Washington Gardener Enews February 2010 by Kathy J

DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Upcoming Events February 16-March 15, 2010 Beltsville Garden Club James E. Duckworth School 11201 Evans Trail Beltsville, MD 301 890 4733 www.beltsvillegardenclub.org

• Wednesday, February 24, 7:30pm GROWING ORCHIDS IN THE HOME Besides giving hints on buying good quality healthy plants. guest speaker Beth Bishop invites BGC members and guests to bring orchids in need of TLC for problem analysis and repotting. She has graciously agreed to repot up to twenty (20) plants. Members will be given priority and are asked to limit themselves to one plant. If too few plants are available, then the oneonly limit may be relaxed. She will bring potting medium, and members are asked to bring their own pots. Ms. Bishop will also be bringing several types of orchids for sale. Beth Bishop is a professional grower who has been with Arbec Orchids since 1997 and exhibited at the National Capital Orchid Society shows. As always, we have plants for the door prize table and refreshments after the meeting. The public is welcomed and admission is free.

Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902 301.962.1400 www.brooksidegardens.org

• Saturday, February 20, 10:00-11:30am COMMON PESTS AND CONTROLS FOR THE VEGETABLE GARDENER Mike Raupp from the University of Maryland will focus on identification and organic controls of those pests. The event is FREE so invite your friends and family! • Friday, February 26, 9:00am-4:00pm GREEN MATTERS SYMPOSIUM This year’s theme, Food for Thought, will focus attention on the importance of a local food economy and the impact locallyand sustainably-produced food can have on the environment, human health and well-being, and the surrounding community. Learn about the ecological and social benefits of sustainable food, resources for growing and cooking with high quality produce at home, incorporating edible plants into your ornamental garden, and organizations that are fostering community development through growing food. Registration Fee: $89.

• Sunday, February 28, 1-2:30pm HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? Cindy Brown from Green Spring is an amazing speaker in the DC region specializing on vegetable gardens. She will talk about planting schedules, varieties, and how to grow from seeds in the mid-Atlantic area. This talk is a sell out every time. The event is FREE so invite your friends and family! [NOTE: This talk has been rescheduled from its original February 6 date due to the snow storm.]

• Sunday, March 14, 1:30-3pm IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE: CREATING AND GROWING YOUR OWN TROPICAL PARADISE IN A NON TROPICAL CLIMATE Learn how to create, grow and overwinter your piece of paradise. Joe Seamone, aka Boca Joe, describes the best and most dramatic plants for your garden. Tour amazing “tropical” gardens located in the Washington, D.C. area and across the country. Don’t miss this chance to learn about planting outside the zone. $10.

Casey Trees

Longwood Gardens

1123 11th Street NW, Ste. 3 Washington, DC 202.833.4010 www.caseytrees.org • Saturday, February 27, 9:45am12:00noon FRANCISCAN MONASTERY TREE TOUR Tour the woodland and grotto area of the Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy Street NE with Carol Herwig, Volunteer Coordinator and Arborist. View historic conifers and a unique landscape that takes advantage of a natural valley in the Brookland area. Pre-registration required. FREE For questions, call 202.349.1907 or email cherwig@caseytrees.org.

Green Spring Gardens 4603 Green Spring Road Alexandria, Virginia 22312 703.642.5173 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/

• Sunday, February 21, 1:30-3pm BULBS AS COMPANION PLANTS Whether starting a new garden or adding to an existing one, Brent Heath of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs teaches you how to combine bulbs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and flowering shrubs to create just the feeling you want for four seasons in your garden. $10. • Sunday, February 28, 1:30-3pm MOVING TOWARDS NATIVE By integrating native plants into the designed landscape you help reduce negative impact on our environment. Sandra Clinton, of Clinton and Associates, discusses the how’s and why’s of integrating native plants into the designed landscape using examples from landscape architects on the forefront of this movement. $10. • Sunday, March 7, 1:30-3pm LUSCIOUS LANDSCAPING WITH FRUITING TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES What could be more pleasant than picking fruit from a plant you also admire for its beauty? Lee Reich, author, of Landscaping with Fruit, introduces you to the best trees, shrubs and vines for flowers, color and form. Book signing. $10.

Kennett Square, PA (610) 388-1000 www.longwoodgardens.org

• Saturday, March 6, 9:00am-12:00noon VEGETABLE GARDENS FOR BEGINNERS Nothing tastes better than vegetables fresh picked from a garden. Learn how to prepare a vegetable garden for spring planting and eventually summer dining. Plant choice, compatibility, and planting nuances will be shared and discussed. Extend the growing season and diversify the menu by choosing plants to rotate seasonally to get the most from your space. After this course, leave time in your day to prepare the bed, shop for seed, and of course, plan new dishes for the table! $36 Garden member; $40 non-member • Wednesday, March 10, 6:30-9:30pm GARDEN CHEMICALS: USE AND MANAGEMENT Confused by the countless pest control products at your local hardware store or garden center? This class will de-mystify the products available and discuss the least-toxic, yet effective, method of controlling insects, diseases, and weeds in your landscape and garden. You will also learn basic sprayer operation and maintenance and examine integrated pest management techniques. This class is geared toward the homeowner and recreational gardener and does not offer pesticide certification credits for professionals. $36 Garden pass member; $40 non-member • Thursday, Mar 11, 1:00-4:00pm ART DECO IN FLORAL DESIGN Art Deco or International Style was popularized at the 1925 Paris World’s Fair exhibition. Geometric motifs and strong shapes create the designs of the Art Deco period and continue to influence the modern design styles of today. Some tropical flowers and the design techniques of shadowing and framing will be incorporated in these arrangements.$90 Garden pass member; $100 non-member