Tag Archives: speakers

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

The following are Peg’s Picks of local gardening events for August 2016. If you are new to the Washington DC metro area, check out the classes/events tab on my site for gardening events that have occurred in the past 12 months to get a feel for regularly occurring events.

3, Wednesday, Food Preservation: Can, Freeze, Dehydrate, Ferment. 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

4, Thursday, Orchid Repotting, 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

6, Saturday, Fall Gardens Can Be Great, Planning for a Fall Vegetable Garden. 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Loudoun Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden at Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. Free. Call (703) 777-0373 or visit http://www.loudouncountymastergardners.org

6, Saturday, Grow It Eat It Summer Open House, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Hosted by the Montgomery County Master Gardeners at the Agricultural History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. Most events free. https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/grow_it_eat_it/8.6%20program%20schedule.web_.shade_.pdf

10, Wednesday, Hydroponic and PVC Pipe Gardening, 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

10, Wednesday, Food in the Garden series “Gardens and Community,” 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Fee and must register in advance. Will take place at the Smithsonian’s Victory Gardens, Washington DC (Constitution Avenue entrance of the National Museum of American History) http://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/food/pages/food-garden

11, Thursday, Houseplants 101, 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

13, Saturday, Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardening: Extending Your Harvest, 10:30 am to noon. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org

14, Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington, VA. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free but must register in advance. http://www.mgnv.org

17, Wednesday, Vegetables for Fall, 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

18, Thursday, Floral Design: Building a Winning Arrangement, 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

20, Saturday, “Class: Trees 101,” 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street NE Washington DC. Free but must register in advance. (202) 833-4010. http://www.caseytrees.org

20, Saturday, National Honeybee Day, 10:00 am to noon, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. Free but there is a charge for a craft ticket. Designed for children and adults. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

20, Saturday, Cover Crops, Succession Planting, and Rotation in the Vegetable Garden. 9:00 am to noon. Saturday in the garden series, hosted by the Prince William County Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension Prince William County staff. Free but registration requested. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. E-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org (703) 792-7747

24, Wednesday, Preparing the Garden for Winter, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. 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

25, Thursday, Rose Care, 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

27, Saturday, Best All Round Landscape Shrubs, 11:00 am. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

28, Sunday, Keep ‘em Fed: Tips to Extend the Vegetable Garden Through the Fall. 1:00 pm., Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

27 and 28, Saturday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday noon to 3:30 pm. Annual Begonia Show and Sale, hosted by the Potomac Branch of the American Begonia Society at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. Free and begonias for sale. (703) 642-5173. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

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/node/1124742

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

 

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

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.comhttp://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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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