Tag Archives: gardening

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

Posted on September 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

Fall is here, time for more gardening events, garden tours, lectures and symposiums!

1, Saturday, 2016 Urban Agriculture Symposium, Hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, Fairlington Community Center, 3308 South Stafford Street, Arlington. Fee, can pay at door or register online. (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

1, Saturdays in the Garden, Harvest Time: Harvesting your Crops and Cleaning the Vegetable Bed for Winter, 10:00 am to noon. Free; presented by Loudoun County Master Gardeners in the Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

1, Saturday, Buying Bulbs: More to Consider than Color, 11:00 am. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

2, Sunday, Takoma Horticultural Club’s Annual Bulb Sale at Takoma Street Festival on Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD, free and open to the public 10:00 to 5:00 pm. http://www.takomahort.org

2, Sunday, Forcing Bulbs: Winter Color Indoors and Spring Containers, 1:00 pm Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

2, Sunday, Fall Open House and Plant Sale, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Wild Plant Nursery (native plants) Cloud Drive, Springfield, VA 22150. http://www.earthsangha.org

5, Wednesday, Growing Garlic, 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

5, Wednesday, Lecture: Woodland Treasures/Cyclamen by John Lonsdale, hosted by the Annapolis Horticultural Society, St. Anne’s Parish Hall, Annapolis, MD. Free and open to the public. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

6, Thursday, Ladew’s Fall Lecture Series: All the Presidents’ Gardens with Marta McDowell. Fee and must register in advance, optional lunch and by reservation. Coffee and Danish served at 10:00 am, lecture begins at 10:30, book sale afterwards. Contact Rachel Hebert (410) 557-9570, ext. 261; rhebert@ladewgardens.org. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://www.ladewgardens.com

6, Thursday, Lecture: A year in the life of a beekeeper, by Amanda Rose Newton, 7:00 pm. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. Free and open to the public. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

8, Saturday, Under the Arbor Series: Chile Peppers, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. National Herb Garden, free, drop in. Presented by members of the Mid-Atlantic Units of the Herb Society of America. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

8, Saturday, Gardening with Natives, 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org

8, Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm and 9, Sunday, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. White House Fall Garden tours. Free and open to public but must get pass, see link for more information. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/09/22/white-house-announces-2016-fall-garden-tours

11, Tuesday, Lecture: A Designer’s Love Affair with Trees by Bruce Crawford, director of Rutgers Gardens. 7:30 pm, free for members, fee for non-members, hosted by the Maryland Horticulture Society. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. (410) 821-5561. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

12, Wednesday, Season in Review. 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

13, Thursday, Stormwater Solutions: Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens, 4-7 pm, fee and registration required. Presented by the Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1451. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

13, Thursday, Ladew’s Fall Lecture Series: John Bartram: The King’s Gardener! with Kirk R. Brown, 10:30 am. Fee and must register in advance, optional lunch and by reservation. Coffee and Danish served at 10:00 am, lecture begins at 10:30. Contact Rachel Hebert (410) 557-9570, ext. 261; rhebert@ladewgardens.org. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://www.ladewgardens.com

14, Friday, Lecture: The Autumn Garden, presented by Vincent Simeone, director, Planting Fields Arboretum. 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, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Fall Beauty, 1:30 to 2:30. Master Gardeners will show a variety of perennials, shrubs, and trees in autumn shades that you can add to your existing plants for colorful results. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

15, Saturday, Lecture: Bringing Nature Home to Takoma Park, by Dr. Douglas Tallamy, author of Bring Nature Home and The Living Landscape, 4:00 pm. Free, open to the public, book signing afterwards. Hosted by the Takoma Horticulture Club. Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD http://www.takomahort.org

15, Saturday in the Garden Series: What’s That Weed and Master Gardeners’ Favorite Plants, 9:00 to noon, free but registration requested. Presented by Prince William County Master Gardeners, Teaching Garden, St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. http://www.mgpw.org

15, Saturday, Beauty in Sustainability Symposium, 9:00 am to noon. Learn how to plan and plant a home garden that is a source of beauty, labor saving and environmental change. Get to know native alternatives to some common exotic plants. Virginia Native Plant Society Laura Beaty and landscape designer Larry Weaner will show how to create stunning gardens that are easier to maintain by echoing the ecological processes in nature. Following the Symposium, Larry will sign his new book: Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

