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Vol. 1, No. 4 ?? April 15, 2005
In This Issue:
Testing Your Soil
New Local Radio Show
April 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.
Testing Your Soil
By now, must of you have seen the campaign by the Chesapeake Bay Program asking you to fertilize your lawn only in the fall. They've given up on appealing to your environmental sensitivity and gone straight for your taste buds and stomach. Whatever their tactics, we applaud their efforts to educate the public. But it goes far beyond on the "fertilize in fall" simplicity.
First, you must know what, if anything, your lawn and garden needs to grow and thrive. Without that knowledge you can be adding more of what it already has, but still not giving it what it needs ?? a waste of your time and money and adding to the groundwater/bay runoff pollution problem. That leads us to a soil test. It is the only accurate way to know exactly what your soil needs. Here is how to get a soil test in the DC area ??
Virginia residents: You can obtain free soil sample boxes and soil sample information sheets from your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office locations listed at: www.ext.vt.edu, certain agribusinesses, and garden centers. For just $7 for VA residents ($10.50 for out-of-state), they'll tell you your lawn/garden soil's pH, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and calcium levels plus the amount of boron. For $3 ($4.50 out-of-state) more, you can have your sample tested for the amount of organic matter present. They can also test for soluble salts for another $3 ($4.50 out-of-state). Virginia does NOT test for lead or nitrogen.
Finally, the Virginia extension web site has an excellent how-to lesson that walks you through the steps of soil testing at www.ext.vt.edu/pubs.
Maryland residents: Unfortunately, the soil testing program was cut by Governor Ehrlich and was discontinued as of June 2003. The state is now referring residents to other regional soil testing labs. Here is a listing: www.agnr.umd.edu. You can also use the Virginia test at the out-of-state rates.
Washington, DC: Bad news for DC residents as well. ???As of 2004 we no longer offers soil tests,??? says Sandy Farber, ANR Extension Agent ?? Horticulture, University of the District of Columbia, Cooperative Extension Service. Sandy now refers residents to A & L Agricultural Laboratories. She advises them to get lead and arsenic tests done as well if you plan on growing any edibles in your garden.
You may also be concerned about high lead or arsenic levels if children and others are spending long periods of time outside digging in your yard. In addition, if you have a pool, she suggests you get a chlorine test to detect any possible leakage from that into your soil. Sandy cautions that any test results you get must be disclosed by law during any real estate sale. Finally, Sandy says the land grant college (Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware) soil tests are great, but they may take up to a month to get back to you during the busy growing season. She says try private labs for speedier results.
You can also purchase soil test kits at your local nursery or home improvement center. Several companies offer soil testing by mail order or through their web sites. Here is one to get you started: AgriEnergy Resources. For $24 their test Includes: Soluble tests ( Morgan Extract) for calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Ammonium Acetate Test for calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, boron, organic matter, pH, and conductivity. They also offer several other specific tests for the serious organic gardener or farmer such as for heavy minerals (lead), chlorides, microbes, soybean cyst nematodes, etc.
In the GardenBasics column of our Washington Gardener May/June issue, we'll be addressing how to amend and improve your soil once you get those soil test results back.
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
Azalea Collection Twilight Tour
April 20, 24, 27 and May 8 from 5-6:30pm
Administration Building Auditorium, United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Enjoy the ethereal beauty of azaleas in full bloom and learn the history of the collection at the U.S. National Arboretum during this after-hours stroll with curator Barbara Bullock.
Fee: $7. Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.245.4523 or www.usna.usda.gov
Dumbarton Oaks Garden and Landscape Symposium
May 4-7
Dumbarton Oaks, 1703 32nd Street, NW, Washington, DC
Cosponsored this year by the U.S. Botanic Garden. Titled 'Existence and Experience in Contemporary Garden Design,' the symposium this year will focus on contemporary garden designers from various countries around the world. Contemporary garden design receives little attention from art critics - even less than landscape design, "land art," or "earthworks." But the specificity of garden art and design deserves scholarly scrutiny since it reveals aspects of the art world outside museums, art galleries, or university art departments. This symposium will examine the work of contemporary designers and how their designs provide new aesthetic experiences in the garden.
Fee: $175. Pre-registration is required.
To register, call Dumbarton Oaks at 202.339.6460 or visit www.doaks.org
Identify Wildflowers the Newcomb??s Way
May 14, 10am-12:30pm
United States National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Join curator Joan Feely at the U.S. National Arboretum to learn basic botanical terminology and how to identify a wide array of native flowering plants using Newcomb??s Wildflower Guide. Bring your own Newcomb??s or borrow one of ours. A magnifying glass or hand lens will be helpful.
