It’s time to check out the October VCE Garden Guide for vegetable and herb gardening!
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All the garden guides are available at VCE Garden Guide under Resources on the MGNV site.
By Jody Lautenschlager, Dale St Garden Manager, and Susan Stalder, Extension Master Gardener
Photos courtesy of Susan Stalder
The Dale St Community Garden, located at 65 Dale Street in Alexandria, is a thriving new example of a green and lovely garden spot that not only offers local residents space to grow crops and flowers but also teaches sustainable gardening practices and the benefits of fresh food and the uses of native plants.
The Dale St Community Garden is sandwiched between Four Mile Run Park and Cora Kelly Elementary School and near the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center in the diverse neighborhood of Arlandria. Opened in the fall of 2018, the community garden has 42 raised beds, several structures including a growing arbor, and communal space tying it to Four Mile Run Park and the Hume Springs playground across the street.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
In eastern North American lowlands, this vigorous native vine quickly climbs by twining or trails along the ground in twisted fashion. A prolific bloomer, its white flowers attract pollinators late summer into fall followed by showy seed heads reminiscent of an “old man’s beard,” another of its common names.
By Elaine Mills, Extension Master Gardener
Photos © Elaine Mills
Swamp milkweed is considered of special value to native bees.
Gardeners who want to plant more perennials for pollinators will be interested in the results of a 2013 plant trial conducted by Penn State Extension, Bees, Bugs & Blooms. Three species native to our Mid-Atlantic region were ranked among the best plants for flowering longevity, and they also did well in attracting desirable insects. Continue reading
