This week we had almost 15 inches of rain fall and more is in today's forecast. That is a record for July. I am happy not to have to water, but this is bizarre and frankly frightening to some extent. Will this be our weather pattern for the future?
The tomatoes are all start to produce though, so that is good.
The plot is looking pretty poorly. Green beans eaten down to the nub again by rabbits. Sunflowers toppled by the storms. And weeds, lots of weeds.
The cucumber vines are slow, but one cuke is actually forming and they have lots of flowers on the vines.
BTW I'll be on "Talk of Takoma"on Takoma Radio this Sunday at 2:00pm. Listen online live at https://takomaradio.org/ We'll be talking climate change and local gardening.
How is your vegetable garden growing 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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 7th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Win a CobraHead® “mini” Weeder and Cultivator tool in our July 2018 Washington Gardener Reader Contest
For our July 2018 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away a CobraHead® “mini” Weeder and Cultivator tool.
The best garden tools make gardening chores easier, and the new CobraHead® “mini” Weeder and Cultivator is perfect for precision weeding in flower beds, vegetable gardens. and even flower pots and containers. The strong, sharp, tempered blade cuts through all soils, even the toughest clay, and it makes short work of cleaning weed-choked gardens. The CobraHead “mini” Weeder was honored with a 2018 Green Thumb Award by the Direct Gardening Association as one of the best new garden tools on the market.
The CobraHead “mini” is smaller and lighter than the original CobraHead Weeder, so it’s easier to use in tight spaces. The original CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator is a bit larger and heftier, so it’s well-suited for weeding larger garden spaces. Both of the CobraHead hand tools have comfortable, ergonomically designed handles that are made from a mix of recycled plastic and wood fiber. The attractive blue handle is molded around the unique steel blade to ensure it can never work loose. The CobraHead “mini” Weeder hand tool sells for $21.95 and the original CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator sells for $24.95 at garden centers or www.cobrahead.com.
To enter to win the CobraHead “mini,” send an email to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5:00pm on July 31 with “CobraHead Mini” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Include your full name and mailing address. Tell us which was your favorite article in the July 2018 issue and why. The pass winners will be announced and notified on August 1.
UPDATE: Our contest winner is Catherine Jamieson of Arlington, VA.
Thank you to all who entered!
The best garden tools make gardening chores easier, and the new CobraHead® “mini” Weeder and Cultivator is perfect for precision weeding in flower beds, vegetable gardens. and even flower pots and containers. The strong, sharp, tempered blade cuts through all soils, even the toughest clay, and it makes short work of cleaning weed-choked gardens. The CobraHead “mini” Weeder was honored with a 2018 Green Thumb Award by the Direct Gardening Association as one of the best new garden tools on the market.
The CobraHead “mini” is smaller and lighter than the original CobraHead Weeder, so it’s easier to use in tight spaces. The original CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator is a bit larger and heftier, so it’s well-suited for weeding larger garden spaces. Both of the CobraHead hand tools have comfortable, ergonomically designed handles that are made from a mix of recycled plastic and wood fiber. The attractive blue handle is molded around the unique steel blade to ensure it can never work loose. The CobraHead “mini” Weeder hand tool sells for $21.95 and the original CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator sells for $24.95 at garden centers or www.cobrahead.com.
To enter to win the CobraHead “mini,” send an email to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5:00pm on July 31 with “CobraHead Mini” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Include your full name and mailing address. Tell us which was your favorite article in the July 2018 issue and why. The pass winners will be announced and notified on August 1.
UPDATE: Our contest winner is Catherine Jamieson of Arlington, VA.
Thank you to all who entered!
Friday, July 20, 2018
July 2018 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine: Gardening in a Changing Climate
The
July 2018 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is now out.
It is
also posted at: https://issuu.com/washingtongardener/docs/washingtongardenerjuly18
Inside
this issue:
·
Gardening
in a Changing Climate
·
New
Dwarf Brugmansia
·
5
Pet-Friendly Gardening Tips
·
“Tropical”
Native Agave Virginica
·
Hot
Color with Ornamental Peppers
·
Meet
Lynley Ogilvie
·
Up
the Ladder at Evening Star Cafe’s Chef Garden
·
Tick
Control and Prevention Tips
and
much more…
Note
that any submissions, event listings, and
advertisements for the August 2018 issue are due by August 1.
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: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm
Fenton Friday: Holey Moley
After last week's drama, I was hoping for some rest and relaxation in the garden plot this week. I went to check on things and found our only almost-ripe tomato was about half-eaten. I suspect a squirrel or other critter that was thirsty in the drought. (We finally do have some rain in this week's forecast - yay!)
