Washington Gardener Magazine January 2022

JANUARY 2022 VOL. 16 NO. 11

WWW.WASHINGTONGARDENER.COM

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gardener

the magazine for gardening enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic region

Juniper Plant Profile Beware of the Cuban Tree Frog Photo Contest Entry Deadline

DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

Attracting Northern Cardinals to Your Garden 2022 Garden Trends Seed Exchange 2022 Great Gardening Books Reviewed

Managing Thrips in Houseplants Turning a New Leaf with Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

Magic Mushrooms

Indoor Grow Kits for Winter Fun

Summer Creek Horticultural Soil Mixes HiDra2-Seed Starter MultiMix2–Raised Bed Mix Organic - Local – Sustainable – Pro Grade Most sustainable horticultural mixes available.

Available at Mom’s, Direct & select ACE Hardware www.summercreekfarm.com - Thurmont, Maryland

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RESOURCESsourc

Need a Garden Club Speaker?

Washington Gardener Magazine’s staff and writers are available to speak to groups and garden clubs in the DC region and ONLINE! Call 240.603.1461 or email KathyJentz@gmail.com for available dates, rates, and topics.

Green Spring Gardens

www.greenspring.org

A “must visit” for everyone in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. It’s a year-round goldmine of information and inspiration for the home gardener. It’s an outdoor classroom for children and their families to learn about plants and wildlife. It’s also a museum, a national historic site that offers glimpses into a long, rich history with colonial origins.

Located at 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA. Information: 703-642-5173.

RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL PLANTS FOR THE DISCRIMINATING GARDENER AND COLLECTOR Barry Glick Sunshine Farm and Gardens 696 Glicks Road Renick, WV 24966, USA Email: barry@sunfarm.com

www.sunfarm.com

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Izel Plants

Online Marketplace for Native Plants

Ask Maryland’s Garden Experts extension.umd.edu/hgic

We offer cost effective options to cover a lot of ground, including containerized plants and retail-elusive plugs. Easily find the species that are best suited to your specific needs, from popular ones to those that are rare and hard to find.

$10 OFF your next order use code: WG191 at checkout.

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Contact kathyjentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 for ad rates. The ad deadline is the 10th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: KathyJentz@gmail.com.

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INSIDEcontents

FEATURES and COLUMNS

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To lure colorful Northern Cardinals to your backyard in winter, offer black oil sunflower seed. You’ll soon start hearing cardinal songs on winter mornings.

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Got a Garden Question?

Got a gardening question you need answered?

Send your questions to KathyJentz@gmail.com and use the subject line “Q&A.” Then look for your answered questions in upcoming issues.

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Lion’s mane mushroom is also known as yamabushitake or hou tou gu and is easy to grow in a home kit. Photo courtesy of Field & Forest Products, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2022

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The Juvenile Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is a new invasive species of concern in our area. Photo

by Thomas Brown, CC BY 2.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

BIRDwatch 22 Northern Cardinal BOOKreviews 18-19 Grow More Food, Attracting Beneficial Bugs, Home Hydroponics EDIBLEharvest 14-16 Mushroom Kits HORThappenings 12 Turning a New Leaf Conference INSECTindex 8-9 Thrips on Houseplants INVASIVEalert 21 Cuban Tree Frog NEWPLANTspotlight 11 David Austin Roses PHOTOcontest 17 Entries due January 22 PLANTprofile 20 Junipers SEEDexchange 6-7 New Date Announced TIPStricks 10 Top Garden Trends for 2022

DEPARTMENTS

ADVERTISINGindex BLOGlinks EDITORletter GARDENcontest GARDENDCpodcasts LOCALevents MONTHLYtasklist NEXTissue READERreactions RESOURCESsources

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ON THE COVER

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) growing kit in home kitchen on window sill. Photo by Helin Loik-Tomson, iStockphoto.

In our February issue: Garden Photo Contest Winners The Urban Garden and much more . . .

Be sure you are subscribed!

Click on the “subscribe” link at washingtongardener.com JANUARY 2022

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EDITORletter

Credits Kathy Jentz Editor/Publisher Washington Gardener 826 Philadelphia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-588-6894 kathyjentz@gmail.com www.washingtongardener.com Ruth E. Thaler-Carter Proofreader Charlotte Benedetto Charlotte Crook Melena DiNenna Melinda Thompson Interns Subscription: $20.00

Photo courtesy of the Montgomery County Master Gardeners from a recent online lecture.

Goals and Trends

January is a time for looking forward and back. In fact, the month is named after the two-faced Roman god, Janus. I’ve never been one for New Year’s Resolutions, but I do keep a set of long-term goals jotted down that I periodically review and update. I also hold onto my old planners from past years. They help me to recall what gardens I visited and when, as well as when annual gardening events normally take place.

As we enter a third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the events I plan my year around are still in limbo or have been canceled altogether. Some have moved virtually and others are just big question marks in my schedule. It is proving really hard to plan any event with certainty.

Because of so many potential unknowns, we are hosting just one Washington Gardener Seed Exchange this year. It will be at Brookside Gardens on February 26 (rescheduled from January 29). Registration is at WGSeedEx.brownpapertickets. com. The Seed Exchange scheduled for February 5, 2022 at Green Spring Gardens has been canceled.

One thing we know for certain is that spring will come in two months and we can start getting ourselves ready now. We can take stock of our seed inventory, clean and sharpen our tools, shop the mail-order catalogs and websites, and get out some graph paper to plot our garden beds.

I don’t have any particular goals for my ornamental gardens aside from staying ahead of weeds and getting all of the pots in my “holding area” planted. I do want to plant at least one “new” edible in my community garden plot; that is, one thing that I have never tried to grow before. Last year it was peanuts. This year, I am mulling over trying out rice in a big tub. The trend of fruit-growing also has me debating about ordering a small apple or pear tree to take the place of a failing ornamental cherry.

What garden goals are you aiming for in 2022 and beyond?

Happy gardening,

WASHINGTON GARDENER

• Washington Gardener is a woman-owned business. We are proud to be members of: · GardenComm (GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators) · Green America Business Network · National Garden Bureau · One Montgomery Green · Ladies in the Landscape · Perennial Plant Association

Volume 16, Number 11 ISSN 1555-8959 © 2022 Washington Gardener All rights reserved. Published monthly.

No material may be reproduced without prior written permission. This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that the information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to legality, completeness, or technical accuracy.

Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher, Washington Gardener KathyJentz@gmail.com 4

• Washington Gardener Blog: www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com • Washington Gardener Archives: http://issuu.com/washingtongardener • Washington Gardener Discussion Group: https://groups.google.com/g/ washingtongardener/ • Washington Gardener Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/WDCGardener • Washington Gardener Instagram: www.instagram.com/wdcgardener • Washington Gardener Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ WashingtonGardenerMagazine/ • Washington Gardener YouTube: www.youtube.com/ washingtongardenermagazine • Washington Gardener Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/wdcgardener • Washington Gardener BookShop: bookshop.org/shop/WDCgardener • Washington Gardener Podcast: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/

All uncredited photos in this issue are © Kathy Jentz.

JANUARY 2022

READERcontt

Reader Contest

For our January 2022 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a copy of The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City by Kathy Jentz and Teresa Speight (prize value: $27).

In The Urban Garden you’ll find dozens of inspiring and creative ways to grow flowers, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, and other plants in small spaces and with a limited budget. Whether you want to grow on a balcony, rooftop, front stoop, or tiny urban patio, turn your growing dreams into reality and build a gorgeous and unique garden that showcases your personal style while still being functional and productive. With the ingenious ideas and resourceful tactics found here, you’ll be maximizing yields and beauty from every square inch of your space, while also making a lush outdoor living area you’ll crave spending time in.

To enter to win the the book, send an email by 5:00pm on January 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Urban Garden” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in this issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about February 1. o

Your Ad Here

Are you trying to reach thousands of gardeners in the greater DC region/MidAtlantic area? Washington Gardener Magazine goes out in the middle of every month. Contact KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 for ad rates (starting from $200). The ad deadline is the 5th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: KathyJentz@gmail.com.

READERreactions

Thoughts on Past Issues Thanks for a wonderful series of publications throughout 2021. There is always a nugget here or there safely tucked into articles or as simple standalones. Your most recent issue [December 2021] will delight we serious tomato-plant growers who are always on alert for new-to-us hybrid introductions. My dear wife has had a lifelong romance with the ‘Green Zebra’ clone.

When I spotted the ‘Purple Zebra’ and ‘Sunset Torch’ from a seedsman not known to me, I HAD to try this firm. In these days of digital communications and plastic keys to dispense revenues, it took no time at all to place the order.

