Originally published in Between the Rows
Here Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) focus on organic, urban vegetable gardening and gain experience in propagating plants from seeds, crop rotation techniques, composting, routine garden and soil maintenance, seasonal organic vegetable gardening techniques, use of an on-site water system (including a rain barrel), development of community educational materials, and hosting of public garden events.
Photo © Judy Salveson
The volunteer EMGs are always happy to answer questions. They hold work parties on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., starting in late February or early March. There is often someone in the garden throughout the week, watering, harvesting, and just trying to keep up with the weeds. Keep your eye open for their Ask a Master Garden series on the second Saturday of May, June, July, and August – time to be determined.
The garden is always open for people to come in and look around. Please close the gate to keep out the deer!
Most of the produce (including kale, beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, and okra) harvested in the garden is donated to those in need. To meet demand, more space in the garden has been devoted to hot and sweet pepper varieties as well as an assortment of client favorite beans. In 2019, 700 pounds of food were delivered to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). In 2020, 427.5 pounds of fresh produce were donated directly to the Victory Garden effort in Arlington, which supplemented the work of AFAC in collecting and distributing food to those in need.
Visit the Organic Vegetable Garden!
2845 N. Marcey Road
Arlington, VA 22207 United States
(Park in the lot and walk past the Nature Center to the garden.)
One of the best ways to learn about vegetable gardening is to see long established gardens in action. Make time this year to visit the Organic Vegetable Garden in north Arlington at Potomac Overlook Regional Park, one of the eight demonstration gardens operated by MGNV.