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

Posted on January 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

rosemarySo many gardening events in February, this list is too long!

2/6, Saturday, Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange 12:30-4 pm. Washington Gardener Magazine is co-hosting the Seed Exchange at Green Spring Gardens with lectures, face-to-face seed swap and more. $15 for verified Friends of Green Spring members (FROGS) and WG subscribers; $20 for other guests. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 101 3301 for FROGS and WG subscribers and code 290 101 3302 for all other guests or call 703-642-5173.

2/6, Saturday, Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Series, presented by the Virginia Cooperative Extension of Prince William County. Chinn Library, 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192. 2/6, 2/13, and 3/5, 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Classes are free but limited to 60 people; register in advance, e-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org or call (703) 792-7747. Taught by Master Gardener Cook’s Garden Team. http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/Pages/ENR-Program-Information.aspx.

2/6, Saturday, Lecture: Ignite Your Garden with Spring Wildflowers, by Rick Lewandowski, Director of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 10:30 am to noon. Free but must register. In Conservatory Classroom at U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

2/6, Saturday, Lecture: The Allure of Native Shrubs and Trees for the Garden, by Rick Lewandowski, Director of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Free but must register. In Conservatory Classroom at U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

2/7, Sunday, Lecture: Natives in Containers, 1:30-2:30 pm. Plantswoman Julie Borneman shows you how to beautify and increase the wildlife value of any space by container gardening with native plants. $10/person for advance registration ($12 for out-of-county registrants) or $12 at the door.  Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 182 1901 or call 703-642-5173.

2/9, Tuesday, Vegetable Gardening: Planning and Seeding 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Senior Lounge, Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16th Street South, Arlington 22204. Free, register in advance. Taught by VCE Master Gardeners. Same topic presented on 2/16 and 2/20. (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

2/11, Thursday, Cooking Demonstration with Ancient (Heirloom) Beans by Adrienne and Danielle Cook, 12:00 to 12:45 and repeated at 12:45 to 1:30 pm. Free, no pre-registration required. Same presentation/times on Wednesday 2/17. Conservatory Garden Court at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

2/12, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Herb Gardening, 1:30-2:30 pm, Master Gardeners give advice on choosing the best herbs and how to make them flourish in your garden or container. $10/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 182 2701 or call 703-642-5173.

2/13, Saturday, Starting From Scratch with Seeds, 9:30-11 am. Green Spring propagator and horticulturist Judy Zatsick will discuss potting mixes, containers, seed treatments, lighting, fertilization, watering, seed sources and timing. Take home a few seeds to start your own collection. $22/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 187 4201 or call 703-642-5173.

2/13, Saturday, Basic Landscape Design, 10 to 11:00 am. Free; must pre-register, e-mail Misty Kuceris at misty@burkenursery.com or call (703) 323-1188, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre, 9401 Burke Road, Burke VA 22015. http://www.burkenursery.org

2/16, Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:30 pm Seed Starting for the Vegetable Garden by Gordon Clark, owner of Montgomery Victory Gardens. Fee and must register for class #8022, at Visitor Center Adult Classroom, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. http://www.brooksidegardens.org.

2/16, Tuesday, Vegetable Gardening: Planning and Seeding 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Taught by VCE Master Gardeners. Same topic presented on 2/9 and 2/20. Free; register in advance, call (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

2/17, Wednesday, Cooking Demonstration with Ancient (Heirloom) Beans, free, no pre-registration required, Conservatory Garden Court, 12:00 to 12:45 and repeated at 12:45 to 1:30 (same presentation/times on Thursday 2/11). U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

2/18, Thursday, Spring Ahead with Cool Season Flowers presented by Lisa Ziegler. A Horticultural Magazine webinar at 2:00 pm ET. Free; register at http://hortmag.com

2/19, Friday, Everything You Wanted to Know About Pruning (But Were Afraid to Ask!) by Jim Deramus, Brookside Gardens staff. 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Fee; must register for class #8023. Visitor Center Adult Classroom, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

2/20, Saturday, The Basics of Gardening: A Series of Classes for the Serious Gardener presented by the Virginia Cooperative Extension of Prince William County. 2/20, 2/27, and 3/12, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Powell’s Creek, McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193; $5/class or $10 for series of three classes, includes light refreshments and materials. Register in advance, e-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org or call (703) 792-7747. Taught by Master Gardeners. http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/Pages/ENR-Program-Information.aspx

2/20, Saturday, Eco-Savvy Symposium: Water-Wise Gardening, 9 am-4 pm. Learn practical, water-wise gardening techniques and creative solutions to conserve, capture, contain and sustain this precious natural resource. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 188 5501 or call 703-642-5173.

2/20, Saturday, Pruning Class, 1:30 to 3:30, taught by Rachel Habig-Meyers. Hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension of Prince William County. In the Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9424 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Classroom and hands on, dress for weather, free; register in advance, space is limited. E-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org or call (703) 792-7747. http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/Pages/ENR-Program-Information.aspx

2/20, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening: Planning and Seeding 10:30 am to noon, Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304. Taught by VCE Master Gardeners. Same topic presented on 2/9 and 2/16. Free; must register in advance. (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

2/20, Saturday, Designing a Sustainable, Manageable Yard, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington VA 22206.  Taught by VCE Master Gardeners. Free; must register in advance. (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

2/20, Saturday, 2016 Spring Gardening Conference: “Exploding the Myths: Fascinating Facts to Help You Avoid Common Gardening Mythstakes! 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. University of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855. Presented by the Montgomery County Master Gardeners. For more information, contact Terri Valenti at mc.growit@gmail.com. Fee and must register at http://mcmgconference.eventbrite.com. Snow date is February 27. https://extension.umd.edu/growit/montgomery-county-vegetable-gardening-classes-and-events

2/20 & 2/21, Saturday and Sunday, Plants to Support Wildlife, Behnke Nurseries, 2:00 pm, free and must register. Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

2/21, Sunday, Lecture: Mt. Cuba Plant Trials, 1:30-2:30 pm. Hear about Mt. Cuba Center’s ongoing trials of native plants and their related cultivars from the center’s education and research director, Eileen Boyle.  Learn about the center’s partnership with Dr. Doug Tallamy to test the ecological value of the trial plants. $10/person for advance registration ($12 for out-of-county registrants) or $12 at the door.  Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 182 1801 or call 703-642-5173.