Fee: $15. Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.245.4523 or www.usna.usda.gov
Six Plants We Can't Live Without
NEW Garden Court Permanent Exhibit
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
Human dependence on plants for food, clothing, and shelter is fundamental to the success and survival of civilized society. But, much of our population is remote from agricultural crop production or the global trade that results in the distribution of food and other products. In March, six new dramatic illustrations that tell the visual stories of corn, cocoa, citrus, cotton, tea and rice will be permanently installed in the Garden Court. From farms around the world to your home, these stories remind us that our quality of life depends on the sharing of earth??s bounties.
Free. Registration is not required.
To register, call the U.S. Botanic Garden at 202.226.4082 or visit www.usbg.gov
MD<
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Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - #S49
April 16, 1:00pm
Behnke Nurseries' Beltsville location, second floor Assembly Room
Dave Culp, Sunny Border Nurseries, discusses all of the ???Perennial Plants of the Year??? and improved varieties now available.
Free. Registration recommended.
For more information: 301.937.1100 or www.behnkes.com.
Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 30, 12noon-4pm
Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, MD
Story time for kids. Down-home music by the "Cider-Press Boys." Hayrides. Falconry demonstration. Exhibits. Free trees.
Free. Registration recommended.
For more information: 301.650-2620 or www.mncppc.org.
Earth Day ???The Big Pull???
Saturday, April 23, 10:30am??2pm
The playground at the intersection of Flower Ave and Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring, MD
The local watershed group, Friends of Sligo Creek, is hosting the official launch of its project to remove invasive plant species in partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC). To achieve this goal the group is planning a fun-filled family event that will include nature walks, local musicians, children??s activities, and remarks by elected officials and agencies. The event will culminate with ???The Big Pull???, as the entire group attempts to remove massive infestation of the invasive porcelain berry vine.
Free. Registration not required.
For more information: 240.893.8143 or www.fosc.org.
???Wings of Fancy??? Live Butterfly Show
Saturday, May 7 through Sunday, September 18, from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily
Brookside Gardens South Conservatory, Wheaton, MD
Be surrounded by butterflies flying freely amidst a colorful garden of tropical flowering nectar plants. Learn about the butterfly life cycle. Observe exotic tropical butterflies from Costa Rica in addition to species native to North America.
Fee: Fees: $4 adults; $3 ages 3-12 . Registration not required.
For more information: 301.962.1400 or visit www.brooksidegardens.org.
VA
Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
Saturday, April 17, 10am-6pm & Sunday, April 18, 10am-5pm
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.
Green Spring Garden Markets
Saturdays, April 16, 23, 30, and May 7, 9am??1pm
Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA
Green Spring has invited a select group of local growers to provide you with shrubs, native plants and wildflowers, ornamental grasses, unusual perennials, plants for shade and more.
On Saturday, May 14, 9am - 3pm is the Garden Day Plant Sale
Over 40 vendors of rare and unusual plants, including the Virginia Native Plant Society, descend on Green Spring Gardens to fill your spring gardening needs! Don??t miss this exciting annual tradition.
Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.greenspring.org or call 703.642.5173.
Vegetable Gardening in Containers
AHS Members-only preview sale from Thursday, April 21, 4-8pm
Open to public Friday, April 22, 9am-6pm, and Saturday, April 23, 9am-3pm
Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA
No space is too small to grow edibles. Cindy Brown, staff horticulturist, will inspire you with container gardens overflowing with edibles. Then she will help you create a container filled with herbs and vegetables to grow at home.
Class fee of $35 includes container, plants, potting soil and instruction. Registration required.
For more information: www.greenspring.
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642.5173.
Spring Plant Sale at River Farm
Friday, April 22, 1-3pm
AHS River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA
This much anticipated annual event, sponsored by the Friends of River Farm, will feature more than 20 vendors selling ???a large selection of unique and hard-to-find native plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals,??? says AHS Horticulturist Peggy Bowers. In addition to plants, gardening tools, accessories, and books will also be on sale. Along with free gardening tips, a garden-related art show, and children's garden.
Free. Registration is not required.
(The photo at right is courtesy of American Horticultural Society.)
For more information: www.ahs.org or call 703.768.5700.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is May 12 for the May 15 edition of this enewsletter.
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It seems spring arrived all in one week here in the DC area. We have all our bulbs blooming at the same time ?? so much for early, mid, and late season schedules!
