Tag Archives: exhibits

Season’s Greenings Exhibit at Washington DC’s U.S. Botanic Garden

Posted on November 23, 2018 | 1 comment

Check out the U.S. Botanic Garden’s holiday season exhibit, Season’s Greenings: All Aboard. Season’s Greenings showcases historic railroad stations across the country including three Maryland stations (Ellicott City, Viaduct Hotel, and Point of Rocks) and DC’s own Union Station. Each year, the U.S. Botanic Garden staff and Applied Imagination of Alexandria, Kentucky, collaborate to create a theme and then to build the plant-based sculptures based on that theme. All the train stations are made of plant materials.

Salt Lake City Union Pacific Depot, Utah

Clock of Salt Lake City Union Pacific Depot made of cinnamon, acorn cap, anise fruit and driftwood

There are more than 20 replicas of railroad stations and two fantasy stations: Dino Depot (a large dinosaur) and the North Pole. Located in the West Gallery, the iconic stations take up the entire room with G gauge model trains running through. In addition, there is a “caboose” tall enough for kids to walk through to view dioramas of peanut farms, citrus groves, and grain fields. Outside the U.S. Botanic Garden at the front entrance is another train set among winter greens.

Point of Rocks Station, Maryland

In the Garden Court, there are 12 Washington DC landmarks plus the new Union Station. Each building is constructed on a frame of acrylic-based foam, casting resin is poured in the window cutouts, and wall surfaces are finished with sand-based grout. Each building is made of plant materials and if you look closely, you will see everything from walnuts to acorns.

Union Station in Washington DC

Statues of Union Station are made of corn husks, tulip poplar seeds, lafi pods, and other plant materials.

National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington DC

Walnut shells on walls of Nat. Museum of African American History and Culture

Also in the Garden Court are thousands of poinsettias, from traditional red, to white, marbled, and lime green. Upright, red twigs and fully decorated live trees punctuate each river of poinsettias.

Many different types of poinsettias among ferns, red twigs, and decorated trees

The Season’s Greenings exhibit runs from Thanksgiving to January 1, 2019. The U.S. Botanic Garden, located at 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington DC, is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. On most Tuesdays and Thursdays in December the Conservatory will be open until 8:00 pm for live seasonal music concerts and after-dark holiday exhibit viewing. For more information and the music schedule, visit http://www.usbg.gov.

Cincinnati Union Terminal, Ohio

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

Posted on January 29, 2018 | 1 comment

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.

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

Posted on July 28, 2017 | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted on June 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

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

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

Posted on June 3, 2017 | Leave a comment

Summer’s here! There are so many gardening events to attend and “million of things” to do in the garden!

1, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens Series: Disease Resistance Roses, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Free; no registration necessary. East Walk of the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, Washington DC. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

2, Friday, Annual Garden Fiesta fundraising event and celebration. 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Hosted by City Blossoms at DC Bilingual, 33 Riggs Rd., NE, Washington DC http://www.cityblossoms.org

2, Friday, Lecture: Low Maintenance Roses: The Earth Kind Way. Noon to 1:00 pm. Free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

2, Friday, open day for private garden in Silver Spring, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Takoma Horticultural Club, see website for street address and details; will have a different private garden every Friday in June. Free and open to the public. http://www.takomahort.org

2, Friday, Lecture: No Fuss Roses, 10:00 am to noon. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

3, Saturday, Washington Gardener’s annual plant swap. 11:30 am. Free to participate. At the R street parking lot of the U.S. National Arboretum. http://www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com

3, Saturday, Summer Maintenance and Vegetable Garden, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Free. Hosted by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners, Loudoun County Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org.