2/21, Sunday, Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes, presented by Thomas Rainer, co-author of book, “Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes,” 2-4 pm. Books will be available for sale and book signing will occur after the presentation. Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams Street, Manassas, VA 20111; free; must register in advance, hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension of Prince William County. E-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org or call (703) 792-7747. http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/Pages/ENR-Program-Information.aspx

2/25, Thursday, Gorgeous Superhero Flowering Shrubs and Groundcovers for Right-Size Flower Gardens, by Kerry Ann Mendez, 2:00 pm EST. A Horticulture Magazine webinar, free, register at http://hortmag.com

2/26, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Small Space Veggie Gardening, 1:30-2:30 pm. Master Gardeners will demonstrate how to grow vegetables in limited space. $10/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 184 5401 or call 703-642-5173.

2/27, Saturday, Don’t Waste Space: Small Scale Vegetable Garden for Everyone, Behnke Nurseries, 2:00 pm, free and must register. Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

2/27, Saturday, Beginning Beekeeping, 11 am-12:30 pm. Discover what it takes to begin beekeeping from Mount Vernon’s beekeeper, John Ferree. Class takes place indoors as well as outdoors at Green Spring’s beehives. $12/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 102 2601 or call 703-642-5173.

2/27, Saturday, RootingDC, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, free all day gardening forum (but a $10 donation is suggested). Wilson High School, 3950 Chesapeake Street NW, Washington DC 20016. Hosted by DC Greens. Can register in advance or walk in.  http://www.rootingdc.org

2/27, Saturday, “Perennially Inspired,” a day-long seminar with five horticultural experts, 8:45 am to 4:00 pm. Hosted by the Perennial Plant Association and the Horticultural Society of Maryland. Sheppard Pratt Conference Center, 6501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21204. Fee; must register online or mail at http://www.mdhorticulture.org

2/27 & 2/28, Saturday and Sunday, The Basics of Creating Compost and Using Fertilizer to Improve Your Garden, Behnke Nurseries, 11:00 am, free and must register. Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

2/28, Sunday, Choosing the Right Gardens Tools and How to Keep Them for Life, Behnke Nurseries, 2:00 pm, free and must register. Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

2/28, Sunday, Lecture: Garden Design from Nature, 1:30-2:30 pm. Thomas Rainer and Claudia West, leaders in ecological landscape design, reveal how plants fit together in nature and how you can use this knowledge to create a home landscape that is resilient, beautiful, and diverse. Book signing follows lecture. $10/person for advance registration ($12 for out-of-county registrants) or $12 at the door.  Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.  Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 182 2201 or call 703-642-5173.

Two series of three beekeeping classes hosted by Greenstreet Gardens and presented by Azure B LLC. First series is at the Greenstreet Gardens Lothian store, 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD, on Saturday 2/6 and 2/13. 10:30 to 1:30.  Third class is at the apiary on Saturday March 26 10 to 1:00 pm at Azure B LLC in Marbury, MD (the apiary).  $80 for all three classes; register with Greenstreet Gardens. Second series is at the Greenstreet Garden store at 1721 Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA, on Sunday, 2/21, and 2/28, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Third class is at Azure B LLC in Marbury, MD (the apiary) on March 26, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. http://www.greenstreetgardens.com

Merrifield Garden Center has Saturday seminars at their three locations, all starting at 10:00 am. The three classes that were scheduled for January 23 were rescheduled for Saturday February 6 at 2:00 pm (Delicious Landscapes at Merrifield location; Winter Vignettes at Fair Oaks; and Indoor Gardening at Gainesville). Free, no need to register in advance. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

2/6: Designing a Garden for Children, Merrifield (M), 8132 Lee Highway, Merrifield VA 22116; Low Maintenance Gardening, Fair Oaks (FO), 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030; Seed Starting, Gainesville (G), 6895 Wellington Road, Gainesville, VA 20156

2/13: Great Plant Combinations, M; Just for Kids, FO; Landscape Renovations, G

2/20: Using Stone in the Landscape, M; Boxwood and Flowering Shrubs, FO; Gardening for the Birds, G

2/27: Prune Like a Pro Part 1, M; Gardening with Native Plants, FO; Creating Real Curb Appeal, G

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

Posted on December 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

GreenSpringsDecember2014 068You would think that not a lot happens in January in the gardening world but actually I had to trim this list down to make it manageable! Although my aim is to focus on edibles, I can’t help but include a few cooking classes because after all, if you grow it, you have to figure out how to eat it! January is an exciting time, lots of lectures, classes, and workshops.

Saturday, January 9, Pruning workshop 9:30 am, hosted by Casey Trees at 50 Marina Drive Alexandria, VA 22314, Free but must register in advance http://www.caseytrees.org

Saturday January 9, Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist by Michael Judd, author and edible landscape designer, course #8082, 2:00 to 3:30 $14 ($13 for FOBG), registration required, Visitors Center Auditorium, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902, (301) 962-1451; http://www.brooksidegardens.org

Tuesday January 12 through February 16, Landscape for Life gardening course developed by the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden. Learn how to transform home landscapes and public places into healthy refuges that benefit birds, pollinators, and other wildlife including the community and the Chesapeake Bay. Classes are Tuesday mornings 10:00 am to 12:30, January 12 through February 16, (snow date February 23), at the Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA. Fee, $60, and must register, for more information e-mail landscapeforlifeclass@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 13, Backstage pass at the production facility of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 10:30 am to noon, free but must register in advance. Meet at the production facility on 4700 Shepherd Parkway, SW, Washington DC 20032. http://www.usbg.gov

