Saturday, November 22, 2025

GardenDC Podcast Episode 265: Sedums Tall and Small with Brent Horvath

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening and Beyond, we talk with plantsman Brent Horvath all about sedums. The plant profile is on Thyme 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 "Thanksgiving" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.


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

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter/subscriber at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

This episode is archived at:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HyQqhiDVqzPWsNp0pslKb?si=SmgLm_k_Tx-smkv-YRA5yA

Show Notes will be posted after 11/30/25.

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: Cavit Ireland
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Sedum 'Autumn Fire'


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Friday, November 21, 2025

Fenton Friday: Second-Chance Radish and Lettuce

Guest post by Ellen Isaacson

This fall, alongside the traditional and Moroccan Cilantro, we grew a 'Sweet Greens & Reds' Farmers Market Lettuce Blend and red 'Rudolph' Radishes in the community garden. Originally, we planted Buttercrunch Lettuce and Hungarian Landrace Parsley, but they unfortunately did not sprout. The Lettuce blend and Radishes were grown in the same conditions as the Cilantro, with the addition of a cover cloth once the colder months arrived.

Although there was a minor time setback due to the lack of growth from the Buttercrunch Lettuce and the Parsley, once the green-and-red Lettuce blend and Radishes were planted, it was smooth sailing. Every week, after our intern meeting, we would walk over and check in on the garden and our small plot. There was always a little bit of weeding that needed to be done each week around the two seedling rows, but the cool-season weeds were not too aggressive.

It took a couple of weeks until we saw some Lettuce sprouts, but once they emerged from the soil, they grew very evenly, filling their entire row. The green was vibrant, and the red of the Lettuce blend reminded me of the classic colors that accompany the fall season. The Radish’s bright pink was a lovely, colorful addition to my salad bowl. I decided to prepare a salad with these two freshly harvested vegetables. I topped it off with a cilantro salad dressing from Trader Joe's, staying on theme with our plot. It was incredibly fresh and delicious. 

Growing these vegetables alongside the two varieties of cilantro made me realize how differently vegetables grow; some are eager to sprout, while others need a little bit more encouragement. Nonetheless, sometimes the best things in life take more time, so I was happy to see that time paid off when it came to the green-and-red Lettuce blend and the red Radishes.

Abour the Author: Ellen Isaacson is an intern this fall semester with Washington Gardener. She is double-majoring in journalism and French language and literature.

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 14th 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).

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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Snake Plant Profile

Snake Plant Profile

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata formerly Sansevieria) is also known as mother-in-law's tongue, Saint George's sword, and viper's bowstring hemp. It has sword-like foliage that is quite striking.

There are several cultivars available with a variety of striping patterns and growth habits.

It is a popular houseplant because it is undemanding and low-maintenance. It tolerates low-light levels and infrequent watering. It is best to plant them in a well-draining cactus potting mix in a clay or terra cotta pot.

During the winter, water it only every couple of months. It will rot if it is overwatered. Do not water them in the center rosette.

In the spring, mature Snake Plants can develop green-white flowers that later turn into orange berries.

It is native to western Africa, southern Asia, and Madagascar. They are hardy to USDA Zones 10 to 12.

Snake Plant is propagated easily from cuttings and root divisions. When taking a cutting, let it dry for a few days to form a callus, and then place it directly into well-draining potting mix to form roots. Rooting hormone is generally not needed.

Keep the plant dusted. Fertilize it with a weak liquid solution every few weeks. If a leaf is damaged, cut it off at the base.

Snake Plant: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Ellen Isaacson

 

➤ 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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~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC


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

~ African Violet

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/02/african-violet-plant-profile.html

~ Florist’s Cyclamen

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/03/florists-cyclamen-plant-profile.html

~ Air Plant

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/02/air-plant-plant-profile.html

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Monday, November 17, 2025

Monday Thoughts: “I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” 

~ Henry David Thoreau

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Saturday, November 15, 2025

GardenDC Podcast Episode 264: Black Flora with Teri Speight

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening and Beyond, we talk with Teri Speight all about inspiring Black flower farmers and florists. The plant profile is on the Katsura Tree 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 "Spud-tacular Crafts" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.