3, Saturday, Pollinator’s Day, 11:00 to 3:00 pm. Free. Talks, tours, and book signing (11:00 am walking tour of what is in bloom, and 2:00 pm talk on planting for pollinators. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

3, Saturday and 4, Sunday, Secret Garden Tour in Annapolis. Noon to 5:00 pm. Tickets required. Sponsored by Hammond Harwood House Association. http://www.hammondharwoodhouse.org/secret-garden-tour

4, Sunday, Garden Tour, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sponsored by the Horticultural Society of Maryland (HSM) HSM members free; non-members pay admission fee. All gardens are private gardens in Annapolis. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

3, Saturday, Belle Grove Plantation Garden Fest, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free admission. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. Sponsored by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. http://www.nsvmga.org and http://nsvmga.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Final_Color_MG_GF2017.pdf

3, Saturday, Iris Culture and Care in the Integrated Landscape. 10:00 to noon. Free but must register. Historic Manassas Courthouse, 9250 Lee Avenue, Old Town Manassas, VA. Sponsored by Prince William County Master Gardeners. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

4, Sunday, Brookland House and Garden Tour in Washington DC, Noon to 5:00 pm. Tickets required. Hosted by the Greater Brookland Garden Club. http://www.gbgc.org

5, Monday, Waterwise Gardening, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and advance registration required. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. http://www.mgnv.org

6, Tuesday, In the Garden Series: Tree and Shrub Pruning. Fee and must register, 9:00 am, Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

7, Wednesday, Native Plant Sale, 10 to noon, the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society has a Wednesday plant sale at their propagation beds at Green Spring the first Wednesday of the month, also welcomes volunteers to work in the propagation beds. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

7, Wednesday, Insects: Pests and Beneficials, 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

8, Thursday, Lecture and film: Hometown Habitat. Lecture by Catherine Zimmerman. 7:00 pm. Free but registration required; sponsored by Friends of Brookside Gardens and by Maryland Native plant Society. Visitors Center Auditorium. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

8, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens Series: Small Space Food Gardens, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Free; no registration necessary. East Walk of the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, Washington DC. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

9, Friday, open day for private garden in Silver Spring, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Takoma Horticultural Club, see website for street address and details; will have a different private garden every Friday in June. Free and open to the public. http://www.takomahort.org

9, Friday, Gilded Age-inspired Garden Party, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Tickets required. East Terrace of the Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Gardens. http://library.si.edu/event/garden-party

10, Saturday, Festival: You Can Grow It Celebration. 10 am to 4:00 pm. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

10, Saturday, Growing and Healing with Common Garden Herbs, 10:00 am to noon. Fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

10, Saturday, Garden Conservancy’s Open Day in Frederick. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets required. Visit several private gardens in Frederick on your own, rain or shine. https://www.gardenconservancy.org/open-days

10, Saturday and 11, Sunday, Virginia Herb Festival, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission fee. Sunflower Cottage and Backroom Brewery, 150 Ridgemont Road, Middletown, VA, http://www.virginiaherbfestival.com

11, Sunday, Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Free, no registration necessary. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia.  Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington. http://www.mgnv.org

11, Sunday, Eastport Home and Garden Tour in Maryland, 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Tickets required. http://www.eastportcivic.org

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

14, Wednesday, Pollination, Pollinators and Flowers, 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

15, Thursday, Workshop: Edible Container Gardens. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

15, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens Series: Plant for Water Features, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Free; no registration necessary. East Walk of the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, Washington DC. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

16, Friday, open day for private garden in Silver Spring, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Takoma Horticultural Club, see website for street address and details; will have a different private garden every Friday in June. Free and open to the public. http://www.takomahort.org

17, Saturday, Aquatic Gardening for Everyone, 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

17, Saturday, The Most Reliable Perennials for Sun and Shade, 2:00 pm. Free.  Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

17, Saturday, Talk and Tour: Daylily Daze: Past, Present, and Future of Daylily Breeding, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Fee and registration required, meet in Visitor Center, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov/

