Tag Archives: webinars

Learning About Gardening Online

Since we have started this teleworking life, many of us are able to watch more shows online. Although we may be working from home during the day, the absence of a commute, errands, and basically a social life, grants us more time than before. Plant lovers and gardeners can take advantage of this to learn about gardening online in the Washington DC metro area.  Below is a sample of resources for webinars, videos, and online courses. No doubt, there are more; e-mail me if you know of virtual methods for learning about gardening at pegplant at gmail dot com. I may even post an addendum if we find ourselves social distancing for an extended period. This list is in no order; some are free videos while others require registration and payment. My intent is to provide resources of reliable and accurate information instead of having people randomly search on YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube, Good Gardening Videos has more than 1,000 gardening videos curated for accuracy and quality. This is a non-profit, ad-free educational campaign to find and promote evidence-based gardening videos and to help more accurate ones be made.

And if you are on YouTube and Facebook, no doubt you have seen Laura LeBoutillier aka “Garden Answer.” Laura has produced many videos on gardening as well as do-it-yourself projects, which are free to watch. She and her husband started filming gardening videos as a hobby and have become so successful they manage Garden Answer as a full time business. She has partnered with companies such as Proven Winners, Espoma, Gardener’s Supply Company, and Bonide so you will often see her promote products on her shows.  Although she lives to the west in zone 5 most of her videos are applicable to this area.

Another familiar face on Facebook is Philadelphian Doug Oster who has created the Everybody Gardens website and has produced the “In the Garden” video series on YouTube. He is a prolific writer, filmmaker, and author and he also has a radio show. Doug frequently appears on Pittsburgh Today Live Television show as their local garden expert.

And who could forget P. Allen Smith in Arkansas? He has produced so many videos that if you enter his name on YouTube you will see short vlogs, longer videos, and even full-length television shows. Plus, he produces a digital magazine called Naturally Magazine (I view mine on Issuu). When this is over I would love to visit Moss Mountain Farm.

Kerry Ann Mendez of Perennially Yours in Maine is a well-known garden speaker, author, and garden designer. She has a beautiful website, listing many webinars. On YouTube there is a video of her giving a presentation to an audience called “Growing Honkin’ Hydrangeas in the Northeast.”

Lisa Mason Ziegler, owner of the The Gardener’s Workshop in Newport News, VA, manages a very successful cut flower farm. She has written several books, gives presentations (including in the Northern Virginia area), and has produced online courses for seed starting, cut flowers, cool flowers, and flower farming. She is queen of cool flowers and for her books she has produced videos where she discusses each chapter and answers questions. You will often see her on Facebook Live.

Charlie Nardozzi is a well-known garden expert, he has published books, gives presentations, provides garden tours, and produces a library of on demand webinars at his website Gardening with Charlie Nardozzi. Topics include small space edible gardening, cottage gardening, native and invasive plants, organic pest control, and pollinator gardening. Charlie also publishes a free, informative newsletter. He lives in Vermont and I would love to hear him speak if he ever travels to this area.

The Ecological Landscape Alliance is a New Hampshire membership-based organization with a mission of promoting sustainable approaches to landscape design, construction, and management. They host events, some of which are near this area, and distribute a newsletter. Many of their webinars are suitable for home gardeners. For example, there will be a one-hour webinar on protecting pollinators for $10 for non-members or free for members, but some webinars are free.

Bluprint which used to be Craftsy, has popular garden figures such as Ellen Ecker Ogden, Karen Chapman, David Culp, Debra Lee Baldwin, and Jodi Torpey. They provide online courses for which you  must register and pay for on the Bluprint website but if you like their topic or their style you should check out their own websites.

Pith and Vigor Rochelle Greayer is a designer in Boston who has an online course called Garden Design Bootcamp and one called Planting Design Bootcamp. From her website, it looks like she may be producing additional ones. She has published a book and publishes a digital newspaper type of publication.

Karen Chapman is a garden speaker, author, and designer in the State of Washington. I have heard her speak in this area and she is an excellent speaker. She is a container guru with many online courses on creating beautiful containers. Karen has just published a book on deer resistant designs and has a webinar on this topic on her website Le Jardinet.

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

It’s cold outside but there are still more than 40 gardening events, lectures, workshops in January in the Washington DC Metro Area.

