In addition to these April gardening events, the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week will take place from April 23 to 30 across the Commonwealth, http://www.vagardenweek.org; and the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage will take place from April 30 to May 28 in Queen Anne’s, Harford, Talbot, Baltimore, and Charles County, http://www.mhgp.org. Also, the White House Spring Garden Tour occurs one weekend in April, which they have not announced yet as of March 29. This is a free event but first come first serve so monitor their site to find out the date: http://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/tours-and-events.
1, Friday or 2, Saturday. Make and take rain barrels. Learn about rain barrels and receive one with fittings, 10 am to 1:00 pm, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1470. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
2, Saturday, Spring Open House, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) 937-1100, http://www.behnkes.com
2, Saturday, Saturdays in the Garden: Getting Started on a Great Vegetable Garden, hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners, 10:00 am to noon, Loudoun County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, (703) 777-0373, http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org
2, Saturday, Planting Fruit and Berry Plants: Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape, 2:00 pm. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com
2, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening 2: Management and Maintenance, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but register at tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org if have questions. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.mgnv.org
2, Saturday, Starting Vegetable & Herb Seeds Indoors, 9:30-11 am. Fee; must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 201 5301 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
2, Saturday, 30th Annual Lahr Symposium, Native Plants: Good Design, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, fee for symposium. Concurrent native plant sale from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (no fee to enter plant sale). U.S. National Arboretum 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002. (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov
2, Saturday, Fair Oaks location of Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture on Container Gardens, 10:00 am. At the Gainesville location, free lecture on Spring Lawn Care at 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
2, Saturday, 7th Annual Spring Garden Party, 9 to 4 pm. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD 20781; http://www.communityforklift.org
3, Sunday, Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture on Water Gardening, at 1:00 pm http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
3, Sunday, Early Spring Show-Stopping Plants, 12:30-2 pm. Takes place in the gardens; wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Fee, register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 287 6601 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
5, Tuesday, April 5, Plan, Plant and Use Herbs, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Presented by the Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free, must register at tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. If have questions, call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.mgnv.org
6, Wednesday, Growing Superfoods. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks
7, Thursday, Herbs: Heirlooms from the Past, Grown Today at Smithsonian Gardens. 7:00 pm. Learn about culinary herbs from Smithsonian Gardens Horticulturist, Erin Clark. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW Leesburg. Free. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org
7, Thursday, Top to Toe cooking demonstration (sweet potatoes and beets) by the Cook Sisters. Also presented again on April 28. 12:00 to 12:45 pm and repeated at 12:50 pm. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
8, Friday, Green Matters Symposium, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1470. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
8, Friday, 10 to noon for AHS members and noon to five for public. And on 9, Saturday, 10 to 5 for public. Spring Garden Market at River Farm, home of the American Horticultural Society. Non-members pay $5 to park car but can be applied to new AHS membership. 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. http://www.ahs.org
9, Saturday, Waterwise Gardening.10:30 a.m. to noon. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd., Alexandria 22304. Free but must register at mgnv.org. If have questions, call 703-228-6414 or email to mgarlalex.org.
9, Saturday, Salad Bar Containers, 10:30 am to noon. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.mgnv.org
9, Saturday, Tomato Grafting, 10:00 am to noon, Presented by the Friends of the National Arboretum. Fee and must register. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov
9, Saturday, Growing Beautiful Roses, free lecture at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
10, Sunday, Shade Gardens, free lecture at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 1:00 pm. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
10, Sunday, Planting Fruit and Berry Plants: Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape, 2:00 pm. Free lectures at Behnke Nurseries Garden Center but must register, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
10, Sunday, Caring for Fruit and Berry Plants: Pruning, Feeding and Spraying, 11:00 am. Free lectures at Behnke Nurseries Garden Center but must register, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
10, Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden, 1-4 pm. Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Rd., Arlington 22207. Master Gardeners will be in the garden to answer questions about organic gardening, including controlling pests and diseases without the use of chemicals. Free; no registration necessary. For questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org.
12, Tuesday, Plan, Plant and Use Herbs, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., Alexandria 22314. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email to mgarlalex.org. http://www.mgnv.org.
13, Wednesday, Container Gardens for Edibles. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks
13, Wednesday, Top to Toe, Cooking with beets and sweet potatoes, presented by the Cook Sisters. Brookside gardens staff to explain plant anatomy. Noon to 1:30 pm. Fee; must register. Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1470 http://www.brooksidegardens.org.