Within the hour, I had an acknowledgment and shipment information, to include the tracking number. This tempted me to visit their web presence.

These are serious and honest seedsmen. I am certain their product will prove to be a delightful addition to our garden in 2022.

May 2022 prove to be healthy and very prosperous. ~ Joe Francis, Herndon, VA I really liked the story about Caroline Hooks, the Intersectional Gardener, in the December 2021 issue. It was quite insightful and uplifting. We all follow different paths to our passions. ~ Anne Hardman, Silver Spring, MD I’m a new subscriber to the magazine and enjoy it very much! My favorite article from the December 2021 issue was the one about the U.S. Botanic Garden’s holiday train display, which now I’m planning to go enjoy with my children tomorrow. ~ Anna Beth Strong, Falls Church, VA

Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is an easy program to participate in and really does not take any extra resources than what you may have in your garden. In normal times, about 35 million people wonder where their next meal will come from.

Most of these are children. That’s where PAR steps in.

PAR is such a simple program: It urges gardeners to Plant A Row (or a container) dedicated to feeding the hungry, and then take the harvest to someplace or someone that needs it. Once you have donated, send an email to KathyJentz@gmail.com with the total (in pounds and ounces) of what you gave.

That is all there is to it. Easy. Effective. Adaptable and Helpful.

My favorite article in the December 2021 issue was the one about Aucuba.

I don’t have it in my garden, but many neighbors do, so good to learn about it.

Also, that image of the plant was gorgeous! ~ Madeline Caliendo, Washington, DC The article I found helpful is the to-do list. I share it with my garden club and incorporate the list in our meetings, so all benefit from the suggestions. ~ Julianne Bethea, Colmar Manor, MD o JANUARY 2022

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Join us for: Seed Swapping Planting Tips Expert Speakers Goody Bags Door Prizes Washington Gardener Magazine presents the

17th Annual Washington Gardener

Seed Exchange

NOTE: The Saturday, January 29, 2022, event at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, has been rescheduled for Saturday February 26.

Registration is now open at WGSeedEx.brownpapertickets.com We have CANCELED the Saturday, February 5, 2022, event at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA, in an abundance of caution.

COVID POLICY

We require all attendees to wear masks and show proof of full vaccination at check-in.

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Space is limited, so act today.

Washington Gardener Magazine subscribers get $5 off the $20 attendee fee.

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Overview

Washington Gardener Magazine, the publication for DC-area gardening enthusiasts, is hosting the 17th Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange at Brookside Gardens as one event only for 2022. These seed swaps are in person and face to face. You bring your extra seeds and swap them with other gardeners. Everyone will leave with a bag full of seeds, new garden friends, and expert planting advice.

When

Saturday, February 26, 2022, in Wheaton, MD (Foul weather that day? Call or text 240.603.1461 about possible snow/ ice delay.)

Where

Brookside Gardens Visitor Center Main Auditorium 1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD

How to Register

You can register online at WGSeedEx.brownpapertickets.com.

OR you can fill out the form on the opposite page. Send the form, along with payment, to Washington Gardener, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910, Attn: SE Registration. Please make checks out to “Washington Gardener.”

Registration fee is $20 per person.

Friends of Brookside members, Friends of Green Spring members, and current Washington Gardener subscribers receive a discount rate of $15 per person.

We strongly urge you to register in advance. There is a limited enrollment of 100 participants!

We are GREEN Garden Book and Seed Catalog Exchange

Seed Exchange attendees are encouraged to bring their used or new garden books and seed catalogs to swap and share at this year’s event. We also ask you to bring your own water bottle or reusable mug and a home-made nametag. We will have a “best nametag” contest, so get crafty!

Hashtags #GardenDC and #SeedSwapDay

Washington Gardener Magazine’s 17th Annual

Seed Exchange Details

If You Have Seeds to Bring and Swap

Please package seeds in resealable plastic zipper, coin envelopes, or wax sandwich baggies. Put an average of 20 seeds per baggy—more for small seeds like lettuce, fewer for large seeds like acorns. Label each baggy with a white sticker (such as Avery Standard 5160 address label sheets) giving all the information you have about the seeds—if known, include the plant’s common and scientific names; its soil, sun, and watering needs; and its origins (where and when you collected the seeds). If you do not have all the information, that is okay; just provide as much as you can.

Yes, you can bring unused or opened commercial seed packs.

What if You Don't Have Any Seeds to Swap?

Come anyway! Even if you don’t have any seeds to trade, you are welcome to attend.

We’ll have plenty of extra seed contributions on hand and many attendees will be there just to learn, network, and prepare for next year’s seed collecting.

Education Program

Expert speakers from the local gardening community will give short talks about seed collection and propagation. There will be ample time for individual Q&A throughout the program with the featured speakers, and invited experts as well.

Schedule

(Note: This schedule is subject to change.)

12:00-12:30 Registration check-in 12:30-12:40 Introductions 12:40-1:20 Gardening talk 1:20-1:55 Gardening talk 2:00-2:15 Snack break and room reset 2:15-2:30 Seed Swap preview 2:30-3:00 Seed Swap 3:00-3:30 Photo Contest winners 3:30-4:00 Door prizes and closing talk

How Do We Swap?

As you check in, staff will collect your seeds and place them on the appropriate seed category tables.

You will be assigned a random seed swap number. There will be a short period for attendees to preview all the seeds brought in and available for swapping. You will be called in by your number to pick a seed pack from each of the category tables (if desired).

After the initial seed swap is complete, attendees are free to take any of the leftover seeds and to trade seeds with each other.

Dividing of packets is encouraged and extra baggies with labels will be on hand for that purpose.

What Types of Seeds?

Seed swap categories will include natives, edibles, herbs, exotics, annuals, perennials, and woodies (trees/shrubs). If you can pre-sort your seeds in advance into which of these seven major categories fits best, that would help us speed up the process on the swap day.

Door Prizes! Goodie Bags!

Each attendee will receive a goodie bag at the seed swap. The bags include seeds, publications, and garden items donated by our sponsors. In addition, we have some incredible door prizes to give away especially for area gardeners.

If your organization would like to contribute seeds or garden-related products for the goodie bags and door prizes, contact Kathy Jentz at 301.588.6894 by January 31.

17th Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange Advance Registration Form

Please fill out this form and mail with your check/money order to: Washington Gardener Magazine, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address:____________________________________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________________________________________ Seed Exchange Date and Location:  February 26, 2022 at Brookside Gardens (We will only use your email address for Seed Exchange notices and will never share them with anyone else.)

Seed Exchange Attendee Fee: $20.00 __________ Discount (if eligible*): -$5.00 __________ Optional: Washington Gardener Magazine Annual Subscription: $20.00 __________ TOTAL_____________ *The following groups are eligible to pay the discount attendee rate of $15.00; please CIRCLE if one applies to you: • Washington Gardener Magazine subscribers • Friends of Brookside Gardens members • Friends of Green Spring Gardens members A portion of the event proceeds will go to benefit Native Seeds/SEARCH for conserving crop genetic resources.

COVID POLICY: We require all attendees to show proof of full vaccination at the check-in desk. Masks must be worn at all times.

JANUARY 2022

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INSECTindex

By Carol Allen

One outcome of the COVID-19 isolation is the sharp uptick in houseplant enthusiasts. There are numerous Facebook pages dedicated to the acquisition, culture, and propagation of tropical plants both common and rare.

Houseplant prices are skyrocketing and the number of vendors has multiplied.

With the proliferation of uneducated vendors trafficking large numbers of plants from Florida or other areas, the chances of the hobbyist getting a plant with a serious greenhouse pest is pretty good.

Thrips (both singular and plural) are one such pest that is extremely difficult to control in a large greenhouse operation and that the typical homeowner is poorly equipped to manage. Start with a protocol to avoid obtaining the pest in the first place and then implement some preventive procedures to avoid an outbreak.

First, choose your source carefully.

Big-box stores contract with growers to bring in plants and have no commitment to keep them either healthy or even alive. The box store only pays the supplier when a plant is rung through the register. There may be no employees with sufficient plant knowledge 8

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to effectively screen plants at these locations. Some of the better nurseries will have the knowledge and skills (and the reputation to uphold) to sell only healthy plants. And then there is the internet...Oy! There are responsible, honest suppliers and then there are the others.

No matter where you obtain a new plant, quarantine it away from the rest of your collection. Take time to examine it carefully in a very brightly lit space and use a magnifier or jeweler’s loop to look for pests or the signs of disease. Your quarantine area does not need ideal light conditions, but the temperature range should be appropriate for the new plant. You will want to keep it quarantined for at least a few weeks. If there is a chance you may be inspired and spontaneously buy a new plant, have your quarantine area set up and ready to go or at least easily assembled.