17, Saturday, Saturday in the gardens Series Sponsored by the Prince William County Master Gardeners. 9:00 am to noon. Topics will be Your Small Space Garden, Breath-taking baskets and potted posies, and vegetable of the month. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery. 9535, Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Free but must register and dress for weather. http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/vce/pages/saturday-in-the-garden.aspx http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

17, Saturday, Terrarium workshop, either 10:30 to 11:30 or 1:30 to 2:30. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

18, Sunday, Mini Mid-Season Native Plant Sale. 10:00 to 2:00 pm. Host by Plant NOVA Native Plants. At Earth Sangha, 6100 Cloud Drive in Franconia Park, Springfield, VA.  http://www.earthsangha.org

21, Wednesday, Summer Pruning and Plant Care, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free, no registration necessary. Sponsored by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria. http://www.mgnv.org

21, Wednesday, Best Practices in the Garden, 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

21, Wednesday, Workshop and Lecture: Succulents Container, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

22, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens Series: Invasive Plant Removal, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Free; no registration necessary. East Walk of the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, Washington DC. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

23, Friday, open day for private garden in Silver Spring, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Takoma Horticultural Club, see website for street address and details; will have a different private garden every Friday in June. http://www.takomahort.org

23, Friday, Special Event Pollinator Party 11:00 am to 11: 45 am. Free; no registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

23, Friday, Road Trip: Burpee’s Test Gardens: Fordhook Farm, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. Fee and registration required. Meet at the Visitors Center entrance; bus will take you to Doylestown, PA, for the day. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

23, Friday, garden 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/

24, Saturday, Walking Tour: the Best Summer Shrubs and Trees for Birds and Bees. Free. 11:00 am. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

26, Monday, Growing Cut Flowers in your Garden. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and advance registration required. Sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria.  http://www.mgnv.org

27, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Summer Designs. 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Head gardener highlights summer seasonal plantings. Also offered on Thursday June 29 and Friday June 30. Limited number of free tickets distributed upon opening each day but must pay admission fee to Hillwood. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

28, Wednesday, Mushroom Growing, 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

28, Wednesday, Small Space Gardening in Urban Settings, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

29, Thursday, Let’s Talk Gardens Series: Indoor Garden Inspirations, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Free; no registration necessary. East Walk of the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian Gardens, Washington DC. http://www.gardens.si.edu/whats-happening/lets-talk-gardens.html

29, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Summer Designs. 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Head gardener highlights summer seasonal plantings. Also offered on Tuesday June 27 and Friday June 30. Limited number of free tickets distributed upon opening each day but must pay admission fee to Hillwood. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

30, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Summer Designs. 2:45 to 3:30 pm. Head gardener highlights summer seasonal plantings. Also offered on Tuesday June 27 and Thursday June 29. Limited number of free tickets distributed upon opening each day but must pay admission fee to Hillwood. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

30, Friday, open day for private garden in Silver Spring, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Takoma Horticultural Club, see website for street address and details; will have a different private garden every Friday in June. Free and open to the public. http://www.takomahort.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 Libraries and Smithsonian Gardens present a new exhibit “Cultivating America’s Gardens,” at the National Museum of American History now through August 2018, in Washington DC. The exhibit highlights plant exploration and the establishment of botanical gardens, the rise of the lawn, gardens of the Gilded Age, gardens of World’s Fairs, Victory and school gardens, preservation and documentation of historic gardens, the seed industry and plant breeding, and sustainable gardens of today. The “Cultivating America’s Gardens” features such iconic books as Philip Miller’s The Gardener’s Dictionary (1768) and Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962) as well as World War I posters and leaflets, gardening tools and a 1903 gardening journal from a private estate in Massachusetts designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm. Visitors will view books, trade catalogs, stereographs, lantern slides, illustrations and color photography that played an important role in the dissemination of horticultural and design knowledge and in influencing the American garden as it is known today. The exhibit is made possible through the support of the Burpee Foundation, Inc.

http://www.library.si.edu/exhibition/cultivating-americas-gardens

 

 

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Peg’s Picks: January 2017 Gardening Events for the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on December 29, 2016 | Leave a comment

Despite the cold there are plenty of gardening related activities in our Washington DC metropolitan area!

