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Vol. 1, No. 10 ?? October 15, 2005
In This Issue:
Bulb Planting Tips
Garden Blogs
October 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.
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Bulb Planting Tips
Our November/December issue is now on its way to the printer. In this issue is: a profile of 2005 Perennial of the Year - the Hellebore, Attracting Birds to Your Yard, a Daytrip to River Farm, and much more. By the way, if you have not already subscribed to the magazine, we urge you to do so today. Treat yourself or a friend to a year??s worth of DC gardening for just $18. (Less than the cost of two people going to the movies just once!) Please see the Subscription information at bottom of this newsletter.
In our next issue of the magazine (Nov/Dec 2005), we'll have a more indepth primer on bulb planting, but we'd thought we'd do a quick overview here for those itching to get started this weekend.
First, when you shop for bulbs, pick healthy bulbs ?? size does matter for big blooms next spring. Look for those that are firm and without blemish or fungal rot.
Select your planting areas. Think where you will best see them early next spring and consider weaving them among perennials so as they grow up in late spring the dying bulb foilage will be disguised.
In general, plant your bulbs in holes three-times their height and make sure the "pointy-end" is facing up. Refill the hole and water well. Remove any bulb debris so as not to attract squirrels.
When to plant is always the biggest question for our area. Getting them in anytime between now and Election Day is optimal. You may wait until Thanksgiving in our warmer regions, but I would not go too far past that!
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
Garden Photography Using a Digital Camera
October 21 OR October 22, 8:00am-12:00noon
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
Learn how to make compelling digital photos of plants and gardens with an automatic or SLR-type digital camera. Following a slide-show review of basic digital camera features and controls and principles of exposure and composition, participants will practice what they have learned by taking photos in and around the Conservatory. Writer and photographer, Sandy Webber, will answer general questions about taking digital pictures and provide hands-on assistance and feedback. Participants should be very familiar with their camera controls and bring both the instruction manual and fresh batteries to class.
Fee: $60. Preregistration is required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
Fall Color in Olmsted Woods
October 27, 10:00am
Meet at the George Washington Statue on Pilgrim Road in back of the Cathedral, N.W., Washington, D.C.
On this tour of the woods, participants will focus on autumn interest, with particular attention to native trees and shrubs. Please wear sturdy shoes. Since the restoration of the woods includes groundcovers, shrubs and trees attractive to birds and other wildlife, binoculars are recommended.
Fee: $0/Free. Reservations not required.
For more information: call 202.966.3362 or cathedral.org.
Historic Congressional Cemetery BayScapes
October 29, 9:00am-12:00noon
Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St., SE, Washington, DC
Volunteers are needed to help BayScape the Historic Congressional Cemetery with the lliance for the Chesapeake Bay. BayScapes are low maintenance landscapes that use native plant species to help contribute to cleaner water. Come find out how these native plants use less fertilizer, pesticides, and watering as we plant this demonstration garden. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get muddy. Meet up by the back porch of the gatehouse. Tools, light gloves, and refreshments provided.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration required.
For more information: 410.377.6270 or email kdowling@acb-online.org.
Landscape Design Strategies for the Eco-Savvy Gardener
November 5, 9:00am-4:00pm
US National Arboretum, Admin. Building, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Whether experienced or a novice, the challenge for a present-day gardener is to be a naturalist with a ???waste not, want not??? ecological commitment: a caretaker of the environmental community. Join Sylvia Hoehns Wright to learn design strategies that respect an existing vista and preserve and enhance its health. Wright teaches that for any style garden, plants should not be selected simply to provide contrast of structure, texture, and color, but to make an environmental contribution.
Sylvia is Washington Gardener magazine's regular "EcoSavvy" columnist.
Fee: $79. Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.245.2726 or www.usna.usda.gov
Beautify Langdon Park Memorial Grove
November 12, 9:00am-1:00pm
Meet at 18th Street and Hamlin Street, NE, Washington, DC
Join Casey Trees to help beautify River Terrace Park in Ward 5 with dozens of new trees. Tools, refreshments, and instruction will be provided. No experience necessary.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is required.
For more information: call 202.833.4010 x109 or www.caseytrees.org
MD and PA
The Beauty of Bark
October 21, 10:00-11:30am
Brookside Gardens, Visitor's Center, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD
The trunks of deciduous trees and shrubs have great aesthetic value of their own after leaves drop away??¦ attractive peeling characteristics, colorful mottling, contrasting stripes, winged or corky ridges, even some thorny holdovers from the past. All these are revealed in this slide presentation focusing attention on the value of unusual barks in the wintertime.
