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
