September might look like summer is coming to an end but the gardening world is exploding full of activities and events!
1, Thursday, Fall gardening in Containers, 1:00 pm. Free and must register. Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th Street, South Arlington, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org
1, Thursday, Turf Renovation, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu
3, Saturday, Under the Arbor Series: 2016 Herb of the Year is the Chile Pepper, 1:00 to 4:00 pm in the National Herb Garden, free. Presented by the Herb Society of America and Arboretum staff. U.S. National Arboretum. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov
6, Tuesday, Simpson Demonstration Gardens Stroll, 11:00 am to noon, 426 E. Monroe Avenue by the YMCA, Alexandria, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free. http://www.mgnv.org
6, Tuesday, In the Garden Series: Meadow Gardening, 9:30 am, fee unless a member and must register. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. (410) 557-9570 ext. 261 or rhebert@ladewgardens.com. http://www.ladewgardens.com
6, Tuesday, Putting Your Herb Garden to Bed, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on September 8, at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org
7, Wednesday, Putting Your Herb Garden to Bed for Winter, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website: http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org
8, Thursday, Beneficial Insects in the Garden, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu
8, Thursday, Putting Your Herb Garden to Bed, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on September 6, Tuesday, at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org
8, Thursday, Lecture: Paw Paw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit by author Andrew Moore. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Fee, must make reservations and book signing to follow. Sponsored by the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. (540) 837-1758. http://www.blandy.virginia.edu
9, Friday, Lecture: All the Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell, author of same book, noon to 1:00 pm. Free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
9, Friday, Lecture: Planting in a Post Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West. Free but must register. Doors will open at 6:00, lecture from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
10, Saturday, Under the Arbor Series: Lemon Herbs, 1:00 to 4:00 free. In the National Herb Garden. Presented by Herb Society of America and Arboretum staff. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov
10, Saturday, Class: Trees 201: Learn to Identify Trees (classroom instruction and field session) 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Casey Trees, 3030 12th street NE, Washington DC. Free but must register in advance, light breakfast and lunch provided. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street NE Washington DC. (202) 833-4010. http://www.caseytrees.org
10, Saturday, Paw Paw Festival, noon to 4:00 pm. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD. Admission fee. http://www.montgomeryparks.org/events/pawpaw-festival-2/
10, Saturday, Ten Unusual Garden Beauties Tour, 7:30 to 8:30 am. Follow horticulturist Carol Miranda for a tour of the gardens to discover unique plants that can add pizza to any garden. Free with paid admission the gardens, wear walking shoes. Pre-registration required. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. http://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
10, Saturday, Lecture: Pome Fruit: Apples, Pears, and Quince: Botany, History and Production by Todd Brethauer, 10:30 am to noon. Free but registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
10, Saturday, Fall Garden Day, Plant Sale and More at Green Springs. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. Free. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
10, Saturday, Friends of Brookside Gardens (FOBG) plant sale, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center South Terrace (8:00 to 10:00 am for FOBG members only). Second day, 11, Sunday, 9:00 am to noon and 10 percent discount for FOBG members. http://www.friendsofbrooksidegardens.org for details and listing of plants, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
10, Saturday, It’s Basic Gardening – Down and Dirty with Carol Allen, 1:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
10, Saturday, Fall Herb Faire, 9:00 to 5:00 pm. Lavender Fields Herb Farm, 11300 Winfrey Road, Glenn Allen, VA. Free (also offers classes during month). http://www.lavenderfieldsfarm.com
11, Sunday, Organic Vegetable Garden Taste and Tour, hosted by VCE Master Gardeners. 1-4 pm. Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free. http://www.mgnv.org
11, Sunday, Composting Program in Conjunction with Organic Vegetable Garden Taste and Tour, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. No need to register, Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org
13, Tuesday, Lecture: Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener by Joseph Tychonievich, horticulturist and author. Sponsored by the Maryland Horticultural Society. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Green Spring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. Call (410) 821 5561 or e-mail programs@mdhorticulture.org for more information; free for members; fee for non-members. http://www.mdhorticulture.