Fee: $5. Registration is required.
For more information: 301.962.1400 or www.brooksidegardens.org.
Pumpkin Carving Weekend
October 22-23, 10:00am??4:00pm
Behnke Nurseries' Beltsville, MD location
Choose your own pumpkins, and a design from the dozens we have on file ?? from easy to challenging and everything in between! We??ll show you how to transfer the design and carve like a pro ?? it??s easy if you have the right tools, and we do!
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.behnkes.com or call 301.937.1100.
Fall is for Planting Seminar: Transplanting
October 27, 6:00-7:00pm
Homestead Gardens, 743 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD
Fall is the best time to transplant in the garden. Gene Sumi will discuss proper techniques of transplanting perennials, trees, and shrubs.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is required.
For more information: www.homesteadgardens.com or call: 410.798.5000.
VA and WV
Goodness Gracious! Great Blooms of Fire
October 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd., Norfolk, VA
Learn more about plants and gardening from our experts. Join the professional horticultural staff as they share their knowledge and experience and inspire new ideas for your own garden. Melissa Butler, Curator of Herbaceous Plants, leads you on a discovery of red-hot fiery blooms to create a warm welcoming palette of intense color for every season.
Fee: $12. Registration is required.
For more information: www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org or call 757.441.5830 ext. 346.
Saving Your Treasures - Overwintering Tender Perennials and Tropicals
October 22, 9:30-11:30am
Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA
Tired of spending money each year on tender perennials that die when a frost hits the garden? Some plants are easy to snip and reproduce; others can be dug and stored. Learn simple, successful propagation and storage techniques. The class begins in the gardens taking cuttings of selected plants, digging bulbs and dismantling containers. After cuttings are collected, bulbs unearthed and rhizomes revealed, return to the work area and learn how to successfully overwinter your garden treasures. We'll even share some of our treasures with you!
Fee: $18. Registration is required.
For more information: www.greenspring.org or call 703.642.5173.
Gardening with Children
October 29, 10:00am
Merrifield Garden Center, Fair Oaks Location, 12101 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA
Get your children involved with gardening! It??s great fun, healthy and could be the beginning of a lifelong hobby. This class includes a presentation and a project to share with your child ages 6 ?? 12. Class size is limited.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is required.
For more information: www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/ or call 703.968.9600.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is November 12 for the November 15 edition of this enewsletter.
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What's Blooming
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For the past few weeks, we've been in a serious drought that we hope is ending with today's rain. The deficit of water was caused many local gardens and lawns to go brown, but we still have many blooms hanging on. Following are lists submitted by some of our readers of blooms during the week of September 4 working our way from north to south.
Ursula Sukinik of North Bethesda, MD, has: Begonia 'Dragon Wing Red,' Begonia gradensis, Calendula, Callicarpa D. ???Issai??? (berries), Canna x generalis, Caryopteris ???Sunshine Blue,?? Clemartis paniculata, Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam,' Eupatorium Rugosum ???Chocolate,?? Helianthus tuberosus, Hydrangea 'annabel,' Hydrangea quercifolia, Hypericum perforatum- berries, Impatiens, Lablab purpureus, Lantana, Lonicera sempervirens, Nicotiana ???Sylvestris,?? Nicotiana alata 'Lime Green,' Otocanthis ???Caribbean Blue,?? Oxalis regnellii 'Triangularis,' Passiflora ???Waterloo Blue,?? Pentas spp, Persicaria microsephala ???red dragon,?? Physostegia virginiana, Plumbago auriculata, rosa' knock out,' Rosa Meidiland Meicoublan, Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue,' Sedumn ???Autumn Joy,?? Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks,'
and Tricyrtis formosana.
In your editor's own garden in my Silver Spring/DC/Takoma Park border site are: Alyssum, Anise Hyssop, Anemone, Balsam, Black-eyed Susan, Buddlea butterfly bush, Cosmos (pictured above), Crepe Myrtle, Four-o-clocks, Gallardia, Geranium, Goldenrod, Impatiens, Lavender, Marigolds, Mums, Nicotiana, Obedient Plant, Petunias, Pansies, Rhododendron, Rose ?? mutabilis, Russian sage, Sedum Autumn Joy, Snapdragon, Sunflowers, Verbena on a stick, Vinca ?? annual, Wiegelia, and Zinnias.
