SHRUB: Fothergilla gardenii (Dwarf Fothergilla)

Posted on April 19, 2019 by

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Fothergilla gardenii flowers. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-04-20, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden
Fothergilla gardenii in landscape. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-05-07, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Fothergilla gardenii leaves in October. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-10-06, National Arboretum.
Fothergilla gardenii fall foliage. Photo © Mary Free, 2014-11-09, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.

Native to southeastern coastal areas, Dwarf Fothergilla shines three seasons of the year. Spring brings sweetly-scented, white bottlebrush flowers that welcome pollinators. Its summer dress is a pretty green. Fall leaf color is spectacular, turning exquisite shades of yellow, orange or red that brighten up the woodland garden.

Learn more . . .

Posted in MG in the Garden, Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic | Tagged , , ,

MGNV Plant Sale at Green Spring Gardens

Posted on April 18, 2019 by

Unit 13 at Green Spring Gardens
Saturday, May 18, 2019 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Click on the photos from last year’s sale to watch the slide show – it was very wet but successful!

Shade plants for sale. Photo © 2018 Alison KIndler
Native Ostrich Fern – snail is free! Photo © 2018 Alison KIndler
Browsing the many plants on offer. Photo © 2018 Alison KIndler
Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills organizing herbs for sale.
Lots of customers! Come early! Photo © 2018 Kirsten Conrad
Even the cashiers are having fun! Photo © 2018 Alison KIndler

Continue reading →

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City Nature Challenge 2019 – Calling All Gardeners!

Posted on April 17, 2019 by

By Amy Crumpton – Extension Master Gardener

iNaturalist App ScreenShotIs your cell phone a ubiquitous tool in your gardening efforts and education? Do you record spring ephemerals, leaf branching patterns, fleeting insects, roaming wildlife and indeterminate opportunistic flora? Then download iNaturalist to your cell phone, if you haven’t already, and contribute to citizen science in the upcoming City Nature Challenge, April 26 through April 29.

During the City Nature Challenge, cities around the globe compete to see who can make the most observations, find the most species of plants, animals, reptiles, and fungi, and engage the most people in the process. Last year, among the 68 cities participating in the challenge, the DC Metro Area placed fifth overall in observations (22,809), fourth in participants (876), and eighth overall in species observed (1,855). Continue reading →

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EarthFest

Posted on April 15, 2019 by

Wednesday, April 17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arlington Mill Community Center
909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington 22204

EarthFest

hand holding photo of earthEnjoy a special Earth Day Festival to learn about compost, recycling, energy efficiency and much more. Play recycling games, learn how to compost and create upcycled art. Stations include representatives from AIRE, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Environmental Services, Arlington Art Truck, Remove Invasive Plants, Creative Arts, Fitness, and more. This activity takes place over Spring Break, and all ages are invited.

Free. Questions? See Arlington Parks and Recreation Earthfest.

Posted in Event, Public Education

May 2019 Public Education Events

Posted on April 13, 2019 by

MGNV - Public Education logoPublic education events are open to all, but space may be limited. To reserve a spot, please REGISTER ONLINE.

Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Organic Vegetable Garden
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, 22207

Organic Vegetable Garden Open House

Judy with the Rye and Vetch

Judy with the Rye and Vetch – at the Organic Vegetable Garden
Photo © 2016 by Nancy Dowling

Learn organic vegetable gardening techniques at our Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden nestled in Potomac Overlook Regional Park. We have tips on composting, early planting, selecting best varieties, and more!

Free. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Questions? Telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com. Continue reading →

Posted in Event, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden, Master Gardener Training, Organic Vegetable, Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden, Plant Sales, Public Education Events, Shade Garden, Simpson Gardens, Sunny Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

PERENNIAL: Uvularia grandiflora (Large-Flowered Bellwort)

Posted on April 12, 2019 by

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Uvularia grandiflora (large-flowered bellwort) flower stamens close up. Photo © Mary Free, 2019-04-10, Quarry Shade Garden, Bon Air Park.
Uvularia grandiflora (large-flowered bellwort) flower details in April. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-04-16, Demonstration Shade Garden.
Uvularia grandiflora (large-flowered bellwort) en masse. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-04-16, Demonstration Shade Garden.
Uvularia grandiflora (large-flowered bellwort) emerging buds and blooms. Photo © Mary Free, 2012-03-22, Demonstration Shade Garden.

When planted en masse, graceful, nodding flowers create a lovely visage when they peek from under foliage, which also is attractive, especially to white-tailed deer. Even if deer are not a bother, foliage may disappear as temperatures heat up. Depending on where it grows, this native perennial may act like an ephemeral and enter early dormancy.
Learn more . . .

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Ready, Set, Adapt! Climate Change: 2018 Notes from the Field

Posted on April 10, 2019 by

Part 3: 2018 Notes from the Field

Organic VegetablesMaster Gardeners of Northern Virginia manage the Organic Vegetable Garden at Potomac Overlook Park in Arlington. Each year, this demonstration garden produces hundreds of pounds of produce which it donates to the Arlington Food Assistance Center. The following Notes from the Field, compiled by Judy Johnson and Judy Salveson, highlight some of the challenges the garden faced in 2018 due to record-breaking weather.

  • In late February, we found some spinach, kale, tatsoi, cilantro and arugula had survived the winter.
  • Because the weather was so cold and wet in March, seeds for most cool weather spring crops were put in later than usual and did not have enough time to get established before hot weather hindered their growth and quality. Peas were not successful.

Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, Organic Vegetable Demonstration Garden, Public Education | Tagged , , ,

I See Differently Now

Posted on April 3, 2019 by

By Alyssa Ford Morel, Certified Extension Master Gardener

The Virginia state insect, the Swallowtail butterfly, nectaring on Phlox paniculata, garden phlox, at the Glencarlyn Library Garden. Photo © Alyssa Ford Morel

The Virginia state insect, the Swallowtail butterfly, nectaring on Phlox paniculata (garden phlox), at the Glencarlyn Library Garden.
Photo © Alyssa Ford Morel

Nearly 20 years ago, I had a life-changing surgery. Since adolescence, my vision had become progressively more near-sighted, and by my early thirties, my uncorrected vision was 20/800. Contacts or glasses were a constant necessity. When I read without glasses, the pages of a large book would brush my nose when turned. Then a co-worker discovered that our agency’s insurance would pay 100 percent of the newly popular lasik surgery. Word spread through the office as one employee after another had the procedure, raving about the results. I became the 12th member of our work team to undergo the treatment.

The result felt like a miracle. The day after my procedure I was gardening in my front yard (with safety glasses  on to ensure no debris would damage the surgeon’s work), unable to stop laughing with sheer amazement at how sharp everything looked. Passers-by gave me strange looks – which I could see!

Continue reading →

Posted in MG in the Garden, Pollinators, Public Education, Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic | Tagged , , ,