5, Thursday, The Healing Nature of Gardening by registered horticultural therapist Jan P. Lane, 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Rust Library, Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Free and sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

10, Tuesday, Microgreens: What are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 7:00-8:00 pm. Free and must register in advance, Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Also offered on January 17 at Barrett Branch Library in Alexandria. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

13, Friday, Tour: Marvelous Morphology, noon to 1:00 pm. Free, but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

14, Saturday, Lecture: Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style by Joseph Tychoneivich, author of same book, 10:30 am to noon, free but must register in advance. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

14, Saturday, opening of exhibit on the New American Garden: The Landscape Architecture of Oehme, van Sweden. Exhibit runs until March 26 and is open from Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Vollmer Visitor Center, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore http://www.cylburn.org

15, Sunday, Winter Lecture: How Plants Got Stripes. 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Joseph Tychonievich shares the science and secrets behind variegated and patterned leaves. 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

16, Monday, Lecture: Sugar: History, Botany, Production and Processing, 10:30 am to noon. Free, but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

17, Tuesday, Microgreens: What are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 7:00-8:00 pm. Free and must register in advance, Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on January 10 at Fairlington Community Center. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

21, Saturday, Houseplants 101: All the Basics and More by Carol Allen. 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

22, Sunday, Winter Lecture: New Horizons for the Native Plant Movement. 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Thomas Rainer explores current trends in leading-edge planting design and how native plant advocacy groups must adapt to meet the needs of an urbanizing planet. 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

23, Monday, Keeping Ahead of the Jones: Sourcing New and Rare Plants by Jim Dronenburg, Free. Doors open at 7:30 pm and lecture starts at 8:00 pm. Hosted by the Silver Spring Garden Club at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1451. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

24, Tuesday, Terrarium workshop. 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1451. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Wednesday, Tour: Backstage Pass: The U.S. Botanic Garden’s Production Facility, 10:30 am to noon. Free but register in advance and meet at the facility at 4700 Shepherd Parkway, SW, Washington DC. Register via USBG’s website, http://www.usbg.gov

26, Thursday, Tour: Behind the Scenes at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Production Facility, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Free but register in advance and meet at the facility at 4700 Shepherd Parkway, SW, Washington DC. Register via USBG’s website, http://www.usbg.gov

26, Thursday, Vegetable Gardening Part I: Jumpstart Your Garden with Seeds, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and must register in advance. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on January 28 at the Westover Branch Library in Arlington. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

28, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Part I: Jumpstart Your Garden with Seeds, 10:30 am to noon. Free and must register in advance. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA. Also offered on January 26 at Burke Branch Library. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

28, Saturday, Garden Program: Small Space Food Garden. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Smithsonian gardener Matt Burch provides strategies for creating a productive food garden that will add flavorful variety to your meals even when space is at a premium.  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

28, Saturday, Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange, 12:30 to 4:00 pm, Brookside Gardens, register online at WGSeedExchange-Brookside.brownpapertickets.com (also offered on February 4 at Green Spring Gardens, 12:30 to 4:00 pm, register at WGSeedExchange-GreenSpring.brownpapertickets.com). Admission fee is $20 but $15 if a Washington Gardener Magazine subscriber, or a “Friends of Green Spring” or “Friends of Brookside Gardens”

28, Saturday, In Offense of Colds and Flu. 10:00 am to noon. Learn which herbs are good for immunity and make a tea blend to boost your immunity this winter. Fee and registration required. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. (410) 551-2237. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

28, Saturday, Class: Trees 101, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Free but register in advance. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street, NE, Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

29, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Summer Flowering Bulbs. 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Jenks Farmer will share creative design ideas combining summer bulbs like crinum and perennials to add “wow” to the summer garden. 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

The Merrifield Garden Center seminars that are held on the weekends will start on January 14, Saturday, stay tuned!