Wednesday, January 13, Roots of Flavor, Join Adrienne and Danielle Cook in learning how to cook with turmeric and ginger root, course #8021, noon to 1:30 $35 ($31 FOBG) registration required, Visitors Center Auditorium, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902, (301) 962-1451; http://www.brooksidegardens.org

Thursday, January 14, Join Adrienne and Danielle Cook in learning how to cook with turmeric and ginger root, noon and repeated again at 12:45 (also offered on Thursday, January 28 at noon and 12:45. Free; no registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

Saturday, January 16, Tea Tasting: Teas for Winter Health, 10-11:30 am. Taste a variety of the best teas and herbal infusions to boost immunity and cure the winter blues. Learn about their medicinal properties and discover new healthful brews to enjoy year round. Take home a sample. $22/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call 703-642-5173.

Sunday, January 17, Winter Lecture: Acts of Garden Wildness, 1:30-2:30 pm. Alan Ford and Laura Beaty of the Virginia Native Plant Society will show how to use a native plant palette to invite birds and beneficial insects to join your garden party. Learn about the natural relationships that bugs and birds have with these plants and how to recognize who has been visiting your garden. $10/person for advance registration ($12 for out-of-county registrants) or $12 at the door. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call 703-642-5173.

Monday, January 18, Lecture: Sugar: History, Botany, Production and Processing, 10:30 to noon, free and must register in advance. Conservatory Classroom of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

Thursday January 21, Horticulture Magazine’s webinar, “The Downsized Veggie Garden: How to Garden Small Wherever You Live, Whatever Your Space,” by Kate Copsey, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The downsized garden is about adjusting your growing to small quarters. The audience will see what other creative gardeners have done to find room to grow herbs, tomatoes and other produce in a very small space. Kate Copsey is the author of The Downsized Veggie Garden (coming February 2016, St. Lynn’s Press). Free. http://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening-workshops

Saturday, January 23, Lecture: Making Scree Sexy, by Peter Couchman, Executive Director, High Glen Gardens. As a designer and horticulture manager at Verdant Garden Design in Brooklyn, Peter worked on creating private residential landscapes. With Green Roof Associates, he helped create and install a green roof on a new corporate building that “broke the mold” of what people consider a typical green roof. Currently he is leading the transition of High Glen Gardens, which includes a sizeable Mediterranean garden, from a private estate to a public garden. Join Peter as he discusses the challenges and successes of working with a wide range of plant species in these diverse sites. Free but must register in advance. Conservatory Classroom of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

Sunday, January 24, Winter Lecture: Is it Better or Just New?, 1:30-2:30 pm. With so many new perennials released every year, it can be difficult to distinguish legitimately better cultivars from those that are simply marketable. Through production trials, garden visits, vendor visits and conversations with other growers, plantsman Paul Westervelt has worked to select the true winners for our region. $10/person for advance registration ($12 for out-of-county registrants) or $12 at the door. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call 703-642-5173.

Thursday, January 28, Horticulture Magazine’s webinar, “Good Berry, Bad Berry: Identifying Wild Edible Plants in Your Area” by Helen Yoest, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Foraging is hot right now, but did you know there are berries in your own back yard that you can eat? Have you walked your local greenway and wondered if the berries you spied were edible? Good Berry, Bad Berry is a homeowners guide to who’s edible, who’s toxic, and how to tell the difference. Free. http://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening-workshops

Friday, January 29, Garden Talk: Pruning Trees & Shrubs,1:30-2:30 pm. Master Gardeners offer basic pruning techniques and tips on tool selection to give you the confidence to tackle those pruning tasks in your landscape. $10/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call 703-642-5173.

Saturday, January 30, Lecture: The Science and Culture of Coffee, 10:30 am to noon, free but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

Saturday, January 30, Lecture: Bananas: Botany, History, Agriculture and Future, 2:00 to 3:30 pm, free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

Saturday, January 30, Plight of Urban Bees, 10-11 am, Author Alison Gillespie shares their stories with you and teaches how you can help bees survive. Book signing to follow lecture. $10/person. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call 703-642-5173. [As an aside, green springs has started a “Bee Programs” more lectures in February and March.]

Saturday January 30, Seed Exchange hosted by Washington Gardener Magazine at Brookside Gardens, (another one on Saturday, February 6 at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria). Both are 12:30 to 4:00 pm. Can register in advance or register at door. $20 or $15 for Friends of Brookside, Friends of Green Springs, and WG subscribers. http://www.washingtongardener.com

Sunday, January 31, Winter Lecture: The Art of Gardening, 1:30-2:30 pm. Meet Chanticleer gardener Joe Henderson as he shares content from the new book, The Art of Gardening: Design Inspiration and Innovative Planting Techniques from Chanticleer. Learn how techniques differ with site conditions and plant palettes; how to experiment successfully; and how to achieve union between plant and site. Book signing to follow. $10/person for advance registration ($12 for out-of-county registrants) or $12 at the door. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring or call 703-642-5173.

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Peg’s Picks of December 2015 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on November 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

Peg’s Picks of December 2015 Gardening Events in Washington DC Metro Area

The public gardens, nurseries, and historic homes are decorated for Christmas. Many have wreath making classes, open houses, and gift shops full of goodies. Here is a short list of December gardening events in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Don’t forget to look at tabs “Nurseries” and “Public Gardens” for more places to contact.

