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We hope you enjoy this special Garden Festival section, which we’ve distributed free as a supplement to our usual coverage of news, sports, entertainment and events each week. If you already subscribe or get the paper because you are a member of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, thanks for your support.

To those who are not yet subscribers or members: we hope you will support local journalism and community building by becoming a Local subscriber or CHCA member (which includes a subscription). Contact us at (215) 248-8800 or on chestnuthilllocal.com to join today. If you’re on the Avenue at the Garden Festival, meet us in front of Town Hall, 8434 Germantown Ave., and get a special gift when you subscribe.

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Hill to host 22nd annual Home & Garden Festival

by Maddie Clark

E

ven though you’d never know it from the weather, spring arrived more than a month ago. And this weekend, Chestnut Hill will host its annual 2018 Home & Garden Festival, which is sure to remind locals and attendees that it’s time to get out and have some fun in the sun.

On Sunday, May 6, the bustling avenue of Germantown will be closed for the day as more than 150 of the best local vendors and artists take over the town to celebrate the festival’s 22nd birthday. The festival is produced by the Chestnut Hill Business District.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., cars will be blocked from cruising down Germantown Avenue, from the 8000 to 8600 blocks. Between that stretch, local residents and guests alike will have the opportunity to explore some fascinating works of art, new restaurants, garden amenities, and many other knick-knacks and workshops that are sure to catch the eye.

Promptly at 11 a.m., BalletX will be performing on Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue.

Founded in 2005 by Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan the Philadelphia ballet company pushes the boundaries by encouraging formal experimentation while still preserving a traditional and rigorous technique.

This appearance is just one of BalletX’s many pop up performances that they will be continuing with for a remainder of the 2018 calendar year.

As far as the garden aspect of the festival is concerned, there will be (Continued on page 4)

A bird’s eye view of the Chestnut Hill Garden Festival. (Photo by Wendy Concanon)

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Since 1921 Since 1921

We offer exceptionally attractive houses and apartments for rent in Philadelphia's historic Chestnut Hill and W. Mt. Airy neighborhoods.

These properties have been owned and leased through George Woodward Co. since 1921.

For more information please call

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Hill Home & Garden Festival (Continued from page 2)

an array of stationed booths with information on topics such as landscaping, lawn and tree care, garden sculptures and displays, bee keeping demonstrations, flowering baskets and so on.

The home section will cover everything from home design, vendors with hand-crafted furniture, quilts, jewelry, clothing, as well as other art and collectables.

Despite the name, the Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival doesn’t stop there. There will also be a car display featuring Subaru and presented by Glanzmann Subaru.

And for those who want to do a little bit of justifiable spending, Chestnut Hill’s finest boutiques will also be participating in the event.

But in between the various shopping and activities that will be available, some of the area’s best food venues will be ready and waiting for the day’s hungriest customers.

Some of the spots that will be participating include, McNally’s Tavern, Campbell’s Place, Fiesta, Green Soul, Tavern on the Hill, Cin Cin, Osaka and too many more to list.

From classic burgers, pizza slices, and hotdogs to the more upscale Chinese, Italian and Japanese cuisines, guests are sure to find a piece of heaven at every corner. The day’s dessert and other options also include popcorn, soft-baked pretzels, cotton candy, ice cream, funnel cake and assorted baked goods.

Then after a little grub, guests will have the opportunity to check out a few live music performances throughout the day. The performances will feature a variety of genres including classic rock, jazz, top 40s, blues, hip hop, R&B and soul.

The performances will take place on two stages throughout the festival where groups like Jon Savage and the Classic Rockers, The Rich Posmontier Ensemble, Soul City Shakedown and the Dukes of Destiny will be displaying their craft.

While many of the bands specialize in cover tracks, they still manage to put their classic touch on all of their performances. The Rich Posmontier Ensemble was even named “Couples Choice” for 2018 by WeddingWire, the number one wedding site for reviews and information on the industry’s top local vendors.

101.1’s More FM station will even be setting up some activity booths along the avenue as well.

For those who plan to bring their children to this event, don’t worry because there will be plenty of kid friendly activities as well, including face painting, amusement rides, a rock climbing wall, arts and crafts and train rides.

But for anyone who still needs more convincing on the Home & Garden Festival, “Chestnut Hill is a vibrant and welcoming destination,” said Phil Dawson, the executive director of the Chestnut Hill Business District.

And according to Dawson, “our annual Home & Garden Festival provides an opportunity to showcase just how picturesque our urban village can be. From parks and gardens, to boutique shopping and dining, along with our visiting vendors and green experts – this signature event promises a colorful experience for visitors and locals alike.”

More event details can be found at chestnuthillpa.com.

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Morris Arboretum’s new Saturday morning live tour series begins May 5

M

orris Arboretum introduces their new Saturday Morning Live Tour Series on May 5, at 11am. Led by experienced guides, these tours will highlight a different feature of the garden on the first Saturday of each month May through December 2018 at 11am.

The May tour, Small Trees for Small Spaces, will showcase some of the Arboretum’s smaller specimen trees.

Ranging in height from 15 to 30 feet, these trees have many special features, for instance spectacular bark, interesting forms, and great flower and leaf color. One of the many plants highlighted on this tour is Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) noted for its multiple trunks and stunning pea-like, rose-purple flowers. For more information, visit www.morrisarboretum.org. No registration is required. Tour is included with garden admission.

