Horticulture
Virginia Certified Pesticide Applicator Training
We offer multiple opportunities each year for Commercial Pesticide Applicators to renew their licenses. Commercial Pesticide Licenses expire every two years on June 30.
Upcoming Commercial Recertification Classes for 2022-2023
We will hold the following classes in person. Registration is required. Check back for more details or contact the office listed below.
- January 6, 2023 - Virginia Beach VCE 757-385-4769
Public Utilities Operations Building, Virginia Beach, VA
Categories 3a, 3b, 10, 60
Registration coming Winter 2022
- March 15, 2023 - Portsmouth VCE 757-393-5314
Portsmouth Moose Lodge, Chesapeake, VA
Categories 3a, 3b, 10, 60
Registration coming Winter 2022/2023
May 11, 2023 - Hampton VCE 757-727-1401 - Location TBD
Categories 3a, 3b, 5a, 6, 7a, 7b, 8, 10, 60
Registration coming Spring 2023
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
Master Gardener lectures at the Portsmouth Library- Churchland Branch, on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
January 18, 2023 - Growing Succulents March 15, 2023 - Pruning
February 15, 2023 - Seed Starting
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.
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 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.