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

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter/subscriber at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3dsr8eJQ7iXPfNML8VZnZy?si=G6wujxiaRVq8uOATKRs2FQ 

Show Notes will be posted after 11/25/25.

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: Cavit Ireland
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

You can order Teri's book Black Flora at https://amzn.to/4p6gWnq
(Note that is an affiliate link.)
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Friday, November 14, 2025

Fenton Friday: Cilantro Trials

Cilanto 'Moroccan' at left and 'Slow Bolt' on the right.

Guest post by Cavit Ireland

This season, we learned about a tale of two cilantros. One, a traditional cilantro–one we noted as the “regular” kind, and a variety of 'Moroccan' cilantro. We grew them side-by-side and under the same conditions, the regular cilantro’s growth responded quite differently to that of the 'Moroccan' variety. The experiment was a fascinating comparison of two kinds of the same plant.


The 'Moroccan' cilantro sprouted quickly and confidently. Within a week the seedlings germinating, the plants stood a few inches above the soil, while the regular cilantro seeds lay dormant. Soon enough, the 'Moroccan' patch was densely covered with a tiny blanket of green foliage. The germination rate was high, leaving very few bare spots between the seedlings. They grew in aggressively and filled in as leafy bunches that looked like they were almost ready to harvest before the regular cilantro made much progress at all. 


When it finally emerged, the regular cilantro grew in more scattered bunches, slowly making space for itself. The thin row faced also more weeds than the 'Moroccan' cilantro. The leaves were slightly thinner and bunches grew less dense. It seemed to grow with restraint like a slow unfolding, unlike the 'Moroccan' cilantro’s burst of life. 


Such characteristics carried over from the garden into the kitchen. I put both to the ultimate test: Taco Tuesday. Deeply fragrant with powerful flavor, the 'Moroccan' cilantro cut through the other foods and came out strong. While the regular cilantro had a similar scent to its counterpart, it brought a gentler taste to the table. It was a subtle boost, blending with the dish quite nicely.


Growing these varieties of cilantro next to each other showed me how the same herb can behave differently. The 'Moroccan' cilantro was bold and eager, while the regular cilantro took its time and refined its taste. It also goes to show that small differences can completely transform a meal.

What are you growing in your edible garden this week?

About the Author: Cavit Ireland is an intern this fall semester with Washington Gardener. He is a rising senior at the University of Maryland studying journalism and hosts Sonic Fruit, a weekly music program on WMUC 90.5.

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 14th 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).

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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Mexican Bush Sage Plant Profile

Mexican Bush Sage Plant Profile

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is a perennial plant that has long wands of bright purple and white flowers with a fuzzy soft look. It is also known as Velvet Sage.

It is native to Mexico and Central America. It is hardy to USDA zones 7 to 10 and is only marginally hardy in our region.

In the Mid-Atlantic, it blooms in late summer and early fall, giving great color and texture to the late season garden until hit by a hard frost.

It thrives on full sun and good drainage.

Shear the Mexican bush sage a couple of times during the spring and summer to create a more compact plant, if desired.

Mexican Bush Sage makes a great cut flower and is a favorite of various pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

It is in the Mint family so it deer and rabbit resistant. It is also drought tolerant.

Mexican Bush Sage: You Can Grow That!

 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Ellen Isaacson

 

➤ 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

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC

 

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

~ Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/09/salvia-black-and-blue-plant-profile.html

~ Sage Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/12/plant-profile-sage-salvia-officinalis.html

~ Mexican Feather Grass

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/10/plant-profile-mexican-feather-grass.html

 

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Monday, November 10, 2025

Monday Thoughts: “Nothing is more completely the child of art than a garden.” ~ Walter Scott

 

“Nothing is more completely  the child of art than a garden.” 

~ Walter Scott

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