Tag Archives: events

Upcoming Events from Gardens ‘n Plants Podcast: Episode 9

Before COVID-19, every month I would list local gardening events in the Washington DC metro area on my website. These were in-person lectures, workshops, and garden tours. Now of course, I am not able to list in-person events but there is still plenty happening virtually. During the Gardens ‘n Plants podcast show, I highlight several events in the upcoming 2 weeks (the podcast is biweekly). Continue reading

Peg’s Picks: February 2018 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

It is only February and there are 100 gardening events, many of which are free and designed to help you get started with this year’s gardening season!

1, Thursday, Webinar: Landscape Maintenance Practices for Native Bees, 4:00 to 5:00 pm, Eastern time, free to $10, must register. Hosted by the Eco Landscape Alliance. http://www.ecolandscaping.org

1, Thursday, Webinar: Foodscaping Gardening, 7-8:30 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Charlie Nardozzi. http://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com

1, Thursday, Presentation: A Visit to Monet’s Garden, 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Free and open to public. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg, VA. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

1, Thursday, online ordering begins for the Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual native seedling sale. This year deer resistant native shrubs and trees are available. Orders are placed online in February and seedlings are picked up in April for a nominal fee. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale

1, Thursday, Workshop: Woodland Critter Fairy Garden, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Also offered on February 2 at Severna Park location. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

2, Friday, Workshop: Woodland Critter Fairy Garden, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. Also offered at Davidsonville location on February 1. http://www.homesteadgardens.com.

2, Friday, Lecture: Gardening in the South by Mark Weathington, director, JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University and author of same book. Noon to 1:00 pm. Free but registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

3, Saturday, Seed Sale, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, free and open to the public. Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD. Hosted by the Hyattsville Horticultural Club. http://www.hyattsvillehorticulture.org

3, Saturday, Planning for Planting Vegetables: A Year’s Worth of Gardening Ideas, 11:00 am, free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

3, Saturday, Workshop: Beginner Hands-On Bonsai Class, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, fee and registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

3, Saturday, Basic Pruning Techniques for Shrubs, 9:15 am to 12:15 pm, Fee and must register, bring gloves and pruners, is outside. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

3, Saturday, First Saturday Guided Walk, 10:00 to 11:00 am, free with admission fee. No registration necessary. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

3, Saturday, Lecture: A Botanical Walk Through Black History by Kobina Abdul-Salim, PhD, Medgar Evers College, City University of New York. 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Free and registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

3, Saturday, Urban Gardening, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Merrifield location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

3, Saturday, Orchids for Everyone, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Fair Oaks location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

3, Saturday, Houseplants: Bring the Outdoors In, 10:00 to 11:30, free and need to register, Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke, VA. http://www.burkenursery.com

3, Saturday, Wildlife Habitats: Gardening for the Birds, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Gainesville location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

3, Saturday, Community Gardening: Using Native Plant Communities to Create Ecologically Valuable Gardens by Matt Bright, Conservation Manager at Earth Sangha, 1:00 pm, free but must register. Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA. Hosted by Prince William County Master Gardeners. http://www.mgpw.org

4, Sunday, Tool sharpening Workshop (to learn how to sharpen tools), 2:00 to 3:30, fee and must register, must bring certain items, see website, Cylburn Arboretum, Greenhouse Classroom, 4915 Green Spring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

4, Sunday, Orchid Clinic, Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, 9:30 to 4:00 pm. Free but if you need your orchid repotted, it will be done for a fee. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

4, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Gardening in the South, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Mark Weathington, director, JC Raulston Arboretum, author of same book, fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

5, Monday, Microgreens: What are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria,VA. Free but advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

5, Monday, through March 26, Washington DC Division of Parks and Recreation Urban Growing certification course 101 series. Free. Classes meet every Monday and Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, and two Saturday classes in March, must attend all for certificate, Turkey Thicket Rec Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington DC.  See website for class schedule, is 8 weeks long comprised of 16 sessions, each 2 hours. https://dpr.dc.gov/page/urban-garden-education-program

6, Tuesday, Bus trip to Longwood Gardens to see Orchid show. 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

6, Tuesday, Gardeners Focus: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse. Also offered on February 7, 8, 22, 25, 27, and 28. Fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

7, Wednesday, Create a living succulent wreath, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, fee and must register. Greenstreet Gardens, 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD. http://www.greenstreetgardens.com

7, Wednesday, Lecture: The best herbs for flavor and fragrance by Holly Shimizu, 7:00 pm, free and open to the public. Hosted by Annapolis Horticultural Society. St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

8, Thursday, Workshop: Kokedama Moss Ball, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Also offered on February 9 at Severna Park location. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

9, Friday, Workshop: Kokedama Moss Ball, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. Also offered on February 8 at Davidsonville location. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

9, Friday, Garden Talk: Success with Seeds, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

10, Saturday and Saturday, February 17, Beginner Beekeeping, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm., fee and must register, a 2-day course on Saturdays. Maryland Agriculture Resource Council, 1114 Shawan Road, Cockeysville, MD. http://www.marylandagriculture.org

10, Saturday, Lecture: Restoring Nature’s Relationship at Home by Doug Tallamy, 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Free. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

10, Saturday, Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, 12:30 to 4:30 pm, fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

10, Saturday, Night Gardens, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Merrifield location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

10, Saturday, Low Maintenance Gardens: Soil and Foundations, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Gainesville location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

10, Saturday, Plot Against Hunger Spring Garden Kick-Off: Growing Food for Our Neighbors in Need, 9:00 am to noon, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington VA. Free presentations and demonstrations on seed starting, composting, seedling transplanting, common garden pests, tree pruning, grafting and DIY light stands for indoor use. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia and the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Register at https://afac.org/afac-spring-garden-kick-off/ by February 7. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Saturday, Workshop: Terrariums, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, fee and must register, American Plant Garden Center, 7405 River Road, Bethesda, MD. http://www.americanplant.net

10, Saturday, Basics of Landscape Design, Yes You Can, 10:00 to 11:30 am, free and must register, Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke, VA. http://www.burkenursery.com

10, Saturday, Lecture: Reordering the Landscape: Science, Nature, and Spirituality at Wye House, by Dr. Elizabeth Pruitt (enslaved people at Wye house and their use of plants). 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Free and registration requested. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

10, Saturday, Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Series, 10:15 to 12:30 pm., and on February 10, 17, and March 10. Free and should register. Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge, VA. Hosted by Prince William County Master Gardeners. http://www.mgpw.org

10, Saturday, Vegetable Garden Season Is Upon Us, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Gum Spring Library, 24600 Millstream Drive, Stone Ridge, Virginia. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

11, Sunday, Lecture: Garden Revolution: How our Landscapes can be a Source of Environmental Change by Larry Weaner, landscape architect and author of same book. 2:00 pm., free and must register. Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA. Sponsored by Prince William Wildflower Society, Prince William Conservation Alliance, and Prince William County Master Gardeners. http://www.mgpw.org

11, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Seeing Flowers, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Author Teri Chace will share insight into the unique photo process of Robert Llewellyn’s Seeing Flowers and the details that few have seen in flowers. Bring your magnifier and macro lens to the glasshouse afterwards to explore flowers in the Green Spring collection. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

11, Sunday, National Capital Orchid Society presents the NCOS Orchid Auction. Free admission, open to the public, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at Behnkes but see http://www.ncos.us for more information. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

11, Sunday, Orchid Clinic, Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, 9:30 to 4:00 pm. Free but if you need your orchid repotted, it will be done for a fee. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

11, Sunday, All About Water Gardens, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, free and open to the public. Hosted by the Sandy Spring Museum Garden Club. Sandy Spring Museum, 17901 Bentley Road, Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD. http://www.sandyspringmuseum.org

14, Wednesday, Native Plants to Attract Butterflies, Bees and Other Pollinators by Ruth Clausen, 11:15 am to noon, free but must register via Adkins Arboretum website. Offered in partnership with the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore, this program will be held at the Talbot County Free Library, Easton Branch. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

14, Wednesday, Water Conservation, DIY Sustainable Yard Series, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free, advance registration requested. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, or on February 28 at Westover Branch Library. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

14-16, Wednesday through Friday, Winter Symposium and 49th CVNLA Short Course: Gardening with Purpose and Passion, 8:30 to 4:00 pm. fee and must register. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Massey Conference Center, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA. http://www.lewisginter.org

15, Thursday, Good Gardening Practices, Late Winter Cleanup, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register, Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Also offered at Severna Park location on February 16. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

16, Friday, Good Gardening Practices, Late Winter Cleanup, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. Also offered at Davidsonville location on February 15. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

16, Friday, Everything You Wanted to Know About Pruning, 1:00 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

17, Saturday, Vegetable Seed and Gardening Introduction, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, free and must register. American Plant Garden Center, 7405 River Road, Bethesda, MD. http://www.americanplant.net

17, Saturday, Edibles: Successfully Starting Plants from Seed, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Merrifield location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

17, Saturday, Garden Hand Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 and again on Sunday 1:00 to 3:00. Fee for having tools sharpened, proceeds go to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank.  Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

17, Saturday, Piet Oudolf’s New Perennial Movement, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Fair Oaks location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

17, Saturday, Winter Greens and Distinctive Bark Soup ‘n Walk, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

17, Saturday, Getting Hands-on with Bonsai, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Gainesville location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

17, Saturday, Eco-Savvy Symposium: Skyward Gardening, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

17, Saturday, Create and Sip Succulent Container Workshop, 3:00 pm, fee and must register. Gainesville location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

17, Saturday, Learn how to build your own cold frame, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Walter Reed Community and Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th Street, Arlington. Fee of $65 and will be able to bring cold frame home. Must register by sending check to VCE at Fairlington Community Center in advance. Call (703) 228 6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com for more information, deadline for registration is February 9. http://www.mgnv.org