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Peg’s Picks: July 2016 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on June 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

These are Peg’s Picks of local gardening events in July. July may be hot but it is a busy time in the garden as well as in the Washington DC metro gardening world. If it gets too hot for you, cool down inside with Lisa Mason Ziegler’s free, virtual Cool Flowers book study (see last entry).

2, Saturday, The Summer’s Best Hydrangeas, lecture, 11:00 am, Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

5, Tuesday, Simpson Gardens Stroll, 11:00 am to noon, 426 E. Monroe Avenue by the YMCA in Alexandria, VA. Free and hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

6, Wednesday, Pollination, Pollinator, and Flowers, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website:  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Thursday, Growing Flowers Using Organic Methods: Walking Tour of a Local Cut Flower Farm with Barbara Lambone at Greenstone Fields, 38223 John Wolford Road, Purcellville, VA, (will be cancelled if rains). Free, 7:00 pm., Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Thursday, Totally Tomatoes, tomato cooking demonstration with the Cook Sisters, Free, do not have to register in advance. Held at noon and 12:45 and also presented on July 28. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

7, Thursday, Getting Your Orchid to Re-Bloom, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC.  Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

9, Saturday, Bring the Shade Garden to Life with Perennials, lecture, 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

9, Saturday, Saturday in the Garden “Compost Happens”, 10:00 am to noon. Free talk at Loudoun County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden in Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

9, Saturday, Jam Preserve Workshop, 9:30 to 2:30. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy Street NE Washington DC, Fee and must register. (The Monastery has extensive gardens and gives free garden tours on Saturdays at 11:00 am and noon, until September, meet in front of visitor center). E-mail gardenguild@gmail.com. http://www.fmgg.org.

10, Sunday, The Birth of a Rain Garden: From Start to Finish, 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

12, Tuesday, Bearded Iris Care, lecture by staff horticulturists, 9:30 am. Free for Ladew members; fee for non-members; registration required. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. (410) 557-9570 ext. 261, e-mail rhebert@ladewgardens.com. http://www.ladewgardens.com

13, Wednesday, Marvelous ‘matoes, a tomato cooking demonstration by the Cook Sisters. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1470. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

13, Wednesday, Lasagna Gardens: The Layered Approach, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website:  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

14, Thursday, Rejuvenate the Midsummer Herb Garden, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA; Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org

14, Thursday, Home Irrigation, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC.  Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

16, Saturday, Lotus and Water Lily Festival, 10:00 to 4:00 pm, Free, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Avenue, NE Washington DC. http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.html

16, Saturday, Lavender Wand Making Workshop, 10:00 am to noon. Free. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy Street NE Washington DC. (The Monastery has extensive gardens and gives free garden tours on Saturdays at 11:00 am and noon, until September, meet in front of visitor center). E-mail gardenguild@gmail.com. http://www.fmgg.org

16, Saturday, Tips for a Happy Garden: Mulching, Watering and Protecting Your Plants from the Heat, 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

16, Saturdays in the Garden, Getting your Lawn, Landscape, and Vegetable Garden Ready for the Fall, 9:00 am to noon. The Teaching Garden at the Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Presented by Prince William County Master Gardeners. Outside, dress appropriate. Free but must register. http://www.mgpw.org

16, Saturday, Native Trees and Shrubs for Home Gardens, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Presentation by Green Spring staff horticulturist. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

17, Sunday, The Benefits, Beauty and Diversity of Perennial Groundcovers, 1:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

17, Sunday, Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA. Free and hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

20, Wednesday, Grow Your Own Cutting Garden and Old Fashioned Flower Show, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Takoma Horticulture Club, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma, MD. http://www.takomahort.org.

