Reminder: Tue, Feb 28th: Community Gardening 101, Developing Community Gardens

Posted on February 22, 2012 by

A Workshop for Community Organizations and Non-profits Interested in Developing Community Gardens

Representatives of non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, and community and volunteer groups are invited to attend this seminar on Community Garden Development.   Sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, the workshop will cover Checklists for Successful Garden Startups, local resources for community garden leaders, an overview of local, regional, and internet resources for community garden leaders, and materials from the American Community Garden Association.

The day will also give participants a chance to hear from established community garden leaders about the trials, successes and planning that goes into a successful garden and will allow attendees to network with other garden leaders.

What:      Community Gardening 101 Workshop for Community Groups
When:    Tuesday February 28th,   8:30 am– 12:00 noon
Where:   Fairlington Community Center  3308 S. Stafford St.  Arlington  VA.  22206
Cost:      Free

To Register:   Call 703 228 6414  or email mgarlalex@vt.edu

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Reminder: Wed, Feb 22nd: Starting Vegetable Garden From Seeds Indoors

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

Join us to learn the basics of successful plant propagation, including seed selection, requirements for germination, tips on transplanting, and the importance of hardening plants before moving them outdoors. To register for either of these events please call the Master Gardener Horticulture Help Desk at 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com

WHEN: Wednesday, February 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m
WHERE: Walter Reed Community Center
2909 16th Street South, Arlington, VA

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The Shade Garden’s Featured Plant: Crocus

Posted on February 18, 2012 by

Continuing in the featured plant series, the volunteers at the Shade Garden have added the Crocus Flyer (PDF). The crocus is a perennial that grows from a corm. Typically known for their early spring bloom, there are also crocus species that produce a fall bloom.  Read the PDF above for more information and plan a stop by the garden for later!

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In the Garden: Pea Planting Planning

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

Organic Vegetable Garden (OVG), February 15: Finally, we’ve had a little winter, but our thoughts are turning to planting—particularly peas (Pisum sativum) in the demonstration Organic Vegetable Garden at Potomac Overlook Park on Marcey Street in North Arlington, VA. We will begin paying attention to the weather forecast, but we have had luck planting peas at the end of February or beginning of March. Peas will germinate in soil between 40-45 degrees and 75 degrees, but because peas really don’t like our hot summers, the trick is to get them in early enough that they will bloom and produce before the heat begins. There are three basic types of peas: shelling peas, snow peas, and snap peas. Something to keep in mind is that bush peas do not need the support that climbing varieties do and therefore may be easier to manage in the home garden. We’ve had good luck with sugar snap peas in the OVG–and a real incentive to growing these is picking and eating them right in the garden!

 

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The Shade Garden’s Featured Plant: Helleborus

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

Helleborus © Mary Free

The volunteers at the Shade Garden routinely create flyers to highlight seasonal items of interest in the garden. Lately added to the display case is the Helleborus Flyer (PDF). Read online and plan a stop by the garden for later!

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Early Registration Now Open for Sustainability Symposium

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

Working with Nature for Sustainable, Beautiful Gardens is a two-day symposium sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia.  

Day 1: Keynote presentation by Dr. Tallamy on how native plants can beautify your gardens while serving as central food sources for the insects, birds and butterflies that are essential to a healthy local ecosystem. Holly Shimizu will describe theLandscape for Life ™ program, an eco-friendly approach to gardening from the U.S. Botanic Garden that can provide a wealth of health and environmental benefits. The day also includes break-out sessions with local experts on elements of the Landscape for Life ™ program. To be held at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 South Stafford Street, Arlington, VA.

Day 2: Participants will tour the five VCE/MGNV Demonstration Gardens in Arlington and Alexandria to see the elements of the Landscape for Life™ program in action.

Register Now and Save!
Register on-line. Registration fee (includes a box lunch for Day 1):
$40 for early registration; $50 starting on April 1.

More information on the speakers and sessions

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Lawn Maintenance Fertilizer Containing Phosphorus To Be Restricted in 2013

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

REMINDER: Test Your Soil Before Applying Lawn Fertilizers

Virginia is about to sign into a law, a set of measures that will restrict the sale and usage of fertilizer containing phosphorus.  It will go into effect in December 2013 and is expected to have an immediate impact on water quality.  Of the annual 230,000 lbs phosphorus that currently is reaching Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, this law will yield a 22% reduction of the pollutant by 2017.   Virginia and 8 other states including Maryland, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Wisconsin now have restrictions or bans on both the selling and the application of fertilizers containing phosphorus on home landscapes.   Nationwide, other states are expected to follow.  Exempt from these laws are organic fertilizers and the use of phosphorus in fertilizing of newly seeded lawns.  Also exempt, are fertilizers used in agriculture, arboriculture, and nurseries.  Scotts, the nation’s largest producer of fertilizer for home usage, recently announced it will phase out the use of phosphorus in all its lawn fertilizers by the end of 2012.  All manufacturers are expected to do the same.

Continue reading →

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