17, Saturday, Lawn Care: Improve Curb Appeal, 10:00 to 11:30, free and must register, Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke, VA. http://www.burkenursery.com

18, Sunday, Springtime Refresh: Welcome Spring Into Your Kitchen and On to Your Table 11:00 to noon. Free and should register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

18, Sunday and February 25, Beekeeping 101: A two-part series on two Sundays for people ready to begin beekeeping. 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Fee and must register. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Hyattsville, MD. http://www.communityforklift.org

18, Sunday, Garden Hand Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 pm and again day before on Saturday, February 17, 1:00 to 3:00. Fee for having tools sharpened; proceeds go to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

18, Sunday, Orchid Clinic, Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Free but if you need your orchid repotted, it will be done for a fee. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

18, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Design Inspirations, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Plantsman and author Cole Burrell explores the diverse landscapes, magnificent gardens, iconography and experiences that shape the gardens he creates for clients with diverse needs and expectations. Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

21, Wednesday, Lecture: Edible Architecture: Espalier and Trellis Design by Michael Judd, 7:30 pm. Free and open the public, Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD. Sponsored by Takoma Horticultural Society. http://www.takomahort.org

22, Thursday, Vegetable Gardening Part 2: Planning and Preparation. 7-8:30 pm. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Or on February 24 at Westover Branch library at 10:30 to noon. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free, advance registration requested at http://www.mgnv.org

22, Thursday, Workshop: How to Repot an Orchid, 11:00 to noon, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. Also offered at Severna Park location on February 23. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

22, Thursday, Hometown Habitat Screening (90-minute film), 7:00 to 9:00 pm, fee and must register. Hosted by the Sandy Spring Museum Garden Club. Sandy Spring Museum, 17901 Bentley Road, Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD. http://www.sandyspringmuseum.org

23, Friday, Workshop: How to Repot an Orchid. 11:00 am to noon. Fee and must register. Also on February 22 at Davidsonville location. Homestead Gardens, 522 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

23, Friday, opening of new Orchid Spectrum exhibit, through April 8. U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory. Annual Orchid Show presented in collaboration with Smithsonian Gardens. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

23, Friday, Green Matters 2018: Restoring and Renewing Our Urban Landscapes: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

24, Saturday, The Basics of Gardening, series of three individual classes taught by Prince William County Master Gardeners. Saturdays, 1:00 to 4:00, free and should register. This particular lecture is on basics such as botany, soils, seed starting containers, and rain gardens. Next classes are on March 3 and 10, Haymarket Gainesville Community Library, 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket, VA. http://www.mgpw.org

24, Saturday, Winter Seminar, 8:45 am to 4:00 pm., fee and must register via Horticultural Society of Maryland website. Sponsored by Horticultural Society of Maryland and Perennial Plant Association; held at the Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt, 6501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

24, Saturday, How and Why of Pruning, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, fee and must register, American Plant Garden Center, 7405 River Road, Bethesda, MD. http://www.americanplant.net

24, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Part 2: Planning and Preparation. 10:30 to noon. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, or at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, on February 22, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free, advance registration requested at http://www.mgnv.org

24, Saturday, Lecture: Orchids: Evolution, Physiology, and Biogeography of the Floral Rainbow by Todd Brethauer, 10:30 am to noon, free and registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Saturday, Common Plant Problems and Solutions, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Merrifield location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

24, Saturday, Talk: Attracting Hummingbirds and Goldfinches, 11:00 am, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

24, Saturday, Wildlife Habitats: Plants for the Birds, Bees and Butterflies, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Fair Oaks location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

24, Saturday, Lecture: The Assassin’s Plot and the Physician’s Garden, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Jeffrey Day, MD, will discuss common biochemical mechanisms of plants that can harm humans or heal. Fee and must register. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

24, Saturday, The Art of Pruning Trees, 10:00 am, free and do not need to register. Gainesville location of the Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

24, Saturday, Plants and Design: Evergreens to Know and Grow, 10:30 to noon. Fee and must register, lecture will be inside and outside. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

24, Saturday, Spring Garden Maintenance: Time to Prepare, 10:00 to 11:30 am, free and must register, Burke Nursery and Garden Center, 9401 Burke Road, Burke, VA. http://www.burkenursery.com

24, Saturday, 18th Annual Montgomery County Master Gardeners Spring Conference, 8:30 to 2:30 pm. Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension. Held at Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. Fee and must register. https://extension.umd.edu/news/2018-spring-gardening-conference

24, Saturday, Garden Hand Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 and again on Sunday, February 25 1:00 to 3:00. Fee for having tools sharpened; proceeds go to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

24, Saturday, Webinar: Native Plants for Urban Design, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Eastern time, fee and must register. Hosted by the Eco Landscape Alliance. http://www.ecolandscaping.org

25, Sunday, Garden Hand Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 and again on Saturday, February 24 1:00 to 3:00. Fee for having tools sharpened; proceeds go to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

25, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Harvesting Garden Water, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Designer Michael Judd will show you how to manage and enhance the water resources on your land. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

25, Sunday, Starting Flowers and Vegetables from Seed, 1:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

27, Tuesday, Lecture: Dogbanes and Milkweed, 7:30 pm., free and open to the public. Hosted by Maryland Native Plant Society, Kensington Library, 4201 Knowles Avenue, Kensington, MD. http://www.mdflora.org

27, Tuesday, Webinar: Beauty and the Beast: Bold and Fine Foliaged Plants Make Wonderful Dance Partners, 2:00 pm Eastern time, fee and must register. Presented by Kerry Ann Mendez, http://www.pyours.com

28, Wednesday, Workshop: Tree Planting, 6:00 to 9:00 pm., free but must register. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street, NE, Washington, DC http://www.caseytrees.org

28, Wednesday, Water Conservation, DIY Sustainable Yard Series, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free. Westover Branch library, 1644 N. McKinley Blvd., Arlington, or at Beatley Central Library on February 14. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Advance registration requested at http://www.mgnv.org

28, Wednesday, Start Your Own Vegetable Seeds This Season, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. free. Sterling Library, 22330 South Sterling Boulevard, A117, Sterling, VA. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

For the month of February, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington DC, has a reduced admission fee of only one dollar.

The Neighborhood Farm Initiative (NFI) has a kitchen garden education program that is a comprehensive, hands-on growing program at Fort Totten, one block from the Fort Totten Metro Station, Washington DC, NE. The program is intended for new and aspiring urban gardeners, whether one is an absolute beginner, or someone who is ready to take to it to the next level with cool weather crops. One will receive a garden plot, along with a year of instruction & guidance, and enough help & support. The NFI will provide the necessary supplies and materials, and access to the community tool shed. Program cost is $600. The NFI offers tuition assistance, on a sliding scale, for qualified applicants. http://www.neighborhoodfarminitiative.org

Ongoing exhibits are the Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps until July 2019, at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington DC. http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu

And Cultivating America’s Gardens until August 2018 at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1 West, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC. https://library.si.edu/exhibition/cultivating-americas-gardens

Many of you who attended the Garden Bloggers Fling last June remember Willowsford, that beautiful development with a farm in Loudoun County. Willowsford is home to a Landscape for Life session starting in February. This is a 6-session course and field trip in sustainable landscaping to teach homeowners and gardeners how to transform your home landscape into a healthy refuge that benefits birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Developed by the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden, Landscape for Life is designed to teach you sustainable practices such as how your landscape affects the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; soil, water, habitat, and plants in a sustainable landscape; and successful plant practices. Students will meet on Tuesdays starting February 13 to April 4, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, with an April 4 snow date and a field trip on April 7. Fee and must register, classes will be at the Sycamore House, 23506 Founders Drive, Ashburn, VA. Willowsford is a great setting for this class.

Peg’s Picks: January 2018 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

It’s cold outside but there are still more than 40 gardening events, lectures, workshops in January in the Washington DC Metro Area.

4, Thursday, Webinar: Nonstop Plants — Making a 365-day Garden, 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Margaret Roach. http://www.awaytogarden.com

4, Thursday, Lecture: Beginning Bonsai by Tim Ohlwiler, Fauquier County Horticulture Extension Agent, free and open to the public, 7:00 pm, Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW Leesburg, VA. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

6, Saturday, first Saturday guided walk 10 to 11:00 am. Free. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

6, Saturday, Workshop: Beginners Hands on Bonsai Class, 2 to 4 pm, fee and registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

6, Saturday through Thursday January 18, Exhibit: Bonsai Winter Silhouettes, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and free. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum Exhibit Gallery at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington DC. Also, the current exhibit of bonsai entitled “Viewing Stones: Falling Into Winter” will end on February 3.  http://www.usna.usda.gov

8, Monday, Lecture: Microgreens: what are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 7-8 pm, free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Presented by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, also offered on Saturday, January 13, 10:30 to noon at Westover Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Wednesday, registration opens for RootingDC which will be on March 3 in Washington DC. http://www.rootingdc.org

12, Friday, Garden Talk: Fixes for a Tired Garden, 2 to 3 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

13, Saturday, Lecture: The Very Best Tried and True Houseplants and Their Care, 11:00 am. Free and registration requested, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

13, Saturday, Lecture: Lessons from Martha’s Farm by head gardener, Ryan McCallister, 10 to 11 am. Free and must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

13, Saturday, Lecture: Microgreens: what are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 10:30 to noon, free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA. Also offered on Monday, January 8, at Barrett Branch Library.  Presented by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

16, Tuesday, outdoor winter walking tour of Brookside Gardens by staff Phil Normandy, 1-2:30 pm, fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

17, Wednesday, Landscape Design Basics: DIY Sustainable Yard Series, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Beatley Central library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on January 30 at the Westover Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