16, Sunday, Oatlands Harvest Festival, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, admission fee that includes admission to mansion and gardens (also every weekend in October, visit to pick your own pumpkins and enjoy hayrides). Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA (703) 777-3174. http://www.oatlands.org

16, Sunday, Open Days, sponsored by the Garden Conservancy, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tour three private gardens, two in Georgetown, one near American University, tickets are $7 at each property, rain or shine, transportation is on your own but directions will be given at the properties. http://www.gardenconservancy.org

16, Sunday, The Forgotten Garden: Planting for Cool Season Beauty, 1:00 pm. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

18, Tuesday, Ladew’s In the Garden Series: Tree Pruning, 9:30 am. Free for members; fee for non-members and all must register in advance. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://www.ladewgardens.com

19, Wednesday, 5th Annual Trees Matter Symposium, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Fee and must register. Silver Spring Civic Center, Great Hall, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD. http://www.montgomeryparks.org/activities/fall-activities/2016-trees-matter-symposium/

20, Thursday, Ladew’s Fall Lecture Series: Add Some Cheer to Your Fall and Winter Containers with Muffin Evander, owner of Cultivated Designs. Fee and must register in advance, optional lunch and by reservation. Coffee and Danish served at 10:00 am, lecture begins at 10:30. Contact Rachel Hebert (410) 557-9570, ext. 261; rhebert@ladewgardens.org. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://www.ladewgardens.com

22, Saturday, Sustainable Landscape Workshop, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16th Street, Arlington, VA. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org

22, Saturday, Backyard Composting: Turn Your Leaves into Black Gold, 11:00 am, Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

22, Saturday, Garden Program: Fall Tree ID Walk, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Walk around Green Spring Gardens to learn basics of fall tree identification and enjoy the fall foliage. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

23, Sunday, Seasonal Porch Pots: Keeping Your Planters Full, 11:00 am. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

25, Tuesday, Tour: Rediscover Bartholdi Park with Ray Mims, USBG Conservation and Sustainability Horticulturist, will be walking outside; meet at the Bartholdi Park Fountain, free but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC  http://www.usbg.gov

26, Wednesday, Lecture: Whimsy, Recycling, and Going Vertical, by Carole Galati and Rani Parker, hosted by Beltsville Garden Club, 7:30 pm. Free and open to the public. James E. Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

26, Wednesday, Batten Down the Hatches! Winter Garden Preparation by Kathy Jentz, 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

27, Thursday, Ladew’s Fall Lecture Series: Behind the Scenes on Walnut Hill with Kathy Hudson and Penney Hubbard, 10:30 am. Fee and must register in advance, optional lunch and by reservation. Coffee and Danish served at 10:00 am, lecture begins at 10:30, book sale afterwards. Contact Rachel Hebert (410) 557-9570, ext. 261; rhebert@ladewgardens.org. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://www.ladewgardens.com

28, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardens: Injecting Color and Structure. 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Master Gardens will show you how trees and shrubs can provide structure and year round interest and how to add seasonal splashes of color with annuals and perennials. Fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

29, Saturday, Rex Begonias, African Violets and Orchids: How Houseplant Enthusiasts are Born, 11:00 am, Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

29, Saturday, Making Herbal and Holiday Hostess Gifts, 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org

30, Sunday, Gardening Myths Demystified: Separating Fact from Fiction, 1:00 pm, Free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

Merrifield Garden Center has free presentations every Saturday in October at all three locations, no registration required. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield, 8132 Lee Highway, Merrifield (M)
  • Fair Oaks, 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax (FO)
  • Gainesville, 6895 Wellington Road, Gainesville (G)

October 1

  • 25 Favorite Plants for Your Garden, M, 10:00 am
  • Making Your Lawn Great Again, FO, 10:00 am
  • Groundcovers and Ferns, G, 10:00 am

October 8

  • Reinventing Your Landscape, M, 10:00 am
  • Spring Color with Trees and Shrubs, FO, 10:00 am
  • Basics of Gardening, G, 10:00 am