14, Wednesday, Eat Fresh in December: Cold Frames and Hot Beds. 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website: http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org
14, Wednesday, Lecture: Pollinators, Their Importance and Status by Sam Droege, biologist with U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, Virginia Native Plant Society Potowmack Chapter; Fairfax Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists; VCE and the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, free. 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA. http://vnps.org/events
14, Wednesday, Non Native Invasive Plant Removal, two parts, first part is class at Casey Trees at 3030, 12th Street, NE, Washington DC from 6 to 9 pm. Second part is a field session on Saturday 9/17 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Free and must register. (202) 833-4010. http://www.caseytrees.org
15, Thursday, Special Event: National Garden 10th Anniversary Gala, 6:00 pm. Must register in advance and fee. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
15, Thursday, Fall Soil Preparation for a Fertile Spring, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu
16, Friday, Lecture: Old Roses for a Modern World, noon to 1:00. Presented by the curator of Brooklyn Botanic Gardens’ Cranford Rose Garden. Free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
16, Friday, Garden talks with Master Gardeners; Grow Beautiful Bulbs, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
17, Saturday, Seed Saving in the Garden, from Vegetables to Flowers to More, with Carol Allen 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
17, Saturday, Saving Tender Plants and Tropicals for Next Spring — Propagation and Recovery with Carol Allen, 1:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
17, Saturday, How to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden, 7:30 to 8:30 am. Join horticulturist Tammy Burke on a tour through the Pollinators Garden, free with paid admission to the gardens, pre-registration required. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. http://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
17, Saturday, Lush Autumn Container Workshop, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Create a beautiful autumn garden container. Class includes plants, container, soil and design help. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
17, Saturday, National Garden 10th Anniversary Celebration 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Free and no registration required; an all day festival for all ages, family event. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
17, Saturday, Hyattsville Environmental Expo, featuring keynote speaker Thomas Rainer, author of Planting in a Post Wild World at 1:00 pm. Also opportunity to buy rain barrels. Festival is 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD. http://www.hyattsville.org/grassroots.
17, Saturday, First Annual Paw Paw Festival, noon to 5:00 pm, admission fee. Hosted by Michael Judd’s Ecologiadesign.com. Event at Long Creek Homestead, parking at Brook Hill Church, 8946 Indian Spring Road, Frederick, MD. http://www.ecologiadesign.com
17, Saturday in the Garden, Plant Propagation, Taught by VCE Prince William County staff and Master Gardener volunteers in the Teaching Garden of the St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. 9:00 am to noon; free but registration requested. Call (703) 792-7747 or e-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org.
18, Sunday, Divide and Conquer Your Perennials with Carol Allen, 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com
18, Sunday AutumnFest Celebration at Glencarlyn Library Community Garden (and plant sale), sponsored by VCE master gardeners of NoVA. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Glencarlyn Library, 300 S. Kensington Street, Arlington, VA. http://www.mgnv.org
19, Monday, Tree Selection for Urban Street and Small Yard Plantings, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Sponsored by the Alexandria Beautification Commission. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org
20, Tuesday, Landscape for Life, a 6-session class on sustainable landscaping developed by Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden. Classes meet every Tuesday morning from 10:00 am to 12:30 from 9/20 to 10/25. Fee and must register. Classes held at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA. http://www.lflclass.wordpress.com
21, Wednesday, topic to be announced. 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website: http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org
21, Wednesday, A Day with Floral Designer Holly Heider Chapple. 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sponsored by the Leesburg Garden Club. Fee and must register. Held at the Riverside on the Potomac, 44337 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA. http://www.leesburggardenclub.org.
22, Thursday, Rain Gardens, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington, DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu
24, Saturday, Under the Arbor: Natural Dyes, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Free. In the National Herb Garden. Presented by the Herb Society of America and Arboretum staff. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov
24, Saturday, Garden Program: All About Figs, 10:0 to 11:00 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
24, Saturday, Workshop: Autumn Seed Collecting 10:30 to noon. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
24, Saturday, Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. A collection of vendors from various states. St. Clements Church, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA. Corner of Quaker and Oakcrest. www.parkfairfaxnativeplantsale.org
25, Sunday, Simpson Park Gardens Fall Open House, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, 426 E. Monroe Avenue by the YMCA, Alexandria, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free. http://www.mgnv.org
25, Sunday, Hometown Habitat Film Screening. 90 minute film, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Seating limited; advance registration requested. Sign up at http://bit.ly/2av1P2g. Sponsored by the VCE Master Gardeners of Arlington/Alexandria and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment. Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA http://www.mgnv.org
28, Wednesday, Inside Arlington Kitchens: Fermented? Home cooking? 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website: http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org
28, Wednesday, Tour Backstage Pass of the USBG Production Facility, 10:30 to noon. Must pre- register but free and meet at greenhouses. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov
28, Wednesday, Lecture: Dr. Richard Olson, Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the Beltsville Garden Club, James E. Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. Free and open to the public. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org
29, Thursday, Fall Tree Care Tips, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu
29, Thursday, Fall Pruning and Care of Trees and Shrubs by Scott Johnston of Johnston Tree Care, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Workshop begins in library and then outside for demonstration and hands on practice, dress for weather. Free but reservations required. Sponsored by the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. (540) 837-1758. http://www.blandy.virginia.edu
29, Thursday, Lecture: Soil Evaluation and Composting, sponsored by VCE. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org
29, Thursday, Ladew’s Fall Lecture Series: Living with Southern Style with James Farmer (author of many books). Fee and must register in advance, optional lunch and by reservation. Coffee and Danish served at 10:00 am, lecture begins at 10:30, book sale afterwards. Contact Rachel Hebert (410) 557-9570, ext. 261; rhebert@ladewgardens.org. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com
30, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Plant More Natives. 1:30 to 2:30. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/
Wow! There are a lot of gardening events going on in our area.
I know and that is not all, it is only Peg’s picks