Sixty gardening events in the month of July and that is not including visiting your local public gardens in the summer!
1, Saturday, Walking Tour: Great Plants for Wet Areas of the Yard. 11:00 am, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
1, Saturday, Crape Myrtles and More: Our Favorite Summer Blooming Shrubs, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
5, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus: Japanese Style Garden, 10:30 to 11:00 am. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Wednesday July 12, 19, and 26. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
6, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Summer Design, 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Tour that meets on second floor of visitor center. Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
6, Thursday, Lecture: Creating a Year-Round Landscape Filled with Color, by Linda Hostetler. 7:00 pm, Free. Rust Library, Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, VA. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org
6, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens, 12:15-12:45 pm. Meet at the East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden and join Smithsonian Garden horticulturist for series of free lunch time talks on Thursdays. Today’s topic: Containers: Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html
6, Thursday, Grow Your Own Bog and Carnivorous Container Garden, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
7, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Summer Design, 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Tour that meets on second floor of visitor center. Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
7, Friday, and 8, Saturday. Daylily Exhibition, Sale, and Tour (Meadowlark has an extensive daylily collection). 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, free. Hosted by the Northern Virginia Daylily Society. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
8, Saturday, and 9, Sunday. Orchid diagnostic and repotting clinic, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
8, Saturday, Japanese Style Floral Design, 10:00 am to noon and 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
8, Saturday, Talk: Mosquito madness and ticked off with ticks: what you can do to live comfortably outside. 11:00 am., free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
8, Saturday, Summer Plants that Sizzle, not Fizzle, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring
8, Saturday, Saturdays in the Garden, Compost is Nature’s Way to Recycle. 10:00 to 11:00 am, free. At the Loudoun County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org
8, Saturday, Full Moon Cocktail Dinner, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Fee and must register. Enjoy light catered dinner and cocktails in the new Evening Affair garden filled with fragrant white flowers that glow in the moonlight. The designer will lead a full moon tour through the garden discussing the design process and unusual fragrant species. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
9, Sunday, Edible Herbs and Soft Fruits of Belle Grove Garden, Fee and must register. Hosted by Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners, Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Rd., Middletown, VA. http://www.nsvmga.org
10, Monday, Mosquitoes and Ticks: Identification and Control. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free but must register. Presented by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org
11, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
11, Tuesday, You can grow it, 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Meet in the center of the garden court. Free but must register, this tour may go outdoors. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov
12, Wednesday, Surviving the Heat: Learn how to protect heat hating/heat loving plants during Virginia summers, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00 pm. 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. http://www.mgnv.org
12, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus: Japanese Style Garden, 10:30 am fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Wednesday July 5, 19, and 26. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
13, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens, 12:15-12:45 pm, Free. Meet at the East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden and join Smithsonian Garden horticulturist for series of free lunch time talks on Thursdays. Today’s topic: Perennial Favorites. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html
13, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
13, Thursday, Behind the Scenes at the U.S. Botanic Garden Production Facility 10:30 to 11:30. Free but pre-register. Meet in lobby of the production facility (see website for directions). U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov
14, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
14, Friday, Trees of the Regional Garden, tour held outdoors, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, free, must register. Meet on the National Garden Lawn Terrace, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov
14, Friday through Monday 17, Crapemyrtle Festival, Homestead Gardens, free. Both locations, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD; and 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com
15, Saturday, Pollinator Meetup: Everything Monarch, 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Free but must register. 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com
15, Saturday, Lecture: The right soil and fertilizer: Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potash. 10:30 to noon, free but must register. Conservatory classroom. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov
15, Saturdays in the Garden, Garden Heroes (good and bad bugs) and Vegetable of the month, free but must register, 9:00 am to noon. Hosted by Prince William County Master Gardeners. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery. 9535, Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/pages/saturday-in-the-garden.aspx http://www.pwcgov.org/grow
15, Saturday, Annual Waterlily and Lotus Festival, 10 am to 4 pm, free. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1505 Ancostia Avenue, NE Washington DC. https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/lotus-and-water-lily-festival.htm
15, Saturday, Composting: From Table to Garden, 2:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
15, Saturday, Made in the Shade Gardening Program, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring
18, Tuesday, Topiary: The Art of Creative Pruning, 9:00 am, free and must register. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.org
18, Tuesday, Gardening for Wildlife: Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary Certification. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and must register. Westover Library, 1644 North McKinley Road, Suite 3, Arlington. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org
18, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
19, Wednesday, Seed Saving, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00 pm. 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. http://www.mgnv.org
19, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus: Japanese Style Garden, 10:30 am fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Wednesday July 5, 12, and 26. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
19, Wednesday, Lecture: Small Water Features in the Garden, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Takoma Horticultural Society. Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD. http://www.takomahort.org
20, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens, 12:15-12:45 pm, Free. Meet at the East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden and join Smithsonian Garden horticulturist for series of free lunch time talks on Thursdays. Today’s topic: Growing, Drying and Freezing Herbs. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html
20, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
21, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
22, Saturday, and 23, Sunday, Montgomery County Annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale, free and times vary by location, see the link and brochure. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/AgServices/agfarmtour.html
22, Saturday, Workshop: Terrarium Making with Succulents, 10:30 am to 11:30 am or 2 to 3 pm (which is a repeat of the morning workshop). Free and must register. Conservatory Classroom. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov
22, Saturday, and 23, Sunday, Orchid diagnostic and repotting clinic, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
23, Sunday, Historic Garden Herb and Wine Tasting, 5:00 to7:00 pm. Fee and must register, limited seating. Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA. http://www.oatlands.org
25, Tuesday, Tour: Rediscover Bartholdi Park, 10:30 to 11:30, free but must register. Meet by the Bartholdi Park Fountain outside. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov
25, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
26, Wednesday, Composting and Vermiculture, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00 pm. 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. http://www.mgnv.org
26, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus: Japanese Style Garden, 10:30 am, fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Wednesday July 5, 12, and 19. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
27, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
27, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens, 12:15-12:45 pm. Meet at the East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden and join Smithsonian Garden horticulturist for series of free lunch time talks on Thursdays. Today’s topic: Hydrangeas Made Simple. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html
28, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: The Cutting Gardener’s Bounty, 1:00 pm. (Tour). Limited number of tickets are distributed at visitor center upon opening each day and are included in suggested donation. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
28, Friday, Tour of Tudor’s gardens, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Must register and requires the admission fee to the estate. Tudor offers tours on the fourth Friday of the month but people can take self-guided tours other times when the estate is open. 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
29, Saturday, Herbs and Tea: Tour and Tasting, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
28, Friday, noon to 4:00 pm; 29, Saturday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; and 30, Sunday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. International Tree Climbing Championship with Arbor Fair and Expo, free and family event. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov/
29, Saturday, Talk: The best local gardens to visit in the Washington Baltimore area. 2:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com
30, Sunday, Floral Design Workshop: The Cutting Garden Bounty, 10 to 12:30 or 2:00 to 4:30 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
The DC Parks and Recreation has a Summer Garden Workshop Series. Free workshops until September. Focused on practical urban gardening and taught by the leaders of DC urban garden movement. Check out the website for more details https://dpr.dc.gov/node/1124742
The Smithsonian Gardens staff provide garden tours on a regular basis in the summer (http://www.gardens.si.edu)
- The Mary Livingston Ripley garden has tours on Tuesday at 2:00 pm
- The Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Castle has tours on Wednesday at 10:00 am
- Common ground: Our American Garden at the National Museum of American History has tours on Thursdays at 9:30 am.
- Native Landscapes at the National Museum of the American Indian has tours at Thursdays at 1:00 pm