October 15

  • Gardening with Native Plants, M, 10:00 am
  • A New Look at Old Favorites, FO, 10:00 am
  • Fall Color with Trees and Shrubs, G, 10:00 am

October 22

  • Turning Good Plants into Great Plants, M, 10:00 am
  • Selecting, Planting and Caring for Trees, FO, 10:00 am
  • Creating a Deer Resistant Garden, G, 10:00 am

October 29

  • Landscape Design, M, 10:00 am
  • A Day with Mums, FO, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
  • Bulbs for all Seasons, G, 10:00 am

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Learn how to garden! Take free garden workshops in Washington DC!

Posted on May 10, 2016 | 2 comments

Registration has opened for over 50 garden workshops, sponsored by the Washington DC Parks and Recreation (DPR). These are free but must register, see link below. Workshops are from April to September this year. Check out this amazing variety of urban gardening topics taught by leaders of Washington DC’s urban garden movement.

https://dcdpr.asapconnected.com/Courses.aspx?CourseGroupID=11845

WashingtonDC gardening classes 2016

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Books About Gardens and Gardening in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC

Posted on April 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

I just updated my website’s Books page about gardens and gardening in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, from the year 2000 to the present.  There are 35 books. Below is the updated text in the Books page.

The public library is a great resource–not only are the books free but if the branch does not have a particular title, they can get it for you from another branch or through interlibrary loan. Most libraries have gardening magazines; you can borrow past issues. The reference section has non-circulating gardening books that are great resources. Local bookstores have plant and gardening books and many have web sites for searching or ordering books. Don’t forget Amazon.com and check your phone book for the used bookstores. Many of the public gardens have non-lending libraries; some are open when the gardens are open, others are by appointment only.  Public gardens also have books for sale in their gift shops. Brookside Gardens and Green Spring Gardens have reading libraries. For extensive research, try the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library, Abraham Lincoln Building, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD  20705; (301) 504-5755; http://www.nal.usda.gov.

Below are local books with the most recently published listed first through the year 2000:

All the Presidents’ Gardens: Madison’s Cabbages to Kennedy’s Roses: How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America by Marta McDowell, Timber Press, 2016

Mid-Atlantic Gardeners Handbook: Your Complete Guide: Select, Plan, Plant, Maintain, Problem Solve by Katie Elzer-Peters, Cool Springs Press, 2016

Gardens of Georgetown: Exploring Urban Treasures, text by Edith Nalle Schafer and photos by Jenny Gorman, Georgetown Garden Club, 2015

Maryland’s Public Gardens and Parks by Barbara Glickman, Schiffer Publishers, 2015

Mid-Atlantic Month-by-Month Gardening: What to Do Each Month to Have a Beautiful Garden All Year by George Weigel, Cool Springs Press, 2015

Chesapeake Gardening and Landscaping: The Essential Green Guide by Barbara W. Ellis; photographs by Neil Soderstrom, University of North Carolina Press in association with the Adkins Arboretum, 2015

Maymont: An American Estate (Richmond, VA) by Dale Cyrus Wheary, Scala Arts Publishers in association with the Maymont Foundation, 2015

Mid-Atlantic: Getting Started Garden Guide: Grow the Best Flowers, Shrubs, Trees, Vines and Groundcovers by Andre Viette, Mark Viette, and Jacqueline Heriteau, Cool Springs Press, 2015

The General in the Garden: George Washington’s Landscape at Mt. Vernon by Susan P. Schoelwer, editor, Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association, 2015

Native Plants for Northern Virginia by the Virginia Native Plant Society, available via the Society, http://www.vnps.org, 2015

Great Perennial Plants, Vines, and Bulbs Guide for the Mid-Atlantic Garden by Donna Williamson, self-published, electronic and available via Amazon, 2014

The Mid-Atlantic Garden: An Insider’s Guide to a Successful Lower Maintenance Garden by Donna Williamson, self-published, electronic and available via Amazon, 2014

Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden at Monticello by Peter J. Hatch, Yale University Press, 2014

Take Our Advice: A Handbook for Gardening in Northern Virginia by Margaret Fisher, Student Peace Awards of Fairfax, 2014