20, Wednesday, Seed Saving, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website:  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

21, Thursday, Composting Basics, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC.  Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

23 and 24, Saturday and Sunday, 27th Annual Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale, times vary, depend on the farm, 21 farms involved, check out web site for farms, times, and map. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/agservices/agfarmgtour.html

23, Saturday, A Survey of Shade Trees, 11:00 am. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

27, Wednesday, Soil Building, Composting, Compost Tea, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website:  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

28, Thursday, Totally Tomatoes, tomato cooking demonstration with the Cook Sisters, Free, do not have to register in advance. Held at noon and 12:45 and again on July 7. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

28, Thursday, All Things Lavender, 12:15 to 12:45, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington DC.  Part of the Let’s Talk Garden Series on Thursdays, hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists, free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

30, Saturday, Lecture: Mints: Their Botany, Chemistry, and Uses, 10:30 to noon. Free but must register in advance. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

30, Saturday, Spicing Up Your Gardens and Containers from Now through Fall, 11:00. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

30, Saturday, Honey Extraction Workshop, 9:30 to noon and noon to 2:30 (two sessions, register for one and there is a fee). Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy Street NE Washington DC. (The Monastery has extensive gardens and gives free garden tours on Saturdays at 11:00 am and noon, until September, meet in front of visitor center).  E-mail: gardenguild@gmail.com. http://www.fmgg.org

Summer Garden Workshop Series in DC

DC Parks and Recreation has a Summer Garden Workshop Series. More than 50 free workshops every Monday, Wednesday and various Saturdays from April 18th to September 28th. Focused on practical urban gardening and taught by the leaders of DC urban garden movement. Monday Classes: 6:30-8:30pm – Deanwood Rec – 1350 49th St. NE; Wednesday Classes: 6:30-8:30pm – Raymond Rec – 3725 10th St. NE; Saturday Classes: 10-12pm – Times and locations vary.  Check registration for more details:
http://bit.ly/UrbanGardeningPrograms

A full schedule flyer is at this link
http://dpr.dc.gov/node/1124742

For more info about all DPR Urban Garden Programs click on this link
http://dpr.dc.gov/service/urban-garden-programs

 Cool Flowers Virtual Book Study

Lisa Mason Ziegler, owner of The Gardener’s Workshop in Newport News, VA, is hosting a virtual book study for her book Cool Flowers: How to Grow and Enjoy Long Blooming Hardy Annual Flowers Using Cool Weather Techniques. Starting Friday July 15, she will teach how to grow hardy annuals (flowers) such as bells of Ireland, snapdragons, and sweet peas. Each Friday for 10 weeks (1 week for each chapter), she will show a short video and answer questions. There is no fee and it is not required to have the book although it will certainly be beneficial to read along. If you are like me and work on Fridays, you can sign up at her web site to have the weekly links sent to your e-mail or you can visit the web site any time. Lisa has been a cut flower farmer since 1998 and has built a very successful business. She produces 10,000 stems each week during the growing season on 1 ½ acres. She has written several books, sells seeds and supplies, hosts workshops, and gives presentations across the county.

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Peg’s Picks: June 2016 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on May 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

Every month, for the past year, I have posted my “Peg’s picks” of local gardening events. I post them on my website in chronological order and in the tab on the site called “classes, events.” I now have an entire year’s worth–June 2015 to June 2016–of events at the “classes, events” page. This is really useful for those who are new to the area or new to gardening as it allows people to see both the annual events and the variety of events in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

1, Wednesday, Summer Sweets, the Cook Sisters provide a cooking class on blueberries and melons, 12:00 to 1:30 pm, fee and registration required, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1470 http://www.brooksidegardens.org

1, Wednesday, Top 10 Vegetable Plant Diseases, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. Library phone and website:  http://www.library.arlingtonva.us (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

1, Wednesday, Summer Pruning of Shrubs and Perennials, 7:00 to 8:00 pm. 1724 Hollinwood Drive, Alexandria, VA. Arlington County VCE Horticulture Agent Kirsten Buhls will demonstrate summer pruning techniques in the home landscape. Free and open to the public, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. If have questions, call (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com (also offered on June 4 and 6, see below).

