Looking for a different volunteer opportunity? Join the Ask Extension team to assist answering horticulture questions sent in by the public. All of the questions are answered through a website, so you can be located anywhere in the state to participate.

This opportunity requires a moderate to high level of knowledge and experience (such as working plant clinics) as there will not be much time for one-on-one coaching.

Please contact Miri Talabac if interested.

Second Wednesday of the month, April-October, 12:00 – 1:00pm, Zoom

Join us for monthly updates from our UME experts on what questions or hot topics you might encounter at your upcoming Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinics!

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Stephanie Pully on or before 2 weeks prior to the webinar at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616.

A 4-part webinar series with Extension specialists aimed at new native gardeners to learn how to start, maintain, and grow a native garden. Our webinar series will take place via Zoom. Register for each session you would like to attend, and the information to join the Zoom will be emailed to you the day before the session.

Please note: These sessions will NOT be recorded. Please only sign up if you can attend, and be prepared to take good notes.

Sessions:

• Tuesday, April 7: Designing with Native Plants
• Friday, April 10: Choosing the Right Native Plants
• Tuesday, April 14: Building a Thriving Habitat
• Friday, April 17: Maintaining & Multiplying Your Native Garden

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Stephanie Pully on or before 2 weeks prior to the session date at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616.

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.

Lisa Kuder, Native Plants & Landscapes Specialist, is launching a new Natives at Noon webinar series in 2026!

You can find the schedule of webinars for the whole year at the button below:

Save the date for the 39^th annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium, coming up on Saturday, March 28^th, 2026, from 9:00am-4:00pm, and held at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC!

This all-day event features a slate of expert speakers who will touch on a variety of topics, exploring themes both new to the Symposium and familiar. Join us for an engaging day of presentations and conversation as we delve into the world of native plants.

This year’s topics include:

• Traditional ecological knowledge and the relationship between people and plants
• The ecological link between native birds and plants at the U.S. National Arboretum
• Regenerative gardening, agroforestry, and supporting a healthy planet
• How to utilize native plants in designing a four-season garden
• The intersection of native plant purism and sustainable horticulture and superior garden performers

Your ticket includes a provided lunch with gluten free and vegan options available. Additionally, the Friends of the National Arboretum Native Plant Sale will happen concurrently outside the Symposium from 8:00am-1:00pm! Come early to the Symposium or leave time during the lunch hour to shop.

April 23rd | 6:30PM Speaker | 7:30PM Reception

Chesapeake Bay Trust Green Headquarters: 108 Severn Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403

Spring Ephemerals Bring Hope

By Sara Yosua, Master Gardener, Baltimore County

A Container Gardening Cautionary Tale

By Erica Smith, Master Gardener, Montgomery County

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.