American Horticultural Society at River Farm, December 12 Saturday Holiday Open House from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (mansion will be decorated for Christmas), free and open to the public. 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308; (703) 768-5700. http://www.ahs.org

Annapolis Horticultural Society, December 2, Wednesday, lecture, Paul Westervelt will speak on “Perennials for Multiple Seasons” at the St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD; free and open to the public. info@annapolishorticulture.org. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

Brookside Gardens, The Garden of Lights, a winter walk-through holiday light display, is open from November 27 through January 3, hours and fee vary by day/time, check the web site or call (301) 962-1453. Other events and workshops are at Brookside Gardens in December, including a Tuesday, December 1, road trip to Maymont and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to check out their holiday decorations. Must register and pay in advance for this “Richmond Holiday Adventure.” 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1400. http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/

Green Spring Gardens, on Sunday, December 6, Gardeners’ Holiday Open House is from noon to 4:00 pm, free but must register and pay for puppet show and trackless train ride. 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312; (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

Hillwood Museum and Gardens is decorated for Christmas and every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, staff horticulturist Bill Johnson gives a 20-minute tour focusing on the “bones” of the winter garden. Fee and register in advance for the Winter Garden tour. 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008; (202) 686-5807.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

Homestead Gardens has a bus trip to Longwood Gardens to see their holiday light extravaganza on Tuesday, December 8, fee and must register in advance. 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, Md 20135; (410) 798-5000. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

Horticultural Society of Maryland, lecture on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:30 pm. “Beautiful evergreens for the garden and holiday cuttings” with David Thompson of Foxborough Nursery. Before and after the lecture author Kathy Hudson will sign her book, “On Walnut Hill: The Evolution of a Garden.” Lecture is free for members and $10 for non-members. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209; (410) 821-5561 or programs@mdhorticulture.org. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

U.S. Botanic Garden has its annual holiday exhibit in the conservatory from November 26 through January 3, free and open to the public.  The conservatory boasts a tropical paradise; one of the largest indoor decorated trees in Washington, DC; a showcase of poinsettias; and a miniature train display. Also, there will be a Pollination Station where one can see oversized flowers, bees, and butterflies in this year’s scenic wonderland. Landmarks such as the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument, all made from plants, will be on display in the Garden Court. Check the website for times. 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

And speaking of the U.S. Botanic Garden, just around the corner is the 6-week, Landscape for Life gardening course developed by the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden. Learn how to transform home landscapes and public places into healthy refuges that benefit birds, pollinators, and other wildlife including the community and the Chesapeake Bay. Classes are Tuesday mornings 10:00 am to 12:30, January 12 through February 16, (snow date February 23), at the Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Drive, Ashburn, VA. Fee, $60, and must register, for more information e-mail landscapeforlifeclass@gmail.com.

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

Posted on November 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

pumpkins on a bench Dumbarton OaksNovember is a transition time in our area, outside gardening activity diminishes but the number of inside holiday displays increase as well as speaking events.

5, Thursday, Plant NoVA Natives Campaign Community Leader training, held at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, 3040 Williams Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22031, 7:00 to 8:45 pm, for more information contact Corey Miles at cmiles@novaregion.org or visit http://www.plantnovanatives.org. This is a free training (but must register in advance) for existing and new volunteers with gardening, landscaping or naturalist experience who would like to help promote the use of native plants in the residential landscape. Will learn how to: reach local companies, identify and recruit new volunteers, successfully communicate the Plant Northern Virginia Natives message, make presentations to community groups, and influence the local retail market to make purchasing native plants easy and fun.

10, Tuesday, Claudia West, author of Planting in a Post-Wild World (with Thomas Rainer) will be speaking on Stunning Plant Communities that Stand the Test of Time at 7:30 pm. Free to Horticultural Society of Maryland members, non-members $10. Hosted by the Maryland Horticulture Society at the Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209; (410) 821-5561. http://www.mdhorticulture.org (410) 821-5561 or programs@mdhorticulture.org

14, Saturday, Designing the Sustainable Landscape, 9:00 am to noon. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22206; (703) 228-6414. http://www.mgnv.org. Free and open to public but must register.

Forrest Pritchard, author of Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food and Saving the Family Farm (I have read this book; very good story), has just recently published Growing Tomorrow: Behind the Scenes with 18 Extraordinary Sustainable Farmers Who Are Changing the Way We Eat (can’t wait to read his new book). According to his web site, http://www.forrestpritchard.com, Forrest will be at the following locations in the month of November to promote his new book. He owns Smith Meadows in Berryville, VA, where he sells meat, eggs, and pasta directly and through Farmers Markets.

  • 10, Kramerbooks in Washington DC, 7 pm
  • 15, Dupont Circle Farmers Market signing with Kramerbooks in DC
  • 17, National Press Club, 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  • 18, Arlington Central Library with One More Page Books, 7:00 pm
  • 21, Arlington Courthouse Farmers Market, 8:00 am to noon
  • 24, Busboys and Poets, Takoma Park, MD 7:00 pm

From November 26 through January 3, the U.S. Botanic Garden will have a holiday exhibit in the conservatory, free and open to the public.  The conservatory boasts a tropical paradise; one of the largest indoor decorated trees in Washington, DC; a showcase of poinsettias; and a miniature train display. Also, there will be a Pollination Station where one can see oversized flowers, bees, and butterflies in this year’s scenic wonderland. Landmarks such as the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument, all made from plants, will be on display in the Garden Court. Check the website for times, http://www.usbg.gov

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

Posted on October 1, 2015 | Leave a comment
check out the new structures at Green Spring Gardens

check out the new structures at Green Spring Gardens

3, Saturday, Under the Arbor: Chile Pepper Day, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, National Herb Garden, presented by members of the Mid-Atlantic Units of the Herb Society of America, free and no registration required. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002. http://www.usna.usda.gov

3, Saturday, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Urban Agriculture Symposium, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is an opportunity to meet local and regional government representatives to learn how the growing interest in urban agriculture is being accommodated in space-challenged cities. Learn about community gardens, small space gardening, growing microgreens and mushrooms, faith-based community gardening, urban permaculture and more. Fairlington Community Center, 3801 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, VCE, AFAC, VSU, George Mason University, and The Garden Whisperer. Fee and must register. Call (703) 228-6414; e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am, Your Edible Garden: Preparing your Vegetable Garden for Winter with Carol Allen, free but must register. Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, (301) 937-1100. http://behnkes.com