There are many more things to look forward to at the arboretum

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SPRING- MAY • Every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8a.m.-5p.m., Morris Arboretum opens earlier than usual for Early Bird Weekends, from May through September. Everyone is invited. • On May 5, from 11a.m.-3p.m., every first Saturday of the month, Morris Arboretum will host “Nature Playâ€? where people can go and engage with nature whether that is turning over stumps, dancing on tree trunks, where they learn to love nature and come and learn from it. • May 5, from 11a.m.-3p.m., the “Time in the Garden Exhibit Openingâ€? is here. Where artists will showcase their nature work to the public. • On the first Saturday of every month starting on May 5th, the Morris Arboretum will have the “Saturday Morning Live Tour: Small Trees for Small Spacesâ€? from 11a.m.-11:30a.m.. • On May 10, from 12:30p.m.2:30p.m., Morris Arboretum will have a Plant Sale Luncheon for Oak, Laurel, and Collectors Circle Members. • On May 11, 10a.m.-7p.m., Morris Arboretum will host a Plant Sale for Members Only. All members save 10% on their entire Plan Sale purchase and can choose a free dividend plan. Holly members ($250) and above will receive two dividend plants and Collector Circle members will receive a plant of curatorial significance. • On May 12, from 10a.m.3p.m., the Plant Sale will be open to the public. • May 12, from 11a.m.-12p.m., the “Dogs and Barks Tourâ€? will be hosted every other Saturday.

Showcasing dogwoods in their many shapes and forms, to celebrate 2018, the year of the dog. • On May 13, from 9:30a.m.11a.m. and 12p.m.-1:30p.m., the Morris Arboretum will host a “Mother’s Day brunchâ€? prepared by Chef Josh Hunter. Tickets sales start April 1, and prices vary from $34 for member adults, $18 for member children (3-17), $46 for non-member adults, and $23 for non-member children (3-17). The Arboretum will open at 8a.m.. • On May 20th, the Arboretum will host the “Springfield Mills Opening Day Celebrationâ€? from 1p.m.-4p.m.. The historic mill is restored and stone-grinding corn for meal and flour. Live music will be there. • On May 26, the “Garden Railway Seasonal Openingâ€? will be upon us as trains will open daily until Labor Day Monday, Septem(Continued on page 8)

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Arboretum Calendar (Continued from page 6)

Springfield Mills is restored and stone-grinding corn for meal and ber 3, and only on weekends flour. There will be guided tours. through Monday, October 8th.

SUMMER- JUNE • On June 21, from 6:00a.m.SPRING-JUNE • On June 1, from 10:30a.m. to 7:30a.m., the Arboretum will have 11:15a.m., “Storytime at the the “Summer Solstice CelebraArboretum” will be hosted. Where tion”. Where members will gather local librarians will engage in fun and welcome summer at the Garand engaging reading sessions that den Sundial exhibit in the Azalea Meadow. Afterwards, there will be correspond to the seasons.

• On June 13, from 10a.m.- an hour of yoga and meditation for 8p.m., the Arboretum will host the whole family. Only available to pre-registration is “Late Night Nate Wednesdays”, members, every Wednesday. Where people required. can come and enjoy the garden in • On June 30 until July 8, the the evening hours and have a pic- “Garden Railway Circus Week” nic dinner, accompanied by crick- comes to town.

Spring is finally here and so is Morris Arboretum’s annual Plant Sale on Mother’s Day weekend, Friday, May 11, 10am-7pm ets and light by fireflies. (member’s-only), and Saturday, May 12, 10am-3pm (open to the public). This event will feature a wide selection of unusual • On Friday June 8, from 6p.m.- SUMMER- JULY and hard-to-find plants as well as countless gardening staples and expert advice from Arboretum staff. So make your list • From July 14-15, “Thomas and 11p.m., the Arboretum will host and grab your wagon and head to the Horticulture Center at Bloomfield Farm, across the street from the Arboretum’s “Moonlight & Roses”. It’s annual Tank Engine and Friends” comes to public garden. For more information, visit www.morrisarboretum.org. (Photo by Paul Meyer) fundraising gala to support the town as they take over the tracks.

Arboretum’s mission. Food, music, • On July 18, from 6:30p.m.and drinks will be provided. Regis- 8:30p.m., “Commonwealth Classic Theatre presents The Complete tration is required.

Returning to the Plant Sale with • On June 17, from 1p.m.-4p.m. History of America (abridged) pring is finally here and so is ticulture Center at Bloomfield and July 15 same time, “Grist Mill Morris Arboretum’s annual Farm, across the street from the a wide selection are the Delaware Valley Chapter of the North Demonstration Day at Bloomfield Plant Sale on Mother’s Day Arboretum’s public garden.

With Friday as members-only American Rock Garden Society, Farm” is here. Where the historic weekend, members-only on Friday, May 11, 10am-7pm and the public day, it’s the perfect time to become www.dvcnargs.org, and the Greater sale on Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.- a Morris Arboretum member for Philadelphia Chapter of the Amer3 p.m. Shoppers will find a wide first picks on great plants and to ican Rhododendron Society, selection of unusual and hard-to- save 10% on your entire Plant Sale www.gpchapterars.org.

Mark your calendars to join find plants as well as countless gar- purchase. Once again, the Arboredening staples. And throughout tum offers members a free “sur- friends and other gardeners for a the sale, Arboretum horticulturists, prise” dividend that is sure to wonderful selection of plants, and expert advice from Morris Arborewearing red aprons, will be readily excite home gardeners.

On Saturday, the sale is open to tum staff. available to answer questions and make recommendations. The 2018 the public.

