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Vol. 1, No. 11 ??” November 15, 2005
In This Issue:
Composting Indoors?
Gardening in Small Spaces
November 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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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.
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Composting Indoors?
Our November/December issue is out now. This issue includes: 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.
Washington Gardener magazine makes a great holiday gift for the gardeners in your life!
Here is an interesting article submitted by Mark Smallwood of MOM's ??” My Organic Market:
Many people in Washington, DC, don??™t even have a yard so there is no possibility of a garden, right? Wrong! You can bring a little of the plant world indoors and have a successful home garden. Indoor plants actually help to clean our air and gardening is a proven stress reliever.
The key to growing a beautiful indoor garden is developing compost to keep the soil healthy. While there are expensive compost products on the market, making your own compost bin is quicker, easier, and cheaper:
- Buy a small container or bin for storing the compost. It can be as fancy or as dull as you??™d like, but be sure to find something inexpensive and unobtrusive. If the size is small enough that you can store it in a windowsill ??” even better. You??™ll need to expose the materials to oxygen so they can aerate and decompose easily.
- Use soil to line the bottom of the container. Then add other organic materials to form another layer. You can use shredded newspaper, leaves, branches, dead plants (from failed gardening experiments), fruit and vegetable remains, eggshells, or even coffee grinds. Alternate layers between soil and organic materials.
- Place it in the windowsill and let it sit. You can add more to it as time progresses, but all you have to do is allow the materials to decompose over time. It??™s that simple. Occasionally, you may want to aerate the soil by turning it once in a while (you may use a small object for this like a utensil or a small stick, depending on how large your compost pile is). You have no need to pack the soil down in the container; the decomposition will take care of that function naturally.
Once your compost is ready to use, add small amounts to the soil in your indoor garden. You??™ll be surprised at how healthy your plants become! Compost adds nutrients to plant soil, retains water during dry periods, and drains water during humid periods. Plus, composting minimizes the presence of diseases, weeds, and the need for pesticides. Moreover, compost is a great way to recycle and be kind to the environment. So, when caring for your indoor garden, don??™t forget to keep a small compost pile handy. Its low maintenance and the results will bring the beauty of nature to your metro DC home.
Any more questions about composting or gardening in general? Contact Mark Smallwood from My Organic Market (MOM??™s) at 571.344.8157 or mark@myorganicmarket.com. Scott Nash started MOM's in 1987 at the age of 22 out of his mother's garage in Beltsville, MD, with an initial investment of $100. MOM's #1 priority is to provide only the highest quality 100% organic fresh fruits and vegetables and guaranteed lowest prices on packaged brand name products. MOM's stores have a specially designed process to ensure the highest quality organic produce, which includes various prepping, displaying, handling/storage, and rotating procedures. MOM's has stores located in Rockville and College Park, MD, and in Alexandria, VA, and is a founding member of Clean
Energy Partnership. For more information about MOM's locations and store information, please visit www.myorganicmarket.com.
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
Return of the Titan - BREAKING NEWS!
On display now
Target bloom date is Thanksgiving, November 24
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
A rare, stinky event is about to happen ??” again! A gigantic plant, Amorphophallus titanum (commonly known as ???titan arum???), is about to bloom! As ???Botanical Partners on the Mall,??? the Smithsonian and the USBG
agreed that the Conservatory provides the optimal environment (very warm, bright, and humid) for the plant to
bloom, so it was brought from the Smithsonian Department of Botany Research Greenhouses in Suitland, MD on
the morning of Tuesday, November 8. Horticulturists from the two institutions estimate that the titan arum
probably will bloom by Thanksgiving Day, November 24. Raised from seed, this will be the first time ever that this
plant has bloomed. Once fully open, it may remain in bloom for 24 to 48 hours, and then it will collapse quickly. Pictured here is the Smithsonian's Titan Arum. (The photo is ?©USBG.)
Fee: $0/Free. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
Season's Greetings from the National Mall ??” Holiday Trains Arrive
November 24 - January 8, 10:00am-5:00pm
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, foot of the U.S. Capitol
Catch a holiday express! When this year??™s trains arrive for the opening of the holiday exhibit, the Garden Court will have
been transformed into a replica of the National Mall, one of our most treasured national parks. The entire landscape, including all
buildings, will be made of natural plant materials, such as different types of bark, cones, and seed pods.
