Tag Archives: tours

Historic Garden Week Is Back — Tour Virginian Homes and Gardens

Posted on March 27, 2022 | Leave a comment

Eyre Hall on the Eastern Shore, photo by Diane Ginsberg

Historic Garden Week is back! The last time I wrote about this great event was in 2019, before the pandemic. Although some gardens were open last year, this year Historic Garden Week is back full scale. Starting Saturday April 23 through Saturday April 30, 2022, you can tour private and public gardens throughout the commonwealth of Virginia. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV), Historic Garden Week (HGW) is an annual event for the public to tour almost 200 private homes and gardens and historical sites in Virginia. Continue reading →

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Historic Garden Week: Tour Private Virginian Homes and Gardens

Posted on April 28, 2019 | Leave a comment

Historic Garden Week has begun! Starting yesterday, Saturday April 27 through Saturday May 4, 2019, you can tour private and public gardens throughout the commonwealth of Virginia. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV), Historic Garden Week (HGW) is an annual event for the public to tour almost 200 private homes and gardens and historical sites in Virginia.

Private McLean home will be open on Tuesday, photo by Donna Moulton

A non-profit organization, the GCV is comprised of 47 member clubs. Proceeds from the annual HGW, which originated in 1927, fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historical gardens and provide graduate level research fellowships for building comprehensive and ongoing records of historic gardens and landscapes in the Commonwealth. For more than 80 years, the grounds of Virginia’s most cherished historic landmarks including Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the Executive Mansion in Richmond have been restored or preserved using proceeds from this statewide house and garden tour.

Private Roanoke home open on Saturday, photo by Sharp Top Studios

This year there will be 31 tours hosted by volunteers at local GCV member clubs. The 31 tours are divided into 8 regions: Northern Virginia, Potomac, Coastal, Tidewater, Capitol, Southwest, Blue Ridge, and Foothills. This annual event is coordinated and managed by 3,300 volunteers who spend months planning in advance. Many members create beautiful floral arrangements for the homes. It is estimated that 2,200 floral arrangements will have been made for this year’s event.

Private Lynchburg residence open on Tuesday, photo by Becky Giles

The schedule is available online and tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at numerous locations or in advance. Tours are held rain or shine. Properties can be visited in any order. Also available is the Guidebook, a 216-page, beautifully illustrated publication, which can be downloaded, purchased online, or picked up free at designated public places. The Guidebook has descriptions of the tour sites, directions, refreshments, special activities in the area, and other places of interest which usually include historical sites that can be toured at other times of the year (for future reference). The Guidebook is a snapshot of the touring area; it lists names of the sponsoring Garden Club member organizations; area information such as Chamber of Commerce & historical societies; and advertisements from local businesses such as garden centers, antique stores, and restaurants.

An example of one of the many arrangements made by volunteers, photo courtesy of GCV

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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: May 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

Posted on April 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

May has more than 60 gardening events, workshops, lectures, plant sales, and home and garden tours in the greater Washington DC area.

2, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Woodland Path, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation, limited tickets.  Also offered on Thursday, May 4, and Saturday May 6 at same time. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

2, Tuesday, Container and Balcony Gardening, 7-8:30 pm, free but advance registration requested. Presented by VCE Master Gardeners. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. http://www.mgnv.org

3, Wednesday, Foraging for Wild Edibles. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

3, Wednesday, Lecture: A Year in Half Circle Garden, by Dave Leaverton. Sponsored by Annapolis Horticultural Society, 7:00 pm, open to the public, and free. St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

4, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Woodland Path, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation, limited tickets.  Also offered on Tuesday, May 2, and Saturday May 6 at same time. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

4, Thursday, Getaway: Charlottesville Private Gardens, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Coach bus leaves from Green Spring, is an all day trip. 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

5, Friday, Lecture: Epic Tomatoes from YOUR gardens: Stories, history and tips for success by Craig LeHoullier, gardening author and lecturer, noon to 1:00 pm, Free and pre-registration required. Conservatory Classroom, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

5, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Gardening for Birds, 1:30 to 2:30, 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

5, Friday, 10 to 6; and 6, Saturday, 10 to 5, Flower-Mart at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington DC. Free. http://www.allhallowsguild.org/Flower-Mart/flower-mart/

5, Friday and 6, Saturday and 12 and 13, 9 to 5 pm. Lavender Field Farm Spring Herb Faire. Free admission and parking, rain or shine. 11300 Winfrey Road, Glen Allen, VA. http://www.lavenderfieldsfarm.com

6, Saturday, plant (seedling) sales, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm., Eastern Senior High School, 1700 East Capitol Street NE. Hosted by Mighty Greens. http://cityblossoms.org/mightygreens/

6, Saturday, Gardener’s Focus: Woodland Path, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation, limited tickets.  Also offered on Thursday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 2 at same time. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

6, Saturday, Hanging Basket Workshop, 10:00 am to noon and 1:30 to 3:30. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

6, Saturday, Teacup Topiaries, 10:00 to 11:30 am. 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

6, Saturday, Ladew Garden Festival: Specialty Plants and Garden Ornaments, 10 to 4:00 pm, free. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