17, Wednesday, Webinar: For the Birds, 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST, fee and must register. Presented by Margaret Roach. http://www.awaytogarden.com

19, Friday, Lecture: The Governance and Stewardship of Urban Nature: Forests, Farms and Streetcorners, noon to 1:00 pm, free and must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

20, Saturday, Class: Trees 101, 10 am to 3 pm, free and must register. Provides a foundation in tree anatomy, basic tree identification, and an overview of how trees function to provide the benefit we enjoy in the urban forest. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street NE Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

20, Saturday, Workshop: Kokodama – the art of crafting living mossballs, 10:00 – 11:30 am, fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

20, Saturday, Lecture: Thoreau and the language of trees, 10:30 to noon, free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

20, Saturday, and 21, Sunday, Garden Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, bring in up to two garden hand tools per person and have them sharpened. Fee and cash only. Proceeds will be donated to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Also offered on January 27 and 28. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

20, Saturday and 21, Sunday, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Free but if want orchid to be repotted will be done for a fee. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

21, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Trees Find Their Voice, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, Green Spring Historian Debbie Waugh reveals what trees can tell us through the science of dendrochronology. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

25, Thursday, Webinar: A Striking Sustainable Flower Garden, 2:00 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Kerry Ann Mendez, owner of Perennially Yours. http://www.pyours.com

25, Thursday, Vegetable Gardening Part 1: Seed Selection, Starting and Saving, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free and advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on January 27 at the Westover Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

25, Thursday, Webinar: Garden Writing for Everyone, 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST, fee and must register, Presented by Margaret Roach, http://www.awaytogarden.com

27, Saturday, Class: Pruning 101 Workshop, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, free and must register. Learn how to prune trees with manual tools such as hand pruners and pole saws. Hosted by Casey Trees. Workshop will be held at the American Elm Nursery, 50 Marina Drive, Alexandria. http://www.caseytrees.org

27, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Part 1: Seed Selection, Starting and Saving, 10:30 am to noon, free advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington VA. Also offered on January 25 at the Burke Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

27, Saturday, Gardener’s Focus: Holly and False Holly, 10:00 am to noon, fee and registration required. Is an inside lecture and will do outside walking tour if weather permits. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

27, Saturday, Washington Gardener Magazine seed exchange, 12:30 to 4:00 pm. Fee and must register. Event will be at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, but must register via brownpapertickets.com. Also offered at Green Spring Garden on February 10. WGSeedExchange-brookside.brownpapertickets.com   http://www.brooksidegardens.org

27, Saturday, Lecture: Rock Gardens: Natural and Designed, 10:30 to noon, free and must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

27, Saturday, Lecture: Snake Oil Revisited: Plant Medicine in American History, 2-3:30 pm, free and must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

27, Saturday, 8th Annual Seed Exchange, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, free. Hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners at the Blandy Experimental Farm Library, Blandy Farm, 400 Blandy Lane, Boyce, VA. http://www.nsvmga.org/projects/blandy-seed-exchange/

27, Saturday, Seed Swap, 10 to 3, free. Hosted by Central Rappahannock Extension Master Gardeners. Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street (theater), Fredericksburg, VA http://www.mgacra.org/seed-swap-event.html

27, Saturday, Lecture: Squirrels, Groundhogs and Rabbits — Oh My! 11:00 am, free and registration requested. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

27, Saturday, and 28, Sunday, Garden Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, bring in up to two garden hand tools per person and have them sharpened. Fee and cash only. Proceeds will be donated to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Also offered on January 20 and 21. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Saturday, Lecture: The art of planting Terrariums and Dish Gardens, noon, free and registration requested. Then, from 2 to 4 pm, there will be a workshop, a potting party with terrariums and dish gardens for a fee plus cost of materials. Registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Saturday, Workshop: Potting Party with Terrariums and Dish Gardens, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, fee plus cost of materials, registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: The Humane Gardener, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register. Author Nancy Lawson describes how and why you should welcome wildlife to your backyard. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

29, Monday, Lecture: Starting Seeds Indoors … Getting a head start on your garden, 1-3 pm. Free. Walter Reed Community and Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th Street, Arlington. For more information and for registration go to http://bit.ly/VCESenior or contact LeeAnne Kaniut (703) 228-0955.

30, Tuesday, Landscape Design Basics: DIY Sustainable Yard Series, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, free and advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA. Also offered on January 17 at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

February 1, Webinar: Foodscaping Gardening, 7-8:30 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Charlie Nardozzi. http://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com

The Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual native seedling sale selections are available for viewing at their website. Orders can be placed in the beginning of February and seedlings are picked up in April. This is your chance to plant native shrubs and trees for a nominal fee. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale

The Neighborhood Farm Initiative (NFI) has a kitchen garden education program that is a comprehensive, hands-on growing program at Fort Totten, one block from the Fort Totten Metro Station, Washington DC, NE. The program is intended for new and aspiring urban gardeners, whether you are an absolute beginner, or someone who is ready to take to it to the next level with cool weather crops. You will receive your own garden plot, along with a year of instruction & guidance, and enough help & support to get you growing. We provide all the necessary supplies and materials, and access to the community tool shed, you just bring your commitment to grow! Program cost is $600. The NFI offers tuition assistance, on a sliding scale, for qualified applicants. For more information, check their website at http://www.neighborhoodfarminitiative.org

Merrifield Garden Center’s 2018 classes and workshops will begin again on January 20. Check out their website for the list or even better get on their mailing list so you receive the flyer in the mail because it always has coupons. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

Peg’s Picks: November 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

This November there are more than 50 gardening events in the Washington DC Metro area, including many holiday-related workshops and exhibits.

1, Wednesday, Trees Matter Symposium, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register, Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/arboriculture/trees-matter-symposium/

1, Wednesday, Film and Talk: Beatrix Farrand. 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Admission fee, pre-registration required. Walk in registration is based on availability. View documentary and listen to a discussion about pioneering work of landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington DC. http://www.nbm.org

1, Wednesday, Holiday and Winter Containers, 7 to 8:30 pm, Free, advance registration requested. Offered twice, next time is November 4. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

1, Wednesday, Lecture: Bird Friendly Backyard, by Kerry Wixted, 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Annapolis Horticultural Society, St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

1, Wednesday, Getting your Garden Ready for Winter, 1:00 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

2, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Friday 11/3, Tuesday 11/7, Thursday 11/9, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

2, Thursday, Lecture: Big Dreams, Small Garden by Marianne Wilburn, 7 to 8:00 pm, free and open to the public. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg, VA. Hosted by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/

2, Thursday, Lecture: Glorious Shade: Dazzling Plants, Design Ideas, and Proven Techniques for your Shady Garden. 10:30 am. Fee and must register, book sale offered. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://ladewgardens.org/

3, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Thursday 11/2, Tuesday 11/7, Thursday 11/9, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

3, Friday, Special Event: Escape the Botanic Garden. Doors open 6:45 pm, 7:00 to 9:30 pm. Fee and must register.  Conservatory, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

3, Friday, Turning a New Leaf Conference, all day at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon, VA. Fee and must register. Hosted by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council.  http://www.chesapeakelandscape.org/our-programs/turning-a-new-leaf-conference/

4, Saturday, Lecture: 22 things your grandmother never told you about gardening by David Roos, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Free but must register. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Prince William County. Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA. http://www.mgpw.org

4, Saturday, Holiday and Winter Containers, 2 to 3:30 pm Free, advance registration requested. Offered twice, next time is November 1. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria.  Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

4, Saturday, Beginner Hands-on Bonsai Class, 2-4 pm. Fee and must register, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

4, Saturday, Rose pruning demonstration, putting your roses to bed, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Free but bring your shears. Hosted by the Maryland Rose Society.  In the rose garden at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn.org

4, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Plan and Plant for spring: Trees and shrubs
  • Gainesville: Landscape Lighting

4, Saturday, Celebrating Natives Fall Garden Tour, self-guided driving tour of five private gardens and two public areas in and around Oxford, MD. These gardens demonstrate varying degrees of commitment to native plantings and use of sustainable practices. Fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org.

4, Saturday, First Saturday Guided Walk, 10:00 to 11:00 am, free. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org.

4, Saturday from 1:30 to 5:00 pm; and 5, Sunday, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, National Capital Area Garden Clubs Inc. District 4 Flower Show. Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

4, Saturday, Aki Matsuri, Autumn Festival: Bonsai and Beyond, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. All lectures, tours, and activities are free except for the evening Otsukimi Moon Viewing.  The Moon viewing has an admission fee and registration is required. See the website for the many activities. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

5, Sunday, Camellia Celebration, 10:30 am, free to attend with donations suggested to visit the gardens. Must register. Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD.  http://www.historiclondontown.org/

6, Monday, Lecture: Selecting shrubs, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free, advance registration requested.  Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA.  Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Tuesday, 11/2, Friday 11/3, Thursday 11/9, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

8, Wednesday, Webinar: Handmade Holidays Creative Herbal DIY Gifts, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Fee and must register. Smile Herb Shop. http://www.smileherb.com

8, Wednesday, Williamsburg Style Holiday Centerpiece, fee and must register. The Barn Series at Belle Grove Plantation, hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. http://www.bellegrove.org  and  http://www.nsvmga.org

8, Wednesday, Lecture: Season Review and Winter Interest in the Garden, 7 to 8:30 pm. Free; registration is not necessary. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia and in partnership with Alexandria Beautification Commission.  http://www.mgnv.org

9, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Thursday, 11/2, Friday 11/3, Tuesday 11/7, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

10, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Thursday, 11/2, Friday 11/3, Tuesday 11/7, and Thursday 11/9.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

10, Friday, Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights, ends Sunday January 7. Tickets required, fees and times vary. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA.  https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights

11, Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30 pm; and 12, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, free but for a fee Carol Allen will repot your orchid for you. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

11, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: The Thanksgiving Table
  • Gainesville: The Art of Pruning
  • Merrifield: Color and Interest in the Winter Garden

11, Saturday, Meet Marta McDowell, author of The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: Bringing the Landscapes of Laura Ingalls Wilder to Life. Fee and must register, fee includes the book which can be signed by Marta. 2:00 pm. Hosted by the American Horticultural Society, River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA.  http://www.ahsgardening.org

11, Saturday, Make a Symbolic Dried Christmas Wreath, 10:00 am to noon. Fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

11, Saturday, Herbal Cordials, Vinegars, and Cocktails, 2:00 to 4:00 pm., fee and must register. Smile Herb Shop, 4908 Berwyn Road, College Park, MD. http://www.smileherb.com

14, Tuesday, Lecture: Relationship between Trees and Other Living Things by Cheryl Corson, 7:15 pm, free and open to the public. Capitol Hill Garden Club, the Northeast Library, 330 Seventh Street, NE, Washington DC. http://www.capitolhillgardenclub.org

14, Tuesday, Lecture: Restoring Nature’s Relationships at Home by Doug Tallamy, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Open to the public, Horticultural Society of Maryland members are free, non-members pay a fee. Hosted by the Horticultural Society of Maryland. Vollmer Center, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn or http://www.mdhorticulture.org

15, Wednesday, Lecture: The Humane Gardener: Nurturing Habitat for Wildlife by Nancy Lawson, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Free and open to the public, book signing included. Takoma Horticultural Society, Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD.  http://www.takomahort.org

17, Friday, Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

18, Saturday, Floral Workshop, Thanksgiving Table Arrangement, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

18, Saturday, Soup ‘n Walk, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

18, Saturday, Mixed Winter Container, 10:00 to 11:30 am, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

18 Saturday, lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Designing a Small space for Outdoor Living
  • Gainesville: Holiday Wreath Workshop (fee and must register)
  • Merrifield: Decorating Your Home for the Holidays

18, Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and 19, Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm., Christmas Open House. On Saturday at 11:00 lecture on Holiday Sweets, for this must register and pay a fee. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

21, Tuesday, Thanksgiving Centerpiece, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

23, Thursday, through January 1. Seasons Greetings Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden, free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, through 26, Friday through Sunday, Holiday Open House at all three locations, with Santa. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

24, Friday until January 1, Winter Display and Garden Railway Exhibit in South Conservatory. Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Saturday, Behnke Christmas Open House, free. All day and from 10:30 to noon there will be a workshop on decorating your own fresh green Christmas wreath, must register and pay fee for this. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

25, Saturday, Make a Christmas Fairy Garden, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

28, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor. 12:45 pm. Fee included in suggested donation. Also offered on 11/30. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

30, Thursday, Workshop: Traditional Holiday Wreaths, fee and must register, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

30, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor. 12:45 pm. Fee included in suggested donation. Also offered on 11/28. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

Continuing display of Desert Mums at Brookside Garden’s South Conservatory, until November 26 (Conservatory is closed on November 13). Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

Peg’s Picks: October 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

October is a happening month — 100 gardening events in the Washington DC Metro area!

1, Sunday (every weekend in fall), Fall Festival, 10:30 to 5:00 pm. Admission fee, Green Street Gardens, 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD. http://www.greenstreetgardens.com

1, Sunday from 11 to 4 and Saturday from 11 to 6, on October weekends through October 29. Fall Festival. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

1, Sunday, Arcadia Fall Harvest Dinner, 4:30 to 8:30 pm Arcadia at Woodlawn-Pope Leighey, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA. The 4th annual Arcadia fall harvest dinner celebrating the Arcadia Veteran Farmer Program. Fee and must register. http://www.arcadiafood.org

1, Sunday, Tour garden in Bon Air Park, sunny and shade gardens, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, free, no registration required. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, 850 N. Lexington Street, Arlington, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

1, Sunday, Meadow Ecology, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Fee and must register and be prepared to walk outdoors. Adkins Arboretum, 12610, Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org.

1, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Standout Foundation Plants
  • Gainesville: Screening and Defining with Evergreens

2, October through 13 November, Community Herbalism Class, 6-week course on Monday evenings at Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th Street, NW, Washington. E-mail littleredbirdbotanicals@gmail.com with any questions. Fee and must register in advance. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-herbalism-class-six-week-series-tickets-37898350988

3, Tuesday, 5, Thursday, and 6, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Fall Design, 2:45 to 3:30, fee is the admission fee to Hillwood. Also offered on October 10, 12, 13, same time. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

4, Wednesday, Tree Planting Team Leader Training, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Free but must register, Casey Trees, 3030 12th street, NE Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

4, Wednesday, Garden Series: Extending your growing season, 6 – 8 pm.  Free. Chinquapin Recreation Center, 3210 King Street, Alexandria, VA. https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/News/Recreation_News/GardenSeriesflyer.pdf

4, Wednesday, Arlington County Library Wednesdays in the Garden Series: Fruit from Vines, Brambles, and Shrubs, 7:00 to 8:30 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

4, Wednesday, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginian Native Plant Society sells native plants from their propagation bed at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA, on the first Wednesday of the month, April through October, 10:00 am to noon. http://www.vnps.org and http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

4, 11, 18, 25, Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am. Monarch Butterflies. The Master Gardener Program of Baltimore County is providing free workshops for the public to learn about monarch butterflies and to take part in ongoing research to help this species survive and thrive. Free, no registration required. Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park, 1114 Shawan Road, Cockeysville. https://extension.umd.edu/events/wed-2017-08-16-1000-monarch-tag-release

5, Thursday and 6, Friday, Third Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit, fee and must register, all day. Arlington Campus, George Mason University, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington https://vafb.swoogo.com/urbanag2017/36853

5, Thursday, Webinar: Fall Gardening with Charlie Nardozzi, 7:00 to 8:30 ET, fee and must register. http://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com/fall-gardening-webinar

5, Thursday, Garden Gulps. Create a terrarium and enjoy wine and appetizers. Fee and must register. 7:00 pm. Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD.  http://www.historiclondontown.org/

5, Thursday. Fall Lecture Series: Candy in the Garden, Ideas and Inspiration to create eye catching drama in any garden setting with Kent Russell, 10:30 am. Fee and must register, Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://ladewgardens.org/

5, Thursday, Lecture: Restoring Streams and Stream Valleys: Finding Balance in Altered Landscapes, 7:00 pm, free and open to the public, Rust Library, Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Saturday, Harvest Festival, family event with farming and gardening activities, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, admission fee. Sponsored by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission at the Agricultural History Farm Park (Derwood), 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD.  https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/agricultural-history-farm-park/

7, Saturday, Lecture: Fall Gardening in the mid-Atlantic, noon to 1:30 pm. Free but register via Eventbrite. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD. http://www.communityforklift.org

7, Saturday, Residential Tree Planting workshop (for homeowners to learn how to plant trees), 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, free but must register, Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street, NE Washington DC http://www.caseytrees.org

7, Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30; 8, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30, 9, Monday, 9:30 to 3:00 pm, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic With Carol Allen, free but for a fee she will repot your orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

7, Saturday through 9, Monday, National Capital Orchid Society Show and Sale at Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. Free admission. http://www.ncos.us/fallshow.htm

7, Saturday, Beginner Hands-On Bonsai Class, fee and must register, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD.  http://behnkes.com/

7, Saturday, Fall is Here: Prepare for Winter, 10:00 to 11:00 am, free and open to the public, in the demonstration garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, Va. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners, http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Saturday, Pink Day at Meadows Farm to celebrate breast cancer awareness month. Check website for events and locations. http://www.meadowsfarms.com

7, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Container Garden for Fall and Winter
  • Fair Oaks: Fantastic Foliage: Trees
  • Gainesville: Build a Low Maintenance Garden

7, Saturday, Lecture: From Now to Wow: Pathways to Good Design, 8:30 to 12:30 pm. Fee and must register. Marianne Wilburn and Pam Beck will teach you how to find your path from the less than ideal yard into the garden you have longed for. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

8, Sunday, Nature’s Interconnectors: Fall Color, Fruits, Buds, Bark, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. No fee for members, non-members pay the admission fee, be prepared to walk outside. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

8, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Creating a Deer Resistant Garden
  • Gainesville: Perennial Plant Pairings

9, Monday, Lecture: A History of Spices, 10:30 to noon, free and must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

10, Tuesday, Simpson Garden Stroll, 11:00 am to noon, free and no registration necessary. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Tuesday, 12, Thursday, and 13, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Fall Design, 2:45 to 3:30, fee is the admission fee to Hillwood. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

10, Tuesday, Dried Flower Wreaths, 10 to noon, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

10, Tuesday, The Art of Growing Food, by Ellen Ecker Ogden, 7:30 pm. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. Fee for nonmembers, members of the Horticultural Society of Maryland are free. Hosted by the Maryland Horticultural Society. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

11, Wednesday, Tree Selection, Planting and Care, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free, no registration necessary. In partnership with the Alexandria Beatification Commission, hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

11, Wednesday, Demonstration: Orchid Repotting and Answers to Orchid Culture, 10:30 am to 11:15 am. Free and no registration required. Repeated again at 11:45. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

11, Wednesdays in the Garden Series: Growing Garlic and its History, 7:00 to 8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

12, Thursday, Tour: Operational Behind the Scenes at the USBG Production Facility, 10:30 to 11:30 am, free and must register, (meet at the production facility, address is on usbg.gov website when register)  http://www.usbg.gov

12, Thursday, Fall Lecture Series: Sculpture in the Garden: A Retrospective with Mary Ann Mears, 10:30 am, fee and must register, Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