Also, my green beans have lots of holes in the leaves. Anyone recognize the culprit? I have inspected the plants and come in a few times hoping to catch whatever big is doing this, but no luck so far.
Elsewhere in the plot, the cucumbers are setting flowers and soon should have cukes, the basil plants are sending out new branches (pesto soon!), and the pepper plants are forming some nice-looking fruits.
How is your vegetable garden growing 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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 7th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.
Also, my green beans have lots of holes in the leaves. Anyone recognize the culprit? I have inspected the plants and come in a few times hoping to catch whatever big is doing this, but no luck so far.
Elsewhere in the plot, the cucumbers are setting flowers and soon should have cukes, the basil plants are sending out new branches (pesto soon!), and the pepper plants are forming some nice-looking fruits.
How is your vegetable garden growing 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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 7th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.
Top 10 Gardening Magazines And Ezines To Follow
Washington Gardener Magazine was named a “Top 10 Gardening Magazines And Ezines To Follow In 2018” at https://blog.feedspot.com/gardening_magazines/. What an unexpected surprise! We are honored and humbled as well by what great company we are in!
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Bloom Day in the Water Garden
Here in the Mid-Atlantic USA (USDA zone 7) on the DC-MD border, the past month started off very dry, then it got hot - really hot. After almost 6 weeks of drought, we finally got some decent rain today. Hurray!
Because of this seemingly annual summer drought pattern, I turn my attention to my water garden in July. It is the least work of any part of my landscape and gives me the most enjoyment! You don't need to water. The fish eat the mosquitoes. The blooms are prolific and the dragonflies are enchanting. You just sit back and enjoy.
Pictured here from top, left (clockwise) is a hardy White Waterlily, Water Hyacinth, a hardy Yellow Waterlily with an unusual reproductive cycle, and Pickerel Weed.
It is the 15th of the month, which means Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day again. To view links to other garden bloggers' blooms around the world to see what it blooming in their gardens today and to read their collective comments, go to:
https://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2018/07/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-july-2018.html
So what is blooming in YOUR garden?
Friday, July 13, 2018
Fenton Friday the 13th
There was a break-in at the Fenton Community Garden last night. We have filed a police report and are seeking any witnesses who may have seen anything. The person(s) drained several hundred gallons of water from our Cistern, did other damage, and stole produce from individual plots.
This is really disheartening -- to say the least.
We are in a 4+ week drought now with no sign of real rain in the forecast anytime soon, so this attack on our cistern is really painful. I'll be going back over this afternoon with some buckets of water from home just to give my Zinnia seedlings some emergency water until the cistern can be re-filled.
I met with Officer Hussain of the Montgomery County Park Police there this morning and he remarked that it is a very urban corner and there are many homeless in the area. I am not placing suspicion on any group yet though -- it could be anyone from bored teens to a disgruntled ex-plot gardener.
We walked around and he pointed out several spots of possible easy entry -- I removed a stick by the front gate that could ease that access, but obviously a gate left unlocked is the easiest way... so we are asking all fellow community gardeners to lock up and double-check when coming-going to the garden.
How is your vegetable garden growing 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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 7th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Annual Lotus and WaterLily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens on July 21-22
Join the National Park Service for the annual Lotus and WaterLily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens on July 21-22, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
❖ Celebrate the internationally loved lotuses and waterlilies during peak bloom.
❖ See cultural performances from Latin, Asian and African origins.
❖ Play fun games, enjoy arts and crafts and dance to music from around the world.
Washington Gardener Magazine will be giving out free information on home water gardening (on Saturday only) at our table at the event. We hope to see you there!
This FREE festival celebrates nature, culture and community at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens,
a one-of-a- kind destination in Anacostia Park. Celebrate the centennial of Anacostia Park with us
at D.C.’s hidden oasis during the Year of the Anacostia.
a one-of-a- kind destination in Anacostia Park. Celebrate the centennial of Anacostia Park with us
at D.C.’s hidden oasis during the Year of the Anacostia.
Visit go.nps.gov/lotus for more event information.
BTW. the official hashtag for the festival is #LotusLilyFest
They are also celebrating the Year of the Anacostia and Anacostia Park centennial this year,
so you are also encouraged to use: #YearoftheAnacostia #AnacostiaPark100
so you are also encouraged to use: #YearoftheAnacostia #AnacostiaPark100
Monday, July 09, 2018
Washington Gardener Magazine Receives 2018 GWA Media Awards Silver Medal of Achievement
|
Friday, July 06, 2018
Fenton Friday: First Tomato of the Season
It is a tiny one, but hey, it is ripe! The first tomato of the season is 'Sun Gold' -- not a huge surprise as cherry tomatoes develop faster, but still a bit early in the season for it.