After a close inspection of all upper plant parts, give it a good shower. I liken this to a mini-power washing.* Place the plant in the sink (if small) or shower (if larger) and use a moderate spray of water (handheld shower head or kitchen sprayer works well) and fin-

Leaves with Cuban Laurel Thrips. Photo by Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 US. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons.

Managing Thrips in Houseplants

ger pressure to clean every surface. I support the leaf being cleaned with my hand as I lightly rub my fingers across the leaf surface, along the leaf edge, the petiole, and the branches and trunk. A small watercolor paint brush can get into the nooks and crannies without damaging plant tissue. No soap or alcohol or any other chemical is necessary (and is totally un-necessary and not “better”). You are using simple mechanical removal to eliminate pests.

Mealy bugs and scale insects can be easily washed away with this technique.

Smaller insects such as spider mites or thrips, their larvae, and eggs will also go down the drain. Also washed away will be any honeydew from sucking insects or fecal material from pests like thrips. Here is a short video that demonstrates the power washing technique: youtube.com/watch?v=mBV265Ankk8.

If your new plant is fuzzy-leaved, like an African violet or other member of the Gesneriad family, the spray will not damage the leaves. In all cases, the water temperature should be comfortable to your skin. The leaves can be gently dried and any upward-facing leaf axils (like on Phalaenopsis orchids) dried with a small piece of paper towel to prevent those areas from holding water.

Your next step will depend on your philosophy of pest control. The most economical and effective is to schedule regular “showers” as described above.

If you found insects (mealybug, scale, aphids, thrips, or spider mites), a follow-up spray with neem or horticultural oil will suffocate any pests you may have missed. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Make sure the spray you choose is appropriate for the plant. Poinsettias and chrysanthemums are sensitive to some sprays.

There are sprays that can be used on fuzzy-leaved plants, but make sure before you defoliate your plant. Most pesticides for houseplants are formulated with the understanding that they will be used in the home and are generally not toxic to people or pets. Again, read the label and follow the directions.

A popular, although expensive, technique is the use of beneficial insects.

Make sure your choice of biocontrol is appropriate to the pest and understand

INSECTindex the restrictions of chemical and fertilizer applications if you go that route.

The typical application uses an excess of beneficial insects in hopes of controlling a population. However, if the washing technique described above is employed, there will not be a sufficient number of insect pests to sustain the beneficials. They will very rapidly die without their pest-food.

The washing technique creates a baseline level of cleanliness and being pest-free. Any signs of pests from here on out will be new and your procedures will have to be repeated. Schedule regular inspections of all of your plants and keep them clean with regular showers. Watering day is a good time for close inspections with showers scheduled monthly or quarterly throughout the year.

How do you know if you have thrips on a plant? Since thrips hide and feed in new growth and flower buds; distortion and cupping of those parts is typical. Thrips feed by scraping the epidermis of the tissue and then sucking up the welling plant juice. As a result, they leave the leaf surface stippled and scarred. Black, tar-like globs of excrement can be found in the damaged area. Softly exhaling on a flower will often cause thrips to run out and be observed. They like the flowers of chrysanthemums and other composites, so check any incoming cut flowers or pot plants for thrips.

Adults and nymphs are long and slender with fringed wings appearing at maturity. They are tiny: about 1/20 of an inch. Colors can range from translucent white or yellowish to dark brown or black. Their life cycle is complex, starting with egg, two instars as a larva, prepupae, pupa, and finally adult. In warm weather, this cycle can be completed in about two weeks. Adult females can lay up to 200 eggs and eight generations per year is not unusual.

There are three different species of thrips that we may encounter in our houseplants: Cuban laurel thrips (Gynaikothrips ficorum), greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis), and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). Western flower thrips are notorious for carrying virus diseases. As the name suggests, Cuban laurel thrips

favor Ficus microcarpa and are unique in causing galls in the leaves to shelter their life cycle. Both greenhouse thrips and western flower thrips enjoy a broad host range.

Control starts with regular monitoring for damage. Yellow or blue sticky cards are also a helpful aid in monitoring.

One form of monitoring is to raise a pot of marigolds from seed. Thrips will be attracted to the flowers. Having yellow or blue sticky cards in the pot will aid in determining whether more aggressive control is warranted.

The pre-pupal and pupal stages are usually found under the surface of the medium, so a two-pronged approach is needed to break the life cycle. Both above-ground and below-ground controls have to be employed.

Low-toxicity sprays such as neem or horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, and azadirachtin are among the products that can be used to control the above-ground stages. Make sure to rotate pesticide use to prevent developing resistance. The beneficial mite (Stratiolaelaps scimitus, formerly Hypoaspis miles) can be deployed to control the below-ground life stages.

The predatory mites Amblyseius swirskii and Amblydromalus limonicus will feed on the above-ground larvae, as will the generalist feeders, lacewing larvae (Chrysoperia rufilabris), and minute pirate bug (Orius insidiosus).

The use of predatory mites and other beneficial insects requires a large population of thrips and an environment that will support them (temperature and humidity ranges) to be cost-effective. They are generally not effective in the home. o Carol Allen describes herself as a committable plant-a-holic. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the horticulture industry, with a special interest in plant pests and diseases; is a Licensed Pesticide Applicator in the state of Maryland; and is an ISACertified Arborist. She can be contacted at carolallen@erols.com. *As the IPM director of a botanical garden, I and my crew found the “power washing” technique to be the best method to control pest outbreaks without using any chemical controls. We were open every day of the year and had to be cognizant of folks with environmental sensitivities. It forced us to think outside the box!

The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City Coming Soon!

By Kathy Jentz and Teresa Speight Published by Cool Springs Press/Quarto Homes Pre-order it today at: https://amzn.to/3yiLPKU

GardenDC Podcast

The GardenDC podcast is all about gardening in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic area. The program is hosted by Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener Magazine, and features guest experts in local and national horticulture. The latest episodes include interviews with experts on tree care, garden trends, and camellias.

You can listen online at https:// washingtongardener.blogspot.com/ or on Spotify, Apple, etc. o JANUARY 2022

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TIPStricks The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized organization founded in 1827 and the producer of the world-famous Philadelphia Flower Show, has released its top six gardening trends for 2022.

Andrew Bunting, vice president of Public Gardens and Landscapes at PHS, said, “Adopting new trends offers gardeners the perfect way to revamp home gardens with new ideas and inspiration, while using gardening to promote year-round health and wellbeing. This list of garden trends for 2022 is ideal for gardeners of all interests and experience levels to incorporate into their own gardens.”

• Use Native and Pollinator-Friendly Plants Bring bees and pollen-loving insects to your gardens! Adding native pollinators to your garden is a simple way to support the ecosystem right from your own backyard. Pollinators are vital to creating and maintaining ecosystems and are crucial to agriculture. Plants like mountain mint, coneflowers, and gayfeather are all great at attracting these important insects.

• Consider Turning Lawn Space into Garden Space Did you know lawns aren’t great for the environment? Even removing a small piece of lawn and transforming it into garden space has the power to significantly lower fossil fuel emissions that would otherwise be applied to the lawn through regular trimming and maintenance. Your new garden space can also boost its positive environmental impact by being used as a pollinator garden, perennial garden, or even a vegetable patch.

• Attend a Plant Swap and Make a New Friend Connect with fellow gardeners and bring home new plants! A great way to incorporate new plants in your garden and gain expertise as a beginner gardener is through attending a plant swap. At a plant swap, attendees can bring their small plants, cuttings, potting soil, pots, or other gardening equipment and exchange them for something they don’t have. This is a simple way to diversify your garden, learn new horticultural skills, and connect with fellow gardeners. Many of these meet-and10

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Six Top Gardeno Trends greet-style exchanges can be found in local gardening Facebook groups, so be sure to check online for groups in your area.

• Try Gravel Gardening, Waterwise Gardening, or Xeriscaping Not great at regularly watering your garden? Thankfully, you can build a garden with hardy plants and low water requirements! With more and more areas of the country experiencing inconsistent weather patterns and periods of drought, planting gardens that require little watering or irrigation is growing in popularity.

