Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511140057
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This catalog is ideal for folks who want to use plants in specific ways but aren't sure which plants to use, since it includes ``specialty packs'' such as the wetlands seedlings pack that offers tree species that are suitable for moist areas along streams, ponds, lakes, or other low lying areas; native plant seed mixtures that can be planted for specific purposes such as the spring mixture annual game bird mixture that contains seed of Virginia plants that are known to attract certain birds; and a big section of tree seedlings with a description of the use that the species is good for, such as erosion control, wildlife food, or windbreaks.
This catalog, with order form, is available from your local Virginia Department of Forestry Office, which for the Roanoke area can be reached by calling 387-5461 or visiting 210 Riverland Drive in Salem. Readers outside this area are invited to contact their local Department of Forestry Office, listed as ``Virginia Commonwealth of: Forestry Department'' in your telephone book
Recruiting Master Gardeners
If you have an interest and some experience in any aspect of horticulture, like to work with people and have a desire to do something for our community that has the fringe benefit of earned respect, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program needs you.
This is the time of year that the Roanoke City Extension Office is looking for interested folks to enter the Roanoke area training program for 1996.
Making the commitment to work as a Master Gardener volunteer involves taking 48 to 50 hours of classroom training given locally along with reading the Master Gardener Handbook from Virginia Tech that serves as a resource manual. Master Gardeners volunteer a minimum of 48 to 50 hours as an Extension horticulture volunteer. Some of the current requirements include operating the ``Green Line'' to answer consumer horticulture telephone calls at the Roanoke City Extension Office, working with area youth in the annual 4-H Garden Project and working with the cities of Roanoke and Salem on upkeep of public rose gardens.
If interested, call the Roanoke City Extension Office at 857-7915. Interested participants with disabilities that would challenge participation should call immediately. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from Jan. 16 through March 12.
Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener training programs are conducted in other local Extension units in our region, particularly in the nonrural counties or cities. So, readers interested in becoming a Master Gardeners outside the Roanoke area should call their local Extension office.
Q: Please tell how and when to prune grapevines. Mrs. G.A. C., Bedford
A: Prune when the vines are fully dormant in either mid to late fall or mid to late winter. Remove damaged, diseased, or broken parts. Remember that branch sections that are older than one year don't produce fruit anymore; it is the branch parts that grew during the past summer that will be the ones to bear fruit next spring and summer. Short branch pieces that come out from the trunk near each trellis wire are the renewal spurs for the next year and should not be pruned.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered during the weeks that the subject is timely. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
Gardener's Checklist
Jobs for mid November:
Remove growth and mulch from around the trunk of fruit trees and grapes, thus eliminating rodent cover; clean, dry and put away sprayers and chemical mixing equipment
by CNB