The U.S. Botanic Garden's spectacular holiday horticultural displays will include hundreds of seasonal
blooming plants throughout the Conservatory, and an all?©e of conifers will greet holiday visitors as they
enter the building. A majestic Fraser fir tree, decorated in tones of blue, silver, red, and gold, will be the
magnificent centerpiece of the holiday display.
Fee: $0/Free. Preregistration is not required.
For more information: call 202.226.4082 or www.usbg.gov
Bird Walk in Olmsted Woods
December 8, 9:00am
Meet at the George Washington Statue on Pilgrim Road in back of the Cathedral, N.W., Washington, D.C.
As Olmsted Woods undergoes restoration, a guiding principle is the inclusion of groundcovers, shrubs and trees attractive to birds and other wildlife. Please join experienced birder Sheila Cochran as she leads the way. Wear sturdy shoes and don??™t forget your binoculars. Kindly leash all pets. (Program cancelled in the event of heavy rain.)
Fee: $0/Free. Reservations not required.
For more information: call 202.966.3362 or cathedral.org.
Washington Gardener magazine's first annual Seed Exchange
January 28, 12:30-4:00pm
US National Arboretum, Admin. Building main auditorium, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC
Washington Gardener magazine is hosting its first ever "live" seed exchange in partnership with the U.S. National Arboretum. Expert speakers will include Washington Post columnist Scott Aker. Door prizes. Planting tips. More details soon. Save your seeds and save the date!
Fee: to be determined. Registration is not required.
For more information: call 202.245.2726 or www.usna.usda.gov
MD and PA
Forcing Bulbs for the Holidays
November 16, 7:00-8:00pm
Homestead Gardens, 743 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD
Homestead Gardens' Perennial Department will show you how to force Amaryllis or Paperwhite bulbs to bloom indoors just in time for the Winter Holidays. Fee includes supplies. Participants should bring gloves and a trowel. This class size is limited.
Fee: $15 ($14.50 Garden Club members). Registration is required.
For more information: www.homesteadgardens.com or call: 410.798.5000.
Holiday Open House
December 2, 6:00??“9:00pm
Behnke Nurseries' Beltsville, MD location
Wreath Decorating, Poinsettia Coloring, Door Prizes, Music and Fun for all.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.behnkes.com or call 301.937.1100.
The Classic Wreath
December 3, 10:00am-12:00noon
Brookside Gardens, Visitor's Center, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD
Anne Brooks of Hollywalk Nursery teaches this hands-on workshop. Greet your guests and neighbors with
a unique Christmas wreath using fragrant, freshly cut, choice greens such as
variegated boxwood and holly, gold and blue Chamaecyparis and Japanese
umbrella pine. Mix with juniper, spruce and white pine and add your
choice of nuts, pods, cones, and clusters of fresh holly berries topped with
a bow to create a beautiful doorway. All materials provided.
Fee: $40. Registration is required.
For more information: 301.962.1400 or www.brooksidegardens.org.
VA and WV
LUNCH & LEARN Camellias ??“ The Winter Rose
November 18, 12:30-1:30pm
Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd., Norfolk, VA
Bring your brown bag or reserve our box lunch* and sit in on this exciting new series.
This season, spend one lunch hour a month learning how to be a better gardener from NBG gardeners sharing tips and ideas.
The Doctor is in! NBG's Plant Doctor is available immediately following the Lunch & Learn programs in Baker Hall Visitor Center.
Fee: $10 ($4 for NBG Members). Registration is required.
*Box Lunches: $10 / must be pre-ordered
For more information: www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org or call 757.441.5830 ext. 346.
Holiday Design
November 19, 10:00am
Merrifield Garden Center, Fair Oaks Location, 12101 Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA
Beautify your home for the holidays with creative and festive decorating ideas from Floral Designer Peg Bier. This class will show you how to enhance your home for the holidays, and teach you how to make those famous Merrifield bows.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is required.
For more information: www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/ or call 703.968.9600.
"Art In The Garden" Opening Reception
December 4, 1:00-3:00pm
Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA
Artists Erik and Caroline Hottenstein display their works at Historic Green Spring from November 1-January 6. Please join them for an Opening Reception.
Fee: $0/Free. Registration is not required.
For more information: www.greenspring.org or call 703.642.5173.
To submit an event for this listing, please contact: editor@washingtongardener.com.
Our next deadline is December 12 for the December 15 edition of this enewsletter.