13, Friday, Garden Talk: Composting Fall Leaves, 2-3 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, Saturday, The Birds and the Bees: Cleaning, Housing and Feeding for the Fall/Winter, free, 2:00 pm. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD.  http://behnkes.com/

14, Saturday, Composting and what to do with all that leaf and yard waste, 10:30 to noon, free and advance registration requested. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

14, Saturday, and 15, Sunday, Arborfest: Fall Festival and Plant Sale (family event). 9:00 am to 4:30 pm each day, admission fee. Blandy (state arboretum of Virginia), 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. http://www.blandy.virginia.edu

14, Saturday, Chinese Kitchen Garden: Family Recipes, 1 to 2 pm. Wendy Kiang-Spray will show you how to prepare different Asian vegetables for cooking. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, Saturday, Garden Tour: Our Woods and Ponds, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, Saturday, Regional School Garden Summit, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, free but must register. DC Greens will host the first annual regional school garden summit to nurture emerging regional network of non-profits, schools, and government agencies interested in capacity and network building around school gardens. Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School, 659 G Street NE, Washington DC. http://www.dcgreens.org/summit

14, Saturday, Under the Arbor: Chile Celebration, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Free. Presented by the Herb Society of America, National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

14, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Plan and Plant for Spring: Trees and Shrubs
  • Fair Oaks: Amazing Color with Bulbs and Companion Plants
  • Gainesville: Selecting Shrubs for Fall Foliage

14, Saturday, Growing and Healing with Common Garden Herbs by Shannon Winston, 10:00 to noon, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

14, Saturday, Chrysanthemum display at the Brookside Gardens conservatories from October 14 to November 25. 10 to 5 daily and free (South conservatory closed Monday November 13). Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

15, Sunday, Lecture on Designing for Maximum Curb Appeal, 1:00 pm, free and no registration necessary. Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

16, Monday, Putting Your Garden to Bed, 7 to 8:30 pm. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Free and advance registration requested. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. This is being offered again on Saturday, October 21, from 10:30 am to noon at the Fairlington Community Center.  http://www.mgnv.org

16, Monday, Lecture: From Front Yard to Rock Garden: Step by Step by Sharee Solow, owner of Solow Horticultural Designs. 8:00 pm, free and open to the public. Hosted by the Silver Spring Garden Club (which has a Facebook page) at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD.

17, Tuesday, Workshop: Herbaceous Perennial Division, 9:00 am. Fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

17, Tuesday, Webinar: Nonstop plants making a 365 garden, with Margaret Roach, 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET. Fee and must register, https://awaytogarden.com/garden-webinars-margaret-roach/

17, Tuesday; 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, and 31. Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums at Hillwood, 2:45 to 3:30 pm. admission fee. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

19, Thursday, Fall Lecture Series: The art of gardening at Chanticleer with Bill Thomas (with book sale), 10:30 am, fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

20, Friday, Perennial Plant Conference, all day. Fee and must register. The Scott Arboretum at the Swarthmore College Campus, PA.  http://www.perennialplantconference.org

20, Friday, Lecture: Orchids in the Office, free and must register, noon to 1:00 pm. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

21, Saturday, Putting Your Garden to Bed, 10:30 to noon. Free and advance registration requested. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. This is being offered again on Monday, October 16, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Beatley Library.  http://www.mgnv.org

21, Saturday, and 22, Sunday, Loudoun County Fall Farm Tour, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day, free, self-guided, see website for map. http://www.loudounfarms.org/farmtour

21, Saturday, Saturday in the Garden: The Right Tree: Planting, Care, and Maintenance, 9:00 to noon. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Prince William County. Demonstration Garden, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. https://www.mgpw.org/

21, Saturday, Easy Wreath Making and Porch Pot Basic, Decorating in a Day, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

21, Saturday, Soup ‘n Walk: Dazzling fall color guided walk and then a vegetarian lunch (soup). 11:00 to 1:30 pm. Fee and must register. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

21, Saturday, Master Class Program: Planning Spring, presented by David Culp, 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

21, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Shrubs for Small Spaces
  • Gainesville: Spring Blooming Bulbs

22, Sunday, Oatlands Harvest Festival, 10:00 to 4:00 pm. Admission fee. Oatlands Historic House and Garden, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA. http://www.oatlands.org

22, Sunday, McCrillis Gardens Sunday walks with a guide, 2 to 3:00 pm, free. Meet at the McCrillis house, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD. Hosted by Brookside Gardens staff, http://www.brooksidegardens.org

22, Sunday, Lecture: Finding Peace of Mind in your Garden, 1:00 pm, free and no registration necessary, Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

22, Sunday, Belle Grove Barn Series: Williamsburg Holiday Display. Create Williamsburg style swags and mantel decoration. Hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. http://www.bellegrove.org  and  http://www.nsvmga.org

24, Tuesday, Tour: Rediscover Bartholdi Park, 10:30 to 11:30 am. free and must register, meet at the Bartholdi Park fountain, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Tuesday, Champion Tree Tour, a bus tour of champion trees in the region, fee includes charter bus transportation and drink, bring a lunch. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Wednesday, Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens, 4 to 7:00 pm, fee and must register. At Brookside Gardens, hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton,MD. https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/Activity_Search/33635

25, Wednesday, Webinar: Garden Writing for Everyone, with Margaret Roach, 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET. Fee and must register, https://awaytogarden.com/garden-webinars-margaret-roach/

25, Wednesday, Native Orchids, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Free for members, non-members pay admission fee. Must register. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

25, Wednesday, Glory of Fall Garden Tour with Phil Normandy, Brookside Gardens staff. Join Phil for a walking tour of Brookside gardens to see plants that have fall colors or bloom in the fall. 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Wednesday, Tour: Phenomenal Plants: The USBG Medicinal Plants Collection, 10:45 to 11:30 am, free and must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

25, Wednesday, Lecture: Woody Plants and Plant Explorations by Kevin Conrad, curator at the National Arboretum, 7:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Beltsville Garden Club, James E. Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

26, Thursday, Webinar: Kerry Ann Mendez, owner of Perennially Yours, will be talking with guest Dr. Allan Armitage, author of Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots, 2:00 pm ET. Fee and must register. https://pyours.com/webinar-allan-armitage

26, Thursday, Native Grasses and Sedges for the Home Garden, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and advance registration requested. Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

26, Thursday, Fall Lecture Series: Artificial Nature: Renaissance Rome and the Birth of Garden Design with John Marciari (with book sale). 10:30 am, fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

27, Friday: Garden Talk: Get Ready for Winter, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

27, Friday, Guided Tour of Tudor Place Gardens, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Free for members, fee for non-members and walkins are welcome but can register in advance. Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington DC.  http://www.tudorplace.org

28, Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30, and 29, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30, Orchid diagnostic and repotting clinic with Carol Allen, free but for a fee she will repot your orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Saturday, Terrarium workshop, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Blandy (state arboretum of Virginia), 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. http://www.blandy.virginia.edu

28, Saturday, Brookside Gardens walks with a guide, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

28, Saturday, Showy Fall Natives and Companions, 10:30 am. to noon. Take a walk with Green Spring Gardens’ horticulturist, Brenda Skarphol to learn of some of Green Spring Gardens best fall natives, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

28, Saturday, Floral Workshop: Wickedly Wonderful, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Create a festive Halloween floral design with a professional floral designer. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

28, Saturday, Two Season Garden Container Workshop, 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Create an outdoor container layered with early to mid-spring flower bulbs and winter interest with horticulturist Susan Eggerton. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

28, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Good Bug and Bad Bug
  • Fair Oaks: Just for Kids: Halloween Scavenger Hunt
  • Gainesville: Pet Friendly Plants

21, Saturday 1 to 5, and 22, Sunday, 10 to 3, chrysanthemum show at Fair Oaks location of Merrifield Garden Center, free, no registration necessary. See website for street address. Hosted by the Old Dominion and Potomac Chrysanthemum Societies. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

Keep an eye out for

The White House opens up its gardens for tours in the spring and fall but you never know exactly what weekend until the last minute so keep an eye on this link below to find out when in October you can see the White House Gardens, free but timed tour. https://whitehouse.gov1.info/visit/white-house-garden-tour.html

And around the corner

1, November, Trees Matter Symposium, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register, Silver Spring Civic Center, Silver Spring. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/arboriculture/trees-matter-symposium

Peg’s Picks: September 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

More than 80 gardening events in the Washington DC Metro Area this September!

2, Saturday, Beginner Hands-On Bonsai Class, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, fee and registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

2, Saturday, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic. 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Free but fee to re-pot an orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

3, Sunday, Wolf Trap’s Native Meadow: A Backstage Tour, presentation by Phil Goetkin on the Wolf Trap Native Meadow and Sustainability Practices. Sponsored by the Friends of Wolf Trap. Free. 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna VA. More information on the Friends of Wolf Trap page on Facebook.