Plant Sale will be held at the Hor-

Morris Arboretum Annual Plant Sale, May 11 and 12

S

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2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

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Page 9

Birds of a feather at FOW talks

Extra.

Extra.

Get the Chestnut Hill Local delivered to your mail box and $ave extra time, extra money.

Call 215-248-8800 to subscribe.

Pictured from left are: John Cacciamani, MD, president and CEO of Chestnut Hill Hospital; Ruth Pfeffer; Catherine M. Brzozowski, director of marketing and public relations for Chestnut Hill Hospital; Maura McCarthy, executive director of FOW.

M

ore than 100 bird lovers recently flocked to hear birding expert Ruth Pfeffer at the first of two Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) Spring Valley Talks, sponsored by Chestnut Hill Hospital. Pfeffer, owner of Birding with Ruth and creator of the birding program at Morris Arboretum, discussed the many bird varieties that live or nest in, or migrate through Wissahickon Valley Park,

especially warblers and other songbirds that are returning from their southern winter homes.

Join FOW and Chestnut Hill Hospital for the next Valley Talks program on Tuesday, May 15, when Maya Van Rossum presents “The Green Amendment: Securing Our Right to a Healthy Environment.

Van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and a long-time environmental activist, will discuss her

new best-selling book by the same name and how to become more engaged with environmental and water advocacy to support the Wissahickon watershed.

Valley Talks take place at 6 p.m. at the Valley Green Inn. They are free for FOW members, $10 for non-members. A complimentary wine and cheese reception is provided. To register, contact Giulia Morrone, morrone@fow.org.

8434 GERMANTOWN AVENUE . 215-248-8817

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Northwest Philly Solar Co-op looks to spread solar across Northwest Philadelphia

by Valerie Jean-Baptiste

N

orthwest Philly Solar Cooperative, or NPSC, is a combination of three groups in the Northwest Philadelphia area that works to bring solar energy to the area by forming a solar energy co-op.

NPSC was founded in 2016, and the three organizations that make it up are: The New Economy Incubator Committee of Weaver’s Way, the Philadelphia chapter of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light, and the Shalom Center. NPSC’s goals are to educate and convince people to install rooftop solar, to get a bulk buy discount from solar contractors, and to advocate for better policies on clean energy.

Being a member of NPSC will allow building owners in the northwest Philadelphia area to bargain for a lower price for solar installation as a group, instead of individually. NPSC advocates to bring changes to the state of Pennsylvania’s regulations to promote, make, and share clean, renewable energy as well as pushing for clean energy training and jobs for people in impoverished neighborhoods. Members of NPSC might even invest in the betterment of the organization and help others to convert to solar energy.

Places like Philly Electric Wheels, or PHEW! have installed three ceiling fans powered by two solar panels over their front door, so that customers can come and cool off on their busiest, sunniest days.

A local household in Northwest Philadelphia installed solar flood lights that absorb sunlight during the day and turn on at night when they sense motion. Germantown Monthly Meeting added solar panels to the rooftop of the shed of its community garden. The panels power a well pump for the gardeners.

NPSC writes on its website, “We will develop a political base rooted in our community that will support changes in local, state, and national energy policy, which aim toward justice for people and the planet. The co-op will promote the ethical, moral, and religious standards for protecting the environment that we value.”

Enrolling as an individual member of Northwest Philly Solar Cooperative costs $25 annually, while institutions and businesses can join for $100 annually. Members meet twice monthly, every 1st and 3rd Monday evening at 555 Carpenter Lane in Mount Airy.

NPSC organizes rounds of buying groups, which recruit interested homeowners into the co-op, implore proposals from area solar installers, and track installations for eligible participants. Member fess will be used to promote NSPC’s goals and to educate people throughout the northwest about solar energy.

Since February 2018, NPSC helped 27 households go solar, and installed 152 kW of generation capacity. To find out how to join Northwest Philly Solar Cooperative’s third buying group or need more information about the organization, send an email to nwphlsolor@gmail.com.

Want more news? chestnuthilllocal.com

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Flourtown homes open for solar power tour

O

ne neighborhood in nearby Flourtown has gotten decidedly greener recently. Three home owners on Flourtown’s College Avenue have each installed solar panels on their properties, and are welcoming the public to come see them and learn about solar power.

On Saturday, May 5, these homes are part of a self-guided open house sponsored by the MidAtlantic Renewable Energy Association. You’ll see something different at each home.

One neighbor has a shady roof, so the panels are pole-mounted in the backyard (photo attached).

The panels track the sun from east to west each day, generating more power over the course of a year than the homeowner can use.

Thanks to a state law called net metering, PECO is required to buy back any excess electricity that the homeowners don’t use – at the same price PECO sells electricity to homeowners when needed.

Another neighbor has panels mounted on a sunny roof, and also has a battery backup system attached to the panels, so selected appliances can keep running during a power outage.

The third neighbor purchased solar panels from and financed through Solar City, Elon Musk’s firm.

These three homes in Flourtown are part of a dozen homes in the region on the tour. Joy Bergey, one of the College Avenue homeowners, is a volunteer with MidAtlantic Renewable Energy Association and is helping to arrange the tour. Bergey says, “Making your own clean energy provides special satisfaction. All of us care about the environment and climate change. Since Washington is going backwards on environmental protections, we’re each doing what we can to help build a clean energy economy for the future.”