14, Thursday, Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16thSt. S, Arlington 22204. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org. http://www.nvmg.org
16, Saturday, 10 to 6; and 17, Sunday, 10 to 5. The 26th Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. Free event in Leesburg, VA. See website for more information. http://www.flowerandgarden.org
16, Saturday, Let’s Talk Dirt: The History of our Soils and How to Amend Them, 2:00. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com
16, Saturday, Miniature Gardens, free lecture at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
16, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening 101. 11:00 am-12:30 pm. Fee; must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 283 5701 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
16, Saturday, Edible Landscape Design. 1:30-3 pm. Fee; must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 203 3301 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
16, Saturday, Perennial Foliage: Stripes and Splashes, Dots and Dashes by Stephanie Cohen, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Sponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum, fee and must register. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov
17, Sunday, Spring Color with Shrubs, Free lecture at the Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 1:00 pm. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
18, Monday, Composting Basics, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex.org. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.nvmg.org
18, Monday, Edible Gardening in Challenging Spaces, 8:00 pm. Presented by Meredith Shepherd, owner of Love & Carrots. Sponsored by the Silver Spring Garden Club; open to the public. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.
20, Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Edible Landscaping and Fruit in the Garden. Part of the Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks
20, Wednesday, Pruning Workshop. 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the DC Library, Takoma Park Branch, 415 Cedar Street, NW Washington DC. Sponsored by the Takoma Horticultural Club. Free and open to the public. http://www.takomahort.org
22, Friday, Open House at U.S. Botanic Garden: Celebrate Earth Day, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Free; no pre- registration. http://www.usbg.gov
23, Saturday, Sustainable Landscapes: A Field Day for Landscape Professionals, 8:30 am to noon. Meet in the Visitor Center but is outside; dress appropriately. Fee and must register, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov
23, Saturday, Friends of Carlyle House Garden Day Herb & Craft Sale, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, free but there is an admission fee to enter the Carlyle House (actual site of the Mansion House Hospital featured in the PBS drama Mercy Street). 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria 22314; (703) 549-2997
23, Saturday, and 24, Sunday Landscaping with Native Plants and their Benefits, 2:00 pm. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com
23, Saturday, 1:30-2:30 pm. The Right-size Flower Garden: Simplify Your Outdoor Spaces with Smart Design Solutions and Plant Choices. Talk by author Kerry Ann Mendez; book signing to follow. Fee and must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 287 3301 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
23, Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; and 24, Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Annual Herb and Plant Sale at Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy Street, NE Washington DC 20017. http://www.fmgg.org
23, Saturday, Exciting Perennials, Gainesville, 1:30 pm Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
24, Sunday, Great Annuals for Your Garden, Gainesville, 1:00 pm. Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.
24, Sunday, Earth Day Festival at Brookside Gardens, free, no registration required, come at 9:00 am to help with planting projects or come for festival from noon to 4:00 (301) 962-1429. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
24, Sunday through 26, Tuesday, 70th Colonial Williamsburg Garden Symposium, “Gardens We Call Home: Insights from the Trailblazers and Trendsetters.” Co-sponsored by the American Horticultural Society and the Garden Club of Virginia, fee and must register, contact Michele Moyer, conference registrar, (757) 565-8937. http://www.history.org/conted
24, Sunday, Creating a Pollinator Garden, 11:00 am. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
25, Monday, Vegetable Gardening 2: Management and Maintenance, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Presented by the Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria 22304. Free but must register tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex.org. http://www.nvmg.org
27, Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Water, Irrigation, Ollas & Rain Barrels. Part of the Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks
28, Thursday, Top to Toe cooking demonstration of sweet potatoes and beets by Cook Sisters. 12:00 to 12:45 pm and repeated at 12:50 pm. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
29, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Planting Trees and Shrubs, 1:30-2:30 pm. Fee and must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 289 3501 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.
29, Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for FONA members only and 1:00 to 4:00 pm for the public. Also on 30, Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for the public. Friends of the National Arboretum Garden Fair and Plant Sale (note new location, will be at the Grove of State Trees parking lot). Free admission. U.S National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002. http://www.fona.org/gardenfair
30, Saturday, Springfest, (Fairfax County’s official Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration). All day free event. The Workhouse at Lorton Arts, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079. http://www.springfestfairfax.org
30, Saturday, Alexandria Earth Day, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lenny Harris Memorial Fields at Braddock Park, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org
30, Saturday, Montgomery County Greenfest, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, free. Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD. http://www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org.
