Beginning in April, if you have gardening problems, or if you just want to discuss your plans with a knowledgeable fellow gardener, stop in at the Farmville Farmer's Market and “Ask a Master Gardener.”

The Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners started this program last summer as a public service to Farmville area gardeners. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have been trained in cooperation with the Virginia State Extension Service. They can show you how to take soil samples for testing, prune your fruit trees and shrubs, prepare your land for vegetables and flowers and offer you the latest advice from VA Tech.

Kathy Thompson is the chair of this project, ably assisted by former HOVMG president, Tina Wells. The HOVMG Farmer's Market Committee recently met to review procedures and repack the box of materials they will use to perform this service.

The Master Gardeners will be at their table every Saturday morning between 9 and 11 a.m. There is plenty of parking and it's a fine place to pick up home grown fruits, vegetables and flowers. If your plants are looking pale or a bug you've never seen before is attacking your beautiful broccoli, come on down and “Ask a Master Gardener.”