Master Gardeners 2nd Saturday in August

Master Gardener Second Saturday in August

By Laverne Fuller

The Master Gardener Second Saturdays series at the Halifax Farmer's Market continues on August 13 from 8 to 11 a.m. with a 9:30 demonstration on how to divide perennials. Perennials are a mainstay of the landscape in that they come back year after year. You can Google native Virginia perennials to find varieties that are suited to our soils and weather conditions. Once a perennial bed is established, little maintenance is required to keep the area beautiful.

After a few years, you may notice that the blooms on your perennials are getting smaller or the plant gets thinner in the center. This is a sure sign that the plants roots are crowded and need some attention. Perennials can be divided in several ways. The entire plant can be dug up and the roots separated into multiple plants to be replanted. Another method is to use a shovel and to dig into the root ball of the plant and remove some of it. Either way provides more space for the roots to spread out and gives you happier, healthier plants. You can establish new beds or share the extras with friends and neighbors.

The Southside Master Gardeners will be dividing Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum odoratum and Bearded Iris.  The Master Gardeners will share the divisions with attendees as long as the divisions last.  Dividing Solomon’s Seal uses the common hack and whack method to separate a large root ball into smaller divisions.  This is a plant for a shady spot.  Bearded Iris need full sun to look their best.  Dividing the rhizomes uses a technique unique to bearded iris.  They also require a special planting technique.  The Master Gardeners will show you both the dividing and the planting technique. 

In celebration of National Farmers Market Week the Market will have food on site, kids activities, grilling demo, vendor samples, free recipes and more!  As always the market vendors will have organic meats and eggs, fresh produce, homemade herbal soaps and salves, local honey and fresh baked goods.  Inside the market are many other vendors with dog supplies, collectables, portrait photography and arts and crafts.

Another special event will be a display of the Golden Leaf Quilters’ Guild’s Raffle Quilt at the Hudson Heritage Farm’s meat wagon.  The quilt has a patriotic theme consisting of red, cream and blue colors with "Home of the Free Because of the Brave" embroidered on the border.  This is a perfect match since Hudson Heritage Farm is Veteran Owned and their grass raised meat products carry the label HomeGrown by Heroes.  Raffle tickets will be for sale for $1 each or 6 for $5.  Give your support to win this beautiful quilt that will benefit the South Boston – Halifax County Museum.

Join the Master Gardeners at the Halifax Farmer's on August 13 to learn more about maintaining a beautiful landscape and to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

For more information about the Master Gardener program, call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147, option 0, visit the website at www.ssmga.org

or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Caption for picture: Join the Southside Master Gardeners at the Halifax Farmers on August 13 for a special demo at 9:30 dividing this beautiful Solomon’s Seal, a great plant for the shade border.

Change in Sanitation Schedule for Week of July 4th Holiday

                                                                            TOWN OF HALIFAX, VIRGINIA

Sanitation & Recycling Department

70 South Main Street, Post Office Box 627

Halifax, Virginia 24558

(434) 476-2343

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

EFFECTIVE WEEK OF JULY 4^TH HOLIDAY

June 27, 2016

To All Town of Halifax Customers:

Halifax Town Hall will be closed on Monday July 4^th in observance of Independence Day. Please be aware that the Town of Halifax will be picking up recyclables on Friday July 8^th due to the modified Holiday schedule. The regular town curbside recycling pick up will resume Wednesday July 13^th as customary. During the modified holiday schedule, town residents may take their properly prepared recyclable materials (see guidelines for curbside pick-up below), to the large bins provided at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail lower parking lot which now accepts co-mingled newspaper (including mixed paper), plastic (#1 & #2), cardboard, cans (aluminum & metal) and mixed consumer glass (clear, green & brown). When recycling glass at the Convenience Center site, PLEASE PLACE THE GLASS DIRECTLY INTO THE BIN WITH NO BAGS-this will keep the glass free of contaminants so that sorting will not be necessary.

The Town of Halifax Solid Waste Department will conduct its solid waste pick-up the week of Independence Day on a modified schedule:

1. Monday July 4 – The Town of Halifax will be closed for the July 4^th holiday.
2. Tuesday July 5 – Residents normally served on this day will have solid waste picked up. This area includes properties along US Hwy 501 south from the RR Tracks to the corporate limits, Spencer Lane, Golf Course Road, Brook Run, Cowford Road, Meadow Drive, Banister Road, Gatha’s Trail and Ballou Trail.
3. Wednesday July 6 – Residents normally served on Monday will have solid waste picked up. This area includes Mountain Road, Canterbury Drive, Woodview Road, Mimosa Drive, Oak Lane, Pine Road, Ash Street, Cedar Lane, Poplar Lane, Crawford Road, Academy Street, Ballpark Loop (within corporate limits), Craddock Street, Houston Street and Main Street (from Mountain Road south to the RR Tracks).
4. Thursday July 7 - Residents normally served on this day will have solid waste picked up. This area includes Maple Avenue, Buena Vista Drive, Park Lane, Lakeside Drive, Harding Street, Snead Lane, Cary Street, Elam Street, Hedderly Street, Jackson Street, Back Street, Main Street (from Mountain Road north on US Hwy 501 and east on VA Hwy 360 to the corporate limits).
5. Friday July 8 – The Town of Halifax Solid Waste Department will conduct curbside recycling on this day and will resume regular weekly curbside recycling on Wednesday July 13^th.

Upcoming Classes on Essential Oils

UPCOMING CLASSES:

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR THE GARDEN- At the Grand Opening of Town of Halifax Farmer’s Market on Saturday, June 25. I will have a booth there all morning from 9:00-1:00. At 11:00 am I will teach a short class at my booth about how gardeners can use essential oils for themselves and in the garden. You will have the opportunity to make a couple of items such as Gardner’s Hand Soap, Bug Spray, and Fungus Spray for Plants.

SUMMERTIME FUN WITH ESSENTIAL OILS- At the Packhouse on Wednesday, June 29 from 6:00-7:00. We will learn how to keep ourselves cool and comfortable through the summer months with essential oils. I will demonstrate how you can make your own sunscreen, after sun spray, cooling spray, and bug spray. There will be a giveaway at this event! Also, we will order pizza for those who RSVP! Please contact Betsye Throckmorton at 434-222-6447 or Desiree Shaffer at 336-908-7272 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To RSVP.

Full-Time Street Laborer & Solid Waste Technician Position Available

Town of Halifax, Virginia

FULL-TIME STREET LABORER & SOLID WASTE TECHNICIAN

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POSITION DESCRIPTION: Under the direct supervision of Solid Waste/Street Supervisor, performs general and semi-skilled tasks on streets, sidewalks, and public grounds (landscaping & maintenance). Work is seasonal and is performed mainly out-of-doors; it requires strength and endurance.

QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to perform elementary maintenance tasks, cutting grass, trees_, and brush, maintaining tools and equipment, operating light equipment, assisting in the collection of solid waste and recyclable materials, operating vehicles as required, ability to follow written and verbal instructions, self-motivated and dependable. Valid Virginia driver’s permit. Must have own transportation. High school graduate or GED.

HOW TO APPLY: Town of Halifax employment application is required. Application and complete job description can be obtained at the Halifax Town Hall located at 70 South Main Street, Halifax, Virginia. Applications can be submitted in person or mailed and addressed to Carl Espy, IV, Town Manager, Post Office Box 627, Halifax, Virginia 24558.

Deadline: July 1, 2016.

EOE