4, Thursday, Webinar: Nonstop Plants — Making a 365-day Garden, 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Margaret Roach. http://www.awaytogarden.com

4, Thursday, Lecture: Beginning Bonsai by Tim Ohlwiler, Fauquier County Horticulture Extension Agent, free and open to the public, 7:00 pm, Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW Leesburg, VA. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

6, Saturday, first Saturday guided walk 10 to 11:00 am. Free. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

6, Saturday, Workshop: Beginners Hands on Bonsai Class, 2 to 4 pm, fee and registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

6, Saturday through Thursday January 18, Exhibit: Bonsai Winter Silhouettes, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and free. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum Exhibit Gallery at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington DC. Also, the current exhibit of bonsai entitled “Viewing Stones: Falling Into Winter” will end on February 3.  http://www.usna.usda.gov

8, Monday, Lecture: Microgreens: what are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 7-8 pm, free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA. Presented by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, also offered on Saturday, January 13, 10:30 to noon at Westover Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Wednesday, registration opens for RootingDC which will be on March 3 in Washington DC. http://www.rootingdc.org

12, Friday, Garden Talk: Fixes for a Tired Garden, 2 to 3 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

13, Saturday, Lecture: The Very Best Tried and True Houseplants and Their Care, 11:00 am. Free and registration requested, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

13, Saturday, Lecture: Lessons from Martha’s Farm by head gardener, Ryan McCallister, 10 to 11 am. Free and must register. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

13, Saturday, Lecture: Microgreens: what are they, why they are so fabulous, and how to grow them, 10:30 to noon, free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA. Also offered on Monday, January 8, at Barrett Branch Library.  Presented by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

16, Tuesday, outdoor winter walking tour of Brookside Gardens by staff Phil Normandy, 1-2:30 pm, fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

17, Wednesday, Landscape Design Basics: DIY Sustainable Yard Series, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free, advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Beatley Central library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on January 30 at the Westover Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

17, Wednesday, Webinar: For the Birds, 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST, fee and must register. Presented by Margaret Roach. http://www.awaytogarden.com

19, Friday, Lecture: The Governance and Stewardship of Urban Nature: Forests, Farms and Streetcorners, noon to 1:00 pm, free and must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

20, Saturday, Class: Trees 101, 10 am to 3 pm, free and must register. Provides a foundation in tree anatomy, basic tree identification, and an overview of how trees function to provide the benefit we enjoy in the urban forest. Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street NE Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

20, Saturday, Workshop: Kokodama – the art of crafting living mossballs, 10:00 – 11:30 am, fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

20, Saturday, Lecture: Thoreau and the language of trees, 10:30 to noon, free but must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

20, Saturday, and 21, Sunday, Garden Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, bring in up to two garden hand tools per person and have them sharpened. Fee and cash only. Proceeds will be donated to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Also offered on January 27 and 28. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

20, Saturday and 21, Sunday, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Free but if want orchid to be repotted will be done for a fee. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

21, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: Trees Find Their Voice, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, Green Spring Historian Debbie Waugh reveals what trees can tell us through the science of dendrochronology. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

25, Thursday, Webinar: A Striking Sustainable Flower Garden, 2:00 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Kerry Ann Mendez, owner of Perennially Yours. http://www.pyours.com

25, Thursday, Vegetable Gardening Part 1: Seed Selection, Starting and Saving, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free and advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on January 27 at the Westover Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

25, Thursday, Webinar: Garden Writing for Everyone, 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST, fee and must register, Presented by Margaret Roach, http://www.awaytogarden.com

27, Saturday, Class: Pruning 101 Workshop, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, free and must register. Learn how to prune trees with manual tools such as hand pruners and pole saws. Hosted by Casey Trees. Workshop will be held at the American Elm Nursery, 50 Marina Drive, Alexandria. http://www.caseytrees.org

27, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Part 1: Seed Selection, Starting and Saving, 10:30 am to noon, free advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington VA. Also offered on January 25 at the Burke Branch Library. http://www.mgnv.org

27, Saturday, Gardener’s Focus: Holly and False Holly, 10:00 am to noon, fee and registration required. Is an inside lecture and will do outside walking tour if weather permits. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

27, Saturday, Washington Gardener Magazine seed exchange, 12:30 to 4:00 pm. Fee and must register. Event will be at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, but must register via brownpapertickets.com. Also offered at Green Spring Garden on February 10. WGSeedExchange-brookside.brownpapertickets.com   http://www.brooksidegardens.org

27, Saturday, Lecture: Rock Gardens: Natural and Designed, 10:30 to noon, free and must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