4, Sunday, Fruit Trees and Pruning Strategies Workshop, 1-4 pm, by Ecologia owner Michael Judd, at Judd Homestead, Frederick MD. For more information contact ashley@ecologiadesign.com. $50 and must register (limit 25 people). http://www.ecologiadesign.com

6, Tuesday, Fall Composting Workshop, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Fairlington Community Center, 3801 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, free but registration required. Call (703) 228-6414; e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Wednesday, Jeff Lowenfels, author of Teaming with Microbes and Teaming with Nutrients will speak from 7:00 to 8:30 pm about soil and microbes. Free. Arlington Central Library Auditorium. 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks/

10, Saturday, Meadows Farm Nursery will host Pink Day events over the Columbus Day weekend with main events being held on Saturday, October 10. Each Meadows Farm location will host their own event so call in advance to see what is scheduled; for example, the Manassas store will have vendors, entertainment and food while the 7 Corners location will have a silent auction. Proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. (703) 327-3940. https://www.meadowsfarms.com/About-Us/Giving-Back-to-the-Community/Pink-Day

17, Saturday, opening day of the National Building Museum’s exhibit “The New American Garden: The Landscape Architecture of Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden,” running until May 1, 2016. In collaboration with the Cultural Landscape Foundation, the NBM exhibit will chronicle the careers of and influence of Oehme and van Sweden, who revolutionized landscape architecture with the creation of the New American Garden, featuring large swaths of ornamental grass and perennials that celebrate the seasonal splendor of the American meadow. Check NBM’s web site for hours and admission, there is a fee to enter the museum. National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Washington DC 20001, (202) 272-2448. http://www.nbm.org

24, Saturday, Lecture: Creating a Forest Garden, by Lincoln Smith, founder of Forested, 10:30 am to noon, free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Saturday, Wild About Mushrooms, 1-3:30 pm, by Ecologia owner Michael Judd, at Yellow Springs at Judd Homestead, Frederick MD. For more information contact ashley@ecologiadesign.com. $65 and must register (more details and directions will be given once registered). http://www.ecologiadesign.com

27, Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Lecture: A Plantsman’s Favorites: Exciting, Long Blooming Perennials. Visitor Center Auditorium, National Arboretum. Jimi Blake is a noted Irish horticulturist, teacher, and plantsman who began his career as head gardener of the historic Airfield Garden in Dundrum County, Dublin. Eventually, he secured twenty acres for his own collection. Hunting Brook Gardens is Blake’s boldly idiosyncratic creation and is considered Ireland’s most innovative landscape. Fee: $12 ($10 FONA) and registration required. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002. http://www.usna.usda.gov

Green Spring Gardens always has events but highlights include The Continuous Garden Symposium, on October 3, Saturday, 8:00 am to noon. The symposium introduces people to low-maintenance shrubs, lovely perennials and container gardens that inject beauty and carry the garden through the year. Learn how to use color and focal points to draw the eye through the garden, how to use containers to manage problem areas and get a recipe for winning plant combinations for a beautiful, four-season garden. Fee and must register. Also at Green Spring Gardens (check their web site for possible fees and registration):

  • 16, Friday, GardenTalk: Gardening with Deer, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners
  • 17, Saturday, Best of the Eco-Friendly Fall Garden, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Educational walk of the gardens with Green Springs staff.
  • 24, Saturday, Regionally Adapted Plants, 11:00 to noon, presented by Washington Gardener magazine owner/editor, Kathy Jentz
  • 24, Saturday, Fall Garden Highlights Tour, 9:30 to 10:30 am, presented by Green Springs staff

Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/events.htm

Merrifield Nursery has free classes and workshops every Saturday in October at their three locations. In addition, they have a sunrise tour at the Fair Oaks store on Sunday, October 4, 7:00 am for a special behind-the-scenes tour before the garden center opens to learn what is blooming and what is exiting at the garden center. Must register for the free garden tour. All other Saturday workshops are free, do not have to register, and start at 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • 3, Saturday: Merrifield, Creating Real Curb Appeal; Fair Oaks, Gardening with Native Plants; Gainesville, Bulbs 101
  • 10, Saturday: M, Designing Gardens with Color; FO, Dazzling Displays of Bulbs; G, Living fences
  • 17, Saturday: M, Native plants for wildlife and pollinators; FO, Drainage Solutions; G, Trees and Shrubs for Fall and Winter Interest
  • 24, Saturday: M, Trends in urban gardening; FO, Four Season Gardening; G, Prune Like a Pro, Part 1
  • 31, Saturday: M, Gardening in Deer Country; FO, Halloween Fun Just for Kids; G, Prune Like a Pro, Part 2

Ladew Topiary Gardens has announced its Fall Lecture Series, which are on Thursday mornings in October, starting at 10:30 am. $25 for Ladew members and $30 for non-members. To register, call Rachel at (410) 557-9570 or e-mail at rhebert@ladewgardens.com. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111. http://www.ladewgardens.com

  • 1: New and Underused Perennials to Expand your Palette with Ruth Rogers Clausen
  • 8: Coherent Design versus Obsessive Collecting with John Gwynne
  • 15: Windowsill Art by Nancy Ross Hugo
  • 22: Stonecrop Gardens: A Hudson Highlands Gem with Caroline Burgess
  • 29: Thomas Jefferson: Gardener with Peter Hatch

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

Posted on July 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

Peg’s Picks of Edible Gardening Events, August 2015

1, Saturday, University of Maryland Extension’s Grow It Eat It Open House, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, Agriculture History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. Free but must register for some classes, check their brochure. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/montgomery-county-vegetable-gardening-classes-and-events

