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.
Organic Vegetable Garden Pepper Fest 2023
September 17 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Explore the beautiful pepper beds, filled with mild to hot varieties.
- Sample fresh peppers: Anaheim, Shishito, Lunch Box, Mad Hatter, Jalapeño, and many more.
- Taste dishes prepared with peppers grown in our garden.
- Consult with Extension Master Gardeners on growing and caring for peppers, vegetables, and cover crops.
- See our new vegetable beds, including our edible and square foot gardens.
- Enjoy the flora of Potomac Overlook Regional Park.
In the OVG, we have been taking the time to plant flower seeds in addition to all the warm-weather crops that must go into the new beds now. Often visitors are curious about why we interplant with flowers, which gives us the opportunity to discuss the importance of pollinators to food production. We have also found that using buckwheat as a summer cover crop is an excellent lure for pollinators, especially bees, and this year a hummingbird, which is a particularly efficient pollinator, has already visited the coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).
Ongoing work includes learning about the soil in our new raised beds, and we have taken the first soil sample to see what can be learned about why plants in that bed are not thriving. On the other hand, the strawberries are producing, and children are delighted to see the red fruit in situ.
At Florafest on May 6, about 35 children planted bean seeds in pots to take home with them and the EMGs and interns answered lots of questions. Soon the garden will be hosting groups of campers from June through mid-August. The garden provides a great place for the children to learn about vegetables, pollinators, insects, etc.
The garden is open to visitors anytime the park is open, and we particularly invite interns to join our work parties, which are Wednesday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30, with occasional work parties on a weekend day.
For more information, visit: https://arlingtonurbanag.org/plot-against-hunger/
Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture: Events & More . . .
FOUA’s Plot Against Hunger Produce Bagging Center Is Now OPEN For 2023
Donate your home grown produce to your Arlington neighbors in need. Our Produce Bagging Center is located at Rock Spring Church, 5010 Little Falls Road.
Regular drop off days are Mondays from May through July from 1-3 pm and Mondays and Thursdays from August through October, also 1-3 pm. On Mondays that are federal holidays, drop off days will be Tuesday.
2023 Garden Talks
Weekly garden talks are in full swing at Central Library (1015 N Quincy St). Each Wednesday evening, we’ll bring you a new topic about gardening, vegetables, pollinators, flowers, and more. This FREE program is brought to you by Friends of Urban Agriculture and Extension Master Gardeners. With a new topic every week through September, you’ll learn a lot and meet other Arlington gardeners.
May – August Garden Talks start at 7:00 p.m.
Meet in front of the Plot Against Hunger garden at the Library’s surface parking lot. All Garden Talks are free, no registration required!
- June 7 Preventing Vegetable Diseases – Our area’s hot, humid summers make vegetables vulnerable to diseases. Learn how to recognize and control their occurrence and spread.
- June 14 Feed your Soil for Happy Vegetables – It’s not just getting your veggies the right kinds of nutrition – timing is everything. The right fertilizer at the right time and soil building with compost mean maximum productivity.
- June 21 Good Bugs! Bad Bugs! – Know the difference! They’re part of the pattern of nature and growing fresh produce. Learn to encourage good bugs and help them combat the bad guys.
- June 28 Fresh Produce for the Table – Learn delicious, healthy ways to prepare fresh, seasonal produce for the table.
- July 5 Garden Safely – Gardening can bring aches and pains – but it doesn’t have to. Learn proper movement, stretches and exercises to keep your gardening body happy and functional.
- July 12 Creating Habitat in Your Yards and Gardens – Birds, insects and other wildlife stay where they feel at home. Learn to create habitat to attract, protect, and support beneficial wildlife and such programs as Audubon at Home to guide you.
- July 19 Growing Food in a Hot Climate – Will your vegetables get enough sun – or too much? What will grow in partial shade? Select plants for your location and adapt your garden for our changing climate.
- July 26 Preserve Your Harvest – Enjoy your garden riches year-round with canning and freezing. Learn the best, safest ways to preserve the flavor and nutrition.