Fenton Friday: Rain, At Last

We got rain! Finally! Lots of it. Enough to soak in a few inches deep and everything in the plot is looking much better. That also means though that the weeds are roaring back so most of my garden time this week was spent cutting rampant vines and grubbing out little weeds that are just sprouting

I did get a minute to clear out an area for more cutting-garden flowers, so I planted a row of 'Lilliput' Zinnias and Dancing Petticoats' Cosmos. It is late in the season for sure, but I think if we get decent weather from here on out that I'll be enjoying bouquets of them from late August until frost.

The Tomatoes look really nice on the plants (see above pic) -- but as soon as they start to ripen they are pilfered by the rats, squirrels, and rabbits (and who knows what other creatures!). We may just have to pick them very green and see if we can get any to ripen on the counter or else we will never get any ourselves.

The rest of the garden is coming along nicely with lots of female blossoms on the Gherkin vines and the Peppers loaded with fruits waiting to turn to their final color stages.

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).

Win an Audrey Hepburn garden quote T-shirt or tote bag from Michelle Bailey Art & Gifts in the July 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest!

Win a choice of a unisex Audrey Hepburn garden quote T-shirt or tote bag from Michelle Bailey Art & Gifts in the July 2024 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest! (The prize retail value is $35.00.) 

    Michelle Bailey Art & Gifts (https://michellebaileyfineart.com/) is a small, woman-owned Montgomery County, MD, business. The gift offerings include original art, prints, T-shirts, totes, mugs, and more with local and nature themes. The contest prize is for the “To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow” Audrey Hepburn quote on a T-shirt or tote bag. The drawing of a child represents the past with water flowing from the frame down onto colorful flowers representing the future.

   To enter to win the T-shirt or tote bag, email WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 31, with “Hepburn Quote” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the July 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine issue and why. Include your full name and address. The winner will be announced on August 1. 

Monday Thoughts: "A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit." ~ D. Elton Trueblood

"A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit."  ~ D. Elton Trueblood

GardenDC Podcast Episode 202: Documenting Gardens

In this episode, we talk with filmmaker Cintia Cabib, about her garden-related documentaries. The plant profile is on Portulaca 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 Flower Power for Your Veggie Patch 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 185: Birdscaping

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-185-birdscaping.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 17: Garden Photography

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/06/gardendc-podcast-episode-17-garden.html

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Documenting-Gardens-e2m85el

SHOW NOTES: 1:18 Welcome Cintia Cabib, documentary filmmaker and creator 1:56 Cintia’s gardening and family background 2:32 Cintia moved to DC from Argentina and discusses adjusting to living in America 3:27 How did Cintia become a documentary filmmaker? 6:00 How Cintia chooses the subjects of her documentaries and why they focus on the DC area 7:47 Cintia’s projects usually take around three years to make – what does she do during that time? 8:53 Fundraising is a major part of the job – how does Cintia approach that? 9:12 Cintia’s favorite part of the process is the producing and editing 11:17 Cintia talks about her 2011 film, “A Community of Gardeners” 15:53 “A Community of Gardeners” premiered at the Environmental Film Festival in DC – Cintia talks about that experience 17:29 You can find the film at communityofgardeners.com/ 18:05 Cintia describes the struggles of keeping in touch with past interview subjects 18:57 Cintia shares a story of showing up at a garden to film where theft occurred 19:55 How does Cintia make subjects feel comfortable on camera? 21:18 Cintia talks about her 2016 film “Labyrinth Journeys” 24:10 Cintia describes her most recent documentary “Bird Walk” 29:30 An update on Red Park – the golf course turned birder paradise shown in “Bird Walk” 33:29 Kathy and Cintia discuss Rock Creek Park Golf Course and how “Bird Walk” has influenced the fight to stop the removal of trees for a golf course there 39:13 There will be screenings of “Bird Walk” at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum on October 19th at noon and October 22nd at 11:00 a.m. and at Brookside Gardens – to find more information visit birdwalkfilm.com/ 41:05 Cintia is working on a platform for people to watch her films virtually 41:56 You can contact Cintia via email at cintia@cintiacabib.com or visit cintiacabib.com or birdwalkfilm.com 42:43 What is Cintia working on next? 43:42 Plant Profile: Portulaca 45:09 What’s new in the garden this week? The heat wave is finally over, Black-eyed Susan, and Sungold tomatoes 45:35 This week’s garden tip on growing tomatoes 46:00 Support the podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... and email Kathy at kathyjentz@gmail.com to earn a GardenDC embroidered patch 46:30 Upcoming events in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia area – 18th annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest at Meadowbrook Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA on Sunday, August 4th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Kathy is giving a talk and book signing for her book Ground Cover Revolution at the Patuxent Nursery in Bowie, MD on September 8th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. 47:37 Check out Groundcover Revolution by Kathy Jentz for low-maintenance alternatives for lawns on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 49:06 Check out the Urban Garden by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 49:59 Last Word on Flower Power for Your Veggie Patch from Christy Page of Green Prints