1, Saturday 11:00 am and Sunday August 2, 11:00 am. “Your Edible Garden: Harvesting, Storing, and a New Seed Season”, lecture by Carol Allen. Also, on Saturday, August 15, 11:00 am and Sunday, August 16, 11:00 am, “Cannin’ and Jammin’” with Carol Allen. Free but registration required. Behnke Nurseries, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, (301) 937-1100. http://behnkes.com

8, Saturday, 9:00 to noon, “Saturdays in the Garden: What’s that Weed?” hosted by The Master Gardeners of Prince William County, at the teaching garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA, free but must register, (703) 792-7747. http://www.mgpw.org

Arlington Central Library hosts the “Garden Talks” series of free presentations every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 pm starting mid-March through end of October. The website lists the topics and provides gardening resources for gardeners in the area.1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks/

  • 5: Vegetables for the Fall
  • 12: Composting: Why and How
  • 19: Food Preservation: Canning, Drying, and Freezing
  • 26: Tours of Central Library Garden

8, Saturday, 2:00 to 3:30 pm, Legumes: Life with Special Roots, lecture by Todd Brethauer, USBG Science Education Volunteer, U.S. Botanic Garden’s Conservatory Classroom, free; must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

25, Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Extending the Harvest: Fall and Winter Crops. Also on Saturday 8/29, 10:30 am to noon, Fairlington Community Center, 3801 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, free but registration required. Call (703) 228-6414; e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering over 50 free garden workshops from May through September, taught by the leaders of DC’s urban garden movement. Each class is 2 hours long, on Monday or Wednesday evening, and there are various Saturday field trips. Free but must register online. For a full list of classes and locations, check out http://dpr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpr/publication/attachments/SummerGardenWorkshopSeries2015.pdf. For further questions, contact the DPR community garden specialist, Joshua Singer, e-mail: Joshua.singer@dc.gov. Here is a sample of August topics:

  • Urban Garden Seed Saving
  • Improving Urban Soils with Biosolids
  • Cover Crops for Gardens
  • Rainwater Harvesting for Backyard Gardens including Rain Barrel Installation Demonstration

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

Posted on June 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

In addition to my pick of edible gardening events below, remember that July is National Park and Recreation Month so check local parks to see if they have demonstration gardens, classes, and tours related to gardening.

11, Saturday, 9 to noon, Composting and Starting the Fall Vegetable Garden. Hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Prince William County Master Gardeners as part of their “Saturdays in the Garden” series. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Free but must register in advance, (703) 792-7747 or e-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

25, Saturday, 10 to 11:30 am., Low Tunnels and Winter Gardening, Course #316453, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. Must register, fee involved; (301) 962-1451.
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/

25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday, The Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale, most farms will be open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm both days. A map and brochure are on the site below.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/AgServices/agfarmtour.html

The Arlington Central Library hosts the “Garden Talks” series of free, one-hour presentations every Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm starting in mid-March through the end of October. The web site lists the topics and also serves as a resource for gardening in the area.
1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA; (703) 228-5990.
http://library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks/

July 1: Top Ten Vegetable Plant Diseases: Rot Not!
July 8: Solar Cooking
July 15: Foraging the Wild Edibles
July 22: Lasagna Gardens – the Layered Approach
July 29: Preparing Your Entry for Arlington County Fair

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering over 50 free garden workshops from May through September, taught by the leaders of DC’s urban garden movement. Each class is 2 hours long, on Monday or Wednesday evening, and there are various Saturday field trips. Free but must register online at http://dcdpr.asapconnected.com. For a full list of classes and locations, check out http://dpr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpr/publication/attachments/SummerGardenWorkshopSeries2015.pdf

For further questions, contact the DPR community garden specialist, Joshua Singer, e-mail: Joshua.singer@dc.gov. Here is a sample of July topics:
• Starting Seeds, Propagating and Grafting at Home
• Intro to Urban Bee Keeping
• Fall Asian Vegetables from the Garden
• Dealing with Deer and Other Mammal Pests in Your Garden
• Soil Biology

Look ahead: August 1, Saturday, University of Maryland Extension’s Grow It Eat It Open House, 8:30 to 1:00 pm, Agriculture History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. Free but must register for some classes, check out their brochure.
http://extension.umd.edu/growit/montgomery-county-vegetable-gardening-classes-and-events

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Peg’s Picks for June Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on May 29, 2015 | 1 comment

Peg’s Picks for June 2015 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area, with an emphasis on edibles

3, Wednesday, 10:00 to 11:30 am or 4, Thursday, 10:00 to 11:30 am, Herb Container Garden, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; http://www.brooksidegardens.org

6, Saturday, 10:00 am to noon, Saturdays in the Garden: Keep Your Garden Growing Strong, presented by the VCE Loudoun County Master Gardeners, free. Outside at the Loudoun County Master Gardeners demo garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

6, Saturday, Joe Yonan, food/dining editor at the Washington Post and author of “Eat Your Vegetables,” will talk on eating and growing vegetables, 2-3 pm. The U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333; free but must register. There are many more events and exhibits; check out the USBG’s calendar on their web site, http://www.usbg.gov

6, Saturday, Behnke Nurseries’ Annual Garden Party, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Behnkes, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

6 & 7, Saturday and Sunday, Virginia Herb Festival, hosted by the Sunflower Cottage Garden Center; admission fee required.150 Ridgemont Road, Middletown, VA 22645; (540) 869-8482. http://www.virginiaherbfestival.com

12, Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, A Permaculture Homestead, spend a summer morning at local author and permaculture expert Michael Judd’s homestead. Fee and must register, meet at Wheaton Regional Park, 11715 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton, MD, for van transportation, register via http://www.parkPASS.org

13, Saturday, 9:00 am to noon, Saturday in the Garden: A Walk Through the Native Bed and tips and tricks used in the Drought Tolerant Bed. Taught by VCE Prince William Master Gardeners at the teaching garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136. Free but must register. E-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org or call 703 792-7747