27, Saturday, Lecture: Snake Oil Revisited: Plant Medicine in American History, 2-3:30 pm, free and must register. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

27, Saturday, 8th Annual Seed Exchange, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, free. Hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners at the Blandy Experimental Farm Library, Blandy Farm, 400 Blandy Lane, Boyce, VA. http://www.nsvmga.org/projects/blandy-seed-exchange/

27, Saturday, Seed Swap, 10 to 3, free. Hosted by Central Rappahannock Extension Master Gardeners. Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street (theater), Fredericksburg, VA http://www.mgacra.org/seed-swap-event.html

27, Saturday, Lecture: Squirrels, Groundhogs and Rabbits — Oh My! 11:00 am, free and registration requested. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

27, Saturday, and 28, Sunday, Garden Tool Sharpening, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, bring in up to two garden hand tools per person and have them sharpened. Fee and cash only. Proceeds will be donated to Emmanuel United Methodist Church Foodbank. Also offered on January 20 and 21. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Saturday, Lecture: The art of planting Terrariums and Dish Gardens, noon, free and registration requested. Then, from 2 to 4 pm, there will be a workshop, a potting party with terrariums and dish gardens for a fee plus cost of materials. Registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Saturday, Workshop: Potting Party with Terrariums and Dish Gardens, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, fee plus cost of materials, registration required. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Sunday, Winter Lecture Series: The Humane Gardener, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register. Author Nancy Lawson describes how and why you should welcome wildlife to your backyard. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

29, Monday, Lecture: Starting Seeds Indoors … Getting a head start on your garden, 1-3 pm. Free. Walter Reed Community and Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th Street, Arlington. For more information and for registration go to http://bit.ly/VCESenior or contact LeeAnne Kaniut (703) 228-0955.

30, Tuesday, Landscape Design Basics: DIY Sustainable Yard Series, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, free and advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Westover Branch Library, 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA. Also offered on January 17 at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

February 1, Webinar: Foodscaping Gardening, 7-8:30 pm EST. Fee and must register. Presented by Charlie Nardozzi. http://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com

The Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual native seedling sale selections are available for viewing at their website. Orders can be placed in the beginning of February and seedlings are picked up in April. This is your chance to plant native shrubs and trees for a nominal fee. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale

The Neighborhood Farm Initiative (NFI) has a kitchen garden education program that is a comprehensive, hands-on growing program at Fort Totten, one block from the Fort Totten Metro Station, Washington DC, NE. The program is intended for new and aspiring urban gardeners, whether you are an absolute beginner, or someone who is ready to take to it to the next level with cool weather crops. You will receive your own garden plot, along with a year of instruction & guidance, and enough help & support to get you growing. We provide all the necessary supplies and materials, and access to the community tool shed, you just bring your commitment to grow! Program cost is $600. The NFI offers tuition assistance, on a sliding scale, for qualified applicants. For more information, check their website at http://www.neighborhoodfarminitiative.org

Merrifield Garden Center’s 2018 classes and workshops will begin again on January 20. Check out their website for the list or even better get on their mailing list so you receive the flyer in the mail because it always has coupons. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

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

October is a happening month — 100 gardening events in the Washington DC Metro area!

1, Sunday (every weekend in fall), Fall Festival, 10:30 to 5:00 pm. Admission fee, Green Street Gardens, 391 West Bay Front Road, Lothian, MD. http://www.greenstreetgardens.com

1, Sunday from 11 to 4 and Saturday from 11 to 6, on October weekends through October 29. Fall Festival. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com

1, Sunday, Arcadia Fall Harvest Dinner, 4:30 to 8:30 pm Arcadia at Woodlawn-Pope Leighey, 9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA. The 4th annual Arcadia fall harvest dinner celebrating the Arcadia Veteran Farmer Program. Fee and must register. http://www.arcadiafood.org

1, Sunday, Tour garden in Bon Air Park, sunny and shade gardens, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, free, no registration required. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, 850 N. Lexington Street, Arlington, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

1, Sunday, Meadow Ecology, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Fee and must register and be prepared to walk outdoors. Adkins Arboretum, 12610, Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org.

1, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Standout Foundation Plants
  • Gainesville: Screening and Defining with Evergreens

2, October through 13 November, Community Herbalism Class, 6-week course on Monday evenings at Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th Street, NW, Washington. E-mail littleredbirdbotanicals@gmail.com with any questions. Fee and must register in advance. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-herbalism-class-six-week-series-tickets-37898350988

3, Tuesday, 5, Thursday, and 6, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Fall Design, 2:45 to 3:30, fee is the admission fee to Hillwood. Also offered on October 10, 12, 13, same time. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

4, Wednesday, Tree Planting Team Leader Training, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Free but must register, Casey Trees, 3030 12th street, NE Washington DC. http://www.caseytrees.org

4, Wednesday, Garden Series: Extending your growing season, 6 – 8 pm.  Free. Chinquapin Recreation Center, 3210 King Street, Alexandria, VA. https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/News/Recreation_News/GardenSeriesflyer.pdf

4, Wednesday, Arlington County Library Wednesdays in the Garden Series: Fruit from Vines, Brambles, and Shrubs, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

4, Wednesday, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginian Native Plant Society sells native plants from their propagation bed at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA, on the first Wednesday of the month, April through October, 10:00 am to noon. http://www.vnps.org and http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

4, 11, 18, 25, Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am. Monarch Butterflies. The Master Gardener Program of Baltimore County is providing free workshops for the public to learn about monarch butterflies and to take part in ongoing research to help this species survive and thrive. Free, no registration required. Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park, 1114 Shawan Road, Cockeysville. https://extension.umd.edu/events/wed-2017-08-16-1000-monarch-tag-release

5, Thursday and 6, Friday, Third Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit, fee and must register, all day. Arlington Campus, George Mason University, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington https://vafb.swoogo.com/urbanag2017/36853

5, Thursday, Webinar: Fall Gardening with Charlie Nardozzi, 7:00 to 8:30 ET, fee and must register. http://www.gardeningwithcharlie.com/fall-gardening-webinar

5, Thursday, Garden Gulps. Create a terrarium and enjoy wine and appetizers. Fee and must register. 7:00 pm. Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD.  http://www.historiclondontown.org/

5, Thursday. Fall Lecture Series: Candy in the Garden, Ideas and Inspiration to create eye catching drama in any garden setting with Kent Russell, 10:30 am. Fee and must register, Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://ladewgardens.org/

5, Thursday, Lecture: Restoring Streams and Stream Valleys: Finding Balance in Altered Landscapes, 7:00 pm, free and open to the public, Rust Library, Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Saturday, Harvest Festival, family event with farming and gardening activities, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, admission fee. Sponsored by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission at the Agricultural History Farm Park (Derwood), 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD.  https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/agricultural-history-farm-park/

7, Saturday, Lecture: Fall Gardening in the mid-Atlantic, noon to 1:30 pm. Free but register via Eventbrite. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD. http://www.communityforklift.org

7, Saturday, Residential Tree Planting workshop (for homeowners to learn how to plant trees), 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, free but must register, Casey Trees, 3030 12th Street, NE Washington DC http://www.caseytrees.org

7, Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30; 8, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30, 9, Monday, 9:30 to 3:00 pm, Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic With Carol Allen, free but for a fee she will repot your orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

7, Saturday through 9, Monday, National Capital Orchid Society Show and Sale at Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. Free admission. http://www.ncos.us/fallshow.htm

7, Saturday, Beginner Hands-On Bonsai Class, fee and must register, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD.  http://behnkes.com/

7, Saturday, Fall is Here: Prepare for Winter, 10:00 to 11:00 am, free and open to the public, in the demonstration garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, Va. Hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners, http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Saturday, Pink Day at Meadows Farm to celebrate breast cancer awareness month. Check website for events and locations. http://www.meadowsfarms.com

7, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Container Garden for Fall and Winter
  • Fair Oaks: Fantastic Foliage: Trees
  • Gainesville: Build a Low Maintenance Garden

7, Saturday, Lecture: From Now to Wow: Pathways to Good Design, 8:30 to 12:30 pm. Fee and must register. Marianne Wilburn and Pam Beck will teach you how to find your path from the less than ideal yard into the garden you have longed for. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

8, Sunday, Nature’s Interconnectors: Fall Color, Fruits, Buds, Bark, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. No fee for members, non-members pay the admission fee, be prepared to walk outside. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

8, Sunday, Free lectures at 1:00 pm at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Creating a Deer Resistant Garden
  • Gainesville: Perennial Plant Pairings

9, Monday, Lecture: A History of Spices, 10:30 to noon, free and must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

10, Tuesday, Simpson Garden Stroll, 11:00 am to noon, free and no registration necessary. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens, 420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria. http://www.mgnv.org

10, Tuesday, 12, Thursday, and 13, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Fall Design, 2:45 to 3:30, fee is the admission fee to Hillwood. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