2, Thursday, Summer Sweets, the Cook sisters provide a cooking class on blueberries and melons, noon and repeated at 12:45. Free, no need to register. Also offered on June 30. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

2, Thursday, Lecture by Phil Goetkin and Edgar Deskins on Creating a Native Meadow and Native Woodland Gardens at Wolf Trap, 7:00 pm. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg, VA. Free and sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

2, Thursday, Growing, Drying and Freezing Herbs, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington, DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Gardens Series hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists. Free. (202) 633-2220. http://gardens.si.edu

2, Thursday, special 45th Ladew anniversary lecture by Dennis vanEngelsdorp, Ph.D., “For the Love of Bees.” Lecture at 7:00 pm; dinner from 5:00 to 6:45. Fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. (410) 557-9570 ext. 261 or rhebert@ladewgardens.com. http://www.ladewgardens.com

3, Friday, Container Gardening Talk, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Presented by Master Gardeners. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

4, Saturdays in the Garden, Keep Your Garden Growing Strong (vegetable garden maintenance and problems), 10:00 to 11:00 am. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners, held in the demonstration garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. Free. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

4, Saturday, Summer Pruning of Shrubs and Perennials, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, 2758 N. Wyoming Street, Arlington, VA. Arlington County VCE Horticulture Agent Kirsten Buhls will demonstrate summer pruning techniques in the home landscape, free and open to the public, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. If have questions, call (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com (also offered on June 1, see above, and June 6, see below).

4, Saturday, Behnkes Garden Party, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

4, Saturday and 5, Sunday, Annual Secret Garden Tour of Annapolis, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Fee and can register in advance or pay on day of. (410) 263-4683 extension 14. http://www.hammondharwoodhouse.org/secret-garden-tour/

5, Sunday, Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour: Roland Park, Guilford, and Tuscany-Canterbury. A walking tour of 7 urban gardens, rain or shine, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Free to HSM members; non-members pay $35 in advance at HSM’s website or $40 at first garden site on day of (see website for first garden’s address). Call (410) 821-5561 for more information.  http://www.mdhorticulture.org

5, Sunday, Brookland House & Garden Tour (in Washington DC), noon to 5:00 pm. Sponsored by the Greater Brookland Garden Club. Admission fee. http://www.greaterbrooklandgardenclub.org

6, Monday, Summer Pruning of Shrubs and Perennials, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA. Arlington County VCE Horticulture Agent Kirsten Buhls will demonstrate summer pruning techniques in the home landscape. Free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. If have questions, call (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com (also offered on June 1 and June 4, see above).

7, Tuesday, Simpson Gardens Stroll, 11:00 am to noon, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, VA (by the YMCA). Master Gardeners who maintain the Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens will answer gardening questions and describe what is blooming in the garden, free, no need to register, just drop by. http://www.mgnv.org

8, Wednesday, Getaways: Private Estate Gardens Tour in Pennsylvania and Maryland, 6:15 am to 6:15 pm (all day), fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA.  Call (703) 642-5173 for more information. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

8, Wednesday, Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal, 6:00-9:00 pm. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street, NE, Washington, DC. Free but must register. This is a two-part class, the first part is in a classroom setting and the second part is the field session (outdoors) on June 11, 9:00 to 11:30 am, at Rock Creek Parkway. (202) 833-4010. http://www.caseytrees.org

8, Wednesdays in the Garden Series: Weeds, Mulches, Tillage, 7:00-9:00 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 (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

9, Thursday, Small Space Food Gardens. 12:15 to 12:45 pm East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington, DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Gardens Series hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists. Free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

11, Saturday, Annual DC Plant Swap, 11:00 am. Co-hosted by Washington Gardener magazine and the U.S. National Arboretum. Free. Held at the R Street parking lot of the National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov http://www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com