13, Saturday, 11:00 am, 8th annual DC plant swap hosted by The Washington Gardener at the U.S. National Arboretum, R Street parking lot, Washington, DC 20002. For more information & instructions on how to do a plant swap, check out “events” on http://www.usna.usda.gov

18, Thursday, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, “Managing Pests and Diseases in the Landscape.” Presented by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia at the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22206. Offered again on Saturday, June 20, 10:30 to noon at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Free but must register. http://www.mgnv.org

19, Friday, Todd Brethauer, USBG science education volunteer, will talk about “The Right Soil and Fertilizers,” noon to 1:00 pm. The U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333; free but must register. http://www.usbg.gov

27, Saturday, Under the Arbor: In Love with Lavender, at the National Arboretum’s National Herb Garden, presented by the Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, free. 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002. http://www.usna.usda.gov

The Arlington Central Library hosts the “Garden Talks” series of free, one-hour presentations every Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm starting in mid-March through the end of October. The web site lists the topics and also serves as a resource for gardening in the area. 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA; (703) 228-5990. http://library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks/

  • June 3:             Insect pests & beneficiaries
  • June 10:           Weeds, mulches, tillage
  • June 17:           to be determined
  • June 24:           Pollination, pollinators, and perennials

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering over 50 free garden workshops from May through September, taught by the leaders of DC’s urban garden movement. Each class is 2 hours long, on Monday or Wednesday evening, and there are various Saturday field trips. Free but must register online at http://www.dcdpr.asapconnected.com. For a full list of classes and locations, check out http://dpr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpr/publication/attachments/SummerGardenWorkshopSeries2015.pdf

For further questions, contact the DPR community garden specialist, Joshua Singer, e-mail: Joshua.singer@dc.gov. Here is a sample of June topics:

  • medicinal and edible plant walk
  • garden pests and diseases
  • edible annuals tour
  • native and invasive identification walk
  • garden leadership course
  • urban fruit tree management

 

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Peg’s Picks May Gardening Events for Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on April 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

May is the time for plant sales, home and garden tours, and festivals. So many that this is only a sample but enough to give you the feeling that the gardening season has begun!

1, Friday and 2, Saturday, starts at 10 am the 76th Annual Flower Mart sponsored by the Washington National Cathedral’s All Hallows Guild. This year’s festival celebrates Asia, free admission, rain or shine. National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20016; https://www.allhallowguild.org

2, Saturday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Ladew’s 7th Annual Garden Festival, fee required. 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111; (410) 557-9570; http://www.ladewgardens.com

2, 11:00 am on Saturday and on Sunday May 3, 1:00 pm, Garden Talk: Your Edible Garden: Choosing the right summer crops, growing in raised beds and containers, and uses for manure tea, taught by Carol Allen. Also, on May 31, Sunday, noon, Carol will discuss Growing Herbs in Containers and at 2:00 pm, she will discuss Growing a Kitchen Herb Garden. Free and do not have to register, Behnkes Nursery, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705; (301) 937-1100; http://behnkes.com

2, Saturday 10:30 am to noon, Composting & Vermicomposting workshop, hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304; (703) 228-6414, e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com, free but must register. http://www.mgnv.org

2, Saturday, 8:00 am to noon, London Town and Gardens Spring Plant Sale, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD 21037; (410) 222-1919. http://www.historiclondontown.com

3, Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 pm 42nd Annual Takoma Park House and Garden Tour, fee and rain or shine. http://www.historictakoma.org

3, Sunday through 30, Saturday, Annual Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage. Headquarters is at 6200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21212; (410) 821-6933.  Must buy tickets, see web site for schedule to tour home and gardens in St. Mary’s, Dorchester, Anne Arundel, and Washington Counties and Baltimore City. http://www.mhgp.org

3, Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Glencarlyn Library Community Garden Plant Sale, 300 S. Kensington Street, Arlington, VA 22204. Northern Virginia Master Gardeners available for garden-related questions. (703) 671-5310. http://mgnv.org

5, Tuesday, 11:00 am to noon, “Seed packets and plant labels” (free seeds), Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, VA, by the YMCA. On the first Tuesday of the month, VCE Master Gardeners of Arlington and Alexandria will be at the Simpson Park to answer questions and feature a monthly highlight. http://mgnv.org

Wednesdays in the Garden, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, these gardening sessions are Wednesdays,7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

  • May 6:             Garden structures and vertical gardening
  • May 13:           Gardening with and for kids
  • May 20:           No room? No problem. Growing food in small spaces
  • May 27:           Critter control–mammals, worms, slugs, etc.

8, Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Garden Fest in the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden (behind the Castle), family friendly event highlighting each of the Smithsonian Gardens and connecting people to plants through engaging hands on activities and educational demonstrations. This year will celebrate National Public Gardens Day with an array of activities focused on the importance of pollinators. http://www.gardens.si.edu

9, Saturday, 9:00 am to noon, Good Guys and Bad Guys (bugs in the garden) and Plant Sale, Saturdays in the Garden series, taught by Prince William Master Gardeners at the teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136. Free but must register. (703) 792-7747; e-mail: master_gardener@pwcgov.org http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/Pages/Saturday-in-the-Garden.aspx

9, Saturday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Eco Savvy Gardening Symposium: Evolving Gardens, (was originally scheduled in February), Green Springs, fee and must register by May 2. 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312; (703) 642-5173 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

9, Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Silver Spring Garden Club’s GardenMart,74th Annual Plant Sale, at the Historic Silver Spring Train Station parking lot, 8100 Georgia Avenue, rain or shine, cash or check only

9, Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, 87th Georgetown Garden Tour, headquarters is at Christ Church 31st and O streets, NW, Washington DC, presented by the Georgetown Garden Club, tickets required, e-mail georgetowngardentour@gmail.com.  sidenote: see website for new book called “Gardens of Georgetown: Exploring Urban Treasures,” text by Edith Schafer, photography by Jenny Gorman. http://www.georgetowngardentour.com

