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Vol. 2, No. 8 — August 15, 2006
In This Issue:
Local Farmers' Markets
Area Community Gardens Win 2006 Mantis Award
August To-Do List
Spotlight Special: ‘Variety is the Spice' of Life
What's Blooming
Local Gardening Events
Welcome to the
Washington Garden Enews!
This is the free sister publication of Washington Gardener magazine.
Both the magazine and enewsletter share the same mission and focus — helping Washington DC area gardens grow — but our content is different.
In this monthly enewsletter, we will:
address timely seasonal topics and projects; post local garden events; and, include a monthly reminder list of what you can be doing now in your garden.
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The July/August 2006 Washington Gardener magazine is quickly selling it out. It has been mailed to all subscribers and single issues can be purchased directly from Washington Gardener at our last Open Garden Day of the season (see event details below) or at area Borders and B. Dalton book stores. This issue focuses on theme gardening including a story on Virginia's 400th Anniversary Celebration. Also in this issue is a hydrangea care guide, a feature on hardy agaves, growing a Victory Garden, and much, much more.
Local Farmers' Markets
I spent many childhood summers helping to sell fruits and vegetables at my grandparent's farm at the end of a lonely road in northern Indiana. In a small town, everyone seemed to magically know where to find you and when each produce item was at is peak season. I can still taste the fresh corn on the cob we had with every lunch and dinner as well as the apples we picked right off the trees to snack on at whim. Well, city-gardening does not allow me my own corn field or apple orchard, but it is an easy stroll to the nearby farmers' markets to purchase some fresh from the farm produce every week.
Farmers' markets are at the top of my must-do list each week. Many sellers have tomato and herb starts in the spring that are the backbone of my edible beds. And the growers themselves are a wealth of gardening advice!
Free taste samples of ripe in-season fruits and veggies are a bonus to my visits as are the cooking demonstrations and related sellers who stock breads, cheeses, eggs, and meats.
Here are links to find out about the farmers' markets close to where you live and work:
- FRESHFARM Markets is a nonprofit organization that runs farmers' markets in the DC including ones at Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, H Street, the Penn Quarter, and one in downtown Silver Spring, MD as well as St. Michaels, MD. For more details visit: www.freshfarmmarkets.org.
- Local Harvest lets you search by zip code to find a market near you. Go to: www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets.
- The USDA holds its own farmers' market every Friday at 12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW. On their web site you can search for other markets by state: ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets.
Stop by your local farmers' market this season and indulge your taste buds!
Happy Growing!
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener
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Local Gardening Events
Here is a selection of upcoming events in the DC area of interest to gardeners:
DC
Protecting the Potomac River and Gorge
Open now and runs through November 19.
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
The exhibit at the USBG focuses on the natural beauty of the Potomac Gorge and what is being done to save it – and its vital resources -- for future generations of Americans. Exhibit visitors will be treated to a “mini” Potomac Gorge landscape, created with rocks and living plants identical to those in the real Gorge. A large color map of the
Potomac Gorge is flanked by the story of the project; a free-standing kiosk presents “fun facts” about the Gorge; and displayed throughout the exhibit are stunning color photographs focusing on the Potomac Gorge’s dramatic landscape and its animal and plant inhabitants.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
Garden Tours: Folger Elizabethan Garden
August 19, 10:00am and 11:00am
The Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC
Explore our garden, inspired by herbal references in Shakespeare's plays and also incorporating plants popular in his time, including lavender, creeping thyme, and English ivy; a knot garden; and Shakespearean statues by American sculptor Greg Wyatt. Folger docents offer insights into plantings, Elizabethan customs, and more.
Fee: $0/Free. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: visit: www.folger.edu.
Bird Walk
September 14, 8:30am
National Cathedral, meet at the George Washington statue on Pilgrim Road, NW, Washington, DC
Join experienced birder Sheila Cochran as she leads a tour through Olmsted Woods and shows which groundcovers, shrubs, and trees are attractive to birds and other wildlife. Please wear sturdy water-proof shoes. Pets must be leashed. Walk cancelled in case of heavy rain.
Fee: $0/Free. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: call 202.537.2319 or go to: www.cathedral.org.
MD and PA
Washington Gardener Open Garden Day - Last of the Season!