Gravel gardening offers just one way to cut back on water requirements, irrigation requirements, and fertilizer use in your garden through eliminating the use of soil. Xeriscaping refers to landscaping and gardening in a way that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation. Gravel gardens and xeriscaping can incorporate a multitude of plants, including a wide array of succulents in the Sedum species, as well as hensand-chicks (Sempervivum tectorum), hardy cacti such as the Opuntia species, some ornamental grasses, threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), and even yucca. PHS Meadowbrook Farm in Jenkintown, PA, has already embraced waterwise gardening practices and incorporated many of these species, similarly to many other garden spaces across the U.S. • Grow Your Own Fruit With just a little space, you can enjoy your favorite fruits right from your

own garden! Growing fruit is no longer reserved for those with orchards. Even just a few fruit trees can produce hundreds of pieces of fruit perfect for jams, jellies, cookies, ice cream, or simply eating as-is. Dwarf fruit trees come in many varieties, including figs, mulberries, apples, and pears, and are ideal for growing with limited space.

• Cut Flowers Are Trending Across the U.S., boutique flower businesses are incorporating more and more classic cut flowers like zinnia, dahlia, poppy, cosmos, and shasta daisy. The return to these timeless varieties of flowers demonstrates a shift away from the more non-traditional, eccentric, and often minimalist style common in modern floral arrangement today. From purveyors of elaborate homegrown arrangements to the backyard gardener, cut flowers offer a rewarding means to immerse yourself in horticulture and experience the pride of growing your own flowers and sharing them with loved ones that will surely never go out of style.

For novice gardeners and expert horticulturists alike, embracing popular garden trends offers an opportunity for inspiration and connection with fellow gardeners. PHS offers numerous programs and initiatives to rally community members around a common love for horticulture to promote healthy, green neighborhoods. For more information about PHS programs, and for information on how to get involved, please visit: phsonline.org. o

GARDENnews

Quick Links to Recent Washington Gardener Blog Posts • Top GardenDC Podcast Episodes of 2021 • We are Stardust • Top Garden Books of 2021 See more Washington Gardener blog posts at: WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com o

New Plant Spotlight

January–February Garden To-Do List

2022 David Austin Roses ‘Silas Marner’ Rose

An unfussy rose of soft mid-pink, the petals are pale on the reverse and fade at the edges, creating a gentle quality.

Held on red stems, the medium-sized cupped blooms have relaxed, almost ruffled petals that are set around an attractive button eye. There is a medium-strong Old Rose fragrance with accents of fruity lemon, green banana, and apricot. A very healthy mediumsized shrub with glossy dark-green foliage and wide, arching growth. Named after the kindhearted hero of George Eliot’s classic novel.

‘The Country Parson’ Rose

A pretty yet feisty rose of Scottish descent, bearing open, medium-large, almost flat rosettes of pure yellow. The petals appear gracefully translucent toward the outer edges of each bloom, creating an illuminated effect. There is a delicious medium-strong fruity fragrance with notes of sweet apricot, green apple, and honey. A rounded medium-sized shrub whose spiny, little thorns mingle with small, grayish-green leaves. A very healthy and robust rose, producing continuous, plentiful blooms from June through to the first frosts.

Its name pays tribute to James Woodforde’s acclaimed narrative—an informal yet richly insightful account of the daily life of a late-18th-century English clergyman—The Diary of a Country Parson.

See more at davidaustinroses.com. o Photos courtesy of David Austin Roses.

• Prune any dead or diseased wood from your small trees and shrubs.

• If you purchased a live Christmas tree, plant it now.

• Cut off the flower stalk on your amaryllis once flowers fade. Leave foliage to grow.

• Keep poinsettias in a well-lit area, but out of direct sun and away from drafts.

• Buy a few new houseplants.

• Fertilize only your winter-blooming houseplants, such as violets.

• Give your houseplants a quarter turn every few weeks.

• Build a compost bin.

• Repair your shed and repair/paint your fences.

• Clean out your cold frame or build a new one.

• Collect large plastic soda bottles to use as cloches. (A cloche is a clear, bellshaped cover used to protect tender plants from frost.)

• Clean and refill bird feeders.

• Wash and refill the birdbath or set out a shallow bowl of water in icy weather.

• Check on stored summer bulbs and seeds. Discard any that have rotted.

• Buy seeds and order plants from the new garden catalogs.

• Prune summer bloomers such as Hydrangeas, Rose of Sharon, Crape Myrtles, and Butterfly Bushes.

• Till and add organic matter to annual/vegetable beds.

• Weed—especially check fast-growing vines such as honeysuckle, autumn clematis, bittersweet, wild grape, Virginia creeper, and poison ivy.

• Place a floating ball or small plastic soda bottle filled two-thirds with water and a tablespoon of salt in your pond to stop it from icing over entirely, especially if you have fish. If ice forms, remove the ball by pouring hot water on it.

• Insulate outdoor containers with bubble wrap or landscape fabric.

• Check that newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials have not been heaved out of the ground due to freeze-and-thaw cycles.

• Take hardwood cuttings from willow and dogwood to propagate them.

• Look for evidence of pest or fungal damage throughout your garden.

• Clean out your greenhouse and wash those windows.

• Set out your live potted evergreens from holiday decorating in a protected outdoor space to harden them off before planting them.

• If we get more snow in the DC area, gently dislodge snow from trees and shrubs with a broom to prevent damage to branches.

• Start hardy herbs, onions, cabbage, pansies, and perennials.

• Clean and tidy up pots and seed trays to get a good start in February.

• Use leftover holiday greens and cut-up tree branches to mulch beds and create windbreaks.

• Do not step on frozen soil in flower beds or lawns.

• Keep all houseplants out of drafts and away from heat vents.

• Use de-icer sparingly or a nonchemical substitute such as sand, grit, fireplace ashes, or non-clumping kitty litter.

• Volunteer at a local public or historic garden.

• Paint a few terracotta pots in spring-like colors.

• Pot up any leftover bulbs that did not make it into the ground by now and force them for indoor blooms. o JANUARY 2022

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HORThaenings

Turning a New Leaf Conference 2022

The biennial Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council’s Turning a New Leaf Conference (CCLC TNALC) brings together agricultural and horticultural luminaries from all over the Chesapeake Bay area. As one attendee put it, a lot of “heavy hitters” and important people are working toward diversity, equity, sustainability, and inclusion in our region. Social justice is core in our struggle with climate uncertainty and creating a more equitable society—we need a future with more gardens, and that means more young people involved with gardening.

The talks at the 2021 conference took place online in early December, followed by in-person field trips to local sustainable landscapes.

The first session, “Meaningful Collaborations in Sustainable Landscaping = Plant Virginia Natives Marketing Initiative Growing in All Directions, Local Government and Residents, A Social Justice Model for Employees,” was an incredible start to the conference.

Lauren Wheeler, founder and principal designer at Natural Resources Design, Inc.; Rod Barnes, town of Edmonston administrator; and Virginia Witmer, outreach coordinator at Virginia Costal Zone Management Program, were the three speakers.

Each representative gave their perspectives on strengthening water quality and habitat in the Bay region, “a statewide partnership to promote the use of native plants in Virginia.” Discussion centered on native plants, and how local governments can collaborate with constituents and create a social justice model for employers.

In session 2, “Equity in Landscape Design,” Akiima Price and Erin GarnaasHolmes discussed working with Black and Brown communities to make sure that their needs are met, the overview said.

“Creating a Forest Garden,” during session 3, had Christine Simpson, a landscape architect, and Lincoln Smith, the owner of Forested, talking about how forest gardens produce or create food while trying to preserve the ecosystem. They explained the features and principles of forest gardening and used 12

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CCLC Field Day attendees tour sustainable landscape updates at the Audubon Naturalist Society, Woodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD.

Smith’s company to show examples.

“Plant It Forward: Helping Others Help Wildlife Through Conservation Landscaping” featured deputy director of the Audubon Naturalist Society Alison Pearce. Her talk was about now the society transformed their headquarters into a space that could benefit wildlife and the ecosystem.

The third talk of session 3, “Landscapes for Pollinators” had Penn State Professor, Harland Patch, speaking.

Covered topics included understanding a pollinator’s lifecycle, and how ecosystems can help better inform landscape design.

“Green Mulch: Plants to Cover Ground and Reduce Maintenance” concluded session 3, with Darlene Robbins, RainScapes program planner. She talked about how green mulch saves time and money, and boosts ecological function.

Each year, the Chesapeake Stormwater Network recognizes outstanding landscaping projects with the Best Urban BMPs in the Bay (BUBBA) awards. Three projects were recognized in 2021. “Inspiring BMPS: A Selection of 2021 BUBBA Award Winning Projects = Just add water - A different approach to ‘fixing’ drainage, Mount Oliver Stormwater Retention project, Wild at Heart in Accotink Creek Watershed,” celebrated BUBBA Award winners and gave them the chance to share their projects.

