Fenton Friday: Bulletin Board Refresh

Bulletin Board AFTER

Bullletin Board BEFORE

This week was another weather rollercoaster with windy, sunny days and cool, wet days -- and a few more days 80+ degrees!

The interns and I updated the shared Bulletin Board (shown above). It is shocking how fast the colors fade from the sun. We'll see how long this one remains bright and colorful.

We thinned the Kale seedlings. I saw some of the Peas are emerging and the row of Deer Tongue Lettuce seedlings are up. However, the Oakleaf Lettuce and Crisphead Lettuce 'Queen of Crunch' were not germinating, so we replaced them with 'Bloomsdale' Spinach and Arugula seeds today.

I harvested a few Aspargus spears and can see several more are popping up.

The Blackberry canes are leafing out and the Garlic is growing fast.

The Dahlia bed is looking pretty dead -- I'm not sure if the harsh winter actually did kill them all -- but I'll give them until late May to show signs up life before I give up on them. 

In the pollinator strip, seedlings are up for both the California Poppies and a Wildflower Mix continue to grow. The Mountain Mint is filling in there fast. I'm wondering if in a few years it will be ALL Mountain Mint there. That is not a bad thing, but I do like having some annual color and other perennial herbs and flowers there.

Next week, I hope to see the Radish seedlings up and I know the Carrots will take a few more weeks. I think this may be it for the cool-season crops as with the very warm temperatures we are having already, we may switch to warm-seasons sooner than normal.

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).

April 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine: Foxgloves, Ovenbirds, Orchid Show, and much more…

The April 2026 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is posted and archived online at:

 https://issuu.com/washingtongardener/docs/washington_gardener_magazine_april_2026

Inside this issue:

·         Fabulous Foxgloves
·         Tips for Garden Furniture Care
·         The Elusive Azalea Sphinx Moth
·         The Connective Power of Orchids
·         Ovenbirds Popping Up in Your Garden
·         What is it like to be a Judge at the Philly Flower Show?
·         Garden Book Reviews
·         Fibermaxxing Starts in the Garden
·         A New Trailing Tomato
·         The Elusive Azalea Sphinx Moth
·         What We Learned at Rooting DC 2026
·         Meet Alex Mudry-Till, Cut-Flower Farmer

·         and much more…

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the May 2026 issue are due by April 15.

 >>  Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: https://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

Thyme Plant Profile

 

Thyme Plant Profile

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) was previously Origanum thymus and Thymus collinus. It is classified as a small subshrub or woody perennial.

It is native to Southern Europe and is in the mint family. It is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9.

This herb has many cultivars and forms from prostrate to vertical and the foliage can be dark green, gray-green, or  variegated with a white edge.

It is used to flavor meat dishes, soups and stews, and Thanksgiving stuffing.

The key to growing it well is good drainage and full sun. Don’t overwater it, as it is susceptible to root rot. An ideal situation is to plant it overhanging a rock wall in soil amended with aged compost and chicken grit.

It can be grown in the garden or in a container. There is no need to fertilize it. Mulch it lightly in winter.

Thyme is drought-tolerant and deer-proof. Pollinators love it. Honeybees are especially attracted to the tiny pink-purple or white flowers.

To start new plants, it is best to take cuttings as it is difficult to grow thyme from seed.

When using it in cooking, pinch off the young stems and strip the leaves. For the best taste, harvest it just before bloom time. You can take up to a third of the plant at any one time, let it recover before harvesting from it again.

Thyme: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

 

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Rosemary  Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2019/11/plant-profile-rosemary.html

~ Lavender  Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/06/plant-profile-lavender-lavandula-sp.html

~ Dill Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/dill-plant-profile.html

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Monday Thoughts: "A garden can be a single bloom in a pot, a houseplant, or an herb on a kitchen windowsill -- just a bit of green that pulls you from your busy mind, and back to earth." ~ Elizabeth Brown

"A garden can be a single bloom in a pot, a houseplant, or an herb on a kitchen windowsill -- just a bit of green that pulls you from your busy mind, and back to earth." 

~ Elizabeth Brown

GardenDC Podcast Episode 279: How and When to Prune Hydrangeas

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with garden book* author Lorraine Ballato, about hydrangea pruning and growing tips. The plant profile is on Celandine Poppy and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Beet Companion Plants" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

*You can order Hydrangea Pruning at https://amzn.to/4sCh28t. This link is to our Amazon affiliate accounts and we may earn a few pennies from their sales, but this does not impact your purchase price.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 142: Hydrangea Care and Pruning

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-142-hydrangea.html

~ GardenDC Episode 60: Hydrangeas with Andrew Bunting

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-60-hydrangeas.html

Show Notes will be posted after 4/1/2026.