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
  
• Bullhorn https://www.bullhorn.fm/gardendc
• Chartable: https://link.chtbl.com/GardenDC
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5587897
• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
• Ivy: https://ivy.fm/podcast/gardendc-940013
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• Podfollow: https://podfollow.com/GardenDC
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
  
• Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/gardendc
• Samsung: search for GardenDC on the Sampsung app
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/gardendc/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine

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: Josh Panepento

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Fenton Friday: Bunny Alert

This baby bunny (look closely at the photo above) and I scared the hell out of each other when I went to check on the Fenton Community Garden's pollinator garden. I had scattered assorted sunflower seeds in hopes some might fill in the blank spots for late-season flowers. The bunny shouldn't do much damage to the pollinator plants, but he can easily fit through our fencing so am sure is finding plenty to eat in our plots.

There is not much else to report from the plot this week as we had 4 days of 101+ degree temps (actual temps!) and again hardly any rain, so I only go over to water and weed a tiny bit before leaving due to the high heat. Not much is ripening and everything is just kind of in a holding pattern. Luckily, we got a humidity and heat break today, that might give the tomatoes a chance to ripen.

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).

July 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine – Yarrow, Container Peppers, Terrariums, and much more…

 

The July 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out.

 

Inside this issue:

·         Amazing Yarrow

·         What’s Eating My Crape Myrtle

·         Common Grackle

·         Coverings to Reduce Pest Problems

·         Museum of the Bible’s Rooftop Garden

·         Classic Pimm’s Cup Cocktail

·         Great Gardening Books Reviewed

·         Holly Expert Sue Hunter

·         Gorgeous Gladioli

·         How to Make a Terrarium

·         Top 5 Heirloom Peppers for Containers

·         and much more…

 

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the August 2024 issue are due by August  5.

 

>>  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

GardenDC Embroidered Patches

Our GardenDC patches are here! I’ve already added one to my own patch collection jacket. 

You can get yours by being a supporter of the GardenDC podcast for as little as $0.99 per month! See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support. 

Once you have filled out the support form, send an email to KathyJentz@gmail.com with your mailing address and we'll send you your patch.

Monday Thoughts: “No garden truly blooms until butterflies have danced upon it.” ~ Kristen D’Angelo

“No garden truly blooms until butterflies have danced upon it.” ~ Kristen D’Angelo

Garden Photo Show Opening Reception 2024

You are invited to view the winning images of the 18th annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest at an art show at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. All 17 stunning photos were taken in DC-area gardens. Both inspirational and educational, this show represents the best of garden photography in the greater DC metropolitan region.

The photo show reception is Sunday, August 4 from 2:00-3:30pm in the Meadowlark Visitor Center's lobby. The opening reception is open to the public and is free to attend. You may also come by and view the photos any time during the normal Visitor Center hours (10am-7pm daily). The photo show runs through August 31.

