National Herb Day Celebration - May 7th

There is nothing quite like growing herbs in your home garden!

They add spice to your cooking, aromas to your garden walks and (if you want to share) are host plants for visiting butterflies. But many herbs also provide wonderful health and beauty benefits.

The benefits of herbs are so diverse that since 2006, a special day has been set aside  to raise public awareness about them.

The first HerbDay was held on Saturday, October 14, 2006. But due to requests from herb lovers all over the country, HerbDay was officially moved to the spring since  more people in more parts of the country have a larger variety of herbs growing at this time of year than do in fall.

For gardeners who would like to learn more about the wonders of herbs, plan on  attending  Celebrate Herbs at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory,   100 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC, on May 7th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Discover the significance of herbs in our lives and the many ways herbs can be used safely and creatively for health, beauty and culinary enjoyment. Enjoy demonstrations, activities, discussions and displays. You won't want to miss this amazing opportunity to learn more about herbs!

If you would like to purchase some herbs before the HerbDay event, the Potomac Unit of the Herb Society of America will be having their annual plant sale on April 29-30th in conjunction with the Friends of the National Arboretum Garden Fair.

FONA Garden Fair & Plant Sale - April 29th & 30th

The Friends of the National Arboretum will be holding a plant sale in conjunction with their garden fair this weekend, Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30, remainders (if any) sold Sunday, May 1. The event will be held at the US National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, off Bladensburg Rd.

This annual event from the Friends of the National Arboretum is a long-standing favorite among serious and weekend gardeners alike – with affordable prices and the widest range of plants and vendors of any gardening event in Washington, D.C. Buy new, rare and hard-to-find plants, with offerings from the finest specialty nurseries in the region and more local plant societies than ever before. A great opportunity to get advice from National Arboretum horticulturists, FONA master gardeners, landscape designers and other local experts. Also fun and educational activities for children, music performances, food vendors, and garden accessories.

The fair coincides with the Arboretum's spectacular display of more than 10,000 azaleas, so bring your friends, bring the family, and make a day of it!

HOURS: "Members Only" on Friday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (but you can join at the door or in advance at www.fona.org.)

Open to the public on Friday, April 29 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any remainders will be sold Sunday, May 1 from 9a.m. to 12 noon.

More information at http://www.fona.org/.

Landscaping for Water Conservation - April 27th

What:  Landscaping for Water Conservation: Xeriscape! – presented by Kimberly Knox

 

When:  Wednesday, April 27 · 7:30pm – 10:30pm

 

Where:  James Duckworth Regional Center, 11201 Evans Trail, Beltsville. MD

Why: Why waterwise landscapes help protect the environment

 

An American family of four can use 400 gallons of water per day, and about 30 percent of that is devoted to outdoor uses. More than half of that outdoor water is used for watering lawns and gardens. Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for almost one-third of all residential water use, totaling more than 7 billion gallons per day. As populations increase, demand on our water resources will grow. Conserving water will not only protect our natural resources but can prevent or postpone the expense of building or renovating new water supply facilities. 

 

By making changes to some of our landscaping practices, we can all make a difference in water conservation.

 

The Beltsville Garden Club is having a presentation about creating a water-conserving landscaping.  

The  speaker for this program will be Kimberley M. Knox, Community Outreach Manager for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and a member of the Beltsville Garden Club.  Her topic will be "Water Conservation and Gardens".

Kim is the editor of "Landscaping for Water Conservation: Xeriscape!"  She is responsible for coordinating WSSC's demonstration garden, which highlights native plants for birds and butterflies.  She will also speak about the seven basic principles to incorporate into your landscape to ensure that you save water, money and time.

Please come on out  for this informative speaker.  Refreshments will be served after the meeting.  Bring a plant or plant related material for the club's door prize table.  The public is welcome and admission is free.

Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening Workshop - May 4th

What:  Organic Vegetable Gardening Workshop

Presented by: George Mason University Sustainability Institute (MSI)

When: May 4th, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Where:  Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA. Room 113

Why: What are the benefits of creating your own organic vegetable garden?

• Organic vegetable gardens are free from chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which helps to create less pollution.
• Organic vegetable gardens yield fruit and vegetables with higher nutritional content.
• Organic vegetable gardening is a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables!
• Organic gardening simply makes food taste better.

The workshop will help participants learn basic gardening techniques for creating an at-home organic vegetable garden. The class will cover topics such as soil improvement and preparation through a variety of amendments. Attendees will learn how to prepare both in-ground and raised-bed gardens, as well as container gardens. Vegetable families, seed starting, crop rotation and soil amendments will also be discussed.

Registration: Please visit http://tinyurl.com/msi-registration-form

Or, e-mail Danielle Wyman dwyman@gmu.edu for registration inquiries.

Cost: $20. Please bring cash at time of registration (exact  change requested).

