|
Vol. 1, No. 3 ??” March 15, 2005
In This Issue:
Growing Your Own Easter Basket
Hellebore Name Contest
March To-Do List
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.
If this enewsletter does not display properly in your email browser, please click above on ???Read This Issue Online??? option.
We encourage you to subscribe to Washington Gardener magazine as well for in-depth articles, inspirational photos, and great garden resources for the Washington DC area gardener.
Magazine subscription information is at the bottom of this enewsletter.
We are looking for a few volunteers to serve on our Reader Panel. This will consist of about two email exchanges per month. Reader Panelists may be asked to review new gardening books and test our new garden tools. To join the Reader Panel, please send an email to editor@washingtongardener.com.
If you know of any other Washington DC area gardeners, please forward this email to them so that they can subscribe to this free enewsletter as well using the form at the bottom of the enewsletter or by visiting www.WashingtonGardener.com.
If you are not interested in receiving future issues of the enewsletter, simply follow the Unsubscribe directions also at the bottom of this enewsletter.
Growing Your Own Easter Basket
Before we get into the heart of our enewsletter, it has come to our attention that our mail house made an error with our March/April issue and sent some of our subscribers the magazine copy with a cover that said ???complimentary copy.??? We apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused.
I hope many of you got the chance to get up to the Philadelphia Flower Show last week. I was lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes tour with the Garden Writers Association.
Did you know that the exhibitors sign an agreement that their display will look as fresh the last day of the show as it does on the first? That way every visitor has a perfect experience. I spoke with the owners of Flowers by David who personally spend hours changing out flowers, plants, light bulbs, batteries, etc. each night and morning of the 10-day event to keep their displays flawless. Flowers by David??™s garden this year was a motorcycle wedding ??“ you either loved it or hated it, but you couldn??™t deny the Harley-Davidson outdoor wedding was a show-stopper.
A new idea I picked up was to consider using Catfish in your natural-setting pond instead of Koi or goldfish. They are mighty friendly and have loads of character.
In addition, we learned that orange flowers are ???in??? for floral arrangements and purple flowers are ???in??? for outdoor plantings. Alright, so must of us don't follow fleeting fads in our everyday gardening, but still fun to know!
Don't forget we have a great offer for our Charter Subscribers: you could win a free massage! Charter Washington Gardener advertiser, Rose Spa Services, has generously offered a gift certificate for a two-hour seated massage as our Subscription Campaign Contest prize. Won't that feel wonderful after a day of spring planting and yard chores?
All Washington Gardener charter subscribers are eligible to win. You must subscribe to Washington Gardener magazine by April 15 to qualify. Your paid subscription will be your automatic contest entry. The contest prize winner will be selected and notified on April 16. To subscribe and be eligible for the prize drawing, see the subscription details near the bottom of this enewsletter. To contact Rose Spa Services for details on their offerings which include massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures ??” email: blossomdc@yahoo.com or call: 301.379.ROSE. Indulge yourself or purchase for that special someone. Now back to our featu
42150/74577_grass.jpg
p>
Easy Easter Grass
Who among us actually likes those stringy, static-ridden bags of "Easter grass" you find on sale at the drugstore? The too-bright colors give me a headache just thinking about them. Why not, try a more natural look this year?
Here are the steps to grow your own Easter grass:
- Start two to three weeks before Easter.
- Select a low, shallow container with drainage holes to fit inside the basket you want to use.
- Fill the container with potting soil and 1/4 cup sprinkle grass seed on top. Water with a mister.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place it in a sunny window.
- Mist it daily. Remove plastic wrap when growth is about an inch tall.*
- When grass is at desired height, place the container into a basket and add your eggs and other Easter Bunny treats.
*Warning! If you have a cat, beware of potential ???grazing.???
Seed Sources
I??™ve purchased seeds as ???cat grass??? in pet food stores, but you can also purchase grass seeds as food co-ops, health food stores,
Also, a great online source is the Sprout People.
Basketry
If you are really ambitious, you might try weaving your own basket as well. Use found materials from your own garden such as birch bark, willow, grapevine, grasses, dogwood, and pine needles. One good book I found on Amazon.com even gives instructions on using horsetail and yucca for basket weaving. It is: ???Natural Baskets: Create over 20 Unique Baskets With Materials Gathered in Gardens, Fields, and Woods??? by Maryanne Gillooly and Brigita Fuhrmann.
You can also check your local library for more basket weaving books and search online for instructions. Here is a link to a good site that has some easy basketry project and free patterns: BasketWeaving.com.
Happy Growing!
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener
Back To Top
Local Gardening Events
Here is a selection of upcoming events in the DC area of interest to gardeners:
DC
Native Plants: Connecting Gardens, Nature, and People
March 19, 8:30-3:30pm
(with a Native Plant Sale open to all from 10-2.)