David Wood, stormwater coordinator for the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, moderated the session. First to present was Chris Moore of Welspryng LLC. Moore shared photos of his project, highlighting the use of native plants and site design. He said he wanted to

encourage his clients to “keep an open mind” when it came to stormwater and drainage.

Aileen Craig of the Nature Conservancy shared photos of her project, again emphasizing the use of native plants and maintenance of the site. One of the biggest things she wanted her clients to take away from their experience was that, “by doing this project, they’re helping the environment.”

Adele Kuo of Deco Footprint shared photos of her project and also discussed the importance of native plants, homing in on the benefits of conservation landscaping, especially in regard to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

This session was visually engaging, with beautiful photos of projects. Each speaker had great insight and tips for an at-home gardener looking to make their yard or garden more supportive of the watershed.

Engaging more people in the industry and the agriculture community is a priority for many gardeners. The speakers at the conference’s seventh session exemplified ways to involve young people and incarcerated people in the industry and community and in doing so, provide employment opportunities.

In the session on “Growing the Workforce, Connecting with Youth = Conservation Training in Correctional Settings, Working with Youth and the CBLP-A Program, & Connecting with Youth at Diakon Wilderness,” three speakers discussed community outreach and conservation.

Kim Patten of the Wilderness Greenhouse at Diakon Youth Services, Antonia Bookbinder of the Prince George’s

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS County Department of Parks and Recreation, and David J. Hirschman of Hirschman Water & Environment, LLC each highlighted ways to engage the community in a way that benefits its people and its environment.

All three speakers had great insights, but a highlight was when Patten told an anecdote of a 17-year-old boy she had worked with who tried his first fresh strawberry while at Diakon. The story encapsulated the positive impact gardening can have on people who might not be initially drawn to it.

Session 8 was broken into four parts.

Each attendee could choose the speaker they wanted to hear.

Session 8A with Connie Schmotzer compared the benefits and drawbacks of cultivars and straight species. She delved into various research projects and their findings on the comparison of cultivars and straight species. She even highlighted some tips for gardeners when choosing cultivars.

Schmotzer aimed to answer the question, “Are cultivars useful for pollinators and wildlife?” Her answer was ultimately, “it depends.”

In Session 8B, Anahí Espíndola discussed how plants and pollinators interact. Session 8C was with Scott McGill, who explained the benefits of beaver dams to the environment and how they can be used as a tool for restoration.

Session 8D was with Steve Miller. He discussed gardening in residential communities, placing emphasis on how to work with homeowner associations.

The focus of this meeting of the minds was, as always, on restorative greening of American civilization and passing the torch of horticultural excellence to the younger generation. A networking opportunity par excellence, the CCLC TANLC was held virtually with chat and networking opportunities during lunch and in chat rooms over two days in early December. It gives one hope to see so many committed and intelligent people coming together over a shared interest in gardening and a sustainable future. o Melinda Thompson, Charlotte Crook, Charlotte Benedetto, and Melena Dinenna contributed to this article. All four were interns this past fall with Washington Gardener.

Classes, Events, and Plant Shows/Sales • January 22–March 27 Longwood Gardens Winter Wonder Escape the cold of winter in Longwood’s grand conservatory. In addition to the one-of-a-kind horticultural display, Longwood features performances and worldclass educational opportunities. For schedule details and to purchase timed tickets, visit longwoodgardens.org.

• Saturday, January 22, 12:30–4:30pm National Capital Orchid Society’s Virtual Paph Forum 2022 Topics include Slipper Orchids of Southern and Southwestern China, Analysis of the Global Market for Paphiopedilum and Implications for Their Conservation, and State of the Art of Paphiopedilum Culture. Fee: $25.

For registration and information, email paphforumhelp@gmail.com.

• Thursday, January 27, 1–4pm Virtual Native Plant and Sustainability Conference Topics include how to create layers in your landscape, great natives for our region, organic tree production, and highlights from award-winning local gardens. Hosted by the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Early-bird registration is $40 for Phipps members and $45 for nonmembers. Go to https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/.

• Saturday, February 12, 9am–2pm 4th Annual Native Plant Symposium “Stop Mowing, Start Growing: Native Plants for Beginners and Beyond” is a virtual conference on Zoom. Registration fee: $15. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4thannual-native-plant-symposiumstop-mowing-start-growing-tickets212685587317.

• Friday, February 18 GreenScapes Symposium Hosted by Brookside Gardens, this is a day of virtual lectures focusing on native plants for tough garden conditions and how to design a small garden space that will still provide ecological benefits for pollinators and wildlife.

To learn more and register, visit www. brooksidegreen.org.

• Saturday, February 19, 8:30am Virtual EcoSavvy Symposium: Restoring Urban Forests Help restore the urban forest, one yard at a time. This program will help you understand the ecological imperative to preserve and grow the tree canopy.

Learn what you can do to help improve the issue of tree canopy decline throughout the region, and steps you can take in your community and your own yard to reverse this disturbing trend. Fee: $58 per person. Register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ parktakes. Code 5UA.Y17N. • Saturday, February 19, 9am–2pm 2022 Spring Conference The Montgomery County Master Gardeners invite county residents and all interested gardeners to join us for the spring conference. It focuses on sharing information that will help local gardeners create and maintain sustainable gardens to enjoy now and for years to come. It will be held via Zoom. Registration link: https:// 2022mcmgconference.eventbrite.com.

• Thursday, February 24, 6:30–8pm Garden Book Club Discuss The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature by Sue Stuart-Smith. You can order it at https://amzn.to/3HxDUhk. To join us for this Zoom meeting, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtduurpjwvH9M4PaEpk21e421 SriSQD3ky.

• Saturday, February 26, 12:30–4pm Washington Gardener Seed Exchange at Brookside Gardens See pages 6–7 of this issue.

Event Listing Updates See updated event listings on the Washington Gardener discussion list.

Join by emailing WashingtonGardenersubscribe@googlegroups.com.

How to Submit Events To submit an event for this listing, email washingtongardenermagazine@gmail. com with “Event” in the subject line.

Our next deadline is February 5 for the February 2022 issue, for events taking place after February 15. o JANUARY 2022

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EDIBLEharvt

Marvelous Indoor Mushroom Kits

By Elizabeth Olson Growing your own edible mushrooms indoors in the middle of a cold winter is great fun. It is convenient and increasing in popularity. Mushroom kits, in particular, are easy to use, have spacesaving designs, and can provide multiple crops of delicious and nutritious fresh mushrooms.

Mushrooms from indoor kits are the above-ground fruiting bodies of various fungi. They can be prepared as a side dish or added to soups, stews, and many cooked dishes; see recipes on page 16. White button mushrooms and brown crimini mushrooms can be sliced fresh and added to salads.

Mushrooms are low in calories and are a source of dietary fiber as well as several B vitamins and minerals, including phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.

Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, have high levels of these nutritional elements and are a favorite vegetarian source of Vitamin D. The best time for ordering kits is gen14

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Shiitake mushroom kit.

erally from autumn until early spring each year. It is important to check shipping timelines with any supplier.

Shipping in hot weather might not be available, since high temperatures can adversely affect the mushroom spawn.

Kits should be ordered about two weeks ahead of needing them and then opened immediately upon arrival and set up according to package directions.

Kits that arrive earlier than needed (such as those ordered as gifts) can be kept refrigerated from several days to weeks, depending on the species.

A number of companies specialize in indoor mushroom kits; a selection is listed on page 15.

The growing medium or substrate in mushroom kits is customized for each species and the medium is pre-inoculated and often has a whitish coating on the surface of the block.

Another benefit of kits is that the medium is free of possible contamination from unwanted mushroom species.

Once a kit is opened and set up according to the kit’s instructions, with special attention to placement and light needs, mushrooms will start to sprout within one to two weeks. Many will be ready for harvesting in two to five weeks.

It is standard to harvest white button and crimini mushrooms, for example, at the immature stage before they become large and the gills open. Portabella mushrooms are the same species and brown form as crimini mushrooms, but are harvested when they are larger, more mature, and the gills have opened. The gills are usually left on the mushroom cap, although they can be gently removed with a spoon.

Mushrooms do not keep well once they reach their ideal size and should be harvested as soon as they are ready.

Surplus mushrooms can be dehydrated and they store well; they are easy to rehydrate. Second or later crops will grow in cycles. At the end of a kit’s pro-

EDIBLEharvt ductive life, the growing medium can be composted.

Several well-known mushroom varieties are available in kits. The following varieties have a low difficulty level for gardeners. Humidity needs vary by species and are described in kit instructions. Each species has a preferred temperature range, but all will grow well at room temperature.