10, Tuesday, Dried Flower Wreaths, 10 to noon, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

10, Tuesday, The Art of Growing Food, by Ellen Ecker Ogden, 7:30 pm. Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD. Fee for nonmembers, members of the Horticultural Society of Maryland are free. Hosted by the Maryland Horticultural Society. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

11, Wednesday, Tree Selection, Planting and Care, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, free, no registration necessary. In partnership with the Alexandria Beatification Commission, hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

11, Wednesday, Demonstration: Orchid Repotting and Answers to Orchid Culture, 10:30 am to 11:15 am. Free and no registration required. Repeated again at 11:45. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

11, Wednesdays in the Garden Series: Growing Garlic and its History, 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. Taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, free, no registration required. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us. http://www.mgnv.org

12, Thursday, Tour: Operational Behind the Scenes at the USBG Production Facility, 10:30 to 11:30 am, free and must register, (meet at the production facility, address is on usbg.gov website when register)  http://www.usbg.gov

12, Thursday, Fall Lecture Series: Sculpture in the Garden: A Retrospective with Mary Ann Mears, 10:30 am, fee and must register, Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

13, Friday, Garden Talk: Composting Fall Leaves, 2-3 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, Saturday, The Birds and the Bees: Cleaning, Housing and Feeding for the Fall/Winter, free, 2:00 pm. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD.  http://behnkes.com/

14, Saturday, Composting and what to do with all that leaf and yard waste, 10:30 to noon, free and advance registration requested. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

14, Saturday, and 15, Sunday, Arborfest: Fall Festival and Plant Sale (family event). 9:00 am to 4:30 pm each day, admission fee. Blandy (state arboretum of Virginia), 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. http://www.blandy.virginia.edu

14, Saturday, Chinese Kitchen Garden: Family Recipes, 1 to 2 pm. Wendy Kiang-Spray will show you how to prepare different Asian vegetables for cooking. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, Saturday, Garden Tour: Our Woods and Ponds, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

14, Saturday, Regional School Garden Summit, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, free but must register. DC Greens will host the first annual regional school garden summit to nurture emerging regional network of non-profits, schools, and government agencies interested in capacity and network building around school gardens. Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School, 659 G Street NE, Washington DC. http://www.dcgreens.org/summit

14, Saturday, Under the Arbor: Chile Celebration, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Free. Presented by the Herb Society of America, National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

14, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Plan and Plant for Spring: Trees and Shrubs
  • Fair Oaks: Amazing Color with Bulbs and Companion Plants
  • Gainesville: Selecting Shrubs for Fall Foliage

14, Saturday, Growing and Healing with Common Garden Herbs by Shannon Winston, 10:00 to noon, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

14, Saturday, Chrysanthemum display at the Brookside Gardens conservatories from October 14 to November 25. 10 to 5 daily and free (South conservatory closed Monday November 13). Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

15, Sunday, Lecture on Designing for Maximum Curb Appeal, 1:00 pm, free and no registration necessary. Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

16, Monday, Putting Your Garden to Bed, 7 to 8:30 pm. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA. Free and advance registration requested. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. This is being offered again on Saturday, October 21, from 10:30 am to noon at the Fairlington Community Center.  http://www.mgnv.org

16, Monday, Lecture: From Front Yard to Rock Garden: Step by Step by Sharee Solow, owner of Solow Horticultural Designs. 8:00 pm, free and open to the public. Hosted by the Silver Spring Garden Club (which has a Facebook page) at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD.

17, Tuesday, Workshop: Herbaceous Perennial Division, 9:00 am. Fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

17, Tuesday, Webinar: Nonstop plants making a 365 garden, with Margaret Roach, 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET. Fee and must register, https://awaytogarden.com/garden-webinars-margaret-roach/

17, Tuesday; 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, and 31. Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums at Hillwood, 2:45 to 3:30 pm. admission fee. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

19, Thursday, Fall Lecture Series: The art of gardening at Chanticleer with Bill Thomas (with book sale), 10:30 am, fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

20, Friday, Perennial Plant Conference, all day. Fee and must register. The Scott Arboretum at the Swarthmore College Campus, PA.  http://www.perennialplantconference.org

20, Friday, Lecture: Orchids in the Office, free and must register, noon to 1:00 pm. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

21, Saturday, Putting Your Garden to Bed, 10:30 to noon. Free and advance registration requested. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. This is being offered again on Monday, October 16, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Beatley Library.  http://www.mgnv.org