Stacey Marien in AU Park, Washington, DC, has: Anemone - Richard Ahrends, Blanket Flower, Butterfly Bush, California Poppies - orange, Chrysanthemum - Hillside Pink Sheffield, Conefowers, Coreopsis - Sweet Dreams, Geraniums ?? red, Guara - Whirling Butterflies (a 2nd time around for blooming), Impatiens, Lavender ?? Hidcote, Pineapple Sage - lovely red flowers, Rosemary - lovely pale blue flowers, Roses - David Austin, Tess of the D'Urberville, Russian Sage, Sedum - Autumn Joy, and Zinnias.
Sheryl Hovey of Oakton, VA, lists:
Annuals & Tropicals Alyssum, Sweet - Lobularia maritime, Celosia, Coleus, Dahlias, windowbox and Thumbelina, Four-o'clocks or Marvel of Perus - Mirabilis jalapa, Fuschias, Gerber Daisies, Honeysuckle vine, Impatiens, Jasmine - star and confederate, Mandevilla 'Alice du Pont,?? Marigolds - french, Million Bells ?? Calibrachoa, Moonflower vine - Ipomoea alba, Morning glories, Pentas, Petunias, Portulacas, Torenias, Tropical hibiscus, Verbenas, Vincas, and Zinnias.
Perennials, Vines & Subshrubs Asters, Balloon Flowers, Blue Lobelia, Butterfly Bushes, Clematis ?? Violacea, Garden Mums, Golden Rod, Hardy Ageratum, Johnny-Jumpups, Mimulas - Monkey flower, Monarda/Bee Balm ?? on the wane, Obedient plant -Physostegia virginiana, Phlox, Plumbago, Rudbeckia, Roses - Floribunda, shrub & miniature, Sedum 'Autumn Joy,?? and Toad Lily - Tricyrtis formosana.
Let us know what is blooming in your garden during the week of November 6. Please include your name, city, state, and plant list. You may also send low-res digital images. Send to editor@washingtongardener.com by November 12 and we??ll note it in our November 15 issue.
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October To-Do List
First came the drought - then the floods. It looks like for the next week it will finally be good gardening weather.
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asks from the following list to do the next few weekends.
- Leave seedheads on black-eyed susans, echinacea, and thistles for the birds to enjoy.
- Check for bagworms, pick off, bag, and dispose of them.
- Dig up and store potatoes in a cool, dark spot.
- Continue to divide and transplant perennials.
- Rake leaves and gather in compost piles.
- Pick pumpkins at a local pick-your-own farm or visit a local farmer's market.
- Cut garden herbs and hang to dry in cool, dry place indoors.
- Start feeding birds to get them in the habit for this winter.
- Attend a local garden club meeting.
- Mulch strawberry beds for winter.
- Turn your compost pile weekly and don't let it dry out. Work compost into your planting beds.
- Plant evergreens for winter interest.
- Weed.
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs.
- Sow wildflower seeds, such as California Poppies, for next spring.
- Collect dried flowers and grasses for an indoor vase.
- Clean and store your garden tools.
- Lightly fertilize indoor plants.
- Pot up Paper Whites and Amaryllis for holiday blooming.
- Check all vines that they are securely tied for winter's cold winds.
- Collect plant seeds for next year's planting and for trading.
- Pull out spent summer annuals.
- Water evergreens and new plantings to keep them hydrated this winter.
- Plant hardy mums and fall season annuals.
- Fertilize your lawn and re-seed if needed.
- Dig up bulbs from your Gladiolus, cut off foilage, dry for a week, and then store for the winter.
- Transplant trees and shrubs.
Keep an eye out for the first frost date. In Zone 6, it is expected between September 30 ?? October 30 and in Zone 7 it is predicted between October 15 ?? November 15.
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Garden Blogs
Washington Gardener has a new BLOG. What is a blog? It is a kind of online web site that allows you to post in a journal format and can allow feedback from your blog visitors as well. Our blog address is: washingtongardener.blogspot.com. We post several times a week and our overall subject is behind-the-scenes at putting together a gardening magazine.
Blogs are easy to start and highly addictive. Several services offer blog sites for free, such as www.livejournal.com and www.blogspot.com.
We encourage you to start your own blog. If you are already taking digital photos of your garden or keeping a garden journal by hand, you??ll find the transition very easy. If you??ve never done any garden journal before, now is the time to start. You??ll wonder why you didn??t do it sooner!
Here are some sample blogs from other DC area gardeners to get you inspired:
Do you have a DC area garden blog? Let us know and we??ll link to you! Please feel free to link to the Washington Gardener blog from yours.
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Next Issue
The November issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Composting.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
?©Washington Gardener 2005
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