11, Saturday and 12, Sunday, Virginia Herb Festival, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm both days. Hosted by the Sunflower Cottage Herb Farm, 150 Ridgemont Road, Middletown, VA. Admission fee. http://www.virginiaherbfestival.com

12, Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden at Potomac Overlook Park, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA. Master gardeners who maintain the garden will be available to answer question about organic gardening. Free, no registration necessary. http://www.mgnv.org

12, Sunday, Eastport Home and Garden Tour (Annapolis, MD), 1-5 pm. Fee. http://www.eastportcivic.org

14, Tuesday, Seed Saving, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. If have questions, call (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com

14, Tuesday, Flower Shrub Care, 9:30 am. Presented by Ladew’s horticulturists. Free for Ladew members; fee for non-members. Must register. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. (410) 557-9570. http://www.ladewgardens.com

15, Wednesdays in the Garden Series: Insect Pests and Beneficial Pests, 7:00 to 9:00 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 (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

16, Thursday, Road Trip: A Delaware Gardens Sample, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm (all day). Fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1470. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

16, Thursday, Pollinator Gardens, 12:15 to 12:45 pm, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden, Smithsonian, Washington, DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Gardens Series hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists. Free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

17, Friday, Ornamental Grasses Talk by Master Gardeners, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

18, Saturdays in the Garden: Lessons from the deer resistant garden, the woodland garden and the four season garden, 9:00 am to noon. The Teaching Garden at the Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Presented by Prince William County Master Gardeners. Outside, dress appropriate. Free but must register. http://www.mgpw.org

18, Saturday, Growing Edibles in Containers, Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Call if have questions (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com

21, Tuesday, Invasive Plant ID and Control, 9:30 am. Presented by Ladew’s horticulturists. Free for Ladew members; fee for non-members. Must register. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. (410) 557-9570. http://www.ladewgardens.com

21, Tuesday, Getaway: Dumbarton Oaks and Tudor Place and enjoy afternoon tea at Tudor Place (Georgetown), 11:15 am to 5:45 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

22, Solar Cooking, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00 to 9:00 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 (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

23, Thursday, Let’s Talk Hops, 12:15 to 12:45 pm, East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt garden, Smithsonian, Washington, DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Gardens Series hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists. Free. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu

27, Monday, Mosquito Control: Gardening in the time of Zika. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Call if have questions (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com

29, Wednesday, Made in the Shade, Wednesdays in the Garden Series, 7:00 to 9:00 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  (703) 228-5990. http://www.mgnv.org

30, Thursday, Summer Sweets, the Cook Sisters provide a cooking class on blueberries and melons, noon and repeated at 12:45, Free and no need to register. Repeated on June 2. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

30, Thursday, Top Native Plants for the Home Landscape, 12:15 to 12:45 pm. East Walk of the Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt garden, Smithsonian, Washington, DC. Part of the Let’s Talk Gardens Series hosted by Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists. (202) 633-2220. http://www.gardens.si.edu.

Don’t forget to visit the U.S. Botanic Garden’s exhibit called “Flourish Inside and Out.” Several related lectures will be given throughout the summer. http://www.usbg.gov

Remember the DC Parks and Recreation has a Summer Garden Workshop Series. More than 50 free workshops every Monday, Wednesday and various Saturdays from April 18th to September 28th. Focused on practical urban gardening and taught by the leaders of DC urban garden movement. Monday Classes: 6:30-8:30pm – Deanwood Rec – 1350 49th St. NE; Wednesday Classes: 6:30-8:30pm – Raymond Rec – 3725 10th St. NE; Saturday Classes: 10-12pm – Times and locations vary.  Check registration for more details:
http://bit.ly/UrbanGardeningPrograms

A full schedule flyer is at this link

http://dpr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpr/publication/attachments/SummerGardenWorkshopSeries2016.pdf

For more info about all DPR Urban Garden Programs click on this link
http://dpr.dc.gov/service/urban-garden-programs

 

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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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