21, Saturday, and 22, Sunday, Loudoun County Fall Farm Tour, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day, free, self-guided, see website for map. http://www.loudounfarms.org/farmtour

21, Saturday, Saturday in the Garden: The Right Tree: Planting, Care, and Maintenance, 9:00 to noon. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Prince William County. Demonstration Garden, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA. https://www.mgpw.org/

21, Saturday, Easy Wreath Making and Porch Pot Basic, Decorating in a Day, 2:00 pm, free. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

21, Saturday, Soup ‘n Walk: Dazzling fall color guided walk and then a vegetarian lunch (soup). 11:00 to 1:30 pm. Fee and must register. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

21, Saturday, Master Class Program: Planning Spring, presented by David Culp, 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

21, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Shrubs for Small Spaces
  • Gainesville: Spring Blooming Bulbs

22, Sunday, Oatlands Harvest Festival, 10:00 to 4:00 pm. Admission fee. Oatlands Historic House and Garden, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA. http://www.oatlands.org

22, Sunday, McCrillis Gardens Sunday walks with a guide, 2 to 3:00 pm, free. Meet at the McCrillis house, 6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD. Hosted by Brookside Gardens staff, http://www.brooksidegardens.org

22, Sunday, Lecture: Finding Peace of Mind in your Garden, 1:00 pm, free and no registration necessary, Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

22, Sunday, Belle Grove Barn Series: Williamsburg Holiday Display. Create Williamsburg style swags and mantel decoration. Hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. http://www.bellegrove.org  and  http://www.nsvmga.org

24, Tuesday, Tour: Rediscover Bartholdi Park, 10:30 to 11:30 am. free and must register, meet at the Bartholdi Park fountain, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, Tuesday, Champion Tree Tour, a bus tour of champion trees in the region, fee includes charter bus transportation and drink, bring a lunch. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Fee and registration required. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Wednesday, Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens, 4 to 7:00 pm, fee and must register. At Brookside Gardens, hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton,MD. https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/Activity_Search/33635

25, Wednesday, Webinar: Garden Writing for Everyone, with Margaret Roach, 6:30 to 8:00 pm ET. Fee and must register, https://awaytogarden.com/garden-webinars-margaret-roach/

25, Wednesday, Native Orchids, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Free for members, non-members pay admission fee. Must register. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

25, Wednesday, Glory of Fall Garden Tour with Phil Normandy, Brookside Gardens staff. Join Phil for a walking tour of Brookside gardens to see plants that have fall colors or bloom in the fall. 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Wednesday, Tour: Phenomenal Plants: The USBG Medicinal Plants Collection, 10:45 to 11:30 am, free and must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

25, Wednesday, Lecture: Woody Plants and Plant Explorations by Kevin Conrad, curator at the National Arboretum, 7:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Beltsville Garden Club, James E. Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

26, Thursday, Webinar: Kerry Ann Mendez, owner of Perennially Yours, will be talking with guest Dr. Allan Armitage, author of Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots, 2:00 pm ET. Fee and must register. https://pyours.com/webinar-allan-armitage

26, Thursday, Native Grasses and Sedges for the Home Garden, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free and advance registration requested. Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

26, Thursday, Fall Lecture Series: Artificial Nature: Renaissance Rome and the Birth of Garden Design with John Marciari (with book sale). 10:30 am, fee and must register. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com

27, Friday: Garden Talk: Get Ready for Winter, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

27, Friday, Guided Tour of Tudor Place Gardens, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Free for members, fee for non-members and walkins are welcome but can register in advance. Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington DC.  http://www.tudorplace.org

28, Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30, and 29, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30, Orchid diagnostic and repotting clinic with Carol Allen, free but for a fee she will repot your orchid. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

28, Saturday, Terrarium workshop, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Blandy (state arboretum of Virginia), 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. http://www.blandy.virginia.edu

28, Saturday, Brookside Gardens walks with a guide, 10:00 to 11:00 am. Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

28, Saturday, Showy Fall Natives and Companions, 10:30 am. to noon. Take a walk with Green Spring Gardens’ horticulturist, Brenda Skarphol to learn of some of Green Spring Gardens best fall natives, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

28, Saturday, Floral Workshop: Wickedly Wonderful, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Create a festive Halloween floral design with a professional floral designer. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

28, Saturday, Two Season Garden Container Workshop, 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Create an outdoor container layered with early to mid-spring flower bulbs and winter interest with horticulturist Susan Eggerton. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

28, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Merrifield: Good Bug and Bad Bug
  • Fair Oaks: Just for Kids: Halloween Scavenger Hunt
  • Gainesville: Pet Friendly Plants

21, Saturday 1 to 5, and 22, Sunday, 10 to 3, chrysanthemum show at Fair Oaks location of Merrifield Garden Center, free, no registration necessary. See website for street address. Hosted by the Old Dominion and Potomac Chrysanthemum Societies. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

Keep an eye out for

The White House opens up its gardens for tours in the spring and fall but you never know exactly what weekend until the last minute so keep an eye on this link below to find out when in October you can see the White House Gardens, free but timed tour. https://whitehouse.gov1.info/visit/white-house-garden-tour.html

And around the corner

1, November, Trees Matter Symposium, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register, Silver Spring Civic Center, Silver Spring. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/arboriculture/trees-matter-symposium

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

February brings so many gardening classes, workshops, and lectures —  time to get ready for the 2017 Gardening Season!

1, Wednesday, Lecture: Challenging Gardening Sites, 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Annapolis Horticultural Society. St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.anapolishorticulture.org

2, Thursday, Lecture: Finding Balance: “It’s not easy being green,” 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Rust Library, Old Waterford Road, Leesburg. VA. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

3, Friday, Lecture: Magnolias for the Home Landscape, noon to 1:00 pm Conservatory Classroom. Free, but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

3, Friday, Lecture: Plants that Bully, 1:30 to 2:30 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

4, Saturday, Merrifield Garden Center’s free 10:00 am workshops: Creating Focal Points for your landscape (at Merrifield location); Gardening Q&A (Fair Oaks): Success with seeds (Gainesville) http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

4, Saturday, Pruning 101, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Free but must register. Sponsored by Casey Trees; held at American Elm Nursery, 50 Marina Drive, Alexandria, VA. Indoor lesson followed by hands on lesson outside, dress for weather. http://www.caseytrees.org

4, Saturday, Garden Design Basics, 11:00 am. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

4, Saturday, Flower and Vegetable Gardening: Starting from Seed, 2:00 pm. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

4, Saturday, Lecture: Bananas: Botany, History, Agriculture and Future, 10:30 to noon. Free but registration required. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

4, Saturday, Washington Gardener Magazine Seed Exchange, 12:30 to 4:00 pm, Green Spring Gardens, register at WGSeedExchange-GreenSpring.brownpapertickets.com. Admission fee is $20 but $15 if a Washington Gardener Magazine subscriber, or a “Friends of Green Spring” member. http://www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com

5, Sunday, Harry Allen Winter Lecture Series: Rescuing Eden, 1:30 to 2:30 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

11, Saturday, Sustainable Landscape 1: the DIY Sustainable yard, 9:00 am to noon. Free but must register in advance. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

11, Saturday, Merrifield Garden Center’s free 10:00 am workshops: Houseplants with Fantastic Flowers and Foliage (Merrifield); Growing Amazing Orchids (Fair Oaks); Backyard Birds (Gainesville) http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

11, 18, and 25 Saturdays with a snow date of March 11, Basics of Gardening, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Free but register in advance, space is limited. Taught by Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers and staff of Prince William County, Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA. http://www.pwcgov.org/grow

12, Sunday Harry Allen Winter Lecture Series: The Presidents’ Gardens, 1:30 to 2:30 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

13, Monday, Vegetable Gardening Part 2: Planning and Preparation 7-8:30 pm, Free but must register in advance. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA. Also offered on 2/18 at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, in morning. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

13-16, Monday through Thursday, National Native Seed Conference. All day event. Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC. Fee and must register; hosted by Native Seed Network. http://www.nativeseed.info

15, Wednesday, Dealing with Deer and other Mammal Pests in Your Garden, 3:00-4:30 pm. Fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. (301) 962-1451. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

16, Thursday, Workshop: Plant Propagation for Beginners, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Conservatory Classroom, Free, but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

18, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening Part 2: Planning and Preparation, 10:30 am to noon, Free but must register in advance. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington.  Also offered on 2/13 at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, in evening. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

18, Saturday, Merrifield Garden Center’s free 10:00 am workshops: The Magic of Night Gardens (Merrifield); Creating a Low Maintenance Garden (Fair Oaks); Outdoor Living Design (Gainesville) http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

18, Saturday, Eco-Savvy Symposium: Cultivating Biodiversity, 9:00 am to 1:00 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