This episode is archived at: 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Bwa9vJfBRpw4xJEkGYXdU?si=VwKcIfMFQ7G815jtSy1SIw

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We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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*You can order Hydrangea Pruning at https://amzn.to/4sCh28t

This link is to our Amazon affiliate accounts and we may earn a few pennies from their sales, but this does not impact your purchase price.

Fenton Friday: Kale and Poppies Up!

This week was a weather rollercoaster with windy, sunny days and cold, wet days -- and even one day where we hit 80 degrees!

We planted a row each of Carrots 'Short 'n Sweet' and Radish 'Sparkler'. 

There were no sign of seedlings up yet for the Lettuces or Peas, but both kinds of Kale seedlings are up!

I harvested a bit of the Cilantro that over-wintered to add to a Mexican dish.

In the pollinator strip, seedlings are up for both the California Poppies (pictured above) and a Wildflower Mix. I also added a second kind of California Poppies there -- 'Buttercream'. I've never had much luck with poppies in the past, so am hoping we get a few flowers from them.

Wood chips and compost was delivered to the garden, so the interns and I spread chips on two sides of our plot.

Next week, we hope re-do the garden's bulletin board and add some more cool-season seeds for Arugula, Spinach, and Parsley.

What are you growing and harvesting in your garden this week?

About Fenton Friday: Every Friday during the growing season, I'll be giving you an update on my community garden plot at the Fenton Street Community Garden just across the street from my house in zone 7 Mid-Atlantic MD/DC border. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 15th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton"  into the Search box above (at the top, left on this blog).

17+ Cherry Blossom Viewing Alternatives in the DC Region

 (The 17+ Cherry Blossom Viewing Alternatives in the DC Region listing is one of our most popular and imitated annual blog posts -- we've updated it here for 2026.)

Dumbarton Oaks

It is Cherry Blossom Festival time again in Washington, DC. 

If the crowds are too much for you or you just can't get enough of those fabulous blooms 

-- here are several local alternatives to the Tidal Basin display:

Start with the #BlossomCam

The Trust for the National Mall and The National Cherry Blossom Festival hosts the #BloomCam. Go to the live feed here: https://nationalmall.org/bloomcam to view the trees along the Tidal Basin in real time as they bloom.

Public Gardens

~ The National Arboretum has a splendid and more varied display and LOTS or parking. Stroll around Fern Valley and the other gardens as well while you are there. Take the Self-Guided Tour: Beyond the Tidal Basin: Introducing Other Great Flowering Cherries to explore the arboretum’s collection of over 2,000 cherry trees representing 600 different cultivars, hybrids, and species of various shapes, sizes, flower colors, and bloom times, including trees that have been created by arboretum scientists. Note: The free self-guided tour covers several miles of arboretum roads, and can be driven, biked, or walked. Pick up a brochure in the Administration Building.

~ The National Gallery of Art on the National Mall in Washington, DC, has an often-overlooked line of cherry trees on the south side of the East Building. They also have cherry blossom artwork on display and programming such as their Flowers After Hours series.

~ Tudor Place is a lovely place to take a stroll on your own through the spectacular Yoshino Cherry Blossoms during the full bloom. Event and entry fees may apply.

~ Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, WDC, has a marvelous orchard of cherries. There is an admission fee that goes to support the gardens and you will want to make advance reservations. Parking is also a bear in that neighborhood -- I recommend you walk or take the bus. 

~ Hillwood Estate in NW DC is pleased to celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with short guided tours of Mrs. Post’s Japanese-style garden. Docents will be available to answer questions between the tours. The suggested entry donation to Hillwood is $12 per adult.

~ Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, also has beautiful cherry blossom trees and many other flowering trees like plum, apricot, magnolias, and quince in bloom right now, and you don’t have to fight the crowds to see them. The gardens are also full of flowering bulbs like hyacinths, tulips, and hillsides of daffodils.

~ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA, has over 100 cherry trees surrounding a lovely lake that you can stroll around. Admission to the gardens is a mere $5

~ Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, VA, has a ring of Yoshino cherry trees around their lake and Okame cherry blooms throughout the gardens. There is an entry fee of $10 to visit the gardens.

~ Green Spring Gardens near Annandale, VA, has several flowering cherry trees in its collection. There is also a wonderful witch hazel collection there.

~  River Farm in Alexandria, VA, is a historic 25-acre site on the banks of the Potomac River. River Farm was once part of George Washington’s original five farms, and currently the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. The grounds offer spectacular river views, a wildlife garden, and delightful children’s areas. 

Neighborhoods and Other Less-visited Spots

~ The Bethesda, MD, neighborhood of Kenwood for their stunning display. Park and walk in for an immersion in cherry tree lined streets.

~ Congressional Cemetery on Capitol Hill in DC has an allee of Okame cherry trees along with other flowering trees on its "Congressional Tree Walk" map.

~ Catholic University campus in the Brookland neighborhood of DC. "Cherry blossoms are all around the 176-acre campus, including at Pryzbyla Plaza; The Mary, Seat of Wisdom statue; and the Edward M. Crough Center for Architectural Studies."

