The Charles County Master Gardener Program is part of the University of Maryland Extension's Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) program and delivers research-based education and technical assistance to help individuals, communities, and organizations conserve and responsibly manage Maryland's natural resources.
What: NatureFest
NatureFest is an annual community event for Charles County children ages 4-12. Master Gardeners of Charles County contribute plants and seeds, horticulture-related activities. The inaugural event was hosted by the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center at Tilghman Lake Park in La Plata. In 2025, it was located at the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata.
For more information on NatureFest, visit the NatureFest event page.
What: Nurture Natives
October 2022 was the inaugural tree and shrub giveaway. On April 29, 2023, Master Gardeners of Charles County will once again partner with Nurture Natives at Maryland Day on the University of Maryland campus in College Park. Hundreds of free native shrubs and trees will be distributed to Maryland residents from 10 am – 4 pm.
In late 2021, NCAC, Charles County 4-H, and Master Gardeners of Charles County were awarded a grant to train teen pollinator ambassadors. As part of that project, 18 teen ambassadors learned about the importance of pollinators, challenges they face, and ways they can be supported. Teens used that knowledge to develop fun, interactive activities to teach younger children and adults about pollinators at schools, camps, and outreach events. Through their efforts a total of 665 people; 447 youth and 218 adults learned about pollination.
Download the Nurture Natives: A Guide to Invasive Species and their Native Look-Alikes
When: Plant sale held on the 3rd Saturday of May
Project Leader Name: Terry Thir
Contact Info: Thirccmg1@gmail.com
Annual fundraiser to create a fund for yearly MG projects and activities. The MG plant sale is held at the La Plata Farmers Market on the 3rd Saturday of May. MGs grow annual flowers, vegetables, and herbs by seed to sell. We also sell all types of plants (houseplants, ornamentals and edibles, heirlooms, perennials, and annuals).
When: Upon Request
Project Leader Name: Vacant
MGs answer questions from area residents on a wide range of plant-related topics. Residents may bring in samples of diseased plants for diagnosis or some with questions about their lawn or garden. Master Gardeners also provide Extension brochures and information to clientele. Plant clinics are held at the farmers markets and other public events.
Project Leader Name: Rose Markham
Contact Information: rosemarkham@comcast.net
Invite a team of Bay-Wise Master Gardeners of Charles County to your home to evaluate your landscape and give you advice about native plants, ways to control storm water runoff and other Bay-Wise information.
The Bay-Wise program is a landscape education program that focuses on water quality and conservation efforts in protecting Maryland waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. It comprises a set of environmental topics, that when used in landscape management, protects the quality and quantity of the water in Maryland. The landscape owner fills out the Maryland Living Landscapes Metric. The homeowner checks off actions based on eight habits for following best practices. Each action taken is worth 3 points; earn 80-100 points to be considered for a certification visit. Homeowners are given advice on potential opportunities to improve. Additional visits may be scheduled.
When: Volunteers meet first Wednesday of the month April-October at 10:00 a.m.
Project Leader: Rose Markham
Contact Information: rosemarkham38@gmail.com
This is a historic property. Master Gardener installed and maintain the herbal garden which was commonly found in gardens in the 1800’s. MG also maintain the iris border, pruning, and garden clean-up.
When: On-going
Project Leader(s): Terry Thir Kathleen Jenkins
Contact Information: Thirccmg1@gmail.com kgjenkins@comcast.net
The Charles County Extension Service Demonstration Gardens is located on the front lawn of the UMD Extension Office in Bel Alton, Maryland. Sections of the front lawn will include at least nine different gardens that incorporate a variety of themes and/or purposes. The demonstration gardens will provide education for the public, including signage, tours, training, and information about the content of each garden. One garden has been completed at this time, which is considered a Historical Garden, which was designed to mimic a riverside/costal spring landscape. We are currently working on a Bay-Wise demonstration garden and planning for the Native Pollinator Demonstration Garden. Future guided tours by a Master Gardener will be available to the public, schools, and other organizations.
When: Ongoing
Project co-leaders: Beth Grem (ndbg1@verizon.net) & Meg MacDonald (maggiemac420@hotmail.com)
The Grow It Eat It (GIEI) Education project team presents several free workshops throughout the year to teach members of the public how to grow their own food in an affordable and environmentally sustainable way based on scientific research and best practices from verified educational sources. Workshops are held at various venues throughout the county, and topics are generally aligned to phases of the gardening season (planning, preparation, maintaining, harvesting, etc.).
In addition to scheduled workshops, the GIEI Education project team can provide personalized workshops or consultations on food and herb gardening to community groups and youth organizations as requested. Team members participate in other UME MG of Charles County public outreach events such as MG Plant Sale, Charles County Fair, La Plata Days, etc.
Photo: Rebecca Raphael shows off our "Table of Misery" with fruits and vegetables showing different diseases and pest damage already incurred.
When - Year round
Contact: Suse Greenstone sgreenstone@melwood.org
MGs work collaboratively with the Manager, Horticulture Therapy Programs, Melwood Horticultural Training Center. MGs assist with hands-on seasonally focused therapeutic horticulture activities with Melwood participants (and planning and/or teaching classes). The activities range from learning about indoor plants and tropical fruits and healthy living skills in the winter months, to three-season outdoor gardening and pest control, simple production greenhouse skills, nature studies, creative expressions, seasonal eating to teaching basic horticulture skills and pre-vocational market gardening and landscaping. Program sessions take place predominantly at the Melwood Recreation Center in Nanjemoy. MD. Indoor and outdoor classroom settings include outdoor vegetable and pollinator gardens. The Melwood Recreation Center greenhouse, and indoor classrooms, activity areas and kitchens.
When – As requested
Project Leaders Name: Terry Thir, Gail Walker
Contact info: Thirccmg1@gmail.com
"The Misadventures of Peter Rabbit in Farmer McGregor's Vegetable Garden" interactive puppet show teaches elementary children about eating nutritious vegetables, how vegetables are grown, how they are used in recipes and foods they eat daily. Farmer McGregor and Peter Rabbit will talk to the kids about growing and eating vegetables, what are good bugs and bad bugs, and, most importantly, why you should listen to your parents.
We are available to perform the puppet show for home schoolers, clubs, public schools, scouts, and other interested parties.
When – April - October
Project Leader – Brent Burdick,
Phone and Email: B361220601@comcast.net
The project is to provide assistance to the Southern Food Bank & Outreach Services’ Community Learning Garden. Their garden is used to demonstrate home gardening; to educate youth and other activity groups, to include home schoolers; and to harvest produce for use in their Food Truck operation and to provide fresh supplements to their pantry bags. MGs and Interns provide advice and help to maintain the Community Learning Garden; plan and conduct education sessions; and assist in harvesting produce for Food Bank use. The garden area and beds are relatively small and are located behind their offices in Waldorf. In 2019, educational activities were conducted during weekdays at various times over the summer. MGs and Interns delivered educational activities in informal class training, presentations, and hands-on activities in the garden, displays in the garden area, and through the demonstration garden itself. Maintenance and related activities for the demonstration garden were conducted during days/evenings and weekdays/weekends as needed throughout the growing season.
Where: Charles County Senior Centers
Project Leader: Michelle Chenault
Contact info: vmchenault@gmail.com
Classes and hands on activities are provided for special senior populations. Presentations and workshops for all county seniors are scheduled throughout the year.
Master Gardeners set up interactive information both to respond to resident’s questions on yard landscapes, gardening, and integrated pest management (IPM), native gardening for pollinators and other horticultural related questions.
