Virtual Classroom

Container Vegetable Gardening

Get started gardening with containers – no backyard needed! This presentation was offered as part of the Get Gardening! Home Vegetable Gardening in VA series hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program through Facebook Live.

Speaker: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County.

Originally presented April 30, 2020

Fall Vegetable Container Gardening

Have you always wanted to grow fresh lettuce or spinach in a garden but don’t have room? Learn why container gardening is a great way to grow some of these delicious and nutritious cool season vegetables. Offered in cooperation with Henrico County Public Libraries.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Nancy Penick, Henrico Extension Master Gardener.

Originally presented August 25, 2020.  Video is closed captioned.

Kitchen Gardens

Many of us love the idea of growing fresh vegetables but don’t have space or time. Kitchen gardens combine vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers in a garden right outside your back door. Come learn about how to create your own. Part of the Growing at Home Series offered by the Fairfield Area Library.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Grace Harrison, Henrico Master Gardener

Originally presented June 10, 2020.  Video is closed captioned.

Fall…Time for Cool Season Lawns

This presentation on lawns teaches why it is so important to think about a beautiful lawn in the fall of the year. It introduces soil testing, fertilization, liming and care of the cool season lawn-which are most lawns in the Richmond area. Part of the Growing at Home Series offered by the Fairfield Area Library.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Grace Harrison, Henrico Master Gardener

Originally presented August 13, 2020

Calibrating Irrigation Systems

A healthy lawn needs about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. The Henrico office of Virginia Cooperative Extension explains how to set your system to provide the precise amount of water your lawn needs to thrive. Part of the Henrico Horticulture Video Series with Henrico County Government.

Speaker: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County

Released July 18, 2018

Taking a Soil Sample

Healthy plants depend on healthy soil. The Henrico office of Virginia Cooperative Extension explains how to collect soil samples before sending them away for testing. Part of the Henrico Horticulture Video Series with Henrico County Government.

Speaker: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County

Released July 18, 2018

Interpreting Your Soil Test

A basic soil test can reveal the nutritional needs of your property and provide everything you’ll need to know to create a healthy lawn and landscape. From A to Z (alkaline to zinc), the Henrico office of Virginia Cooperative Extension explains how to make sense of your soil test results. Part of the Henrico Horticulture Video Series with Henrico County Government.

Speaker: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County

Released July 18, 2018

Turfgrass Care

The Henrico office of Virginia Cooperative Extension offers tips on caring for turfgrass, from watering and regular mowing to sharpening a mower blade and reusing grass clippings. Part of the Henrico Horticulture Video Series with Henrico County Government.

Speaker: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County

Released July 18, 2018

Fall is for Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs

Tulips, Daffodils, Oh My! Learn about the common spring flowering bulbs that are planted now, in the fall. Offered in cooperation with Henrico County Public Libraries.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Vickie Bell, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 15, 2020

Welcoming Pollinators

Learn how to invite pollinators into your garden space through planting the right plants to attract them. This presentation was offered as part of the Virtual HGS (Home and Garden Series) Program hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Hanover Unit through Facebook Live.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Linda McBride, Henrico Master Gardener; Shelly Underwood, Hanover VCE Summer Intern.

Originally presented June 18, 2020

Planting Trees

Learn about the proper selection, planting and maintenance of your tree. This presentation was offered as part of the Virtual HGS (Home and Garden Series) Program hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Hanover Unit through Facebook Live.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Davis Caskey, Henrico Master Gardener, Shelly Underwood, Hanover VCE Summer Intern.

Originally presented June 4, 2020

Backyard Birds

Learn about the common types of birds that could be found in you central Virginia backyard and how to attract them. This presentation was offered as part of the Virtual HGS (Home and Garden Series) Program hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Hanover Unit through Facebook Live.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Linda McBride, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 17, 2020

Indoor Plants

As fall is approaching you need to think about bringing your tropical plants back inside. In this presentation you will learn how to take care of your houseplants. This presentation was offered as part of the Virtual HGS (Home and Garden Series) Program hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Hanover Unit through Facebook Live.

Speakers: Grace Harrison, Henrico Master Gardener; Shelly Underwood, Hanover VCE Summer Intern.

Originally presented August 20, 2020

Fall is for Planting Trees and Shrubs

Fall is truly the time to think about the landscape of your home. Learn why and how to plant trees and shrubs to enhance the beauty of your yard. Offered in cooperation with Henrico County Public Libraries.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Davis Caskey, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 23, 2020

A Floral Designer’s Landscape

In this program you will learn about the different plants you can add to your landscape that are not only easy to grow, but can add interest to your floral arrangements. The program will include instruction on the basics of design. After our brief presentation we will show how you can incorporate some of those plants into a simple holiday floral design using a store-bought bouquet. Offered in cooperation with Henrico County Public Libraries.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Mary E. Vetrovec, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented November 17, 2020

Holiday Flowering Plants

Have you ever received a beautiful blooming plant for the holidays, but did not know how to care for it? This program will go over the most commonly received holiday plants and how to take care of them in your home so they can be enjoyed through the holidays and beyond. Offered in cooperation with Henrico County Public Libraries.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Lisa Hamilton, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented December 8, 2020

The Importance of Pollinator Gardens

Pollinators, like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, are the unsung heroes of horticulture. Creating a pollinator garden to attract them year-round is as easy as planting a few native plants. Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team visits with local experts to learn what a pollinator garden is and how to get started. Watch and listen to this podcast so you can find out what all the “buzz” is about.

Featuring Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County and Linda McBride, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 14, 2023

Turf Talks and Virtual Helpline – Soil Testing

Learn all about the importance of soil testing and how it is a best management practice for your cool season lawn.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Davis Caskey, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 8, 2020

Turf Talks and Virtual Helpline – Aeration

Learn all about the best practice of aeration for your cool season lawn.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Irvin Davis, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 15, 2020

Turf Talks and Virtual Helpline – Fertilization

With fall just around the corner, now through October are the key months for rejuvenating cool season lawns. In this brief presentation, you will learn about the importance of aerating your lawn in the fall.

Speakers: Ed Olsen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Henrico County; Davis Caskey, Henrico Master Gardener.

Originally presented September 22, 2020

From the Ground Up: Green Beans

Growing green beans in your backyard garden can be a snap with these helpful tips as Chris visits the garden of Henrico Extension Master Gardener, June Lynch.

Originally presented August 18, 2023

From the Ground Up: Garden Questions

The great thing about gardening is there’s always more to learn! Chris Mullins with Henrico County Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent, Ed Olsen shares how your local master gardeners can help when you have questions about plants.

Originally presented June 23, 2021

From the Ground Up: Preparing for Winter

Get your garden ready for winter with Henrico Extension Master Gardener, Grace Harrison.

Originally presented December 24, 2020

From the Ground Up: Transplants

Many Virginia gardeners raise their own transplants year-round to make sure they have exactly what they need. Chris shows us how to grow and plant them with Henrico Extension Master Gardener, June Lynch.

Originally presented April 26, 2021