In the rest of the plot, the cucumbers and green beans are growing quickly. The other tomatoes are coming along well also.
I still have one section that needs clearing of the spring (cool-season) leftovers and I'll use that for my peppers and herbs like basil.
We have been experiencing a heat wave with very little rain, so my flower seedlings are really taking a hit. I try to water daily, but it is not the same as a good, drenching rain. I am praying for a pop-up storm or two to come through.
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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 7th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.
In the rest of the plot, the cucumbers and green beans are growing quickly. The other tomatoes are coming along well also.
I still have one section that needs clearing of the spring (cool-season) leftovers and I'll use that for my peppers and herbs like basil.
We have been experiencing a heat wave with very little rain, so my flower seedlings are really taking a hit. I try to water daily, but it is not the same as a good, drenching rain. I am praying for a pop-up storm or two to come through.
How is your vegetable garden growing 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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 7th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.
Thursday, July 05, 2018
Local Gardening 101
Guest Blog by Racquel Royer
Gardener, speaker, and editor-in-chief of Washington
Gardener Magazine Kathy
Jentz shared her tips for finding and taking advantage of local gardening
resources at a talk for Knowledge Commons DC in Dupont Circle last week. Knowledge Commons is a “free
school for thinkers, doers, and tinkerers – taught anywhere, by anyone, for
everyone.”
“All gardening is local,” Jentz says.
Her first step was to “start with your soil.” That means
getting a soil test to discover what your soil needs to help plants grow. In
doing so, it’s important to let those testing the soil know what your plans are
so that they can specify what you might need. Soil test kits can be purchased and mailed in to a lab like the one at Penn State. The next step is
to amend the soil with aged manure and leaf compost. Kathy shared many local and free sources of both.
After taking care to prepare your soil, local plants can
be obtained at garden club swaps, garden centers, public garden plant sales, and by posting on group lists like DC Urban Gardeners and DC Metro Plant Swap. There are so many
gardening clubs and groups to join and most welcome new gardeners. A few good local
plant swaps Jentz mentioned are those held by the local chapter of the Rock Garden Society, Takoma Horticultural Club, and the Four Seasons Garden
Club. A few of Jentz’ favorite area nurseries and garden centers include Homestead
Gardens, Merrifield, Behnke, and Meadows Farms among others.
If you’ve started growing your plants and encounter
problems, Jentz advised to reach out to places like the UMD HGIC online, in-person at Master Gardener clinics, and to submit questions for the Washington Gardener’s “Ask the Expert” column.
Another great way to get involved in the local gardening
community is to attend garden tours like the ones held by Brookland Garden Club and Virginia Garden Week, or to join local garden clubs. If
you’d like to do some local garden adventuring on your own, some great, lesser-known public
gardens to visit and get inspired by include the Franciscan Monastery, Tudor Place, Oatlands, and the Bishop’s
Garden at the National Cathedral.
Happy local gardening!
About the Author
Racquel Royer is a senior studying broadcast journalism
in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland,
College Park. She is from Tampa. FL. This summer, she is an editorial intern at
Washington Gardener.
Sunday, July 01, 2018
DIY: Real Cotton Wreath
Last summer I grew cotton in my community garden plot. Just three plants, but they provided enough cotton bolls for me to use in making this wreath. I dried the cotton over the winter time--laying the cut branches flat on an old window screen in my unheated sunroom.
This wreath retails for $50+ for faux cotton and $100 for the real thing. Not including labor and tools, the cost of this project was well under $10. I am quite pleased with the results.
Materials:
Cotton bolls (grow your own or buy stems)
Steps:
- Group sets of 3 cotton bolls together and wire them close to their base. Leaving a small length of stem on them (about 3 inches.)
- Arrange the sets of 3 on the wreath frame. Using more of the floral wire to secure them well.
- Once you have filled in the frame. Hold it up and turn it over and give it a good shake. Secure any cotton that may come loose.
- Cut a length of wire to make a hanging loop, if desired.
- Optional, add a ribbon or other decorative touches.
This is a monthly blog series on DIY projects for the beginning home gardener. Look for the other installments in this DIY blog series by putting "DIY" in the search box here at washingtongardener.blogspot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Featured Post
Gifts for Gardeners ~ Gardening Gifts ~ Cool Gardening Gift Ideas
Today is Amazon Prime Day, so I thought I'd again share the garden products I use almost every day. These are the tried-and-true w...
-
The September 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out. It is posted and archived online at: https://issuu.com/washingtongar...
-
In this episode, we talk with Heather Wheatley, Marketing Specialist with Proven Winners , about Hollywood's portrayal of gardening . T...