Friday afternoons, August 18, 3:00-6:00pm
826 Philadelphia Ave (Rt. 410), Silver Spring, MD
Washington Gardener magazine will have Open Garden hours where you can sign up for subscriptions or renew in person. You can also buy back issues, current issues, and gift subscriptions. Additionally, we will have guest artists on July 21 and various plants for sale. The Open Garden is rain or shine. We are an easy walk from both the Silver Spring and Takoma Park metro stops. Also, several Metro and Ride-On bus routes pass nearby. If driving, please pull in our driveway off of Fenton Street - this is directly across from the Public Storage building.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.washingtongardener.com.
26th Annual Koi & Wine Festival
September 2-3, 9:30am-5:00pm
Lilypons Water Gardens, 6800 Lily Pons Rd., Adamstown, MD
Champion Koi Exhibits, Wine Tasting, Festival Foods, Arts and Crafts Vendors, Boat Rides by Wybierala's Boat Works, and Live Music by The Star Spangled Big Band. FREE Water Gardening Lectures both days: 11:00 am Water Feature for Your Deck or Patio by Brad Warner and 1:00 pm Water Gardening Basics by Richard M. Koogle.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information, go to www.lilypons.com or call 800.999.5459.
Children’s Day
September 16, 11:00am-4:00pm
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD
Learn about and experience the Native American culture, foods, and crafts as you wander through the beautiful gardens.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.brooksidegardens.org
VA and WV
Daylily Plant Sale
August 19, 10:00am
Falls Church Community Center Gymnasium, Falls Church, VA
The National Capital Daylily Club will have daylily sales of named, registered cultivars on:
Daylily sale on August 19 at the Falls Church Community Center Gymnasium at 10 am and an auction at 12 noon. Another Daylily sale, will be on August 20 at 9 am in the Brookside Gardens Visitors Center in Wheaton, MD.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information, call 301.589.0939 or email www.daylilyclub.org.
Workshop: Seed Saving
September 9, 9:30-11:30am
Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA
The gardener who saves seed from this year’s flowers to plant in next year’s garden saves money, prepares for the future, stays linked with the past, selects improvements, and is constantly surprised. Learn the basics of seed saving, including: seed harvest, drying, cleaning and storage. At the conclusion of the lecture, venture into the gardens with Mary Frogale, propagation horticulturist, and collect seed from unique annuals and perennials.
Fee: $18. Registration is required.
For more information: www.fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703.642.5173.
Virginia Garden Festival
September 16, 9:00am-4:00pm
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, VA
Hear well-known speakers share their garden and landscape strategies, visit vendor display booths and receive their top 10 earth-friendly tips, stop by and “ask the experts,” watch tree care and lawn demonstrations, hear Mark Viette as he airs his radio show “IN THE GARDEN,” sample some of “Virginia’s Finest” foods, participate in children’s gardening activities, listen to music in the garden, and purchase plants from the “rare and unusual” plant sale.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For details, call 804.262.9887 or go to www.lewisginter.org.
For even more area garden event notices that we can't possibly squeeze in here, become a member of our free online discussion group. To join the email list serv, just send an email to: WashingtonGardener-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is September 12 for the September 15 edition of this enewsletter featuring events from September15-October 15.
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Spotlight Special: ‘Variety is the Spice' of Life!
Centerton Nursery Inc. of Bridgeton, NJ has announced the release of a new Charity Plant, ‘Variety is the Spice’. This new daylily was created by world-renowned daylily breeder Dr. Darrell Apps.
For each plant sold, $1 will be donated to Variety – The Children’s Charity, which has supported children with disabilities for nearly 80 years. Variety – The Children’s Charity (formerly known as The Variety Club) provides programs and services to children with special needs through 27 chapters located in 19 states. Examples of their aid programs include the National Mobility Program (helping children meet their needs with wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc), Autism Initiative, and Camp and Developmental Center (a homestead for recreational and educational activities).
Centerton Nursery created Charity Plants to add value to exceptional new plants and create a funding mechanism for great causes, enabling them to make a difference beyond the green industry. Last year’s Charity Plant (Daylily) ‘Maurice River Queen’ generated a contribution of $1,787.00 to benefit the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville, NJ.