The self-guided tour is from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 5. The three homes are at 48, 95 and 100 College Avenue will be among a dozen homes in the region on the tour. There’s no cost, and no need to RSVP. To find a list of all the homes on the tour, or for directions, go to themarea.org/2018-sustainable-living-open-house . For more information, contact Joy Bergey at joybergey@gmail.com .

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

TREE TENDERS (From left) Meghan Glendinning, SCH teacher, Ainsley Wexford, SCH 9th grader and cohead of the Eco Club, and Frank Aloise, CFO of SCH helped Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders planted over 30 trees on Saturday,April 21.These trees add beauty to our neighborhood and improve the environment for today and far into the future.Thank you to the large number of community volunteers who made this day successful. Plans are underway for a fall planting and homeowners who are interested in having a street tree planted can contact Mary Ann Boyer at maboyer61@gmail.com by May 5.

OPEN HOUSE DATE: Sunday, May 20th • 11am-2pm

FREE first exam for all new clients

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

Gifts for gardeners

by Doug Oster

N

eeed to buy a gift for a gardener? Luckily, gardeners are one of the easiest groups to buy for.

When trying to figure out what to buy for my gardening friends I usually start a thinly veiled conversation about the season, searching for things they are passionate about while pretending not to listen, and somehow it usually works.

AMARYLLIS Amaryllis bulbs are a foolproof way provide relief of garden cravings. They can be found locally, but some of the most interesting varieties come from White Flower Farm (whiteflowerfarm. com). ‘Rebecca’ ($21) is an unusual fragrant variety with pretty pink flowers and white stripes. Stick the big bulb in a pot and enjoy the flowers in just a few weeks.

SEEDS, AND MORE SEEDS One of the easiest items to check off the list is a gift certificate from a seed supplier, which allows the gardener to choose exactly what they want. High Mowing Seeds (highmowingseeds.com) offers a wide variety of certified organic seeds. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com) will let your favorite gardener stretch by planting fascinating heritage cultivars, some of which have been grown for generations.

HELP FOR POLLINATORS Pollinator gardening is important and finding a larger audience every year. There are many different ways to help the good bugs.

Mason bees are native pollinators that nest in wood. The Mason Bee House from Gardener’s Supply Company ($14.99, gardeners.com) can be hung in the garden and eventually will be filled with insects that are extremely proficient at moving pollen.

HERB KIT Winter offers respite from hard work in the garden which is fine for about a month until the yearning to grow something overwhelms gardeners. The Italian Herb Jar Kit from Wayside Gardens ($54, waysidegardens.com) is an easy way to create a windowsill herb garden. It includes three reusable self-watering jars, just add water and it won’t be long until basil, parsley and oregano will be ready to harvest. Best of all, don’t worry about monitoring moisture, as the jars are set up to provide exactly what the plants need.

PRUNERS Every year I recommend a pair of good pruners as a gift. That’s because they often disappear in the heat of battle, forgotten next to the compost pile or under a layer of mulch. My favorites are Dramm ColorPoint pruners ($19.99, everybodygardens.com), both the Compact Shear for detail work and Compact Pruner for general pruning. The blades stay sharp for a long time, the colorful handles are ergonomic and easy to find when accidentally left in the garden.

One of the tool’s greatest attributes though is the locking mechanism which stays put in either open or closed position when cutting.

TOOL SHARPENER To keep pruners, shovels, hoes, trowels, loppers and other tools sharp, the AccuSharp tool ($13.98, (Continued on page 14)

Author Doug Oster uses a Dramm ColorPoint compact sheer in his garden.

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

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Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Gifts for Gardeners (Continued from page 1)

everybodygardens.com) has been in my arsenal for over 30 years. It’s great for kitchen knives, too.

Putting a sharp edge on tools will make them easier, safer to use and help them last a lifetime.

PLANTING AUGER The Power Planter Bulb Auger ($22.99, everybodygardens.com) is an indispensable planting tool, especially for spring and fall bulbs.

Measuring 3 inches wide by 7 inches long, it’s basically a giant drill bit used on any power drill that’s perfect for working close to the ground. I’ve used augers for decades, but this one, with its hand-welded rugged steel shaft and non-slip hex drive is by far my favorite.

Doug Oster uses the Power Planter Earth Auger (3"x7" version). It's great for planting bulbs and other things in the garden.

FOUNTAINS The sound of moving water is always something that’s good in the garden. That could mean a little indoor fountain next to some houseplants or something bigger outdoors. Local nurseries offer both solar and electric versions.

Tips on container gardening Fellow Trib columnist and my radio partner Jessica Walliser has just released “Container Gardening Complete: Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces” ($19.49, jessicawalliser.com) It’s the most comprehensive book on the topic I’ve every seen. It’s filled with unique ways to plant and create containers in the garden. Best of all it’s a fun read that’s also filled with great photos.

GARDENING APRON She also recently mentioned the Roo Apron ($32.95 rooapron.com) on the air (after a thinly veiled question). It has a pouch modeled after a kangaroo to hold harvested fruits, vegetables or debris when cleaning up the garden. Hopefully it will arrive at her house before this article is published.

AND ONE MORE IDEA ...

I’ll always remember the look on my son’s kindergarten teacher when he announced excitedly, “we’re going to get a truckload of manure,” when picking him up after his morning session. Now, that’s a gift that will keep on giving. Getting a truckload of wellaged animal manure or compost delivered might have the neighbors scratching their heads, but your favorite gardener will jump for joy.

Just remember to add a card explaining you’ll help spread it on the garden.