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The lists are much shorter than previous ones, but those annuals are still hanging in there and providing color bursts. Most are saying the tree leaves are very late this year to change color and drop. Here is what as in bloom the week of November 7:
Jim Dronenburg of Knoxville, MD, has: Aster cordifolius, Buddleias, Bulbine (bedding plant), Chrysanthemums, Clerodendrum trichotomum, Corydalis lutea, Corydalis ochrolucea, Daphne xtransatlantica 'Summer Ice'- received as D. caucasica, Hamamelis virginiana, Impatiens (no frost here yet), Roses - various, Salvia greggii, Salvia koyamae, and Tricyrtis lost-its-label
In your editor's own garden in my Silver Spring/DC/Takoma Park border site are: Alyssum, Aster monch, Black-eyed Susan, Buddlea butterfly bush, Cosmos, Gallardia, Geranium, Impatiens, Lavender, Marigolds, Mums including Sheffield Pink, Pansies, Petunias, Rhododendron, Rose campion, Snapdragon, Sunflowers, Verbena on a stick, Vinca ??“ annual, and Zinnias.
Pictured here is some seasonal color interest from the garden of Carole Galati in Silver Spring, MD.
Let us know what is blooming in your garden during the week of December 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 December 15 issue.
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Washingon Gardener Gear Holiday Special: Free Shipping until 12/6!
T-shirts, totes, mugs, infant creepers, hats, mouse pads, and more!
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November To-Do List
The busy holiday season is about to start,
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in your garden:
- Collect plant seeds for next year's planting and for trading.
- Turn off outdoor water valve and store hoses.
- Store terra cotta pots in shed or protected areas.
- Prune and mulch hybrid tea roses.
- Harvest last of your vegetables and till compost into the beds.
- Plant garlic for harvest next spring.
- Force spring bulbs for indoor blooms this January by potting them up, watering thoroughly, and placing them in your vegetable crisper for 10 weeks.
- Remove this year's fruiting raspberry canes down to the ground from raspberries.
- Clean out your ponds and compost annual plants. Move hardy plants to deeper water. Cover with netting to block falling leaves.
- Clean, sharpen, and store your garden tools.
- Reduce fertilizing of indoor plants.
- Set up a humidifier for indoor plants or at least place in pebble trays.
- Vacuum up any ladybugs that come in the house.
- Rotate houseplants to promote even growth.
- Pot up Paper Whites and Amaryllis for holiday blooming.
- Water evergreens and new plantings to keep them hydrated this winter.
- Fertilize your lawn and re-seed if needed.
- Transplant trees and shrubs.
- 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.
- Start feeding birds to get them in the habit for this winter.
- Attend a local garden club meeting.
- Turn your compost pile weekly and don't let it dry out. Work compost into your planting beds.
- Plant evergreens for winter interest.
- Weed.
Take a break from holiday stress to enjoy your garden.
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Gardenin
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A new, free ebook called Gardening in Small Spaces is now available. It is a nicely illustrated booklet telling gardeners how to make the most of smaller sites. Aimed at beginning to intermediate gardeners, It gives design ideas along with hints on soil prep and container
possibilities. Here is an excerpt:
When your space is small, think deep and tall. Deep is for the soil: a deep rich soil that retains water will support
more plants in a smaller surface area. If you have no soil, large, deep containers can be brought in. Tall is for the height of the plants.
When you fill the perimeters of your garden with plants you see at eye level, the view seems complete, and a shortage of horizontal
surface area is less relevant. Compact sources of eye-level color are plants that trail down from hanging baskets, plants that are tall
and narrow, such as vines climbing on trellises, tall perennials such as the hollyhocks shown here, tall shrubs or fruit trees pruned or
espaliered against a wall, and numerous smaller plants stacked on a tiered wall, tower, or pyramid.
To receive the full booklet, send an email to bbmackey@prodigy.net and specify the Gardening in Small Spaces offer from Washington Gardener Enews. The file size is 1,383 KB and the file name is smallgardens.pdf. To open a PDF, you will need to have Adobe (Acrobat) Reader software loaded on your computer. This software is free as well and you can download it at www.Adobe.com.
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Next Issue
The December issue of Washington Gardener Enews will cover Orchid Growing.
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
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Great gift idea! 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 holiday gifts.
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Edited by Kathy Jentz
Contact: editor@washingtongardener.com or 301.588.6894.
?©Washington Gardener 2005
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