• White button (Agaricus bisporus white color): It has a fresh and mild flavor when raw. The flavor deepens and becomes somewhat earthy when cooked.

• Portabella/baby bella/crimini (Agaricus bisporus brown color): Raw crimini have a slightly deeper flavor than raw white button mushrooms.

Cooked portabellas have a deep savory to earthy flavor.

• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): It is famous for its rich, woodsy flavor.

• Oyster (Pleurotus spp.): The most common species, Pleurotus ostreatus, has a flavor that ranges from delicate and slightly sweet to a mild anise.

• Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus): It is noted for its crab- or lobster-like flavor.

• Chestnut (Pholiota adiposa): It has a nutty flavor.

• Pioppini (Cyclocybe aegerita, syn.

Agrocybe aegerita): It has a deep, earthy flavor.

Mushroom Kit Sources • Cascadia Mushrooms Bellingham, WA CascadiaMushrooms.com 100% Certified Organic mushroom kits. Grow kits are available for blue oyster, cosmic queen oyster, shiitake, and lion’s mane mushrooms. Additional online recipes include mushroom burgers, mushroom risotto, and baconwrapped shiitake mushrooms.

• Far West Fungi San Francisco, CA FarWestFungi.com.

Mini-farm mushroom kits are available for yellow oyster, pink oyster, shiitake, and lion’s mane mushrooms. Fans of Green Bean Casserole will appreciate the company’s online recipe featuring home-grown mushrooms.

Oyster mushroom kit.

• Field & Forest Products Peshtigo, WI FieldForest.net.

The company offers small, table-top mushroom kits. Varieties include the nutty-flavored Chestnut and the longstemmed Pioppini mushrooms in addition to king oyster, black oyster, lion’s mane, and shiitake mushrooms.

There are many online recipes, including cream of shiitake soup, mushroom cobbler, and Chestnut mushroom and artichoke galette.

• Mushroom Adventures Marysville, CA MushroomAdventures.com.

All mushroom kits are certified organic.

Full-size kits are offered for portabella/baby bella/crimini, white button, and oyster mushrooms. Smaller kits

are available for shiitake and lion’s mane mushrooms. The company has an option for double-boxing the kits for extra protection or gift-giving.

Mushrooms are surprisingly versatile.

Enjoy growing your own from kits this winter. Experiment with different species and try various recipes or develop your own. Growing mushrooms from kits will provide an unexpected and delightful gardening experience. o Elizabeth Olson is a Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist. She is also an avid home gardener who is fascinated by the plants that she grows. She can be contacted through Washington Gardener Magazine.

All mushroom photos in this story are courtesy of Field & Forest Products, Inc. © 2022—All rights reserved.

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EDIBLEharvt

Recipes Salmon à la Shiitake Recipe courtesy of Cascadia Mushrooms.

Ingredients 1 filet wild salmon 1 lb. of shiitake mushrooms 1/4 cup of maple syrup 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 medium onion or shallot 1 sprig of rosemary Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil; lay salmon skin-side down on the foil.

Scatter rosemary over entire salmon fillet. Cover salmon flesh evenly with mushroom caps, gill-side down. Scatter onions/shallots evenly over salmon and mushrooms. Pour maple syrup and soy sauce evenly over entire fillet.

Bake on oven’s middle rack for 20–30 minutes, until salmon is done (internal temperature should be 145 degrees F.). Use a fork to check thickest part of filet. Texture is best when flakey and slightly moist.

Lemony Button Mushrooms Traditional recipe.

Slice white button mushrooms in half or in quarters, depending on the size of each mushroom. The mushroom pieces can be steamed until firm but tender. Another cooking method is to boil them; the mushrooms will release a lot of water, so be careful to add just enough water at the beginning to keep them from sticking to the pan.

Finish the cooked mushroom pieces with freshly squeezed lemon juice and serve.

Chestnut mushroom kit.

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Grilled Portabella Mushrooms Recipe courtesy of Mushroom Adventures.

Let your mushrooms grow until the caps open. Remove the stem from the cap. Coat both sides of the cap with melted butter and olive oil, or oil-and-vinegar salad dressing (Italian). Salt and pepper to taste. Place the opened caps over a barbecue and grill for several minutes on each side. When cooked, the mushroom caps can be eaten whole, as a patty in a mushroom burger, or sliced and served as a side dish. This recipe can also be used with the caps pre-sliced into strips that are a half-inch-thick and marinated with the above ingredients before grilling. The stems can be saved and used in sauces or soups.

Sautéed Portabella Mushrooms Recipe courtesy of Mushroom Adventures.

Slice the mushroom cap and stem into long quarter-inch-thick strips. Sauté your mushrooms in a frying pan, adding a little butter and olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and several diced cloves of garlic. Sauté your mushrooms for several minutes, until the water—which cooks out of the mushrooms—evaporates and the butter and olive oil remain in the pan. This may take a few minutes, but when you get to this point, your mushrooms will be done cooking and ready to eat.

You’ve seen those gorgeous garden photos published in magazines and newspapers. Enter this year’s competition and have a chance of getting your images published, too! Whether you take the photos in your own backyard, a nearby public garden, or while visiting friends and family in their local gardens, there are so many photographic opportunities to be found. Let’s show off the best in DC-area gardening!

This contest offers an opportunity for all photographers to present their best shots of gardens in the greater Washington, DC, area. Contest entries will be judged on technical quality, composition, originality, and artistic merit.

More than $500 in prizes will be awarded! Winning images will be published in Washington Gardener magazine, displayed during the Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, and appear in a local photo exhibit.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Each entrant is limited to a total of 10 images. Each electronic file must be identified with your last name and entry category. For example, GardenCreature1-Jones.jpg or SmallWonders8.-Smith.jpg.

All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared in the viewfinder.

Nothing should be added to an image and, aside from dust spots, nothing should be removed. Cropping and minor adjustments to electronic images to convert RAW files are acceptable.

If an image is selected as a finalist, a high-resolution digital file might be required before finalizing our results.

Digitally captured images should be taken at the camera’s highest resolution (3 megapixels or larger). For preliminary judging, digital files must be submitted in JPEG format sized to 1,000 pixels on the longest side at 300 dpi.

If photos are taken with a film camera, they must be scanned in and submitted in JPEG format sized to 1,000 pixels on the longest side at 300 dpi.

Contest entries can be submitted via email to DCGardenPhotos@aol. com. Use the subject line “WG Photo Contest” and include an entry form for each image in your email’s text field.

16TH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST Entries can also be sent as a CDROMs. Please verify their integrity by making sure they are readable and not damaged. We reserve the right to disqualify any disk that is unreadable or defective. Please check your CDs with the latest virus-detection software. We will disqualify any disk that appears to contain a virus or a suspicious file.

Label each CD and case with your full name. We strongly suggest mailing CDs in protective cases. We are not responsible for disks damaged during shipping. No CDs will be returned, but they can be picked up after judging.

Send your entries and entry fee to: Washington Gardener Photo Contest, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Mailed entries must be received by January 22, 2022.

You can print out blank entry forms from the Washington Gardener blog (WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com) or from our Facebook page.

We will verify all entries, so please ensure your email address is included on all items.

Entrants must not infringe on the rights of any other photographer, landowner, or other person. Photos involving willful harassment of wildlife or destruction of any property are unacceptable.

The entrant must have personally taken the photo. By entering, you state this is your work and it is free of copyright elsewhere.

Failure to comply with any contest guidelines will lead to disqualification.

category or submit all 10 in one category.

Photos must have been taken during the 2021 calendar year in a garden located within a 150-mile radius of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. • Garden Views: Beautiful, dramatic, or unusual perspectives of a garden landscape, including wide shots showing the setting. Subject can be a private or public garden.

• Garden Vignettes: Groupings of plants in beds or containers, unusual color or texture combinations, garden focal points, and still scenes. Subject can be photographed in a private or public garden.

• Small Wonders: Tight close-up images or macro shots of single flowers, plant parts, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Subject can be photographed in a private or public garden.

• Garden Creatures: Images of insects, birds, frogs, pets, etc., in a private or public garden setting.

COPYRIGHT NOTE

CONTEST ENTRY FEE

Your entry to this contest constitutes your agreement to allow your photographs and your name, city, state, and photo description texts to be published in upcoming issues of Washington Gardener and used for other related purposes including, but not limited to, Washington Gardener Photo Contest promotions and online, live presentations, and gallery exhibits. Entrants retain ownership and all other rights to future use of their photographs.