‘Variety is the Spice’ will be on sale at local garden centers in spring 2007. Centerton is taking orders for this item now. The 4” semi-double flower is a coral/red, borne on a 24” scape. It begins blooming early to mid-summer and re-blooms throughout most of the summer months. The striking color and high bud count make this plant a true beauty. For more information on the Charity Plant program and daylily growing tips, visit www.charityplants.com.
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What's Blooming
The heat wave has broken and a more temperate August has moved in. Summer annuals are starting to peter out and the fall bloomers are coming in. Our readers reported the following blooms and items of interest in their gardens during the past week of August:
Ursula Sabia Sukinik of North Bethesda, MD, has: Abelia, Acleopisa, Ajuga burgundy glow, Agastache Foeniculum, Alcea rosea, Anemone Japonica, Begonia 'Dragon Wing Red', Belamcanda chinensis, Calendula, Callicarpa D. ‘Issai', Canna x generalis, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum "Becky", Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird,’ Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', Dianthus Sweet William, Dicentra eximia, Dicentra spectabilis, Echinacea purpurea, Eucomis autumnalis, Eupatorium dubium, Geranium maculatum & ‘max frei’, Helianthus tuberosus, Hosta, Hydrangea 'annabel,' Hydrangea quercifolia, Hypericum perforatum, Impatiens, Itea little henry, Lantana, Ligularia, Lobelia syphilitica, Mazus reputans, Nicotiana ‘Sylvestris’, Nicotiana alata 'Lime Green', Oxalis ‘Charmed Velvet’, Passiflora, Persicaria microsephala
‘red dragon’, Phaseolus coccineus, Plumbago auriculata, rosa' knock out', Salvia elegans, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, Tiarella 'black snowflake', Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), and Zantedeschia aethiopica.
In your editor's own garden in my MD/DC-border site: Alyssum, Anise Hyssop, Aster Monch, Balsam, Black-eyed Susan, Bronze Fennel, Buddleia, Caryoptris, Coleus, Coreopsis Moonbeam, Cosmos, Echinacea, Fuchsia Gartenmeister, Gallardia, Geranium annual, Gladioli, Goldenrod, Hydrangea mac., Hydrangea paniculata, Hollyhocks, Hosta Stilleto, Impatiens, Lavender Hidcote, Liatris, Marigolds, Obedient Plant, Petunias, Phlox - pink, tall, Rhododendron (second wave), Rose Campion, Rose of Sharon Althea, Rose mutabilis, Rose -- miniature yellow, Rose meidiland white, Rose meidiland rosa, Russian sage, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Trumpet Vine, Verbena on a stick, Vinca annual, Water Hyacinth, Water Lily white hardy, Wiegelia (second wave).
Cheval Force Opp in Dunn Loring, VA, has: Asteromoea Mongolica, kalimeris, Bee Balm, Jocob Kline Scarlet, Canna X generalis, Cleome hasslerana, Spider Flower Violet Queen, Helen Campbell, Echinacea Sundown ‘Big Sky Series’ Coneflower, Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling Burgundy’, Pineapple Lily, Eupatorium cannibium flore plena, Eupatorium maculatum, Joe-Pye Weed ‘Purple Bush,’ Gaillardia ‘Mandarin’ Blanket Flower, Helenium ‘Mardi Gras,’ Hibiscus syriacus, ‘Diana,’ Hydrangea mac. ‘Teller White,” Hydrangea macrophylia ‘All Summer,’ Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nigra,’ Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird,’ Lagerstroemia , Natchez, Orlando, Crape myrtle, Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Snow Lady’ ‘Becky’ Shasta Daisy, Lobelia ‘Queen Victoria,’ Lychnis coronaria ‘Gardener’s World,’ Lysimachia clethroides ‘Gooseneck
Loosetrife,’ Rudbeckia birta ‘Prairie Sun’ Gloriosa Daisy, Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Green Headed Coneflower,’ Salvia guaranitica ‘Blue Anis’ Sage, and Spirea japonica ‘Linemound’.
Let us know what is blooming or of particular interest in your garden during the first week of September. Please include your name, city, state, and a plant list in alphabetical order. You may also send low-res digital images. Send to editor@washingtongardener.com by September 12 and we’ll note it in our September 15 issue.
