Calvert Environment & Natural Resources

Master Gardeners are volunteer representatives of the University of Maryland who are trained to educate citizens about effective and sustainable horticultural practices. Master Gardeners offer landscaping problem-solving through demonstration projects, partnerships with other organizations, and public outreach activities. For more information, visit the UME's Master Gardener webpage.

Being a Calvert County Master Gardener involves continually learning about new horticultural advances. In fact, each Master Gardener is required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of approved continuing education each year to maintain the status of Active Master Gardener.

Calvert County Master Gardeners (CCMG)

You may complete continuing education hours through classes, webinars, and other educational opportunities offered by UME, extension, nature centers, and other related organizations.

CCMG Mission & Vision

CCMG Facebook Page

The Backyard Buffer Program is supported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service and the Calvert County Master Gardeners, in partnership with the American Chestnut Land Trust. The program provides Calvert County homeowners with free tree seedlings to create a native riparian forest buffer in their backyard. Calvert County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream, or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free trees through the Department's Backyard Buffers program.

Chesapeake Bay Forest Health

Trees intercept rainfall, reducing its impact and allowing the soil to absorb water instead of running off into streams. Trees planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, lowering peak water temperatures, reducing sediment, and stabilizing stream banks.

Calvert County Native Plants & Shrubs

Calvert County Native Ferns

Calvert County Native Grasses

Calvert County Native Plants

Chesapeake Natives
Learn about native plants from this non-profit organization.  Visit “Plant Characteristics” to view photos and learn planting information about many native plants. They list their open house days (one per month, March – September) when you can purchase native plants.

Creating a Meadow: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Native Plant Society
Lists native plants, sources for buying them, and plants that are invasive and should not be planted in our area. 

• Native Plant Sale Calendar
• Brochure: Landscaping with Native Plants

Native Plant Center
Search for plants native to the Chesapeake Bay region. 

Native Plants for Shady Slopes
Native plant suggestions for shady slope areas - published by the University of Maryland Extension.

Native Plants for Sunny Slopes
Recommended native plants for sunny slopes - published by the University of Maryland Extension. 

Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping
A resource for names of Chesapeake Bay Watershed plants broken down by types: trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous, etc., with planting requirements, wildlife value, and photos and discussions. 

Native Plant Guide – Northern Neck of Virginia
Most of the plants in this guide are also native to Calvert County. 

Calvert County Demonstration Gardens 

Demonstration Gardens are Bay-Wise Certified, demonstrating ecologically sound gardening practices that restore habitat and benefit plants, pollinators, wildlife, and ultimately, humanity. The garden is located at the Community Resource Building (CRB) across the street from the Prince Frederick Post Office.

Double Oak Farm Demonstration & Vegetable Garden 

Here, CCMG volunteers raise and nurture vegetables in a natural way to regenerate soil, and donate them to local food pantries. We work with youth groups for the "Grow-It-Eat-It" program. Our farm features demonstration, pollinator, and herb gardens, as well as a food forest. Located at the American Chestnut Land Trust.

Garden Smarter

This award-winning educational program allows Master Gardeners to share their knowledge and experience with the community. Attendees can ask questions, learn best management practices, and share ideas. The program begins in January with a Community Seed Swap where vegetable, herb, annual flower, and native plant seeds will be available for exchange. 

2026 Garden Smarter Lecture Schedule

Guild at Calvert Marine Museum

Master Gardeners partner with museum staff to educate the public on good landscaping practices to control stormwater runoff, encourage native plants, and use integrated pest management. It also demonstrates composting and effective, sustainable horticultural practices.

North Beach Farmers' Market Information Table

Displays materials for the CCMG Information Table at the North Beach Farmers’ Market to inform residents about all the programs offered by the CCMG. 2025 schedule (times may vary): April to October, Sat: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The farmers' market is located in the parking lot of the North Beach Senior Center.

Project Spudnik at All Saints Episcopal Church

Youth come together to grow potatoes and other vegetables in containers. The food is donated to area food banks. Participants learn about composting, soil composition, how to improve it, as well as how to prevent and control diseases, and create companion plant & pollinator gardens.

Rain Garden & Stormwater Management at Oliver United Methodist Church

This project covers stormwater management, planting of a rain garden, and installation of native plants to support pollinators in the community.

Youth Gardens at Annmarie Gardens

The CCMGs developed these gardens as teaching tools for the public and as part of the Annmarie Youth Summer Camp, where we instruct children about gardening, nature, and nutrition. The vegetables are donated to local food banks.

• Ask an Extension Agent
• Maryland Master Gardener Program
• UME Gardening Resources
• Maryland Grows Blog

Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) 

UME's HGIC develops and delivers science-based, sustainable gardening and integrated pest management education for better human and environmental health.  Publications about almost any aspect of gardening are available online, including Plant of the Month features, invasive species alerts, native plants, and much more.

Ask Extension

Send your questions about plants and pests to the gardening experts at the University of Maryland. 

Maryland Biodiversity Project
This organization is dedicated to cataloging all living things in Maryland. You can search for plants and animals, and submit photos for identification.

Soil Testing Information
Information from the University of Maryland Extension on how to collect samples and where to send them.

CCMG Gardening Information Resource List

Home and Garden Information Center
The Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) develops and delivers science-based, sustainable gardening and integrated pest management education for better human and environmental health. Send your questions about plants and pests to "Ask Extension," University of Maryland Extension. HGIC also publishes regular garden publications, including Plant of the Month features, invasive species alerts, native plants, and more.

Sitemap: Home & Garden Information Center

Maryland Biodiversity Project
This organization catalogs all living things in Maryland. You can search for plants and animals, and submit photos for identification.

Soil Testing Information
Information from the University of Maryland Extension on how to collect samples and where to send them. 

Calvert County Seed Swap

The 2026 Seed Swap will be held on January 17th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Calvert Library, Twin Beaches Branch: 4100 5th St., North Beach, MD 20714. We will have seeds in the following categories: Vegetables (warm and cool vegetables), herbs, native perennial flowers, annual/perennial flowers, and older seeds of all kinds. We will also have a Master Gardener representative from the Plant Sale. Two Master Gardeners will staff an information table to answer gardening questions. Registration will be available at the door on the day of the event, and we will accept the first 30 people every 15 minutes or so.

Bring your packaged seeds you no longer need to the seed swap (saved or bought for 2021-2025). We can't accept unpackaged seeds. Please divide, label, and package seeds.

2026 Calvert County Master Gardener Seed Swap Catalog

CCMG Plant Sale

The CCMG Plant Sale has become known as a source for native plants and organically grown vegetable plants. The Plant Sale is held on the first Saturday in May in the parking lot of the CRB. Educational workshops, tours, and a bake sale are also part of the day’s activities.

Aquaculture and Seafood Technology

UME educational programs that support sustainable aquaculture, seafood safety, ecosystem restoration, and Maryland's seafood industry. 

Learn More

Forestry and Natural Resources

The University of Maryland Extension ENR program offers resources on forest stewardship, wildlife habitat, conservation practices, renewable energy, and natural resource management. 

Learn More

Home Horticulture & Master Gardener Program

UMD Extension agents provide the community with science-based information on gardening, landscaping, integrated pest management, and sustainable landscape practices. 

• Ask an Extension Agent
• Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) 
• Master Gardener Program
• UME Gardening Resources

Water and Climate

UME agents offer education on water quality, watershed protection, climate resilience, stormwater management, and the proper care of private wells and septic systems. 

Learn More