Instructor's Biography:

Adria Bordas has a Master of Science in Plant Pathology from the University of California at Davis. She has been working on diverse programs that include pest detection and diagnosis of plant-insect problems, water quality and nutrient management, and invasive pest management. She also works with both residents and landscape and nursery industry professionals of Fairfax County. Adria is also responsible for two Master Gardener Volunteer programs, comprised of more than 400 volunteers; the Fairfax County Master Gardener Association; and the Green Spring Master Gardener volunteer programs. She lives in Burke with her partner and two rescued dogs-Coco and Pickles.

Help keep our planet healthy and green. Spread the word!

Compost for Healthy Soil & Gardening - Workshops - April 27th & 30th

What:  Compost for Healthy Soil Workshop

Presented by: George Mason University Sustainability Institute (MSI)

When: Workshop 1: Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Time: 6:00-7:30 PM.; Workshop 2: Saturday, April 30, 2011. Time: 10:00-11:30 AM.

Where:  Green Acres Center, 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA. Room 113

Why: Why do eco-friendly gardeners love compost?

There are few practices which make as much economic and environmental sense as creating compost out of yard wastes and kitchen scraps. Composting yard waste recycles nutrients back into the yard, helps retain moisture and saves landfill space. Composting reduces yard waste volume by 50 to 75 percent. The cost of collecting, hauling, and handling yard trash is a large share of the solid waste management expense.

If you have a space for it, a compost pile or bin can be used to recycle yard wastes and kitchen scraps to make a perfect, nutrient rich soil additive. Not only can you add leaves and clippings from your yard, but fruit and vegetable peelings, fruit pulp from a juicer, dryer lint, coffee grounds, teabags, eggshells, shredded paper and sawdust can all be recycled to provide nutrients for your plants.

To learn more:

The MSI compost workshop will introduce attendees to the basics of at-home composting. Participants will be instructed on creating a simple compost system, and how to use kitchen and lawn waste to make compost. Workshop participants will leave the course with a list of materials needed to start an at-home project. The other half of the lecture will introduce participants to vermiculture, or worm composting; a fascinating, fun and easy way to recycle your kitchen waste into some of the best fertilizer on Earth. Composting Workshop 1 and 2 offer the same educational content.

Registration: Please visit http://tinyurl.com/msi-registration-form
Or, e-mail Danielle Wyman dwyman@gmu.edu for registration inquiries.

Cost: $15. Please bring cash or check at time of registration (exact change requested)

Instructor's Biography:

Dan Schwartz is a graduate of the University of Maryland and holds a B.S. Degree in Environmental Science-Soil Resources. He has been working as a soil scientist for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District for the last 8 years. His job duties include updating the county soil survey, helping citizens with erosion and drainage problems, and educating the public about soil and storm water issues. He would like everyone to know that it is called soil, not dirt!

Help keep our planet healthy and green. Spread the word!

Trashion Fashion Show - April 30th - Alexandria

On April 30th, as part of Alexandria's 18th annual Earth Day celebration, there will be a fun Trashion Fashion Show showcasing clothing made by local students using recycled materials.

 

Step on by and cheer for your favorite students AND their creations while enjoying other earth day events.

 

Where: Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. 

When: April 30, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

For more information, visit Alexandria Earth Day 2011

Brighton Dam Azalea Garden Open

A sure sign of spring, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC) Brighton Dam Azalea Garden is open and soon 20,000 gorgeous azaleas will be in full bloom.

The Brighton Dam Azaleas are renowned for their beauty. Visitors can enjoy five acres of flowers expected to be in full bloom in time for the traditional Mother’s Day visit, Sunday, May 8th.

Admission to the Azalea Garden is FREE and open to the public daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Elderly or disabled visitors can drive through the garden Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

After touring the garden, visitors can relax along the Triadelphia Reservoir picnic grounds. There’s even a play area for children! For more information, please call Brighton Dam at 301-774-9124.

WHAT: WSSC’s Brighton Dam Azalea Garden

WHERE: 2 Brighton Dam Road, Brookeville, MD

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily, including Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8th

More congratulations are in order for our man of the year, Barry Louis Polisar

Just received this news from Barry Louis Polisar, Metro DC Lawn and Garden's Man of the Year for 2010, so I wanted to shout out my congrats.

One of his songs, "All I Want is You", is being featured in a series of Honda Civic Commercials.

To find out why Barry was chosen as our 2010 Man of the Year, read this post about his efforts to clean the watershed property near his home.

To read more about Barry's children's books and music, check out his website.

It's Earth Day - Pick a Cause, Any Cause

As a baby-boomer, ex-hippie, I've been celebrating Earth Day longer than some of my readers have probably been around. Like many, I am still over-whelmed by the questions that "being green" presents on a daily basis.

Is it better to rinse plastic bags and re-use them, or does it really make sense to waste that water? Are cfl's good now, or have we decided they are bad? Is it okay to turn my A/C down a few degrees in the heat of the summer if my middle-age hot flashes are making me downright miserable?

This year, I was inundated with emails about "new" green products and techniques that PR reps were clammering to draw a little attention to. For someone trying to make the right environmentally friendly decisions, the options can be overwhelming.