Along those lines it might seem corny, but a homemade coupon book filled with helpful garden chores would be a welcome and fun gift too.

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.

want more news? www.chestnuthilllocal.com

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

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How to get the most from a raised bed garden

by Doug Oster

N

oel Valdes might be best known as the inventor of the CobraHead weeder, but he’s a lifelong organic gardener who has been growing in raised beds for three decades.

“I’ve gardened forever,” the 73year-old said with a laugh. “We had to garden for food. I liked it since I was a little kid.”

In the late 1970s, he read John Jeavons’ “How to Grow More Vegetables” and was inspired to change from straight row gardening to raised bed gardens.

“It’s actually quite easy,” he says from his home in Wisconsin. “The only difference about raised bed gardening than traditional gardening in a row is that you grow your plants in a block or a grid so you get equal spacing when they mature.”

The beds are never stepped on and each year they get amended with organic matter like compost.

“After a while, if you work your beds right, your soil becomes way more productive that it can possibly become in a row garden,” he says.

“The amount of production out of a raised bed is really significant.”

After 30 years of improving those beds with compost, his garden is extremely fertile.

“When I first started, it was as hard as a brick,” he says of the soil.

The first year he worked the garden, Valdes used a rototiller, which was also the last season he used one.

“This is stupid,” he said with a laugh, thinking back to using that machine in the garden. “I found a tool called a broadfork, and I used that to work up the beds. It has two long handles and thick metal tines, which loosen the soil without turning it over.

“My soil structure now is far superior to what it was when I first started,” he added proudly.

He grows in 18 rectangular beds that are about five feet wide and 20 feet long. They are separated by 16inch wide paths. The soil is so nice that he can push a yardstick easily down to 24 inches.

“Plants like good growing conditions,” Valdes says. “They are always happier if you plant them in fertile soil, soft soil, by giving them enough water and sunshine. And they let you know it by producing more.”

It’s simple to convert a standard row garden to raised beds, he adds.

Al you have to do is lay out a grid pattern to determine where the paths will be and be sure you can reach to the inside of the garden beds. Anything that’s not a path is a bed.

He’s a compost fanatic and is able to make enough from things out of his garden and house to keep the garden thriving. The only thing he avoids coming out of the kitchen is material with meat or oils. Anything from the garden, including weeds goes in the compost pile along with leaves, too.

“I know people think I’m crazy,” he says with a chuckle, “but there are three weeds I grow on purpose.”

Jerusalem artichokes, Russian comfrey and galinsoga are all grown as raw material to make more compost. He warns though, that all three can get out of hand unless kept in bounds by occasional harvests.

“Compost cures all ills, he says.

“If you have bad soil, hard soil, too much clay, compost can fix it.”

The intensive planting technique he uses allows for plants to be spaced so that when they mature, the leaves are just touching each other. This acts as a living mulch, which cuts down on weeding and (Continued on page 16)

A garden using multiple raised beds.

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Raised bed gardening (Continued from page 1)

Noel Valdes is inventor of the CobraHead weeder. He’s used a tool called a broadfork to create raised bed gardens.

watering. In mid summer, many of his beds are a carpet of green.

He’s also a strong proponent of gardening organically. “There’s no reason at all to put any harmful chemicals into your garden,” he says. “It’s insanity in my opinion.

Gardening can feed you and it’s fun.”

As owner of CobraHead LLC, he travels constantly and work requires much of his time. There’s an irony that his business revolves around gardening, but he’s hardpressed to spend as much time as he would like in the garden.

The invention of the CobraHead weeder was purely accidental. He was using an antique tool that’s no longer manufactured, which has three to five spoon-shaped curved cultivating tines. As he scraped soil on the edge of a bed, one of the teeth came out.

“I just got down on my hands and knees and started pulling weeds with it and realized that it pulled much better than any other weeding tool in my collection,” he says.

He went to the local junk store, bought another one of the cultivators, took out a tine, put it into a wooden handle and used it in his own garden for another four years.

“I got to buy one of these,” he thought to himself, “but it wasn’t out there.”

There were versions with a long handle but not with the short handle he loved. After a visit with a lawyer and business school, he started the process of making the tool locally. When asked why the CobraHead became such a hit with gardeners, Valdes replies, “because it works, it’s just a great weeding tool.”

Now the company produces the CobraHead weeder, CobraHead Mini Weeder and three differentsized long-handled versions. He also just released his own version of a broadfork.

He’ll plant about 60 tomato plants, tomatillos, potatoes, garlic, shallots, leeks, and lots of other things. He’s also enjoying unusual varieties of sweet peas. One is called ‘Capucijner,’ which is a purple-podded variety.

“It makes the best soup pea that you can imagine, it almost tastes meaty,” he says.

He saves seeds from many of the plants he grows and jokes about not remembering the proper names after so many years of planting the same cultivar.

“We just call that our big red tomato,” he says laughing.

He stopped caging tomatoes and now opts for a rugged trellis system using seven-foot tall bamboo stakes.

Valdes’ life in the garden has been a happy one and he gets satisfaction out of the precious time he spends gardening.

“I get the pleasure of being about as close to nature as possible and seeing how the whole cycle of life goes on, but most importantly we get a lot of food. The food you grow out of your own home garden is way better than anything you can get in the store. The food you grow is the best.”

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.

Details: www.cobrahead.com or 866-962-6272. Available at everybodygardens.com.

