May Gardening Events Around Richmond

With the average last frost date now behind us, it is time to dig in to gardening and outdoor activities. May’s offerings include a variety of activities, from farm swaps and plant sales, to garden concerts and virtual education. In addition to the many events you can attend this month, there are several volunteer opportunities available, at which you can get your hands dirty, learn a little about gardening, help improve our Richmond landscape, and meet others with similar interests.

You can tour Agecroft Hall’s Sunken Garden on Mother’s Day Sun., May 9, 2021 from 12-5pm. FREE admission (garden only). Register online. Photo credit: https://www.agecrofthall.org

Gilmanor Spring Event. Gilmanor Farm. Sat May 1, 8a. Free admission.
Spring PlantFest Plant Sale. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Sat May 1, 9a-3p. Free admission.

Virginia Farm Festival. The Meadow Event Park. Sat-Sun May 1-2, 10a-5p. $5 admission, purchase in advance.
Backyard Composting 101. Virginia Master Gardener Association and the Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Mon May 3, 7p-8p. Online via Google Meet, free.
Young Gardeners: Seed to Sprout. Henrico County Public Library. Part one of a two part series, for ages infant-grade 5. Via Webex. Tues May 4, 3:30p-4:30p. Optional registration, free.
Seasonal Garden Walk. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Tues May 4, 10a-11a; Tues May 11, 10a-11a. Registration required. Members, free; Non-members, $17
Grow Native Series: The Right Native in the Right Place. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Webinar. Tues May 4, 6:30p-8p. $10 registration, covers the entire series.
Mulch a Growing Forest at Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center. Sat May 8, 9a-12p. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.
Conserve & Create. Bellemeade Park. Sat May 8, 9a-12p. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.

Midlothian Farm Swap. Hosted by Pet Chickens of Virginia at the Steel Horse Harley Davidson shop. Sun May 9, 12p-3p. Free.
Mother’s Day at Agecroft Hall. Free admission (garden only). Sun May 9, 12p-5. Register online, free.
Invasive Plant Removal. Forest Hill Park. Sun May 9, 1p-3p. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.
Virtual Mother’s Day Concert. Agecroft Hall. Virtual. Sun May 9, 6p-7p. View online, free.

The Herb Garden at Maymont, photo credit: Speciality Gardens | Maymont Foundation

Maymont Gardening Project – Mulching, Planting, and Spring Renovation! Wed May 12, 1p-4p. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.
Young Gardeners: Sprout to Snack. Henrico County Public Library. Part two of a two part series, for ages infant-grade 5. Via Webex . Sat May 15, 11a-12p. Optional registration, free.
Virtual Garden Basics Workshop: “Tomatoes & Tomato Diseases.” Virginia Cooperative Extension – Piedmont Master Gardeners. Via Zoom. Sat May 15, 2p-3p.
Garden Clean Up. Virginia Randolph Education Center. Wed May 19, 9:30a-12:30p. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.

Recurring Gardening Events in May:

Photo credit: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Wednesdays Alfresco. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Wednesdays, 4p-9p. Recurring event. Online advanced tickets required, $5-$14.
Belle Isle Invasive Species Removal and Planting. Thursdays, 9a-12p. Recurring event. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.
Invasive Management along Buttermilk Trail. Fridays, 1p-3p. Recurring event.
James River Park Clean Up. James River Park System. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10a-12p. Recurring event. Sign up in advance. Volunteer opportunity.

— By Denise Levitskiy

Richmond on the Cheap contributor Denise Levitskiy is a Richmond, Virginia based thrifty mama and gardening enthusiast. She is a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, had a writing stint as a Marine Corps civilian, and then switched professions to attend Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing. She recently paused her nursing career to be home with her boys and focus on her family’s homesteading dreams. You can follow her gardening and home improvement adventures on her Instagram account: @thisoldhouseishome.