6, Wednesday, Cover Crops for Healthy Soil, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

6, Wednesday, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginian Native Plant Society sells native plants from their propagation bed at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA, on the first Wednesday of the month, April through October, 10:00 am to noon. http://www.vnps.org and http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

7, 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: Fall Turf Tips. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

7, Thursday, Introduction to Sustainable Landscaping by Nan McCarry, a facilitator with Landscape for Life. 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Loudoun County. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Thursday, Lecture: Tyler Balderson: Tree Planting and Maintenance, 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. Sponsored by the Annapolis Horticultural Society. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

8, Friday through 10, Sunday. Fall Open House and Native Plant sale, Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 4, Sunday noon to 4: Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

9, Saturday, Fall Lawn Care, 10: 30 am to noon, free and advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

9, Saturday, Lecture: Prepare for your best lawn ever! 10:00 to 11:00 am, free. Demonstration Garden, 94 Ida Lee Drive, NW, Leesburg, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Loudoun County. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

9, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Seasonal Foods You Can Grow at Home
  • Fair Oaks: Turf Tips: Fall Lawn Care
  • Gainesville: Fabulous Fall Container Garden

9, Saturday, Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello, all day. Admission fee but not required to register in advance (there are more in-depth workshops on Friday, September 8). Parking at David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center at Monticello, VA. http://www.heritageharvestfestival.com

9, Saturday, Paw Paw Festival, noon to 4:00 pm. Admission fee. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD. http://www.meadowsidenature.org

9, Saturday, Fall Herb Faire, free admission, parking, classes and tours. Lavender Fields Herb Farm, 11300 Winfrey Road, Glen Allen, VA. http://www.lavenderfieldsfarm.com ,

9,Saturday, Green Spring Gardens Fall Garden Day plant sale and more. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free admission. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

9, Saturday 10 to 3; 10, Sunday 9 to noon, Friends of Brookside Gardens Fall Plant sale, held at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.friendsofbrooksidegardens.org/plant-sale-2017

9, Saturday, Earth Friendly Floral Design, 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

9, Saturday, Class: Trees 101, Free but must registered. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street NE, Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

9, Saturday, Saturday in the Garden, Rain check! Rain barrels, Downspout Disconnectors, and Irrigation Tips plus Vegetable of the Month and Plant Sale. 9:00 am to noon. Presented by Master Gardeners of Prince William County. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. http://www.mgpw.org

10, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Mastering the Four Season Garden
  • Gainesville: Ornamental Grasses and their Companions

10, Sunday, Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden annual taste and tour, 1 to 4 pm. Free, no registration necessary. Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, Va.  Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Sunday, Lavender: Crafting and Growing. Fee and should register; walk-ins accepted, 2-4 pm. The Barn Series at Belle Grove Plantation, hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. http://www.bellegrove.org  and  http://www.nsvmga.org

10, Sunday, Workshop: Creating Beautiful Autumn Containers, 10:30 to 12:30. Free but must register. Will bring a container home. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

11, Monday, Lecture: Plant Natives at Home, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and no registration necessary. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, in partnership with Alexandria Beautification Commission. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

12, Tuesday, Simpson Gardens Stroll, 11:00 am to noon. Free and no registration necessary. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

12, Tuesday, Lecture: Planting for the Future by Kelly D. Norris, Director of Horticulture, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Open to the public, no registration necessary. Prior to lecture there will be a plant and seed swap from 6:30 to 7:15. Admission fee for non-HSM members; members are free. Hosted by Horticultural Society of Maryland. Vollmer Center, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Green Spring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

13, Wednesday, Extend the Growing Season, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

14, Thursday, Chanticleer Gardens day trip, which departs from Green Spring Gardens at 7:00 am and returns at 7:00 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, 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: Returning Bulbs. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

14, Thursday through Saturday, 16. Fall Plant Fest, no admission for the fall plant fest but regular admission fee for the botanical garden. Thursday 4-7, Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-3. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA. http://www.lewisginter.org

15, Friday, Garden Talk: Featuring Twigs, Bark and Berries, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register, presented by Master Gardeners, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

15, Friday, Chanticleer day trip, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Fee and must register, meet at Visitors Center Entrance, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

16, Saturday, Monarch Fiesta Day, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free. Black Hill Nature Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD. http://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/black-hill-nature-programs/

16, Saturday, Facts You Need to Know About Fall Planting, Pruning and Garden Clean Up. 2:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

16, Saturday, Pollinator Meet-up: Hands-On Monarch Tagging Made Easy, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Free but must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

16, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Plan and Plant for Spring: Bulbs
  • Fair Oaks: Attracting Pollinators to your garden
  • Gainesville: Fall Garden Party, with several speakers, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

17, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Using Companion Plants to Create the Wow Factor
  • Gainesville: Fall Garden Tour

17, Sunday, Cactus and Succulent Society of Maryland Plant Show and Sale, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Vollmer Visitor Center, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Green Spring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

17, Sunday, Autumnfest! 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free family event with min workshops and plants for sale. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Glencarlyn Library Garden, 300 S. Kensington Street, Arlington, VA.  http://www.mgnv.org

17, Sunday, McCrillis Gardens Sunday Walks, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Free but registration required via Brookside Gardens. Meet at McCrillis House, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

20, Wednesday, Monarch Waystations: Creating a Butterfly Garden. 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

20, Wednesday, Planting and Care of Fruit Trees, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

21, Thursday, Weeds: Getting to Know Your Closest Neighbors, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. http://ww.mgnv.org

21, 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: Let’s Talk Hops. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

22, Friday, Guided Tour of Tudor Place Gardens, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Free for members, fee for non-members and walk-ins are welcome but can register in advance. Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington DC.  http://www.tudorplace.org

23, Saturday, Annual Paw Paw Festival at Long Creek, noon to 5:00 pm. Tickets required. Long Creek Homestead, Frederick MD. See website for parking instructions.  http://www.ecologiadesign.com/2017/02/03/paw-paw-festival-longcreek-homestead/

23, Saturday, Lecture: Vita Sackville-West: Garden Guru and Inspiration. 1:30 pm. Free.  Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

23, Saturday, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic. 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Free but fee to re-pot an orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

23, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Turf Tips: Restoring Your Lawn
  • Fair Oaks: Festival Fall Containers
  • Gainesville: Patio Perfect Container Workshop

23, Saturday, Gardening with the soil food web, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Biologist Paulette Royt will explain the basic of soil science for gardeners.  Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

23, Saturday, Fall is Here! Preparation in the Vegetable Garden, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, free. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Loudoun County. Purcellville Library, 220 E. Main Street, Purcellville, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

23, Saturday, Brookside Gardens Saturday Walks, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Free guided walk of Brookside but must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

23, Saturday, Class: Trees 201. 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Free but must register. Hosted by Casey Trees but the class will be at Howard University, 2400 Sixth Street NW, Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

23, Saturday, The life and Gardens of Beatrix Farrand, 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Emmy Award winner Karyl Evans screens her new documentary film about Beatrix Farrand. The screening is followed by Q&A with the filmmaker and refreshments on the lawn of the Farrand-designed landscape at Green Spring, fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

23, Saturday, Celebrate the National Garden, a day long festival with activities. 10:00 to 4:00 pm, free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

23, Saturday, Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, free admission.  The Church of St. Clement, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA. http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen/

23, Saturday through October 29, Saturday, from 11 to 6 and Sunday from 11 to 4.  Fall Festival. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

23, Saturday (starting Saturday and every weekend in fall), Fall Festival, 10:30 to 5:00 pm. Admission fee, Green Street Gardens, 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD. http://www.greenstreetgardens.com

24, Sunday, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic. 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Free but fee to re-pot an orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

24, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Photography Workshop: Capturing Your Garden
  • Gainesville: Native Plants that Support Wildlife

24, Sunday, Earth Sangha open house and plant sale (native plants), 10:00 to 2:00 pm, free, Cloud Drive, Springfield, VA. http://www.earthsangha.org/wpn

24, Sunday, Garden Program: Winter Edible Garden, 2 to 3 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

24, Sunday, Fall Open House at Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens with a focus on making gardens more hospitable to wildlife and getting home gardens certified as Audubon Wildlife Habitats. Free, no registration necessary. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 402 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org 

25, Monday, Tree Selection for Small Urban Landscapes, 10:30 am to noon. Free and advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

25, Monday, Composting and Vermiculture. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

26, Tuesday, Lecture: The Human Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife by Nancy Lawson, author of same book. 7:30 pm, free, registration not required, and open to the public. Hosted by Maryland Native Plant Society. Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Avenue, Kensington, MD. http://www.mdflora.org

27, Wednesday, International Flavors from the Garden, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

27, Wednesday, Lecture: Welcoming Bees to your Backyard and Garden by Alison Gillespie. 7:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Hosted by Beltsville Garden Club. James E. Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

28, Thursday, Create and Sip Terrarium Workshop, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Fee and registration required. Enjoy a complementary glass of wine and snacks while creating a terrarium. Merrifield Garden Center, 6895 Wellington Road, Gainesville, VA. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

28, 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: Mulch 101. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

28, Thursday, Day Trip to North Creek Nurseries with Claudia West. Sponsored by the Annapolis Horticulture Society. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

29, Friday, Garden Talk: Replace Old Shrubs, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

30, Saturday, Lecture: This Fall, Think Spring: Planting Bulb for Big Spring Color, 2:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

30, Saturday, Floral Design Workshop: Fall Floral, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Professional floral designer Betty Ann Galway will show you how to make a fall design to take home. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

30, Saturday, Garden Program: Start a Garden Journal, 10 to 11 am. Horticulturist Judy Zatsick will show you how to keep a garden journal to stay organized. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

30, Saturday, Lecture: Life with Special Roots (Legumes), 10:30 to noon. Free but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

30, Saturday, Lecture: Cool Season Edibles, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

30, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Creating a Lush Scene with Groundcovers and Ferns
  • Fair Oaks: Fantastic Foliage Shrubs
  • Gainesville: Plan and Plant for Spring: Perennials

Peg’s Picks: August 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

August has more than 40 gardening events in the Washington DC metro area; however, I would be remiss if I did not mention the BIG event this month.  We will be able to view a solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. It will not be a total blackout here but it will be exciting to watch! #Eclipse2017

2, Wednesday, Garden Color Theory, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Fee and must register. Wine and painting go hand in hand, see firsthand how great colors can be blended in diverse garden settings on a guided tour and enjoy wine tasting and light refreshments. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

2, Wednesday, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginian Native Plant Society sells native plants from their propagation bed at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA, on the first Wednesday of the month, April through October, 10:00 am to noon. http://www.vnps.org and http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

2, Wednesday, Food Preservation, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