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Page 17

COMCAST CARES On April 22, Earth Day, over 50 volunteers and comcast employees collected 542 bags of leaves, debris and trash from the grounds at the Water Tower Recreation Center, 209 E. Hartwell Lane in Chestnut Hill as part of Comcast Cares Day. From left: Aly Kunz, Krystin Kunz, Brady Kunz and Alex Greenwald (Photo by Nic Coviello)

Danielle Tolbert and Marne Castillo plant flowers around the sign welcoming visitors to the Water Tower Recreation Center, 209 E. Hartwell Lane in Chestnut Hill. Participants collected over 542 bags of leaves, debris and trash.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY 215.248.8800

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Page 18

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

How we used to garden

by Doug Oster

W

hen I was given a softcovered copy of “Henderson’s Garden Guide” from 1913, I couldn’t wait to read it.

It was given to me at one of our free gardening symposiums, held twice a year for Seed of the Month Club members. The 7inch by 4-inch so-called pocketsized book is filled with

fascinating garden information that gives us a window into the past.

“Can you use these?” a woman said as she handed it to me. She was also holding an old copy of “Vegetable Cook Book,” which is featured in a story by Everybody Craves editor Meghan Rodgers.

The garden book was dog-eared with one corner nibbled upon by a rodent, and I found a ginger snap recipe written on stationary from the defunct Universal Atlas

Cement Company of Penn Hills (which closed in 1979). My guess is it was used as a bookmark.

The 64-page book was a product of Peter Henderson and Company, a garden supplier extraordinaire founded in 1847 and closed in 1953. Henderson was known as the father of horticulture and ornamental gardening in the United States. The company’s motto was “Everything for the Garden.” They offered flower and vegetable seeds, plants, bulbs,

BOOK SALE The Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library invite you to our annual Book Sale during the Home & Garden Festival on Sunday, May 6th. For gently-used books, CDs and DVDs, visit us from 10 am to 5 pm. Please enter the side door of the library, 8711 Germantown Avenue. Discover the BEST bargains of the Festival!

WHAT:

Friends of the Chestnut Hill Library’s Annual Book Sale / Annual Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival

WHEN:

Sunday, May 6th, 10 am – 5 pm (rain date Sunday, May 20th)

WHERE:

Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Avenue (side entrance)

WHY:

Gently-used books, CDs, and DVDs.

Discover the BEST bargains of the Festival!

Henderson’s Garden Guide from 1913 was sent to customers of Pete Henderson & Co. who’s motto was “Everything for the Garden.”

This is the front cover of the 64 page book.

tools and more — including books, of course.

It’s interesting that a century ago this book should begin with these words: “This is an age of the high cost of living. The fundamental cause being the increase of twenty per cent (sic) in our population every decade, which far outstrips the increase in acres tilled.” The author continues to extol the virtues of growing your own food in what was called a “back to the land” movement.

Sound familiar?

In an age without radio or TV, and a century before social media, the company also invited readers to help edit the next year’s garden guide by sending their personal stories of unusual or successful gardening experiences along with questions and ideas about what should be included in the book.

With that, the book launches with a query that’s just as frequently asked today, “How early may I plant?” The usual answer, even today, is as soon as the soil can be worked, but what does that mean? For cool weather vegetables, the author says, just wait until temperatures in the shade average 45 degrees. A diagram also shows May 15 as the day to

plant corn in Western Pennsylvania, which still makes sense even though these suggestions come from the USDA back in 1910. In today’s climate, many farmers plant about two weeks earlier.

I had to laugh when raised beds were described as an “old style” of planting which should be abandoned in favor of rows running north to south to get the most “forenoon sun.” What’s old is new again as raised beds have become increasingly popular more than 100 years later.

Companion and succession planting are covered expertly along with crop rotation. This book was sent to gardeners when they ordered seeds or other things from the company. It includes a long list of plants and how to sow them, along with diagrams that show what the plant looks like as a seeding. That’s particularly telling for the time. Many beginning gardeners would have no idea about the difference between sprouting lettuce, corn or onions and weeds.

A listing spells kohl rabi as two words and recommends starting

(Continued on page 19)

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Page 19

How we used to garden (Continued from page 18)

the seed in a hotbed or warm windowsill in mid-February and when strong enough to plant in “wellmanured soil” in rows two feet apart with the plants spaced at 9 to 12 inches. That advice still works today although the vegetable is now referred to as kohlrabi.

In old garden book, there is always something referenced that has faded away as a common garden plant, like sea kale (Crambe maritima). It’s a perennial vegetable from the mustard family related to its namesake kale.

Shoots are typically cut in spring and then blanched or steamed.

The young leaves may be eaten raw or cooked (like spinach).

Flower buds may be eaten raw or cooked (like broccoli). Roots may also be eaten raw or boiled and steamed. In “Henderson’s Garden Guide,” gardeners are advised to blanch those early shoots with spent manure or leaf mold and then let the leaves emerge from the mulch. The blanching keeps the shoots tender, making them more palatable, says the author.

Witloof is said to be “The New Christmas Salad” in the book. It’s a large leafed variety of chicory.

This is another plant that’s blanched by hilling up the soil around a tight head of leaves.

Back then, the roots were dug and stored in a cool cellar, then

replanted in succession through the spring.

The book covers a lot of ground in so few pages, with text so tiny, in some cases it needs to be magnified to read. There are instructions for making “manure water,” called manure tea these days, along with specific cultural planting tips for artichokes and other vegetables.

Instructions for sowing more than 200 types of flower seeds are ingeniously listed. Each variety is followed by a capital letter. Find the letter on the next two pages to discover the details for getting them started.