CATEGORIES

Each entrant is limited to a total of 10 images. You may submit a few in each

PRIZES

Prizes include gift certificates to area camera stores, gardening tools, new plant introductions, and much more!

If you would like to be a prize donor or sponsor, contact us today.

WINNERS’ OBLIGATION

Photo contest winners will need to provide high-resolution versions of their images for publication and an 11x14 print suitable for framing. Winners may be asked to provide additional information for press and media coverage.

The entry fee is $20.00 or $15.00 for current Washington Gardener Magazine subscribers. The fee includes up to 10 total image submissions per entrant.

Please send a check or money order made out to “Washington Gardener” or send a payment via www.PayPal.com to DCGardenPhotos@aol.com.

DEADLINE

Entries are due by midnight on January 22, 2022.

QUESTIONS?

Please call 301.588.6894 or email DCGardenPhotos@aol.com. o JANUARY 2022

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BOOKreviews

Grow More Food: A Vegetable Gardener’s Guide to Getting the Biggest Harvest Possible from a Space of Any Size Authors: Colin McCrate and Brad Halm Publisher: Storey Publishing List Price: $24.95 Order Link: https://amzn.to/3qrq1vF and https://bookshop.org/ a/79479/9781635864090 Reviewer: Charlote Crook Grow More Food, the new book from Colin McCrate and Brad Halm, provides a comprehensive guide for food gardeners at any level. McCrate and Halm founded the Seattle Urban Farm Company in 2007, focused on helping and educating gardeners. Although they do not live in the Washington, DC, area, this guide is helpful for all growers, especially beginners.

In Grow More Food, McCrate and Halm give interactive tools to help gardeners get their start in growing edibles. I can see the book being incredibly helpful to gardeners, but McCrate and Halm emphasize the process over anything else: “... you should approach gardening with a long view and gradually acquire skills as they become relevant and appropriate for your garden.”

The book is five sections that, in themselves, act as a step-by-step guide: “Plan Ahead & Keep Records,” “Build Healthy Soil,” “Get to Know Your Plants,” “Create Efficient Systems,” and “Extend & Expand the Harvest.”

Each section provides helpful tips for different aspects of food gardening.

In “Plan Ahead & Keep Records,” the authors emphasize organization. “Build 18

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Healthy Soil” devotes pages to teaching you how to interpret the results of a soil test.

In the section titled, “Get to Know Your Plants,” you can read about different seed treatment and storage methods to increase the longevity of your seeds. “Create Efficient Systems” discusses various methods of irrigation, and “Extend & Expand the Harvest” teaches you how to harvest specific plants.

When it comes to obstacles, the authors’ philosophy is preventive measures and continued maintenance.

“Weeding will always be part of organic garden maintenance,” McCrate and Halm write. “Your goal is simply to reduce the overall production of weeds in your garden.”

Although the book is colorful with many pictures, there’s lots of information packed in to it. Most of the book is text, broken up by photos and charts.

The charts are, by far, the most helpful part of the book. Some charts provide information about plants’ preferred harvest methods, and others are about seed lifespan. These serve as a great, quick guide to this information.

The book closes with an entire section devoted to the charts throughout the book, compiled in one go-to spot for easy access. There’s even an index.

If you need to know what page the instructions for grafting are on, this is a good place to check.

Whether you live in Seattle, Washington, or Washington, DC, Grow More Food will be a helpful guide to get you started on your journey growing edibles. o Charlotte Crook is a senior journalism major minoring in history at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. She was an intern during fall 2021 with Washington Gardener and is passionate about raising houseplants (to varying degrees of success).

Note: These book reviews include links to Amazon.com and BookShop.org for ordering them. Washington Gardener Magazine may receive a few cents from each order placed after you click on these links.

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden: A Natural Approach to Pest Control (Revised and Updated Second Edition) Author: Jessica Walliser Publisher: Cool Springs Press List Price: $27.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/3rm8Evj and https://bookshop.org/ a/79479/9780760371718 Reviewer: Erica H. Smith Gardeners who regularly add to their libraries are always excited by the appearance of a new Jessica Walliser book, but I will admit (echoing Walliser, who includes a list of confessions in her introduction) that I didn’t manage to acquire the original 2014 edition of this guide to beneficial insects. That means I can’t tell you which are revised and updated parts, but if you didn’t buy it before, or if your copy is tattered and worn, it’s worth getting hold of this new edition. Aside from being a knowledgeable horticulturist and experienced gardener who always does her research, Walliser is just an enticing and effective writer. I mean, any book that starts with the sentence “Slug sex is interesting stuff” has to be worth reading, right?

And yes, of course she knows that slugs are neither insects nor beneficial, but that lead-in is all about how fascinating the small creatures are that inhabit our gardens. What does Walliser confess to, you may ask? That she used to be a bug hater who wielded pesticide sprays until she belatedly learned better, and that now she finds bugs more interesting than plants.

Plants, it turns out, are just matter to

BOOKreviews feed insects, who then feed on each other. But if you’re all about the plants nonetheless, you still need to learn about insects.

Most of us who began gardening some decades ago never thought we’d be looking for ways to attract more bugs, but if we want to control the undesirable insects who eat our plants kept, the best and most ecologically friendly method is to invite insects who will prey on them. Those may chow down directly, or they may be parasitoids who supply their children with easy meals by laying eggs in insects or their eggs and larvae. The best way to entice good bugs, Walliser tells us, is to let the bad bugs hang around long enough to be lunch, which means holding back on pesticides (with some exceptions, such as infestations of invasives lacking natural predators).

We also need to plant lots of flowers for the beneficial insects that like to feed on nectar and pollen, and provide lots of nesting and hiding spaces. We need busy, colorful gardens with a high proportion of native plants.

One chapter provides a list with descriptions of some of the best plants to add to an insect-friendly landscape, some native and some non-native, and that’s great to have, but probably the least important section. More intriguing are the profiles of beneficials, from assassin bugs to tachinid flies, and the general information about how these insects go about their lives, how they find and attack their prey, and what features in your garden they find attractive. (Extrafloral nectar! I had no idea.)

The book also features interviews with research entomologists around the country, including Doug Tallamy and the University of Maryland’s own Paula Shrewsbury.

This is the rare gardening book that you just want to sit down and read straight through, including all the details about big-eyed bugs and mountain mint, phenology, and farmscaping, and then study the handy chart about what eats what and what you should plant to attract them. And then start ordering seeds. Maybe it’s even the book that will convince your insectphobic neighbor to stop spraying and start planting, but at the very least, it

will help you serve as a good example of how gardens can be beautiful, healthy, and full of bugs, at the same time. o Home Hydroponics: Small-Space DIY Growing Systems Author: Tyler Baras Publisher: Cool Springs Press List Price: $26.99 Order Link: https://amzn.to/3numwCJ and https://bookshop.org/ a/79479/9780760370384 Reviewer: Erica H. Smith Hydroponic gardening allows anyone to grow plants for food or beauty without the mess of soil or potting mixes, by water and nutrients in a system controlled for optimum production. Most indoor hydroponic setups don’t really take human aesthetic preferences into consideration, however. In fact, they tend to feature lots of PVC pipes and plastic boxes, which don’t fit attractively into the typical living space. This book presents creations that will allow you to not only grow hydroponically in any room, but work with your home’s interior design.

The projects range from a simple planter box on a suction-cup shelf, to be mounted in a sunny window, to some pretty complicated constructions like a coffee table with plants growing underneath and a vertical farm built into a locker, with pumping systems and ventilation. I would recommend this book primarily for those with DIY experience in carpentry and even plumbing, who have a good set of basic tools already on hand and know how to use them.

For most projects, you’ll need a drill, a saw, maybe a pipe cutter, hardware, and a set of hand tools, and the patience to measure carefully and follow the clear and detailed instructions to the letter. You may also have to adjust measurements and materials to your own space and taste. You’ll also have to purchase lots of items, including hydroponic supplies like net pots, clay pebbles, stone wool, and pond liners.

I am not much of a builder, nor do I have hydroponics experience, so it all looks a bit intimidating to me, but if you’ve made some shelves or non-

fancy furniture, connected a few pipes, and can do a little math, you’re probably set. From the photos, the results look great. How about an herb garden nestled into a hand-built picture frame, or an end table made of a carved redwood block that sprouts plants? Or, more practically, a wooden planting box for salad greens and herbs for your dining room table or bar cart? We all need more plants in our lives.

This book also has tons of useful information about light needs and how to measure available light, nutrient management, effects of indoor climates, and appropriate plants. (Hint: You’re not going to be growing vining squash, tall okra, or lemon trees, but you can produce plenty of salads and discover the pleasures of microgreens.