The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast by Ira Wallace, Timber Press, 2013

Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Gardening: Plant, Grow, and Harvest the Best Edibles: DE, MD, PA, VA, DC, and WV by Katie Elzer-Peters, Cool Springs Press, 2013

Vegetable Gardening the Colonial Williamsburg Way: 18th Century Methods for Today’s Organic Gardeners by Wesley Greene, Rodale Press, 2012

American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America by Michelle Obama, Crown Publishing Group, 2012

Capital Splendor: Parks and Gardens of Washington DC by Valerie Brown, Barbara Glickman Countryman Press, 2012

A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens by Carole Otteson, Smithsonian Books, 2011

Historic Virginia Gardens: Preservation Work of the Garden Club of Virginia by Margaret Page Bemiss, University of Virginia Press, 2009

Virginia’s Historic Homes and Gardens by Pat Blackley and Chuck Blackley, Voyageur Press, 2009

The Virginia’s Garden Companion: An Insider Guide to Low Maintenance Gardening in Virginia by Donna Williamson, Morris Book Publishing, 2008

Garden Walks in the Southeast: Beautiful Gardens from Washington to the Gulf Coast by Marina Harrison, Lucy Rosenfeld, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2006

Garden Walks in the Mid-Atlantic States: Beautiful Gardens from New York to Washington DC by Marina Harrison, Lucy Rosenfeld, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2005

The American Horticultural Society Guide to American Public Gardens and Arboreta:  Gardens Across America, Volume 1, East of the Mississippi by Thomas S. Spencer and John J. Russell, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2005

A City of Gardens: Glorious Public Gardens In and Around the Nation’s Capital by Barbara Seeber, Capital Books, 2004

Month by Month Gardening in the Mid-Atlantic by André and Mark Viette and Jacqueline Hériteau, Cool Springs Press, 2004

Selecting, Growing and Combining Outstanding Perennials: Mid-Atlantic and New England Edition by Teri Dunn, André Viette, Mark Viette, Jacqueline Hériteau, Cool Springs Press, 2003

Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Guide by André and Mark Viette and Jacqueline Hériteau, Cool Springs Press, 2003

Barnes & Noble Complete Illustrated Guidebook to Washington, D.C.’s Public Parks and Gardens, published by Silver Lining Books, 2003

Complete Illustrated Guide to Washington DC’s Public Parks and Gardens by Richard Berenson, Silver Lining, 2003

The Virginia Fruit and Vegetable Book by Felder Rushing and Walter Reeves, Cool Springs Press, 2002

Virginia Gardeners Guide by Jacqueline Heriteau, Cool Springs Press, 2001

The New York/Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Book of Lists by Bonnie Lee Appleton, Cooper Square Press, 2001

 

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Rooting DC 2016: What a Blast!

Posted on March 3, 2016 | 1 comment

rdc-tagline-logoThis past Saturday, February 27, I attended Rooting DC for the first time although it has been in existence for 9 years. It was so fun and informative that I should have started attending 9 years ago. Rooting DC is a free, day-long gardening forum to provide education about gardening, especially edible gardening, and to provide education and resources about local, urban food production and consumption. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with people involved in the Washington DC area gardening/food production landscape. This annual event is a collaborative, volunteer effort planned by members from the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, City Blossoms, Common Good City Farm, FRESHFARM Market, Love & Carrots, and Three Part Harmony Farm. Hosted by DC Greens, a non-profit dedicated to connecting communities to healthy food in the Nation’s capital; Rooting DC took place at the Woodrow Wilson High School, 3950 Chesapeake Street, NW; next to the Tenleytown-AU metro station.