There are a couple pages detailing how to grow sweet pea flowers and preparing, packing and staging them for exhibition. It must have been all the rage to grow these cool weather flowers, because we don’t see them in many gardens here as the summers stop them in their tracks.

Bulbs, perennials, shrubs and roses, lawn care, fertilizing, canning and more are also part of this little book.

The book shows its age when it comes to dealing with insects and other perceived. There’s information on how to kill earthworms, something we know today helps the garden and also are a sign of good soil health. There’s no concern with handling arsenic-laced products or problems using soap made from whale oil.

In many ways, we’ve evolved as gardeners, but there are some things that will never change when it comes to growing plants.

In many ways, it’s comforting to know what we’re doing today might be carried on for generations to come.

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535 mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.

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Henderson's Garden Guide from 1913 was sent to customers of Pete Henderson & Co. who's motto was "Everything for the Garden." These are some of the illustrations in the book.

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thus0day2May 3281r , • 81r , Home & Gasden Fe0tival

w?nsta moetnewr www.chestnuthilllocal.com

NEW PARK IN MT. AIRY: After years of planning, the new one-acre Lovett Park made its debut last Saturday night, April 28, at 6945 Germantown Ave., next to Lovett Library, at the “Go Mt. Airy Garden Party,” with lots of food, wine, etc. .Anuj Gupta (left), former executive director of Mt. Airy USA, and Elizabeth Moselle, of the Mt. Airy Business Association, are seen here in 2012 displaying plans for Lovett Park. More details: mtairyusa.org/gmagp

LEARN BEEKEEPING: Want to enjoy honey, beeswax, pollen, etc., in your own backyard? This class by Mt. Airy Learning Tree will show you how.

It will be Thursday, May 10, 7 to 9 p.m., at the United Lutheran Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave., room 301. More details at 215-843-6333.

SUPER SERVICE: Nolan Painting, S.E. Pennsylvania’s largest family-owned residential painting company, has been awarded Angie’s List 2017 Super Service Award for the 12th consecutive year. This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2017. Angie’s List is an online directory for the home services industry.

Seen here is founder Kevin Nolan speaking to the Chestnut Hill Rotary Club.

More information: www.nolanpainting.com

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Page 21

53 years of working on Hill area homes for local firm

by Len Lear

N

ot too many businesses in the area have been around for 53 years, but general contracting firm Dennis F. Meyer, Inc., headquartered in Ambler, which has worked on countless homes in Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy and Wyndmoor over the years, has reached that anniversary this year. “It is impossible to know the exact number of homes we have worked on, but I would say several thousand in the area,� said Dennis Meyer, 64, who has had the company in his name for the past 20 years.

Fifty-three years ago Richard Meyer, Dennis’ father, started the company in Flourtown. He took it over from a man named Melvin Greeb, who had built many of the great homes in Chestnut Hill and Wyndmoor in the 1930s and ‘40s. “My grandfather had worked for Mel,� said Chris Meyer, 33, who is also employed in the family business. “The general contracting part moved in 1997 from Flourtown to Ambler.�

Dennis grew up in Oreland and went to Upper Dublin High School and the University of Evansville in Indiana.

What is Chris' main job with the firm? “Chris does exactly what I do,� said Dennis. “He is an owner, estimator, project manager and mill shop manager. My daughter, CarolAnn, 37, is also one of the owners and the company office manager. She runs the everyday behind-the-scenes work that keeps the business running smoothly.�

The firm recently consolidated their buildings into one location.

An example of a home addition and remodeling job by Dennis Meyer, Inc.

The general contracting business is now located inside of their mill shop on Pennsylvania Avenue in Glenside.

In 2000 the Dennis F. Meyer firm also took over a local mill shop, Roland’s Custom Millwork, that had already been around for 40 years, from lifelong colleague Roland Korschorek. “We kept the same workers there because they do

such great work,� said Chris in an earlier interview. “They’re from Poland, Germany, etc. From 2002 to January of 2014 it was in Chalfont. Since then in Glenside. The mill shop is only about 10 percent of our entire business, but it gives us a competitive edge. We work with so many older homes in the area, but we do not have to farm work out, as other

construction firms have to do. We can make a door, a vanity, etc., in our own mill shop. It provides for more quality control.�

In addition to the three members of the Meyer family, the company has eight carpenters and two mill shop craftsmen. Six of the lead carpenters have between 20 and 35 years experience each.

What was the biggest job they

ever worked on? “There have been many multi-million-dollar projects,� said Dennis, “and it would be hard to narrow it down to just one.�

What was the most difficult job they ever worked on? “Rebuilding a house that burned halfway down. It was very emotional for the client, and trying to put it back together the exact way that it was before was very challenging.�

According to one Chestnut Hill client, “My farm house is 130 years old, and so is the repurposed floor in my kitchen. Dennis Meyer knows historic houses and what they need. His knowledge of classic design and traditional building practices produced a finished job that exceeded my expectations.�

Amy and John Shea, of Chestnut Hill, told us a while ago, “We have been working with Dennis Meyer, Inc. for the better part of 10 years and have never once been disappointed with his teams' work.

Based on many recommendations, we engaged them to help us with a long-term renovation project that took about two years. “Our day-to-day interactions with his entire team, from carpenters to office staff, were completely enjoyable. Dennis and his team are consummate professionals, committed to the highest quality product and result.�

In his spare time, Dennis enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren — Zoe, 9; Peter, 4; Emilia 18 months, and Ava and Lucas, one-year-old twins.