Administration Building Auditorium, United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Attend this annual one-day symposium at the U.S. National Arboretum featuring native plant experts and ecologists who will explain how today??™s gardens and landscapes embrace the benefits of native plants and ecosystem function, and introduce participants to some traditional gardening practices that seriously threaten our natural wealth. Registrants enjoy early-bird shopping of choice native plants from the area??™s best nurseries.
Fee: $80. Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.245.5898 or www.usna.usda.gov
Spring in Fern Valley
April 1, 10:30-11:30pm
(Repeats April 15, April 29, and May 13)
United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
This informal tour of the Fern Valley Native Plant Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum with curator Joan Feely is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the natural history of our native plants and how to grow them.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: call 202.245.4523 or www.usna.usda.gov
Growing Orchids in the Home
March 18, 12:00-1:00p.m.
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Spend an hour with Carol Allen, the Orchid Lady, as she provides tips and secrets to growing beautiful orchids in your home. Culture suggestions will be included in
this informative session. Don??™t miss this chance to have your orchid growing questions answered by
a knowledgeable orchid lover.
Free. Pre-registration is required.
To register, call the U.S. Botanic Garden at 202.226.4082 or visit www.usbg.gov
The Plant Hunter??™s Garden: The New Explorers and Their Discoveries
March 25, 12:00-1:30p.m.
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Modern-day plant explorers are part of a continuing tradition of plant
discovery. Their discoveries are just as compelling as those of the pioneer explorers of earlier times.
Many have little public recognition, yet they have made an enormous impact on contemporary,
post-Cold War gardening and horticulture. Spend time with Dr. Bobby Ward as he shares the stories
of these modern-day plant explorers. A book sale and signing will follow the program.
Free. Pre-registration is required.
To register, call the U.S. Botanic Garden at 202.226.4082 or visit www.usbg.gov
Integrated Pest Management
March 16, 7:30-9:00pm
Long Branch Library, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 8800 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
Deb Fiola presents techniques that are low-labor, environmentally friendly and effective. Planning ahead and "knowing the enemy" through pest-resistant plants, monitoring, proper plant selection, etc. allow for reduced pesticide treatments and healthier plants. Learn the key pests in the area and how to plan your landscape to avoid them.
Free. Registration not required. Please bring refreshments to share.
For more information: contact Susan Harris at 301.270.5481 or harristakoma@erols.com. See also www.takomahort.org.
New Roses and How to Grow Them - #S34
March 19, 1:00pm
Behnke Nurseries' Beltsville location, second floor Assembly Room
Doug Ford of Jackson and Perkins Roses says: "There's always something new in the world of rose breeders." Hear all
about the best of the introductions.
Free. Registration recommended.
For more information: 301.937.1100 or www.behnkes.com.
Orchid Auction
March 26, 11:00am-4:00pm
Capitol College, 11301 Springfield Road, Laurel, MD
The annual National Capital Orchid Society orchid auction offers hundreds of orchids.
They ship in special beauties from top vendors from all over the world.
Other plants are unusual or rare orchids from the collections of NCOS members.
Auctioneers present information on each plant as part of the auction process.
It??™s a great way to add to your orchid collection and have a lot of fun in the process.
In addition, many plants are pre-priced and are offered for Instant Buy.
Free. Registration not required.
For more information: 301.474.8884 or www.ncos.us/ncos/auction.htm.
Gardening for the Mid-Atlantic States - #S48
April 10, 1:00pm
Behnke Nurseries' Beltsville location, second floor Assembly Room
Andre Viette; Radio Personality/Author, a popular speaker, lays out a monthly plan for successful
gardening as described in his new book.
Free. Registration recommended.
For more information: 301.937.1100 or www.behnkes.com.
VA
Spring Lawn Care in the Mid-Atlantic Region
March 19, 10:00am
Merrifield Garden Center, 8132 Lee Hwy., Merrifield, VA
It??™s time to get started on fixing up your lawn. If you need to begin a lawn improvement program, or just want to learn about basic lawn maintenance, this class is for you. We will review seeding, fertilizing and weed control, and answer any of your lawn care questions. Presented by David Yost, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center.
Free. Registration not required.
For more information: www.merrifieldgardencenter.com or call 703.560.6222.
Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
April 17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & April 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
downtown Leesburg, VA
Come see the transformation of historic Leesburg into a botanical garden! Landscape displays, potted plants, shrubs, trees, gardening supplies, and entertainment. This is the 14th Annual Festival and it gets bigger each year.
Admission is $3 and free for kids 6 & under.
For more information: www.idalee.org or call 703.777.1368.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is March 12 for the March 15 edition of this enewsletter.