3, Thursday, Presentation on Gardens of Belle Grove Plantation by Lynn Hoffman, Master Gardener and plantation volunteer, includes video, 7:00 to 8:00 pm, free. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd., NW, Leesburg,VA, sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

3, 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: Tropical Containers. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

4, Friday, City Blossoms Annual Basil Bonanza, a fiesta to celebrate the summer harvest. Free, bring dish, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Marion Street Intergenerational Garden, 1521 Marion Street NW near the Shaw Howard Metro Station. For more information e-mail info@cityblossoms.org or call (202) 431-8991. http://www.cityblossoms.org

5, Saturday, Tree Fest, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. American Horticultural Society (AHS) and the TREE Fund presents Tree Fest, a family event at River Farm, headquarters of AHS, 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA http://www.ahsgardening.org

5, Saturday, English Garden Floral Design Workshop, 9:30 to 11:00 am, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

5, Saturday and 6, Sunday. Orchid diagnostic and repotting clinic (free but your orchid can be repotted for a fee). 9:30 to 4:30 pm on both days. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

5, Saturday, Beginners Hands-on Bonsai Class, 2 to 4 pm, fee and must register, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

5, Saturday in the Garden series: Cool Fall vegetables You Can Grow, 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Free. Ida Lee Park, 94 Ida Lee Drive, NW, Leesburg, VA. Presented by Loudoun County Master Gardeners, http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

6, Sunday, Belle Grove Plantation Barn Series: Air Plants (Tillandsia) 2-4 pm. Fee and must register. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. Presented by Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association http://www.nsvmga.org and http://www.bellegrove.org

9, Wednesday, Vegetables for Fall Planting, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

10, 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: Tool Cleaning and Care. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

10, Thursday, Food in the Garden Series: Flavoring America, 6:30 to 9:00 pm, National Museum of American History with Smithsonian Gardens, at the Victory Garden, must register and purchase ticket online, which includes food and drink. Outdoor evening event, enjoy food, drinks, and dynamic conversation focusing on herbs and spices and tour the new exhibit “Common Ground: Our American Garden.” http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/food-garden

12, Saturday, Lecture: Extending the Vegetable Garden Through the Fall, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

12, Saturday, Garden Tour, Ice Cream Social, and Photo Exhibit of Historic House. 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

12, Saturday, Success in the Garden Series: Save Seeds, Save Money and (Maybe) Save the Planet, 2:00-3:00 pm. Free. Bowman Library, Tasker Road, Stephens City, VA. Hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. http://www.nsvmga.org

12, Saturday, Rain Barrel Workshop with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register (will get rain barrel). Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.org

15, Tuesday, In the Garden Series: Invasive Plant ID and Control, 10:00 to noon, fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.org

16, Wednesday, Useful and Edible Native Plants and Trees, 9:00 to 11:00 am. Fee and must register via ParkTakes. Walking outdoors rain or shine. Also offered on August 22, Tuesday. Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA. http://www.parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov

16, Wednesday, Managing Your Herb Garden, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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.  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

16, Wednesday, Lecture: Soil Mixes for Houseplants and Container Gardens, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, free and open to public. Sponsored by Takoma Horticultural Club. Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD. http://www.takomahort.org

17, Thursday, Food in the Garden Series: Fermentation Nation, 6:30 to 9:00 pm, National Museum of American History with Smithsonian Gardens, at the Victory Garden, must register and purchase ticket online, which includes food and drink. Outdoor evening event, enjoy food, drinks, and dynamic conversation focusing on fermentation (beer, wine, pickles) and tour the new exhibit “Common Ground: Our American Garden.” http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/food-garden

17, 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: Native Plant Substitutes. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

19, Saturday, Rain Garden Design Workshop, 10:00 to 2:00 pm, free and must register. Sponsored by the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy. Will be held at the MD State Game and Fish Protective Association, 8735 Honeygo Blvd., Perry Hall, MD.  http://gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org/event/garden-design-workshop/

19, Saturday, Lecture: Cattail Moonshine and Milkweed Medicine by Tammi Hartung, herbalist, and author of book by same name. 10:30 to noon. Free but must register. Conservatory Classroom. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

19, Saturday, Lecture: The Botany and Chemistry of Baking – Wheat, by Todd Brethauer, free but must register, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Conservatory Classroom, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

19, Saturday, August Pollinator Meetup: Drought Tolerant Pollinator Gardens, 10:00 to 11:00 am., free. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

19, Saturday in the Garden: Some Like It Hot! Top Summer Plant Performers and Vegetable of the Month, 9:00 to noon, free but must register at master_gardener@pwcgov.org. Hosted by Prince William County Master Gardeners and held at the Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535, Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

19, Saturday, Twelve Steps for a Greener Lawn, 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Free but must register at master_gardener@pwcgov.org. Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge, VA. Hosted by Prince William County Extension Agents and Master Gardeners. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

19, Saturday, Lecture: Fruit Trees, 10:30 to noon. Free but must register. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, http://www.mgnv.org

19, Saturday and 20, Sunday. Orchid diagnostic and repotting clinic (free but your orchid can be repotted for a fee). 9:30 to 4:30 pm on both days. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

20, Sunday, Lecture: The Botany and Chemistry of Brewing – Barley, by Todd Brethauer, free but must register, 1:00 to 2:30. Conservatory Classroom, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

23, Wednesday, Tour: Horticultural Backstage Pass – the USBG Production Facility, 10:30 am to noon. Free but must register and meet at the Production Facility (4700 Shepherd Parkway SW Washington DC) U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

23, Wednesday, Garden Therapy, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00-8:00 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.  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

24, 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: Transition to a Fall Vegetable Garden. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

25, Friday, Guided Tour of Tudor Place Gardens, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Free for members, fee for non-members and walkins are welcome but can register in advance. Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington DC.  http://www.tudorplace.org

26, Saturday, Garden Terrarium Workshop, 1:00 to 2:30, fee and must register. Begonia enthusiast Johanna Zinn will provide information on begonias and teach techniques for creating a tabletop terrarium. Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

26, Saturday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday, August 27, noon to 3:30 pm. Free. Annual Begonia Show and Sale, sponsored by the Potomac Branch of the American Begonia Society. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

26, Saturday, Lecture: Lawn Care: Keeping It Green and Healthy, 2:00 pm, free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

26, Saturday and 27, Sunday, Centro Ashe – Chesapeake Herb Gathering. Must register. Fox Haven Learning Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson, MD. http://www.chesapeakeherbgathering.com

28, Monday, Fall Vegetable Garden, 7-8:30 pm, free but must register. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Also offered on 8/29, Tuesday (same topic) at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. http://www.mgnv.org

29, Tuesday, Fall Vegetable Garden, 7-8:30 pm, free but must register. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Also offered on 8/28, Monday, at the Beatley library, same topic. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

29 through October 1, Tri-State Native Plant Conference at Shepherdstown, WV. http://www.vnps.org/tri-state-native-plant-conference-2017

31, 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: Build a Terrarium. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

Just a reminder,

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

The Franciscan Monastery gives guided garden tours on Saturdays, 11:00 am and noon, free. http://www.fmgg.org

Historic London Town and Gardens gives guided garden tours on weekends from 1:30 to 2:00 pm, free http://www.historiclondontown.org

In August, Hillwood Museum and Estate is offering a special: groups of ten or more that visit will enjoy a special discounted admission rate, advance tour reservations, complimentary passes for group planners, and an opportunity to book private and curator led tours. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

Before school starts, visit the Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly and Caterpillar Exhibit. The exhibit is open until September 17 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily but if there is excessive heat, it may shut down to protect the butterflies. Entrance fee to the Wings of Fancy. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

Peg’s Picks: July 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

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

Peg’s Picks: May 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

May has more than 60 gardening events, workshops, lectures, plant sales, and home and garden tours in the greater Washington DC area.

2, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Woodland Path, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation, limited tickets.  Also offered on Thursday, May 4, and Saturday May 6 at same time. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

2, Tuesday, Container and Balcony Gardening, 7-8:30 pm, free but advance registration requested. Presented by VCE Master Gardeners. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. http://www.mgnv.org

3, Wednesday, Foraging for Wild 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

3, Wednesday, Lecture: A Year in Half Circle Garden, by Dave Leaverton. Sponsored by Annapolis Horticultural Society, 7:00 pm, open to the public, and free. St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

4, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Woodland Path, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation, limited tickets.  Also offered on Tuesday, May 2, and Saturday May 6 at same time. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

4, Thursday, Getaway: Charlottesville Private Gardens, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Coach bus leaves from Green Spring, is an all day trip. Fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

5, Friday, Lecture: Epic Tomatoes from YOUR gardens: Stories, history and tips for success by Craig LeHoullier, gardening author and lecturer, noon to 1:00 pm, Free and pre-registration required. Conservatory Classroom, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

5, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Gardening for Birds, 1:30 to 2:30, fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

5, Friday, 10 to 6; and 6, Saturday, 10 to 5, Flower-Mart at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Free. http://www.allhallowsguild.org/Flower-Mart/flower-mart/

5, Friday and 6, Saturday and 12 and 13, 9 to 5 pm. Lavender Field Farm Spring Herb Faire. Free admission and parking, rain or shine. 11300 Winfrey Road, Glen Allen, VA. http://www.lavenderfieldsfarm.com

6, Saturday, plant (seedling) sales, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm., Eastern Senior High School, 1700 East Capitol Street NE. Hosted by Mighty Greens. http://cityblossoms.org/mightygreens/

6, Saturday, Gardener’s Focus: Woodland Path, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation, limited tickets.  Also offered on Thursday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 2 at same time. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

6, Saturday, Hanging Basket Workshop, 10:00 am to noon and 1:30 to 3:30. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

6, Saturday, Teacup Topiaries, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