Flowers and foliage plants are also possible, along with miniature tomatoes.)

Maintenance and troubleshooting are also covered. And Baras has many more resources online. If you need support for your dream hydroponics project, you can find it. Dive in; water gives you what you need to grow, and so does this book. o Erica H. Smith is a Montgomery County Master Gardener whose volunteer activities include the MG Demonstration Garden, the Grow It Eat It program, and speaking engagements on food-growing topics. She is the author of several novels; visit her website at ericahsmith.wordpress.com.

JANUARY 2022

WASHINGTON GARDENER

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PLANTprofile

Juniper

By Kathy Jentz Junipers (Juniperus sp.) are evergreen shrubs that are a great addition to any garden. They come in many shades of green, from aqua-blue to bright citrus yellow.

There are more than 60 species of juniper and of those, 13 are native to the United States. One of the most common is the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), which is the plant from which gin is sourced as well as the so-called “cedar” wood that is used in clothing drawers and wardrobes.

Junipers are tough plants. In general, they are salt-tolerant, droughttolerant, and can cope with many soil types. They prefer full sun and good drainage. Junipers should not be planted too close together so they can have good air circulation around them.

They do not respond well to pruning, so plant them in a spot where they can attain their full size without interference. If you notice an occasional dead, broken, or diseased branch, cut it back to the trunk and do not leave a stub sticking out.

Junipers cultivars are widely available and are bred in many sizes and shapes, from wide, round forms to straight, tall specimens. They can be used in combination with other evergreens and make handsome hedges.

They are good plants for holding in slopes and as a groundcover. Dwarf junipers are often placed in container combinations as well as used in miniature garden railways and rock gardens. o Kathy Jentz is the editor and founder of Washington Gardener.

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INVASIVEalert Cuban tree frog photo by Munkel, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

cuban tree frog

By Sara Tangren

Cuban tree frogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) were first imported into Florida in 1951, and have since spread into parts of Louisiana and Georgia. At up to 5.5 inches long, they are much larger than native frog species. Cuban tree frogs harm native frogs directly by eating them or indirectly by spreading diseases and parasites.

Cuban tree frogs are being imported into the Washington, DC, region, mostly by online stores that sell houseplants purchased from nurseries in Florida.

Unlike native frogs, Cuban tree frogs get inside buildings, plumbing, utility boxes, abandoned vehicles, etc. Once inside, they become a nuisance to humans by exuding skin irritants, defecating on walls, clogging drains, and poisoning pets.

Cuban tree frogs can spread deadly diseases like chytrid to native frogs whether they survive cold winters or not. However, given their ability to withstand short periods of being frozen;

their ability to get inside warm, sheltered areas; and the milder winters brought by climate change, it is probable that some Cuban tree frogs will survive winters in our region. iNaturalist is a repository for observations made by citizen scientists. As of July 20, 2021, its database contained four reports of Cuban tree frogs in Virginia, two from Maryland, and none in the District of Columbia.

The bigger picture: Cuban tree frogs are not the only invasive species that can hitch a ride in potted plants. Every year, thousands of potted plants are imported into the Mid-Atlantic U.S. region and some of them contain non-native species. Hitchhikers (seeds, pathogens, eggs, snails, worms, lizards, and frogs, to name a few) have been transported in potted plants or in potting soil. You can help reduce the importation of invasive species by checking over your purchases for any unexpected organisms. You can also help by purchasing

plants and seeds from local, licensed nurseries. Licensed dealers participate in an established inspection process that reduces the likelihood of spreading invasive species.

What to do if you discover a Cuban tree frog on your new plant? Cuban tree frogs don’t make good pets. They are hazardous to people, dogs, and cats.

However, please do not let the Cuban tree frog outdoors. It is probable that many native frogs will die if you do. This is why, in many jurisdictions (including Washington, DC), it is illegal to possess or trade such exotic animals as pets.

Your best, simplest option is to seek help from an animal rescue organization. They will also report the occurrence to the local department of the environment, so steps can be taken to prevent the shipping of any more frogs. Washington, DC’s Cruelty Ordinance prohibits intentionally harming any animal in your possession. Non-DC residents should check your local regulations before proceeding to euthanize a frog. Instructions for the euthanization procedure are available from the University of Florida. o Sara A. Tangren, Ph.D., is the coordinator of National Capital PRISM, Department of Energy & Environment, Government of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC. She can be reached at sara.tangren@dc.gov.

Cuban tree frog photo by Thomas Brown, CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Resources • Johnson, Steve. 2017. The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida. WEC218. University of Florida IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw259.

• U.S. Geological Survey, NAS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species: Cuban tree frog. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/ queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=57.

JANUARY 2022

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BIRDwatch

Northern Cardinal

By Cecily Nabors Nothing brightens a dreary winter day more than the sight of a male Northern Cardinal. Eye-popping red against the chiaroscuro of dark branches and white snow, his mere existence lifts the spirit.

The female’s more subtle plumage is a warm reddish-brown, although she shares the jaunty crest, black mask, and bright-red beak. Our well-loved Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is the state bird of seven states, including Virginia. We are lucky to have these handsome birds with us year-round.

Northern Cardinals are not just beautiful; they’re great songsters as well. In January, males begin tuning up, singing fragments of their various melodies in a soft, clear whistle. By mid-February, cardinal song is a regular feature of winter mornings as the birds declare and defend breeding territories and woo their mates. Common songs are a downslurred “Cheeer, cheeer”; an up-slurred “Wheeet, wheeet”; or a more conversational “Birdie, birdie, birdie.” Often, two males will countersing, each declaring his territorial boundaries.

Unlike many bird species in which only the males sing, cardinal females are as tuneful as males. Females countersing with their mates and defend the area around their nests. Sometimes a female 22

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will even sing from the nest, perhaps urging her mate to hurry up with lunch.

Because Northern Cardinals don’t need to migrate, pairs may stay together all year. In winter, cardinals hang out in loose flocks. They find fruits and seeds such as those of dogwood, wild grape, buckwheat, grasses, sedges, and berries. A tall tulip-tree with its pointed seed-cones becomes a cardinal restaurant. These birds come readily to birdfeeders, especially early in the morning and nearing dusk. They eat many kinds of birdseed, particularly favoring black oil sunflower seed.

Food plays an important role in cardinal courtship.

Besides countersinging, spring courtship behavior includes mate-feeding. The female crouches and flutters her wings in a begging posture.

The male picks up a seed or other delectable morsel, hops to the female, and places the food in her beak. A female can thus choose a mate that will be a good provider. She can also evaluate his health by judging the redness of his plumage. The red pigment

comes from carotenoids in berries and other fruits. Studies have shown that redder males may have larger, wellvegetated territories and higher reproductive success.

Mate-feeding is a charming clue that a pair may soon be nesting nearby. Female cardinals build their nests in dense shrubs and thickets or briar tangles, often at our eye level. Nest materials include twigs, vines, and weed stalks, with a lining of fine grasses. Females (see photo below) incubate their one to five eggs and may raise two or three broods a year. Males exemplify good fatherhood, bringing food for their mates and young. Baby birds are fed soft insects, but after the young fledge, parents may bring them to birdfeeders to give them seeds, in a sweet repeat of mate-feeding behavior.

Northern Cardinals have prospered as humans have altered the landscape. Cardinals are happy with hedgerows, shrubby tangles, backyards, and the edges of forest or marsh. Their range has been expanding northward, according to Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and banding records. This species is abundant and thriving, their numbers up by 17% since 1970, by BBS trend analysis.

Planting backyard shrubs helps provide great nesting places. Although the birds will use Amur honeysuckle and multiflora rose as nest sites, nest predation has been shown to be much higher for cardinals in these particular invasive tangles. To encourage cardinals in your yard, plant dogwoods, native hollies, or other native shrubs, or berry bushes, that will provide shelter, food, and nest sites for these and many other backyard birds.

When snow blurs the garden and winter seems grim, the red flare of a cardinal may appear in your frosty trees.

His sweet whistle will counsel, “Cheer! Cheer!” o Cecily Nabors is a retired software manager who has been watching and counting birds for much of her life. She publishes the GoodNatured Observations blog at cecilynabors.com.

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��������������������������������� A D VA N C I N G T H E N AT U R A L L A N D S C A P E : S O L U T I O N S F O R C H A L L E N G I N G S I T E S & S I T UAT I O N S �������������������������������������������� F R I D AY, F E B R UA R Y 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 | 9 : 3 0 A M – 4 P M E T �������������������������������������������� Leveraging native plants for specific environments and design outcomes can often be challenging.

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