Back To Top
Washington Gardener Enews readers are reporting some signs of Spring finally.
Common across the region are pansies, snowdrops, crocus, hellebores, and winter aconite.
Also seen in some warmer spots are early daffodils (February Gold), dwarf iris, witch hazel, cornelian cherry, and even a vinca bloom or two.
One of our readers even has a hyacinth bulb in bloom. They are in a very sunny location in DC.
In my own garden I have a primrose (primula vulgaris) ready to open, along with Erica carnia heather and winter jasmine both still blooming since January. At right is a snowdrop photo I took in the storm we had on March 8.
Let us know what is blooming in your garden during this next month. Please include your name, city, state, plant(s), and the dates of bloom. You may also send low-res digital images. Send to editor@washingtongardener.com by April 12 and we??™ll note it in our April 15 issue.
Back To Top
March To-Do List
Spring is just around the corner. Pick and choose from the following list and do them as time, w
42150/74578_treeball.jpg
ination allows.
- Cut your Daffodils for indoor bouquets ??“ do not combine daffs with other flowers in one vase. They give off a toxic substance they may kill your other blooms off prematurely.
- Weed by hand to avoid disturbing newly forming roots.
- Soil preparation ??“ add lime, compost, etc. as needed.
- Walk your garden ??“ look for early signs of fungal disease.
- Divide perennials and herbs.
- Fertilize new growth.
- Plant and prune roses.
- Transplants small trees and shrubs.
- Buy or check on your store summer bulbs (such as dahlias and caladiums). Pot them and start to water, if you want to give them an early start on the season.
- If you started seeds last month, thin them and start the hardening off process.
- Start some more seeds ??“ especially try flowering annuals like impatiens and petunias.
- Prune fruit trees as their buds are swelling. Check for dead and diseased wood to prune out. Cut a few branches for indoor forcing, if desired. (See last issue for forcing direction.)
- Build a raised bed for vegetables. Add lots of manure and compost.
- Buy an indoor plant to liven up your office space. Try an orchid or African violet.
- Start fertilizing your indoor plants.
- Cut back and clear out the last of your perennial beds and ornamental grasses.
- Mulch beds with a light hand.
- Feed birds and provide nesting materials (try dryer lint) as well as houses for the start of their family season.
- Plant a tree for Arbor Day. Arbor Day comes on different dates in different states.
In our area it is the first Wednesday in April for Maryland, Virginia has it on the second Friday in April, and DC has it on the last Friday in April.
In addition, many local groups and towns have their own celebrations. See National Arbor Day Foundation for more on how to celebrate Arbor Day.
Try and use the next month as a jumpstart for your spring gardening by accomplishing a few of these projects now.
Back To Top
Barry Glick of Sunshine Farm & Gardens is offering FREE DOUBLE HELLEBORES.
He needs your help in naming his new line of Hellebores.
Go to Sunfarm.com and give it a shot.
There are 82 selections to vote on so see what inspires you.
Barry says, "Nothing too gooey please, and brilliance, wit, and tongue-in-cheek humor will be given top priority.
And when we do choose a name for each plant, if you were the lucky soul to have provided it, you'll receive a free 4" pot of that plant. In the event of a tie, the earliest entry will be the winner."
This contest will exist in perpetuity as he will be continually adding plants.
It will end for each particular plant when that plant becomes available in quantity and they need to finalize a name.
Feel free to stuff the ballot box. Voting is pretty easy ??” just click on "Name Me" and fill out the brief form and hit Submit.
You can then click on "Name Another Hellebore" and it will take you back to the images and fill out the form with your info on subsequent entries.
Good luck! Let us know if any of you Washington Gardener readers is ever a winner! We want to brag about you great area gardeners.
Back To Top
Next Issue
The April issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Testing Your Soil.
Subscribe to our magazine:
Send a check for $18.00 payable to Washington Gardener magazine to:
Washington Gardener, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Or click on the PayPal link below to subscribe online using a secure credit card transaction.
42150/74574_wgsweatshirt.bmp
ttp://www.cafepress.com/washgardener">
Purchase Washington Gardener Gear:
Newly available! Show your pride in Washington DC and your gardening hobby with new Washington Gardener gear.
Items available include tote bags, organic cotton T-shirts, infant creepers, and much more. They make great gifts.
Visit the Washington Gardener online store today.
Advertise:
Reach Your Customers: Are you a landscape, nursery, or other business trying to
reach Washington DC area gardeners? Why throw away your money to advertise in other publications
that go to 1,000s of other readers that are not in your target market?
Get directly to your most interested potential customers by advertising in
Washington Gardener magazine or enewsletter. Contact advertising@washingtongardener.com for rates and details today.
Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
?©Washington Gardener 2005
Back To Top
|