14, Thursday, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, Bethesda Community Garden Club Plant Sale at the Bethesda Women’s Farm Market, 7155 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD http://www.bethesdacommunitygardenclub.org

16, Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Combined event celebrating Endangered Species Day and Herb Day, representatives from the Herb Society of America and organizations working with threatened and endangered species will be available, free, no registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001; (202) 225-8333; http://www.usbg.gov

16, Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Green Spring’s Spring Garden Day, the Big Plant Sale. 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312; (703) 642-5173 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

16, Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sandy Spring Museum Garden club’s Garden Tour of Sandy Spring Maryland, (301) 774-0022. Tickets required. http://www.sandyspringmuseum.org

23, Saturday, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Baltimore Herb Festival, $7 for adults, children 12 and younger are free and parking is free. Leakin Park, 1920 Eagle Drive, Baltimore, MD 21207; rain or shine. http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com

30, Saturday, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Under the Arbor: Garden Classics, Lavender and Roses (in the National Herb Garden). Discover more about these plants; view the National Arboretum’s collections; and learn how to make soap with these herbs. Presented by the Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America. Free, no registration required (202) 245-2726, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20003; http://www.usna.usda.gov

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Peg’s Picks: April Garden Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on April 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

In addition to these April gardening events, the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week will take place from April 18 to 25 across the Commonwealth. For more information, read my article posted March 29.

Saturday April 4, 11:00 and Sunday April 5 1:00 Garden Talk: Your Edible Garden, Behnkes Nursery; free but must register; 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com

Friday, April 10, noon to 1:00 pm, Helen Yoest speaking on Plants with Benefits, U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-833. free but must register. http://www.usbg.gov

Friday, April 10, Garden Talk: Edibles & Ornamentals, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. fee and must register. Also Saturday, April 11, 9 am to 1 pm, Grand Opening of the Garden Gate Plant Shop, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria 22312 (703) 642-5173 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

Friday through Sunday, April 10-12, Colonial Williamsburg’s 69th Garden Symposium; (757) 565-8937, fee and must register; http://www.history.org/conted april 10-12

Saturday, April 11, 9-noon, Saturday in the Garden: Companion Planting, taught by VCE Prince William Master Gardeners Teaching Garden at Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136, free but must register (703) 792-7747; e-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org. http://www.mgpw.org

Friday, April 10, 10 to noon open to AHS members and open to the public noon to 6:00 pm, Saturday, April 11, 10 to 6 pm open to the public, American Horticultural Society’s Spring Garden Market, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308; (703) 768-5700; http://www.ahs.org, free but $5 parking if not an AHS member

Saturday, April 11, 10 to noon, Tomato Grafting Demonstration, $15 or $12 if FONA (Friends of the National Arboretum) member, Register at FONA site; class at the National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; e-mail lrietkerk@fona.org or call (202) 544-8733 for more information. http://www.fona.org and http://www.usna.usda.gov

Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, Mighty Microgreens by Wendy Kiang-Spray, Takoma Horticulture Club, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD; free and open to the public http://www.takomahort.org

Saturday, April 18, 10 to 6 and Sunday, April19, 10 to 5, 25th Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival in Historic Downtown Leesburg, VA; (703) 777-1368; $3.00 suggested donation http://www.flowerandgarden.org

Saturday, April 18, Montgomery County Master Gardeners’ Grow It Eat It Open House 9:00 to 1:30, Agriculture History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855; free, mc.growit@gmail.com and http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit

VCE Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia host a series of classes, free but must register (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com; http://www.mgnv.org

  • Saturday, 4/18, Square Foot Gardening, 11-12:30 Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria
  • Monday, 4/20, 7-8:30 pm, Ornamental Edibles in Landscapes, Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington
  • Sunday, 4/26, 1-3 pm, Bees and Butterflies for Every Garden: How to Attract Pollinators to Your Home Garden, Simpson Park Gardens, E. Monroe Avenue at Simpson Park, Alexandria
  • Monday, 4/27, 7-8:30 pm, Plan, Plant and Use Herbs, Burke Branch Library
  • Monday, 4/27, 7-8:30 pm, Design Considerations for Sustainable Gardens, Fairlington Community Center

Friday, April 24, 10-1 FONA members only and 1-4 pm, open to the public. Saturday, April 25, 9-4 pm, open to the public. Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) Garden Fair and Plant Sale, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington DC 20002. http://www.fona.org and http://www.usna.usda.gov

Saturday April 25, Northern Alexandria Native Plant sale, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302; 571-232-0375; http://www.northernalexandrianativeplantsale.org

Saturday, April 25, 9-6; Sunday, April 26, 8-4 Herb and Plant Sale with garden tours on Saturday at 11 am and noon, Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017; free. http://www.fmgg.org.

Wednesdays in the Garden, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, these gardening sessions are Wednesdays,7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

  • 4/1: Superfoods for Health: Learn to Grow and Cook Them
  • 4/8: Spring into Gardening: Transplanting, Direct Planting, and Readiness
  • 4/15: Edible Landscaping and Fruit in the Garden
  • 4/22: Container Gardens for Edibles
  • 4/29: Water, Irrigation and Rain Barrels

Merrifield Garden Center, free lectures on weekends at Fair Oaks (FO), Gainesville (G), and Merrifield (M). http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Saturday, April 4, 10 am FO: Amazing Container Gardens and G: Maintaining a Healthy Lawn
  • Sunday, April 5, 1 pm G: Miniature Gardens
  • Saturday, April 11, 10am G: Spring Blooming Trees & Shrubs
  • Sunday, April 12, 1 pm G: The Big World of Conifers
  • Saturday, April 18, 10 am G: Getting started with Vegetables
  • Sunday, April 19, 1 pm G: Great Annuals for your Garden
  • Saturday, April 25 1:30 pm G: Exciting perennials
  • Sunday, April 26, 1 pm G: Container Gardens with Pizzazz

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