Please RSVP at our Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/3PBtFSXJAo9ZpsvU/

Washington Gardener Magazine is already announcing the 19th Annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest. Start gathering your images now and throughout this year. Most of the entry rules will remain the same as this year’s contest. Photos need to be taken during the 2024 calendar year in a garden-setting in the greater Washington, DC area. We will accept the entries during the first three weeks of January 2024.

Washington Gardener Magazine (http://www.washingtongardener.com/) is the gardening publication specifically for the local metro area — Washington DC and its suburbs. Washington Gardener Magazine’s basic mission is to help DC area gardens grow better. The magazine is written entirely by and for local area gardeners.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens) is a park of beauty, conservation, education, and discovery. Throughout the year at this 95-acre complex are large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than 20 varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature. Meadowlark is part of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.

GardenDC Podcast Episode 201: Watering Tips

In this episode, we talk with Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about garden watering tips. The plant profile is on Alstroemeria 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 Garden Yoga 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 112: Summer Garden Refresh

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-112-summer.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 165: Gardening and the Weather with Margaret Roach

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-165-gardening.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 121: Gold Medal Plants

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

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Watering-Tips-e2m0crk

Show Notes: 1:12 Welcome Andrew Bunting with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 2:03 What has Andrew been up to? The Philadelphia Flower Show and selecting gold metal plants 4:21 Andrew talks about his gravel garden and his vegetable garden 7:32 How does Andrew maintain his gravel garden? 9:19 How to tell when your plants need water (Let the plants be the indicator) 11:05 Some plants look like they’re wilting, but do not actually need water 13:26 What have the weather conditions been this summer in Philadelphia? 15:30 Andrew uses rain gauges and containers to tell how many inches of rain fell 18:57 Kathy uses Cocorahs to find hyper-local precipitation numbers 19:38 What time of day is best for watering? Andrew believes early morning 22:25 Andrew shares where on the plant he waters and what hoses to use 28:30 Andrew uses Flexogen and Dramm hoses and explains why 33:38 Kathy uses hoses that compact themselves which saves time wrapping up the hose 35:57 What watering cans does Andrew use indoors and outside? 40:05 Philadelphia’s rain barrel program and the benefits of rain barrels 42:45 How leaving your leaves or mulch can help keep moisture in your garden 48:12 Products that hold moisture in the soil - such as Soil Moist 51:45 Andrew shares his favorite drought-tolerant plants 57:30 To contact Andrew and learn more about the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, go to phsonline.org and read Andrew’s article How to Water Plants While Away 1:00:17 Plant Profile: Alstroemeria 1:01:48 What’s new in the garden this week? Pollinators are visiting the monarda and sunflowers and Kathy’s harvesting onions, basil, and tomatoes. 1:02:07 This week’s garden tip are on tomato issues 1:02:38 GardenDC won the Best Podcast HORTI Award! 1:03:10 Upcoming events in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia area – The sunflowers at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area are at their peak in Poolesville, MD. Woody Plant Conference on July 19th at the Scott Arboretum. The Takoma Park Garlic Festival at the Takoma Park Farmers Market is now on July 21st. 1:05:01 Check out Groundcover Revolution by Kathy Jentz for low-maintenance alternatives for lawns on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 1:07:23 Christy Page from GreenPrints on Garden Yoga, a story by Kay Flowers

Links:

~ Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network: https://cocorahs.org/

~ DRAMM Water Breaker Nozzle: https://amzn.to/4bGMbOM*

~ How to Water Plants While Away and Sustain a Summer Garden (phsonline.org)

*Amazon affiliate link. Any purchases made from the link may add a few pennies to the GardenDC account, but will not impact the prices you pay.

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
  
• Bullhorn https://www.bullhorn.fm/gardendc
• Chartable: https://link.chtbl.com/GardenDC
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5587897
• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
• Ivy: https://ivy.fm/podcast/gardendc-940013
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• Podfollow: https://podfollow.com/GardenDC
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
  
• Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/gardendc
• Samsung: search for GardenDC on the Sampsung app
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/gardendc/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine

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: Josh Panepento

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!