18, Saturday, Lecture: Citrus: Botany, Chemistry, History and Future, 10:30 to noon. Free, but must register, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

18, Saturday, Rootingdc, an all-day gardening event with many talks and lectures, 9:00 to 4:00 pm. Free but a $10 donation suggested. Woodrow Wilson High School, 3950 Chesapeake Street NW, Washington DC. http://www.rootingdc.org

18, Saturday, Planting a Native Wildflower Garden, 11:00 am. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

18, Saturday, Attracting Birds to Your Backyard: Feeders, Plants and More 2:00 pm Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

18 &19 and 25 & 26, Saturday and Sunday, Tool Sharpening offered for fee, proceeds go to Emmanuel United Methodist Church. 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

19, Sunday, Harry Allen Winter Lecture Series: Top Ten Plants for Local Gardens, 1:30 to 2:30. Fee and must register in advance at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

21, Tuesday, Winter Gardening: Not Too Early to Start, 7:00- 8:30 pm. Free but must register in advance. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

22, Wednesday, Carolyn Mullet presents 5 Designer Secrets to Take Your Garden to the Next Level, 7:30 pm. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Beltsville Garden Club. James E. Duckworth School, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville, MD. http://www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

23-24, Thursday and Friday, Chesapeake Green 2017 Annual Horticultural Symposium, Fee and must register. BWI Hilton Hotel, Linthicum Heights, MD. Sponsored by Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association. http://www.mnlga.org

24, Friday, Green Matters Symposium, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register in advance. Sponsored by Brookside Gardens; held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD. http://www.montgomeryparks.org

25, Saturday, Wintertime Pruning and why it is the best to prune (some plants) 10:00 am to noon and also offered 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Free and must register in advance. Meet outside in front of 965 N. Longfellow Street, Arlington. E-mail: mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org

25 & 26 and 18 & 19, Saturday and Sunday, Tool Sharpening offered for fee, proceeds go to Emmanuel United Methodist Church. 1:00 to 3:00. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

25, Saturday, Discouraging Deer from Grazing in the Garden, 11:00 am. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

25, Saturday, How and When to Prune Your Shrubs and Trees, 2:00. Free, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD. (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

25, Saturday, Merrifield Garden Center’s free 10:00 am workshops: Bulbs with striking summer interest (Merrifield): Planning a Four Season Garden (Fair Oaks); Landscaping with Native plants (Gainesville). http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

25, Saturday, Starting from Scratch with Seeds, 10:00-11:30 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

25, Saturday, Crystalized Flower Workshop, 10:00-11:30. 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

25, Saturday, Winter Seminar “Perennially Inspired.” 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. Fee and must register. Sponsored by the Perennial Plant Association with the Horticultural Society of Maryland; held at the Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt, 6501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. http://www.mdhorticulture.org

25, Saturday, Middleburg Horticultural Symposium, “The Glorious Garden.” 9:00 am – 2:30 pm.  Fee and must register. Sponsored by the Fauquier and Loudon Garden Club. The Hill School, Middleburg, VA.  http://www.flgardenclub.org

25, Saturday, Montgomery County Master Gardeners Spring Conference. 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. Fee and must register. University of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. http://www.extension.umd.edu/mg/locations/spring-miniconference

26, Sunday, Harry Allen Winter Lecture Series: Coping with Deer, 1:30 to 2:30 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

Hillwood Museum and Garden has “Gardener’s Focus: Preparing for Spring,” a 20-minute lecture/greenhouse tour by the staff horticulturist on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 1:00 -1:30 pm. There is a limited number of tickets distributed when Hillwood opens each of these days: February 14, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, and 28. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

To celebrate all things George Washington (whose birth month is February), Tudor Place has reduced the admission fee to only one dollar in February! Tudor Place is Washington DC’s only historic house museum with family ties to Martha and George Washington. Highlights of the Washington Collection will be on display as part of all regular house tours and calendar programs. Learn about the relationship between the Peters of Tudor Place and Mrs. Peter’s grandparents at Mount Vernon. http://www.tudorplace.org

Margaret Roach of awaytogarden.com has published gardening books, produces a great podcast and blog, and is now delving into webinars. The “365-day Garden” is an hour-long slide talk followed by a question/answer session on Wednesday, February 8, 2:00 to 3:30 pm; and Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 to 8:30 EST. The “Seed Secrets or Everything You Wanted to Know About Seeds” is offered on February 21, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, and February 23, 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. http://awaytogarden.com/new-webinar-365-day-garden-margaret-roach/