A study conducted in 2008 indicated that having too many choices can actually result in people not making any decision at all:

Having choices is typically thought of as a good thing. Maybe not, say researchers who found we are more fatigued and less productive when faced with a plethora of choices. 

Researchers from several universities have determined that even though humans’ ability to weigh choices is remarkably advantageous, it can also come with some serious liabilities. 

People faced with numerous choices, whether good or bad, find it difficult to stay focused enough to complete projects, handle daily tasks or even take their medicine.

So in order to help ease the burden of those who think that "being green" is too stressful, here are a few tips from a boomer who's been there:

1. Protecting the Planet is not a competition. Don't make it one: It's a little frustrating to me that there are so MANY organizations out there (each with their own website) that are trying to be the SINGLE number one source of info for protecting the planet. Wow! What power we would have if we all worked together instead of trying to compete! Let's try to look at it that way.
2. It's the Ecology, stupid. Not the economy: Keep a wary eye on the websites that claim to be trying to protect the planet when they are obviously just trying to sell a product.
3. Good green deeds deserve recognition: There are many people and organizations that devote countless hours of their lives trying to help others make the right decisions for the planet. If you can afford to make a donation to their cause or volunteer time for any of their projects, do it. Many of these organizations, including some great eco-friendly bloggers, allow you to make donations through their websites. Keep in mind that some of the smaller groups (and individuals) can really use your support more than the larger ones. Personally, I don't make a donation to groups that spend more money each year TRYING to get me to donate (by sending free wrapping paper, calendars and greeting cards) than I can afford to even give. If you can't afford to donate time or money, a few kind words sent in an email message in support of what they are doing can go a long way in keeping eco-activists energized. Even something as simple as liking their Facebook page and commenting every now and then or subscribing to their blog helps to show that you care.
4. We are all still in the learning stages when it comes to protecting the planet. Teach each other: I'm certainly not an expert on anything. Are you? If you are, then great. Share that knowledge with others. Instead of condemning an incorrect opinion or action, offer to share your knowledge or expertise. Environmental groups AND green bloggers are always looking for contributions from experts.
5. You can't do everything, but you can do something: The Earth Day network is running a campaign called A Billion Acts of Green in which they ask readers to post what action they Pledge to commit to for a greener planet. Pick one or add your own. You DON'T have to try to do all One Billion of them. Here's mine: 

By creating an eco-friendly landscape, I pledge to: eliminate chemicals,  conserve water,  create compost,   

choose plants compatible with my site conditions,   cut down on stormwater runoff and garden for wildlife.

Create an Eco-Friendly Garden

Favorite Native Plants - Alex Dencker picks Behnke Baysafes

It's a little like "preaching to the choir" to tout the praises of Behnke's Nurseries to DC area gardeners. After all, Behnkes has a long history in the area, with their first store having opened over 80 years ago in Beltsville, Maryland.

Behnkes also has a strong commitment to the environment, helping to educate their customers about plants and activites that are best practices for protecting the local eco-system.

To help make eco-friendly plant choices a little easier, Behnke's has even developed their own labeling system for BaySafe plants, affixing a bright blue " Behnke BaySafe" label to native perennials and woody plants.

Why should gardeners grow BaySafe plants?

Native plants are critical for the environment. Many serve as food sources for native insects, which in turn are food sources for birds and other animals. Most native insects are unable to feed on non-native plants; thus, food sources for our song birds are reduced when we plant non-native plants. Yes, you will have some feeding damage, holes in leaves from caterpillars, but it is critical for species diversity that gardeners include native plants in their landscapes. In addition, since native plants are well-adapted to our local climate and native soil, they will require less care than many non-natives.

I've been anxious to get a list of "Favorite Native Plants" from someone at Behnkes to add to my recent series on the topic, and Susan Harris, blogger for Behnkes (and Gardenrant, Lawn Reform Coalition and other great, fun sites) was able to help me out.

Here is a list of Favorite Native Plants from Alex Dencker, who has worked at Behnkes for over 20 years and is currently the manager of the Potomac store.

Alex Dencker is wild about native plants, and suggests them to customers at Behnkes Nurseries every chance he gets. Asked to choose his top "got-to-have" native plants for the garden, Alex gushed about these:  

Ferns: New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) , Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea L.)  

Grasses and "grass-like stuff": Carex (sedges), River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), Panicum spp, and Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium).

Flowering Plants: Columbine, Milkweed, New York and New England Aster, Bugbane (Cimicifuga racemosa), Joe-Pye Weed, Heuchera villosa, Virginia bluebells, Penstemon digitalis, Mountain mint, Solidago ("goldenrod), and tiarella cordifolia.

Shrubs: Clethra alnifolia, Hydrangea arborescens, Itea virginica, Spicebush, Blueberries, and Viburnum nudum.

Trees: Serviceberry, River Birch, Cornus alternifolia, Redbud, American holly, Sweetbay Magnolia, Sourgum, and these oaks: White, Willow, Scarlet and Red.  

Vines: Crossvine, Wisteria frutescens, and Decumaria barbara. To find out more about Behnkes, visit their website. And while you are there, bookmark their events page for upcoming events.