6, Saturday, Ladew Garden Festival: Specialty Plants and Garden Ornaments, 10 to 4:00 pm, free. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

6, Saturday, 1:30 to 5:00; 7, Sunday,  9:30 to 4:30 pm; 20, Saturday, 1:30 to 5:00 pm; 21, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30 pm Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic. Free advice but a fee for repotting. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

6, Saturday, Summer Annual Container, 10:00 am to noon, fee and registration required Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

6, Saturday, Carroll County; and 13, Saturday, Baltimore County/Oella: Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage, tickets required. http://www.mhgp.org

6, Saturday, Confidential Backyard Composting, 9:00 am to noon. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery. Hosted by the Prince William Master Gardeners. 9535, Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Free but must register and dress for weather. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

6, Saturday, Sustainable Landscaping 4: Maintaining the Sustainable Yard, 9:00 am to noon, free but advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. http://www.mgnv.org

6, Saturday, Transitioning from a spring to summer vegetable garden, 10 to 11:00 am. Free garden talk followed by a Q&A session, Saturday in the Garden Series hosted by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners, Loudoun County Master Gardeners’ demo garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

6, Saturday, noon to 5:00 pm. May Day Music Festival, Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington. Meet the Master Gardeners who maintain the Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden. They will be available during the festival to answer organic gardening questions. Free, no registration necessary. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Sunday, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 300 S Kensington St, Arlington, VA. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Sunday, Takoma Park House and Garden Tour, 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Ticket required. http://www.historictakoma.org

7, Sunday, Spring Open House and Plant Sale (local ecotype plants), 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. EarthSangha Nursery is in Franconia Park, Cloud Drive, Springfield VA. http://www.earthsangha.org

9, Tuesday, Obsession and Exploitation: A Cultural History of Trilliums, presented by C. Colston Burrell, sponsored by the Horticultural Society of Maryland. 7:30 pm. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. members free, nonmembers fee. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

9, Tuesday, 11:00 to noon, Simpson Gardens Stroll at the Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, free and no registration necessary. Talk with Master Gardeners who maintain the garden. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Wednesday, Gardening with Your Children. 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

11, Thursday, Wings and Wine, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, fee and registration required. Learn about butterflies, sample several wine varieties and enjoy light refreshment as butterflies and music swirl around in the tropical conservatory. Finish off the evening with a decadent desert. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

11, Thursday, Behind the scenes at the US. Botanic garden production facility, 10:30 to 11:30 am, meet in the lobby of the production facility, pre-registration required. Also on Wednesday May 24, 10:30 am to noon. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

11, Thursday, Bethesda Community Garden Club plant sale, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm., Bethesda Farm Women’s Market, 7155 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD. http://www.bethesdacommunitygardenclub.org

13, Saturday, Growing a Cutting Garden, 10:00 to 11:30 am, Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

13, Saturday, Market Day, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. admission is free but there is a fee to park, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

13, Saturday, Beltsville Garden Club Plant Sale, 8:00 am to noon, High Point High School parking lot, 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD, sponsored by the Beltsville Garden Club, http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

13, Saturday, Silver Spring Garden Club’s GardenMart plant sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center South Terrace, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD http://www.brooksidegardens.org

13, Saturday, Georgetown Garden Tour, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets required. Headquarters is Christ Church, 31st and O Street NW. http://www.georgetowngardenclubdc.org

13, Saturday, 4:00 to 7:00 pm and Sunday, 14, noon to 5:00 pm. Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Annual House and Garden Tour. Tickets required. http://www.chrs.org

13, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Throughout the Year, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

13, Saturday, Container Garden Workshop: Bright Summer Annuals, 10:00 am to 11:00 am or 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

13, Saturday, Great Falls Garden Club plant sale, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. http://www.gfgardenclub.org

14, Sunday, Small Space Vegetable Gardening 2:00 pm. free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

13 & 14, Saturday (10 to 6) and Sunday (10 to 5), Annual DC Green Festival at the Washington DC Convention Center, Admission fee. https://www.greenfestivals.org/washington-d-c-2017-may-12-14.html#!243

16, Tuesday, Garden Program: Gable Rhododendrons. 7:30 to 8:30 pm. fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

17, Wednesday, Weeds 101: Keeping Those Weeds at Bay. 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

20, Saturday, Workshop: Growing Dahlias, 2-3:30 pm. Fee and must register, Greenhouse Classroom at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

20, Saturday, Spring Garden Day — the Big Plant Sale, 9 am-3 pm. Sponsored by Friends of Green Spring. Free admission. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

 20, Saturday, Gail Gee’s Peony Garden, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Fee, which includes transportation and snack.  Must register. Meet at the Visitors Center at Brookside to visit a Fulton MD garden with more than 400 peonies. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

20, Saturday, Herb Garden Container Workshop, 10:00 am to noon or 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

20, Saturday, and 21, Sunday, Loudoun County, VA, Spring Farm Tour, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, free, self-guided tour in Loudoun County, no tickets required. See map and participating farms as well as craft beverages and special events. http://www.loudounfarms.org

20, Saturday, and 21, Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour of gardens in downtown Frederick, MD. Tickets required.  http://www.celebratefrederick.com/events/garden-tour/

 21, Sunday, 2-5 pm, Annual Shepherd Park Citizens Association Garden tour, ticket required. Self-guided tour of gardens in Shepherd Park in Northwest Washington DC. http://www.shepherdpark.org/garden.html

22, Monday, Lawn Substitute: Easy Alternatives for Beauty and Nature. 7:00 to 8:30 pm., free and no registration necessary. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 270 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria. http://www.mgnv.org

23, Tuesday, Rediscover Bartholdi Park, 10:30 to 11:30 am, Tour meets by the Bartholdi Park Fountain, free, pre-registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Wednesday, Behind the scenes at the US. Botanic garden production facility, 10:30 to noon, meet in the lobby of the production facility, pre-registration required. Also on Thursday May 11, 10:30 am to 11:30 am. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Wednesday, Lecture: Franciscan Monastery Gardens, 7:30 pm, free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Beltsville Garden Club, Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

24, Wednesday, Garden Structure: Support, Going Vertical and Rabbit and Deer Control. 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

24, Wednesday, Lecture: Nature’s Temples: The Complex World of Old-Growth Forests with Joan Maloof, (author of same book), 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Book signing. Fee and must register, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

25, Thursday, Mosquitos and Ticks: Identification and Control, 7-8:30 pm, Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Sponsored by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free and advance registration requested. http://www.mgnv.org

27, Saturday, Baltimore Herb Festival 2017 Year of Cilantro, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Leakin Park, 1920 Eagle Park, Baltimore, outdoor rain or shine, fee but free parking, http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com

27, Saturday, Herb Gardening: From the Everyday to the Unusual, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

28, Sunday, Flowers, Berries, Bark: Designing a Garden for Interest Throughout the Year, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

31, Wednesday, Stormwater Solutions: Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens, 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

31, Wednesday, Top 10 Vegetable Diseases, 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

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

Right around the corner so make your reservations now!

June 1, Thursday, evening dinner and lecture with Brie Arthur, author of The Foodscape Revolution, 5:00 to 6:45 pm dinner in Café, garden admission included, weather permitting, 7:00 pm lecture in Barn Gallery with book sale. Fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

Over a Dozen Gardening Events This Weekend in the Washington DC Metro Area

When I was writing my Peg’s Picks of Gardening Events for April 2017, I noticed at least 17 gardening events for this weekend April 21-23 alone. Check out the rest of the April gardening events at pegplant.com on the Classes/Events page.

Friday, April 21

21, Friday, Celebrate Earth Day! 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, free no registration required. National Garden U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

21, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Cover the Ground, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

21, Friday, 10:00 am to noon for AHS members and noon to 4:00 pm for public and 22 Saturday 10 – 4 open to the public. American Horticultural Society’s Spring Garden Market. Nominal fee for parking for non AHS members. 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA. http://www.ahsgardening.org

Saturday, April 22

22, 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. https://www.novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

22, Saturday, London Town’s Plant Sale 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Members and volunteers receive a 10% discount on plants all weekend. Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD. http://www.historiclondontown.org.

22, Saturday through 29, Saturday, Historic Garden Week sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia, see website for schedule, tickets required. http://www.vagardenweek.org

22, Saturday, Garden Program: New Versus Classic Plants, by David Culp, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

22, Saturday, Garden Program: Spring Blooming Natives, 10:30 to noon, Fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

22, Saturday, Perennials for Every Garden at the Gainesville location, 1:30 pm, free. Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

22, Saturday, Planting Gardens with Native Plants, 2:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

22, Saturday, Teaching Garden: Three topics: What’s That Weed? Beloved Plants of Master Gardener Volunteers and Vegetable of the Month. 9:00 am to noon, free but must register. Outside, dress for weather. St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Sponsored by the Prince William County Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners, http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

22, Saturday, 10 to 6; 23, Sunday, 10 to 5. Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. Free and dress for weather and walking. Downtown Leesburg, VA. http://www.flowerandgarden.org

22, Saturday, 10:00 am to noon. Lecture: Great Looking Lawns Using Bay Friendly Practices. Free but space limited so registration is encouraged. Visitors Auditorium, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington DC.  http://www.usna.usda.org

Sunday, April 23

23, Sunday, Earth Day Festival at Brookside, free, no registration required. From 9:00 am to noon, volunteers help with planting projects and from noon to 4:00 pm is the festival. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

23, Sunday, Earth Day Miniature Garden workshop, 10:30 am to noon or 1:30 to 3:00 Fee. Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD. http://www.historiclondontown.org.

23, Sunday, Creating a Rain Garden, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

23, Sunday, Container Gardens with Pizzazz at the Gainesville location, 1:00 pm, free. Merrifield Garden Center, http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com