6, Saturday, 1:30 to 5:00; 7, Sunday,  9:30 to 4:30 pm; 20, Saturday, 1:30 to 5:00 pm; 21, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30 pm Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic. Free advice but a fee for repotting. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

6, Saturday, Summer Annual Container, 10:00 am to noon, fee and registration required Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

6, Saturday, Carroll County; and 13, Saturday, Baltimore County/Oella: Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage, tickets required. http://www.mhgp.org

6, Saturday, Confidential Backyard Composting, 9:00 am to noon. Teaching Garden at St. Benedict Monastery. Hosted by the Prince William Master Gardeners. 9535, Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. Free but must register and dress for weather. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

6, Saturday, Sustainable Landscaping 4: Maintaining the Sustainable Yard, 9:00 am to noon, free but advance registration requested. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. http://www.mgnv.org

6, Saturday, Transitioning from a spring to summer vegetable garden, 10 to 11:00 am. Free garden talk followed by a Q&A session, Saturday in the Garden Series hosted by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners, Loudoun County Master Gardeners’ demo garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, VA. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

6, Saturday, noon to 5:00 pm. May Day Music Festival, Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington. Meet the Master Gardeners who maintain the Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden. They will be available during the festival to answer organic gardening questions. Free, no registration necessary. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Sunday, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 300 S Kensington St, Arlington, VA. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Sunday, Takoma Park House and Garden Tour, 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Ticket required. http://www.historictakoma.org

7, Sunday, Spring Open House and Plant Sale (local ecotype plants), 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. EarthSangha Nursery is in Franconia Park, Cloud Drive, Springfield VA. http://www.earthsangha.org

9, Tuesday, Obsession and Exploitation: A Cultural History of Trilliums, presented by C. Colston Burrell, sponsored by the Horticultural Society of Maryland. 7:30 pm. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. members free, nonmembers fee. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

9, Tuesday, 11:00 to noon, Simpson Gardens Stroll at the Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, free and no registration necessary. Talk with Master Gardeners who maintain the garden. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Wednesday, Gardening with Your Children. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

11, Thursday, Wings and Wine, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, fee and registration required. Learn about butterflies, sample several wine varieties and enjoy light refreshment as butterflies and music swirl around in the tropical conservatory. Finish off the evening with a decadent desert. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

11, Thursday, Behind the scenes at the US. Botanic garden production facility, 10:30 to 11:30 am, meet in the lobby of the production facility, pre-registration required. Also on Wednesday May 24, 10:30 am to noon. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

11, Thursday, Bethesda Community Garden Club plant sale, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm., Bethesda Farm Women’s Market, 7155 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD. http://www.bethesdacommunitygardenclub.org

13, Saturday, Growing a Cutting Garden, 10:00 to 11:30 am, Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

13, Saturday, Market Day, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. admission is free but there is a fee to park, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

13, Saturday, Beltsville Garden Club Plant Sale, 8:00 am to noon, High Point High School parking lot, 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD, sponsored by the Beltsville Garden Club, http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

13, Saturday, Silver Spring Garden Club’s GardenMart plant sale, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center South Terrace, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD http://www.brooksidegardens.org

13, Saturday, Georgetown Garden Tour, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets required. Headquarters is Christ Church, 31st and O Street NW. http://www.georgetowngardenclubdc.org

13, Saturday, 4:00 to 7:00 pm and Sunday, 14, noon to 5:00 pm. Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s Annual House and Garden Tour. Tickets required. http://www.chrs.org

13, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Throughout the Year, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

13, Saturday, Container Garden Workshop: Bright Summer Annuals, 10:00 am to 11:00 am or 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

13, Saturday, Great Falls Garden Club plant sale, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. http://www.gfgardenclub.org

14, Sunday, Small Space Vegetable Gardening 2:00 pm. free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

13 & 14, Saturday (10 to 6) and Sunday (10 to 5), Annual DC Green Festival at the Washington DC Convention Center, Admission fee. https://www.greenfestivals.org/washington-d-c-2017-may-12-14.html#!243

16, Tuesday, Garden Program: Gable Rhododendrons. 7:30 to 8:30 pm. 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

17, Wednesday, Weeds 101: Keeping Those Weeds at Bay. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

20, Saturday, Workshop: Growing Dahlias, 2-3:30 pm. Fee and must register, Greenhouse Classroom at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

20, Saturday, Spring Garden Day — the Big Plant Sale, 9 am-3 pm. Sponsored by Friends of Green Spring. Free admission. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

 20, Saturday, Gail Gee’s Peony Garden, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Fee, which includes transportation and snack.  Must register. Meet at the Visitors Center at Brookside to visit a Fulton MD garden with more than 400 peonies. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

20, Saturday, Herb Garden Container Workshop, 10:00 am to noon or 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

20, Saturday, and 21, Sunday, Loudoun County, VA, Spring Farm Tour, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, free, self-guided tour in Loudoun County, no tickets required. See map and participating farms as well as craft beverages and special events. http://www.loudounfarms.org

20, Saturday, and 21, Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour of gardens in downtown Frederick, MD. Tickets required.  http://www.celebratefrederick.com/events/garden-tour/