~ Sarah Lawler suggests The Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II is a beautiful spot to see cherry blossoms. It is located near Union Station at the intersection of Louisiana Ave., New Jersey Ave. and D Street, NW, WDC. And across the street is a grove on the U.S. Capitol grounds.

~ Foxhall and Reservoir Rds, NW. Washington, DC. The Foxhall Village neighborhood near Georgetown has cherry blossom-lined streets that are known as the best-kept secret among locals.

~ Brenda Lynn shared she always bikes from Arlington, VA, in order to avoid having to park to take metro. It's a beautiful ride, and one could also bike along the GW parkway in VA to view all the blooms along the Potomac River. 

~ Oxon Run Park at 1200 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC, has fairly new cherry tree plants and a lot of space to spread out and fly a kite.

~ National Harbor hosts a Sakura Sunday celebration. See: https://www.nationalharbor.com/events/annual-events/cherry-blossom-festival/

~ Anacostia Park at 900 Anacostia Drive, SE. Washington, DC. Cherry trees bloom along the Anacostia River at the 1,200-acre park that is one of Washington, DC's largest recreation areas.

~ An anonymous post to my blog, tipped me off that there are several blocks of cherry blossom trees creating an arch above the streets of Garrett Park Estates in Kensington, MD. "Take Strathmore Road near Holy Cross Church, turn onto Flanders and then I think it’s Waycross. The trees span several streets, are lovely, and totally free of crowds!"

~ Adam Bailey let me know that “Stanton Park and Lincoln Park on the Hill — and the Capitol Hill neighborhoods in general — have a good display of blossoms, too.”

~ "Scott Circle, at Massachusetts & 16th, also has some great cherry blossoms," reports John Boggan. 

~ Katie said, "There's a neighborhood off Query Mill in North Potomac, MD, that has streets lined with cherry trees. Not as fantastic as Kenwood, but if you're in the upper Montgomery County, it may be more accessible. Streets include Moran and Bonnie Dale. It blooms a few days later than Kenwood."

~ Casey Trees has an interactive map to find blooming street trees near your location. To try it out, go here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9ceb3fff9b2d4f63a30798a616040893

~ Montgomery Parks in Montgomery County, MD, has launched an online map showcasing the locations of various cherry tree species in its park system, including Yoshino, Higan, and Okame trees.

~ Thank you to the anonymous tipster who shared this link to a map of all the cherry blossoms throughout Prince George's County, MD > https://ndc-md.org/news-and-stories/check-out-our-cherry-blossom-locator-online-map

Grow Your Own!

 Ever since getting my weeping ‘Higan’ cherry, I feel no need to rush downtown. I keep a daily watch on my baby tree and celebrate loudly when the buds finally burst open. I highly recommend it. 

   Here is a video we created about growing ornamental cherry trees locally: 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2018/04/plant-profile-cherry-trees.html.

   In addition, in the very first issue of Washington Gardener Magazine, we did a PlantProfile column on the selection and cultivation of cherry trees for our area. 

   You can also listen to Dr. Margaret Pooler, Research Leader for Floral and Nursery Plants at the US National Arboretum, talk all about flowering cherry trees and their breeding programs at the USNA on the GardenDC Podcast episode #144 here:

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-144-flowering.html

Got other DC-area Cherry Tree viewing locations? 

Please share them in the comments below.

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Dusty Miller Plant Profile

Dusty Miller Plant Profile

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima previously Senecio cineraria) is an annual or tender perennial grown for its silvery, fuzzy foliage. It occasionally flowers with yellow (or creamy white) daisy-like blossoms in clusters from spring to frost. It is also known as Silver Ragwort.

It is often confused with another Dusty Miller (Centaurea cineraria) which is also known as Silver Ragwort and Silver Dust.

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) is naïve to Northern Africa, western Asia, and Europe.

It is hardy to USDA Zones 7 to 10.

Dusty Miller prefers full sun and well-draining soils. Do not overwater it as it will cause root rot.

It is often used as a bedding plant or in mixed containers.

Depending on the cultivar, the leaves can be very fine and lacey or larger and fuller.

To propagate it, start seeds indoors 10-15 weeks before the last frost date. You can also take stem cuttings to overwinter it indoors. It is a relatively inexpensive and commonly available annual plant, so most people just purchase new plants each spring.

It is deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and can take shady conditions as well.

Dusty Miller is low-maintenance. It does not need fertilizing. Remove any flowers to encourage fuller foliage growth.

Dusty Miller: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Additional Photos from Wikipedia Commons

 

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

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~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Rose Campion Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/07/rose-campion-plant-profile.html

~ Stokesia Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/08/stokesia-plant-profile.html

~ Mountain Mint Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/08/mountain-mint-plant-profile.html

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