What was the best advice Dennis ever received? “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.�

For more information, visit dfmeyerinc.com or call 215-793-0250

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CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Thursday, May 3, 2018 • 2018 Home & Garden Festival

Planting summer bulbs with Brent Heath

Black Beauty is one of Brent Heath’s recommendations for spring planting, he’s owner of Brent and Becky’s bulb along with Brent Heath runs Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, VA with his wife Becky. his wife Becky.

by Doug Oster

“D

aigging bulbs is hard, hot, dirty work,” Brent Heath said with a

laugh.

He was talking about growing up working for his parents’ mailorder bulb business. Those bulbs run in the family, as his grandfather Charles Heath started growing and selling daffodils in 1900, bringing modern hybrids to the country and even being featured in a 1956 Readers Digest article.

“They dubbed the daffodil as the poor man’s rose during the Depression,” Brent adds.

He left the business though for a while to run a children's summer camp. “Something must have been in my blood, because in 1972 I came back and bought the business from my mother,” he says. He then started Brent and Becky’s Bulbs with his wife Becky in Gloucester, Va. Their son Jay and wife Denise have become the fourth generation to be involved in the bulb business.

“We’re truly blessed,” says Heath, 72. “We do something that collectively impacts people’s minds and moods. We encourage people to plant a lot of bulbs and harvest a lot of smiles.”

Daffodils will always be his favorite flower, but after that it’s lilies, which can be planted in the spring.

“They are amazing,” he says.

“The martagons will start blooming in early May. They love being in the shade, and the pollinators love them.”

Martagon lilies have small flowers, grow to around four feet tall and make great cut flowers. They are followed in the season by Madonna lilies, then the Asiatic lilies, a variety of hybrids and then the orientals.

“They have incredible fragrance and wonderful drops of nectar that one can rub a finger on and taste sweet like honey,” Heath says.

“The bees just adore them.”

Finally blooming later are the

hybrids of orientals and trumpets, which should be planted deeply, he adds. ‘Altari’ has creamy white flowers with a rose-colored center and produces a strong fragrance that hangs in the humid summer air on warm evenings.

“They can tower to six feet and have flowers the size of desert plants,” he says of the hybrids.

One of his favorites is ‘Black Beauty.’ “I’ve had it in my garden for years, it gets better every year, just like most of us do,” he says with a chuckle.

Dahlias are the queen of the late season garden, but many people won’t grow them as they don’t want to save the tender tubers that grow underground.

“They don’t have to,” Heath says about saving the tubers.

“We’ll have plenty more for them again next year,” he says laughing.

Native to Mexico and Central America, they prefer cool nights and shorter days to bloom. “They have incredible cut-and-comeagain flowers; the more you pick them, the more they bloom.”

When he saves the tubers he never washes them and keeps the dirt on them to store them over the winter.

Caladiums are beautiful foliage plants that thrive in warm temperatures. “Probably the most shade tolerant and pretty critter resistant,” he says. They can be dramatic in any shade garden. “Add some caladiums to your hosta garden,” he implores, “and to your ferns.”

He has one more suggestion for gardeners who love to grow something different. “The little rain lily is one of my favorites, zephyranthes,” Heath adds. “It’s impervious to the deer, rabbit and groundhogs. “The neat part is they rebloom, and it’s the ozone from a thunderstorm that triggers them to bloom again. It’s incredible.”

Heath is driven to get everyone interested in spending time in the dirt.

(Continued on page 23)

2018 Home & Garden Festival • Thursday, May 3, 2018

CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL

Page 23

Planting summer bulbs with Brent Heath Zephyranthes candida will actually re-bloom all summer, triggered by ozone in the air caused by thunderstorms. It’s one of Brent Heath’s recommendations for spring planting, he’s owner of Brent and Becky's bulb along with his wife Becky.

(Continued from page 22)

“Gardening is meant to be fun,” he says. “I can help people enjoy their own lives.

We need to have more happiness in our world; we need to look for the positive, and gardening is such a great positive.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2018 ISSUE

The new issue of

NOW AVAILABLE! the GREEN issue Available at dozens of locations around the area or online at chestnuthilllocal.com/welcome NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS: Welcome has some useful information for moving in or going out in our area including activities, government resources and businesses to help you find your way.

And if you’re a new homeowner in our area, ask about a special Chestnut Hill Community Association gift package for you.

BUSINESS AND SERVICES: Want to meet hundreds of newcomers to our area?

Ask us how you can offer Welcome to your clients or reach this valuable audience: (215) 248-8817

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Heath has been to every state in the union except North Dakota and Hawaii speaking about growing bulbs and will be in Pittsburgh on April 19 and 20 to appear at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.

The entertaining speaker will present “Bulbs as Companion Plants.” There’s a reception at 5:30 p.m., and his lecture begins at 7 p.m. April 19. Cost for the reception and lecture is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. The lecture only is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

When asked why, at 72, does he keeps traveling to spread the word, Heath says, “I like people and I like plants, I have a great time.”

The next day at 10 a.m., Heath will hold a workshop on planting bulbs in containers. Participants will fill a pot with layers of springand summer-blooming bulbs and then take the container home to enjoy the blooms. The class is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers. Go to pittsburghbotanicgarden.org or call 412-444-4464 to register or for more information.

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535 mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.

Details: Brent and Beckys Bulbs, brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877661-2852.

Page 24

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Thursday, May 3, 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ 2018 Home & Garden Festival