WashingtonGardener

Monday, October 14, 2024

Monday Thoughts: “Autumn – the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant

“Autumn – the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant

Saturday, October 12, 2024

GardenDC Podcast Episode 214: Heuchera

In this episode, we talk with Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries, about Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.). The plant profile is on Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia spp.) and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events and this week's garden tasks in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on the Tale of Rosie from Christy Page of Green Prints.

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

See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support.

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

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 121: Gold Medal Plants

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-121-gold-medal.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 135: Plants for Shade

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/01/gardendc-podcast-episode-135-plants-for.html

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Heuchera-e2pi5k1

Show Notes: 01:12 - Welcome Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries 01:39 - Dan talks about his childhood and college gardening experiences 03:28 - Did Dan pursue a degree in botany or horticulture? 06:33 - What did Dan do after college? 08:45 - Dan’s goal of introducing 801 new plants to horticulture 09:40 - Dan shares some of Terra Nova’s most popular plants 11:51 - Dan talks about the growing/climate conditions of his area 13:48 - How do you pronounce Heuchera? 15:00 - Where are heuchera native to and what are their preferred growing conditions? 20:02 - Dan emphasizes the importance of drainage for heucheras 22:57 - Dan talks about the best time to feed heucheras 23:35 - What should you use to fertilize heucheras? 27:31 - How do you remove the old, crunchy leaves? 28:37 - Dan shares how he cleans up his heucheras 30:13 - Dan discusses the use of AI in Terra Nova’s catalogs 32:40 - Dan talks about heuchera cultivars from 30 years ago 34:30 - the amazing color combinations of heucheras 37:09 - Heuchera plants that have H. villosa parents 37:42 - Dan discusses his personal favorite heuchera varieties 40:53 - Dan talks about heucherellas 43:13 - Kathy shares her favorite varieties from Terra Nova 44:45 - Where can listeners get plants from Terra Nova? 46:54 - Where can you contact Dan? Dan@terranovanurseries.com 47:37 - Dan’s final tips for first-time heuchera growers? 50:42 - Dan talks about some of the “nasties” and how to deal with them 53:16 - What is Dan looking forward to for the future of heuchera? 56:04 -The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City 56:57 - Tithonia aka Mexican Sunflower plant profile 58:43 - What’s new in the garden this week? Hamamelis virginiana in full bloom and newly-planted radishes and carrots 59:18 - Rest in peace Stanton Gill 59:45 - Garden tips of the week: Remove and destroy iris foliage and switch out your summer annuals 1:00:33 - Upcoming local gardening events: Franciscan Monastery Garden Guild’s first fall festival and Bird Walk screening at Brookside Gardens 1:03:04 - A Tale of Rosie, the Dog of Destruction 1:06:01 - Thank you for listening! Become a supporter

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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

Interview Edit and Show Notes: Zachary Intrater

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Friday, October 11, 2024

Fenton Friday: Carrot Harvest

We finally harvested the row of carrots that I had let grow at the top of the plot for several months now. The carrots are 'St. Valery' from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and were planted way back in late March. They are the biggest carrots I've ever grown! They are a bit woody and hard, but surprisingly are still edible. I may try shredding a bunch for carrot salad.

The Lettuce seeds still have not germinated yet -- I'll give them a few more days then give up if there is no sign of them and plant Spinach in their place.

The Peppers, Tomatoes, and Blackberries are all still producing. A few more Zucchini are forming so I will leave those plants in for another week or so.

We pulled the Gherkin Cucumber vine and in their spot planted Carrot 'Scarlet Nantes', Radish 'Cherry Belle', and Radish 'Round Black Spanish'.

The Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts are all growing quite large under the cover cloth, though this week's windy weather and cold nights dried them up a bit and I think we lost a couple. I'll do a better job checking under the cloth and watering them.

What are you growing in your edible 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 13th 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).

Thursday, October 10, 2024

In Memoriam: Stanton Gill

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Stanton Gill's passing. He was a font of horticultural wisdom and just an all-around great guy. His obituary is posted here.

He was a valued source for quotes and photos for many articles in Washington Gardener Magazine.

He appeared twice on the GardenDC Podcast (links below) and had hoped to book him again soon when the news of his sudden passing reached me.

Stanton was above else a teacher and a mentor. He will be missed by many.

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 82: Persimmons and Other Unusual Fall Fruits with Stanton Gill
https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-82-persimmons.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 148: Serviceberries and Saskatoons with Stanton Gill
https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-148.html

Monday, October 07, 2024

Monday Thoughts: “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

~ L.M. Montgomery

Saturday, October 05, 2024

GardenDC Podcast Episode 213: Southern Apples

In this episode, we talk with orchardist and author Diane Flynt, about heirloom apples of the South. The plant profile is on Pitcher Plants and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events and this week's garden tasks in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Wings of Freedom from Christy Page of Green Prints.

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

See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support.

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

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 58: Grafting Fruit Trees

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/05/gardendc-podcast-episode-58-grafting.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 22: Fruit Trees

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-22-fruit-trees.html

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Southern-Apples-e2p96f4

Show Notes: 01:07 - Welcome Diane Flynt, orchardist and author (https://uncpress.org/book/97814696769...) 01:34 - Diane talks about her childhood gardening experience 03:24 - Diane discusses her career journey from corporate business to cider farmer 04:55 - Geography/growing conditions of the Floyd, VA region 06:41 - Impacts of nighttime cooling on growing 09:20 - Malus Angustifolia, or Southern Crabapple species 10:08 - Affects of fire blight and other diseases on apple growing 11:42 - Diane discusses tracing the history of different apple species 14:00 - Diane talks about the decrease in Southern apple varieties 16:32 - Indigenous people and their apples 19:28 - Historical significance of orchards in land transfers 21:52 - Diane discusses presidential apple growers 25:33 - Diane talks about horse apples 28:12 - Different apple species have different purposes 32:26 - Where to get Mary Reid apples (https://www.centuryfarmorchards.com/) 32:35 - What are the perfect growing conditions for planting apples? 35:48 - Regional significance of different apple species 36:46 - Diane discusses her favorite apple species 37:22 - Diane talks about which species are good for applesauce 37:50 - Diane’s favorite apples for eating right off the tree 39:44 - Diane’s favorite apples for cider-making 40:18 - Diane discusses her own cidery (https://foggyridgecider.com/) 42:50 - Wha apples has Diane already started harvesting this year? 43:39 - Diane talks about vinegar-making 44:43 - Where to contact Diane? (https://foggyridgecider.com/) (dflynt7@gmail.com) 45:03 - Diane shares her final thoughts about Mid-Atlantic and Southern apples 49:05 - Pitcher Plant plant profile 50:43 - What’s new in the garden this week? Sunshine is back and Nippon daisies are blooming! 51:05 - Garden tips of the week: Don’t consume American persimmon tree fruit until it’s fully matured 51:48 - Upcoming local gardening events: Baltimore African Violet Club’s Autumn Sale, Prince George's County Community Garden Summit, and Potomac Rose Society online rose talk 53:26 - Wings of Freedom by Sunday Dutro 55:27 - Thank you for listening! Become a supporter