Holiday Plants and Spices - November 18, 2020, givenby Kathy Halliday and Bob Perkins, PMGs
https://video.vt.edu/media/1_chkc6s7u
Extension Master Gardener Helpline
Get your lawn and garden questions answered by our Extension Master Gardener Helpline. We
are available to help from April - October, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-
2pm at our Portsmouth Extension Office. Walk-ins are welcome. We are also available via
phone at (757) 393-5319 or email pmghelpline@gmail.com.
Due to COVID-19 Restrictions, some of the following services are not available. Please
call the Horticulture Agent, Cyndi Wyskiewicz at (757) 393-5314 for more information.
Insect Identification Laboratory
Homeowners and can submit insect samples for identification by bringing a dead insect sample (well preserved in Isopropyl Alcohol) to the Portsmouth Extension Office. Bring sample in a Pill bottle or jar. Master Gardener volunteers or Extension Agent will try to identify and make a recommendation if insect is a pest. If we are not able to identify, we will mail your insect sample to the Insect ID Lab at Virginia Tech. You should have an answer in about 15-20 days.
Plant Disease Laboratory
Homeowners can submit plant samples for disease identification by bringing a plant sample with root intact in a Ziplock bag with one pint of moist soil to the Portsmouth Extension Office. If the Extension Agent or Master Gardeners are not available or able to identify disease, we will mail to the Plant Disease Laboratory at Virginia Tech. You should have an answer in about 15-20 days.
Weed Identification Laboratory
Homeowners can submit weed samples for identification by bringing freshly dug weed with root wrapped in a moist paper towel inside a Ziplock bag to the Portsmouth Extension Office. If Extension Agent or Master Gardeners are not available or able to identify weed, we will mail to the Weed ID Laboratory at Virginia Tech. You should have an answer in about 15-20 days.
Soil Testing
Homeowners can submit soil samples to the Soil Testing Laboratory at Virginia Tech by picking up soil sample boxes at the Portsmouth Extension Office. We will provide you with the application form and instructions for taking the soil sample and mailing to the lab. A report will be mailed to you from the Soil Testing Lab with recommendations for the plant/crop you plan to grow. Soil samples generally take two weeks to receive a report back in the mail.