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August To-Do List
We've completed a whole year of garden to-do lists for our region. Last year's August list can be found in our August 2005 issue. Here are a few more tasks and chores to add to the previous listing:
- Clean your hummingbird feeders and add new sugar-water every three days.
- Look out for powdery mildew and cut out any affected leaves -- discard properly (i.e. not in your compost bin).
- Switch your deer deterrent spray.
- Start seeds for fall annuals such as pansy, calendula, and kale.
- Plant fall crops such as Chinese cabbage, lettuce, radish, mustard, and beets.
- Harvest your herbs and dry them indoors, if you can't use them right away.
- Attend a county fair.
- Preserve gourds and dry flowers for display in the fall.
- Let the lawn go dormant for now, it will green back up in the coming rains.
- Divide hostas and daylilies -- see our September/October issue of the Washington Gardener magazine for a how-to lesson.
Continue collecting plant seeds for next year and for trading.
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Area Community Gardens Win 2006 Mantis Award
Twenty-five community gardens from across the United States -- ranging from a prison and probation gardening program in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to the ambitious citywide Community Garden Initiative in Atlanta -- have been selected to receive the 2006 Mantis Award for Community Gardens. Each winning community garden has received a lightweight Mantis Tiller/Cultivator or a Mantis ComposT-Twin composter for use in its gardening program.
According to Steve LePera, Media Manager for Mantis, the criteria for selection included evaluating the gardening program’s vision, organization and service to the community. The Mantis Award for Community Gardens is an annual award that began in 1995.
“Each year Mantis is delighted to recognize wonderful community gardening programs for their dedication to gardening education and their success in bringing positive gardening experiences to people in their local communities,” said LePera. “This year’s crop of community gardens is living proof that gardening makes the world a better place, one garden at a time.”
For more information about the Mantis Awards, contact the National Gardening Association at 800.538.7476 or visit the website at www.kidsgardening.com.
2006 Mantis Award Winners in our greater area include:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Children’s Studio School
1301 V St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
Contact person: Edward Bruske, Garden Manager
email: euclidarms@yahoo.com
A public charter school in D.C., Children’s Studio School started a gardening program to enrich the educational experiences of economically challenged students.
MARYLAND
Food for Life Garden
1903 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD 21231
Contact person: Ariel Demas, Project Director
email: arieldemas@yahoo.com
The garden at Hampstead Hill Academy, a public charter school serving an at-risk population, was initiated last year to complement an award-winning food and nutrition curriculum.
Southern Maryland Kids Gardening Connection
29958 Killpeck Creek Ct.
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Contact person: Joan Parochetti, Accreditation Coordinator
email: jparochetti@smccrc.org
Southern Maryland Kids Gardening Connection aims at involving very young children (pre-kindergarten) in the sights, sounds, smells and tactile experiences of growing plants and taking part in gardening activities.
Nicholas Orem Middle School Community Garden
1230 Tawes Hall
College Park, MD 20742
Contact person: Vinnie Bevivino, Community Garden Educator
email: bevivino@umd.edu
This school garden, which began as a summer program, will now be integrated into the school curriculum in conjunction with nutrition education involving all grade levels at the middle school.
PENNSYLVANIA
Seeds to Success Life Skills Program
153 N. Stratton Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Contact person: Suse Greenstone, Program Director
email: sgreenstone@sccap.org
The Seeds to Success Life Skills Program is a community-based treatment program for adult clients involved with the corrections system in Adams County, PA. This program provides an opportunity for people in prison or on parole to complete court-ordered community service.
VIRGINIA
LEGO Rain Garden
1701 River Birch Run N.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Contact person: John Sammons, Technology Integration Specialist
email: sammojch@cps.k12.va.us
The LEGO Rain Garden will create a bioretention area at Greenbrier Intermediate School where rainwater can be collected and stored. This water will then be used to support an educational garden for third, fourth and fifth grade students.
4-H in Neighborhoods
301 Grove St.
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Contact person: Donald Davis, Extension Agent
email: dodavis2@vt.edu
The purpose of this program is to get children in inner-city neighborhoods involved in gardening and environmental awareness so they know fresh vegetables are grown and don’t come from stores!
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Next Issue
The September issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Chrysanthemums.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
©Washington Gardener 2006
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