The presentations were organized into four modules, each an hour long, starting at 10:00 am and ending at 4:00 with a break for lunch. Each module was either a one-hour presentation, i.e., one topic, or a “7 x 7,”seven presentations, each lasting 7 minutes. The Rooting DC website listed the schedule, which I printed to plan my visit in advance, but I also received a booklet when I arrived with the schedule, descriptions of the presentations, and all the organizations attending that day. I spent the day attending presentations on:

  • using compost
  • growing mighty microgreens
  • gardening with raised beds
  • planning and planting for a continuous harvest
  • farming using the veganic method
  • learning simple building skills
  • employing companion planting in the garden

In addition to the lectures, over 60 non-profit and for profit green businesses, local government agencies, and educational institutions provided information and samples at tables strategically placed in the school’s atrium. This was the opportunity to meet Sandy Farber Bandier, DC Master Gardener Coordinator, to learn about the Master Gardener program; meet with Meredith Sheperd, owner of Love & Carrots, to learn how her business creates edible gardens; view the gardening tools and books Purple Mountain Organics had for sale; obtain a compost sample from Veteran Compost; pick up the Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild’s postcard to remind me of their April plant/herb sale; and obtain Southern Exposure Seed Exchange’s seed catalog. I was sorely tempted to purchase the 2016 calendar of edible flowers from Marcella Kriebel Art + Illustration – it was a beautifully illustrated poster — and I would have loved to come home with one of those brown T-shirts from Urban Farm Plans.

This year, the Chas C. Hart seed company donated boxes of vegetable and herb seeds to the event.  Each table received a box so while I talked with representatives, I flipped through the packets of seeds, looking for the more unusual ones. I found a few gems I had never heard of before such as cicoria (Italian dandelion), pepperoncini (hot pepper), ‘Riesentraube’ grape tomato, and purple-podded snow peas!

Rooting DC took place in an excellent forum: the Woodrow Wilson High School was spacious and within walking distance of metro, which was next to a Panera Bread and Whole Foods Market. Coffee was available in the school cafeteria and food trucks were parked outside during lunch.

One can register to attend Rooting DC in advance or just walk in. I registered in advance and printed the ticket, which I presented at the door. I was there early enough to visit the tables before the presentations began, which turned out to be a good thing because the seed packets were gone by lunch time. Although the event is free, the Rooting DC website, http://www.rootingdc.org, asks for a $10 donation when registering. The website itself has plenty of information on local gardening and food production. As of this posting, the booklet with the schedule and presenters is still online and several presenters have posted their presentations, which serve as resources themselves to people who could not attend but are interested in gardening. Check out the visitors’ tweets to see photos and comments at #rootingdc and #RDC16. Be sure you put this event on your calendar for next year — Rooting DC will be celebrating its 10th year!

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Free Master Gardeners Plant Clinics to Help You With Your Garden

Posted on June 19, 2015 | Leave a comment
Tomato hornworm, plucked off plant

Tomato hornworm, plucked off plant

School is out, summer is here and the garden is in full swing. Now is the time for gardening questions — what is that bug, why does my tomato look like that, and what should I do about my zucchini! Fortunately for us, the Fairfax County Master Gardeners offer free advice on caring for our gardens. They provide gardening fact sheets, soil test kits, and help us to identify bugs, insects, diseased plants, and assorted problems. It is always best to actually bring a sample of the diseased plant or the bug in a jar to show the Master Gardeners but if not, just talk with them at their plant clinics, no appointment necessary. The Master Gardeners staff plant clinics at the Fairfax County Farmers Markets, several Fairfax County libraries, Green Spring, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension office at the Fairfax County Government Center. Plant clinics at the farmers markets and libraries are open May through September 2015.

Farmers Markets

See the link below for street addresses. Note the times below are for the plant clinics, not necessarily for the rest of the market time; http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets

  • Annandale, Thursday, 9 am to noon
  • Burke, Saturday, 8 am to 11 am
  • Fairfax County Government Center FM, Thursday, 3 to 6 pm
  • Fall Church City, Saturday, 9 am to noon
  • Herndon, Thursday, 9 am to noon
  • Kingstowne, Friday, 4 to 7 pm
  • Lorton, Sunday, 9 to noon
  • Mclean, Friday, 9 to noon
  • Mt. Vernon, Wednesday, 9 to noon
  • Vienna, Saturday, 9 to noon
  • Wakefield, Wednesday, 2 to 5 pm
  • Reston, Saturday, 9 to noon

Libraries

  • Chantilly, Saturday, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
  • Fairfax Regional, Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Kings Park, Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Oakton, Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Richard Byrd, Tuesday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Tysons-Pimmit, Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Other Locations

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