 21, Sunday, 2-5 pm, Annual Shepherd Park Citizens Association Garden tour, ticket required. Self-guided tour of gardens in Shepherd Park in Northwest Washington DC. http://www.shepherdpark.org/garden.html

22, Monday, Lawn Substitute: Easy Alternatives for Beauty and Nature. 7:00 to 8:30 pm., free and no registration necessary. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 270 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria. http://www.mgnv.org

23, Tuesday, Rediscover Bartholdi Park, 10:30 to 11:30 am, Tour meets by the Bartholdi Park Fountain, free, pre-registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Wednesday, Behind the scenes at the US. Botanic garden production facility, 10:30 to noon, meet in the lobby of the production facility, pre-registration required. Also on Thursday May 11, 10:30 am to 11:30 am. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Wednesday, Lecture: Franciscan Monastery Gardens, 7:30 pm, free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Beltsville Garden Club, Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

24, Wednesday, Garden Structure: Support, Going Vertical and Rabbit and Deer Control. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

24, Wednesday, Lecture: Nature’s Temples: The Complex World of Old-Growth Forests with Joan Maloof, (author of same book), 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Book signing. Fee and must register, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. http://www.cylburn.org

25, Thursday, Mosquitos and Ticks: Identification and Control, 7-8:30 pm, Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Sponsored by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Free and advance registration requested. http://www.mgnv.org

27, Saturday, Baltimore Herb Festival 2017 Year of Cilantro, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Leakin Park, 1920 Eagle Park, Baltimore, outdoor rain or shine, fee but free parking, http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com

27, Saturday, Herb Gardening: From the Everyday to the Unusual, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

28, Sunday, Flowers, Berries, Bark: Designing a Garden for Interest Throughout the Year, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com

31, Wednesday, Stormwater Solutions: Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens, 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

31, Wednesday, Top 10 Vegetable Diseases, 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

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

Right around the corner so make your reservations now!

June 1, Thursday, evening dinner and lecture with Brie Arthur, author of The Foodscape Revolution, 5:00 to 6:45 pm dinner in Café, garden admission included, weather permitting, 7:00 pm lecture in Barn Gallery with book sale. Fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

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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: 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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Tour Homes and Gardens During the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week

Posted on March 29, 2015 | Leave a comment
Oatlands in Leesburg, photo courtesy of GCV

Oatlands in Leesburg, photo courtesy of GCV

Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV), Historic Garden Week (HGW) is an opportunity for the public to tour almost 250 private homes and gardens and historical sites in Virginia. “Historic Garden Week has raised millions of dollars for the restoration of public gardens across Virginia,” noted HGW Chairman Alice Martin. “Tour proceeds are used to enhance Virginia’s landscape.” For 82 years, the grounds of Virginia’s most cherished historic landmarks including Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the Executive Mansion in Richmond have been restored or preserved using proceeds from this statewide house and garden tour. The beginning of HGW dates to 1927 when a flower show organized by the GCV raise $7,000 to save trees planted by Thomas Jefferson on the lawn at Monticello. A non-profit organization, the GCV is comprised of 47 member clubs and 3,400 volunteers. Proceeds from the annual HGW fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historical gardens and provide graduate level research fellowships for building comprehensive and ongoing records of historic gardens and landscapes in the Commonwealth.

Old Town Alexandria, photo courtesy of GCV

Old Town Alexandria, photo courtesy of GCV

This year there will be 31 tours hosted by volunteers at local GCV member clubs. The GCV has member clubs in 6 regions: Northern Virginia, Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Virginia, Capitol Region, Shenandoah Valley/Central Virginia, and Southern Virginia.  For example, in the Northern Virginia Region, there will be tours in Old Town Alexandria, Leesburg, Clifton-Fairfax Station, Warrenton, Front Royal-Warren County, and Winchester on various days between April 18 and 25.  “It’s the largest ongoing volunteer effort in the state,” said Karen Miller, HGW Director and Editor of the Guidebook. “In addition to the amazing interiors and gardens on display, the GCV volunteers will create over 2,000 spectacular floral arrangements to decorate rooms open to the public. Most of the flowers will come from their very own gardens.”

Front Royal--Warren County, photo courtesy of GCV

Front Royal–Warren County, photo courtesy of GCV

The schedule is available online at http://www.vagardenweek.org and tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at numerous locations or in advance. Tours are held rain or shine. Properties can be visited in any order. Also available is the Guidebook, a 240-page, beautifully illustrated publication produced to support the event. The Guidebook can be downloaded, purchased online, or picked up free at designated public places. The Guidebook has descriptions of the tour sites, directions, refreshments, special activities in the area, and other places of interest which usually include historical sites that can be toured at other times of the year (for future reference). The Guidebook is a snapshot of the touring area; it lists names of the sponsoring Garden Club member organizations; area information such as Chamber of Commerce & historical societies; and advertisements from local businesses such as garden centers, antique stores, and restaurants.

For more information, e-mail at historicgardenweek@gmail.com or call (804) 644-7776. The website is http://www.vagardenweek.org. GCV has done an excellent job of providing information and photos on their web site plus they are present on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

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