In Virginia, Sheryl Hovey reports she still has hellebores in full bloom as well as daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and puschkinia (striped squill).
In Maryland, Taffy Turner says, ???My great little species tulips and crocus are coming up -- such interesting blooms. Other bulbs: daffs, hyacinths, and scilla. Also, three different varieties of pulmonaria are blooming.???
In DC, the cherry trees are dazzling, along with forsythia, wild violets, daffodils, hyacinths, muscari, azaleas, vinca, pulmonaria, scilla. Also blooming all at once are redbud, tulip magnolia, Bradford pear, plum, and crabapple trees. Many hostas are sprouting up and are already 6 inches high.
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 May 12 and we??ll note it in our May 15 issue.
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April To-Do List
Spring is finally here! Pick and choose from the following list and do them as t
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inclination allows.
- Divide and transplant summer- and fall-blooming perennials (such as astilbe, aster, bleeding heart, coral bells, daylilies, phlox, and shasta daisies). Perennials will perform best in well-drained soil with plenty of humus.
- Weed. (For inspiration see "evil" dandelion at right and read the indepth WeedWatch article in the March/April issue of Washington Gardener magazine.)
- Drain and clean your pond before water lilies begin to grow.
- Plant new, hardy water lilies or divide your old ones.
- Add a barley ball to keep the water clear.
- Cut off spent bulb blooms immediately, but leave the foliage to die off naturally.
- Set out a rain barrel and rain gauge.
- Mulch garden beds
- Patrol for insect and disease problems
- Prune dead or diseased tree and shrub branches
- Prune evergreens. Cut out any brown tips.
- Prune flowering shrubs AFTER they have finished blooming ?? forsythia, azalea, rhododendron, etc.
- Turn on outside water.
- Check plants for watering needs, especially those in containers or under a roof overhang.
- After last frost date (anywhere between May 1 and May 15 in our region): Purchase annuals and plant containers; Direct sow annual seeds; and, you can harden off indoor seedlings and transplant outside.
- Don't transplant tender summer vegetables until soil warms up. Early-planted summer vegetables often stunt and rot because of damp, cool soils.
- Plant summer flowering bulbs ?? dahlias, glads, lilies, etc.
- Plant your Easter lily outside once the flowers fade.
- Repot anything you??ve wintered over indoors and move outside ?? geraniums, coleus, begonias, etc.
- Put out nesting materials for birds ?? string, dryer lint, cotton, etc.
- Visit a local garden/home tour, garden club plant sale, or other garden event to get some fresh inspiration.
- APRIL IS NATIONAL GARDENING MONTH. Help a young person start a garden. Plant a row for the hungry. Volunteer at a local historical garden. For 101 ideas on how to celebrate, visit www.nationalgardenmonth.org
Watch you do this next month will set the tone for your garden the rest of this year.
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Local Radio Show
Behnke's has a new radio show: ???Garden Gurus.??? They are now every Saturday morning from 9:05-11:00 AM on WMET 1160. They are looking for your area gardening questions. You can call in live to 866.369.1160 or email them in advance to Behnkeradio@behnkes.net.
Host John Peter Thompson is pictured here live on-air broadcasting from the Hotel Washington overlooking the Cherry Blossom Parade last Saturday.
More information at: www.behnkes.com
A few other short notes of interest to area gardeners:
- Borders Books is offering 10% of all home and garden books through April 24.
- Visit the splendors of Italy with the Silver Spring Garden Club of Silver Spring, MD. This September 15-27, the club will tour the gardens of Rome, Florence, and Venice. This is their 11th annual garden tour which includes guided area sight-seeing and time for touring on your own. Stops include the Vatican Gardens, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, tomb of Pope John Paul II, and many more highlights of historical Italy. The deadline for registration May 13. For more information, contact Wendy or Frank of All Ways Travel at 301.571.0400 or email info@allwaystvl.com.
- Virginia Historic Garden Week starts now. Visit www.vagardenweek.org/ for details.
- The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage takes place over the next month. More than 60 homes and historic sites in five counties will be open over
the course of the Pilgrimage All tours are rain or shine and tickets are $25 per day. For information, 410.821.7627 or www.mhgp.org.
- Washington Gardener staff will be attending several upcoming area events. We will be at the Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival, Towson Gardens Day, Baltimore FlowerMart, opening day for Brookside's Wings of Fancy show, the Takoma Park House & Garden Tour, and the Houses & Gardens of Brookland tour. Please stop by our table and say, "Hi!"
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Next Issue
The May issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Direct Sowing Your Seeds.
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Washington Gardener, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
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