Plant Profile: Figs (Ficus carica)

Figs are easy to grow and are a great choice as both an edible and ornamental plant in your garden.

Figs need full sun and can grow in Zones 6 to 11. Though in zones 6 and 7, they will need some extra winter protection and you will want to select the more winter-hardy varieties like ‘Celeste’, ‘Chicago Hardy’, and ‘Brown Turkey‘. Even with added protection, if we have a very cold winter, they can die back to the ground, but will usually regenerate from the roots.

They are ideal for small space gardens as they can be grown in containers or planted and pruned as shrubs instead of trees. Fig varieties sold in the US are all self-pollinating, so you only need one plant to produce fruit.

Keep them well-watered, especially if they are growing in containers. Figs hate root competition, so make sure there are no weeds or other plantings in their root zone. You can mulch lightly in that area to retain the soil moisture.

You can prune figs trees in late winter before new spring growth begins. Be sure to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Then, thin them back to control their size and snip off any ground suckers. Fig trees are easy to propagate from cuttings, so you can share those healthy, pruned twigs that have at least two buds on them.

You may find yourself competing with the birds for the delicious figs. You can place bags or netting over the fruit to prevent wildlife from getting them before you do. Harvest figs when they begin to soften. Figs - You Can Grow That! The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine. Visuals by Nicole Noechel Audio by Kathy Jentz ➤ 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 on Spotify, Apple, etc.

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GardenDC Podcast Episode 30: Seed Saving

This episode we talk with Debby Ward of Prior Unity Garden about all aspects of Seed Saving. The plant profile is on Figs and I share about the 'Sheffield Pink' Mums blooming in my garden.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month!
See how at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/support. 

The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/September-26--2020---Seed-Saving-ek6b9m

It is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AsWArNpQo8OlzHoMDMSI8

• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V

• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc

• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk

• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc

• Google Podcasts at this link, either now or soon (note that currently, this link will only work on Android devices)

We welcome your questions and comments!

You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

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Fenton Friday: One Potato, Two Potato

 

This week I dug up the few Potato plants I had planted. It was not a huge harvest -- enough for a meal for two (or one hungry gardener).

In that space I will sow a few rows of Radishes and Carrots after this weekend's rains are done.

We had an early frost scare earlier in the week and the edges of some of the Basil plants look like they got a bit zapped, but overall they are fine so I plan to pull them in a week or so and make a BIG batch of pesto to be able to freeze a bunch for this winter.

The rows of Lettuce are growing well as are the Broccoli seedlings -- both are under a covercloth and thank goodness for that as we definitely have a rat problem at the community garden now. There are rat bait traps placed all around the perimeter and one dead rat has been laying on the sidewalk outside our side gate. I am refusing to clean him up as I took care of the last two animal carcasses at our garden. It is someone else's turn this time. 

I blame increase in rats on a couple things, mostly that COVID caused the streets to be emptier and several of the local restaurants to be closed, giving the rodents both motive and opportunity to move in. Hoping the hawks an owls I have seen around our neighborhood catch up with them soon.

In more pleasant news, I harvested more Okra and Tomatoes this week. We are having our harvest gathering for the local soup kitchen this Sunday and my plan is to pull up the tomato vines and pull anything ripe or green on them to share with that collection. I expect to have a good amount as they are still producing very well.

What are you harvesting in your garden this week? Any rodent reduction tips?

 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 8th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.

Upcoming Webinars by Washington Gardener Magazine

All of the webinars are held via Zoom. Once you register, you will get a confirmation and a link to the Zoom connection details. Note that if you cannot attend the live class, you can still register and get a link to view the class recording for two weeks after the actual class date.

Sunday, October 4, 2-3pm

Dealing with Deer and Other Mammal Pests in Your Garden

Bambi may be cute, but he and his mother, cousins, and rest of the herd are very hungry and they would love to make a feast of your garden. This talk will cover proven and humane tactics for gardening with deer, rabbits, rats, groundhogs, and other creatures that are attracted to both edible and ornamental gardens. 
Speaker: Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine. 
Fee: $10. Register at: https://py.pl/180w3U

Sunday, November 1, 2-3pm

Small Tree (and Large Shrubs) for Urban and Small Gardens

We will explore the possibilities of what small trees and large shrubs you can plant in small urban lots. Tailored to the greater Washington, DC/Mid-Atlantic region (Zones 6-7) and what grows best here. The choices will cover natives, edibles, and ornamentals -- from full sun to full shade. For every place there is a tree that is a perfect fit. 
Speaker: Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine. 
Fee: $10. Register at: https://py.pl/6HkgAJ21d3A

Sunday, December 6, 2-3pm

A Truly Green Holiday: A Talk on Seasonal Plants and a Bulb Forcing Demo

Have you ever given or gotten a beautiful blooming poinsettia or amaryllis and then slowly watched it decline? What a New Year's bummer! This talk will teach you how to care for classic seasonal plants. She'll also cover some unique holiday plant choices as well that make great gifts and additions to your home decor. Finally, she'll teach you bulb forcing basics--tricking spring-blooming bulbs like tulips into flower earlier to enjoy during those seemingly endless gray days of late winter when we crave green the most. 
Speaker: Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine. 
Fee: $10. Register at: https://py.pl/4oRnjFT9Xc0 

Win Green Goo Products in the September 2020 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

For our September 2020 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away a set of Green Goo products (value $95, greengoo.com). The set includes Bugs Be Gone, Natural First Aid, Hand Sanitizer, and more.

      Green Goo makes potent, portable first aid and body care products for the active gardener. They use only plant-based ingredients and slow-infuse them in enriching oils. The result is one of the most-effective all-natural product lines on the market. The herbs are carefully sourced from organic farmers and they use a full-spectrum/whole-plant approach when creating their products.

To enter to win the set of Green Goo products, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Wednesday, September 30, with “Green Goo” in the subject line and in the body of the email, tell us what your favorite article was in the September 2020 issue and why. Include your full name and mailing address. The winner will be announced on October 1.  

UPDATE: Our contest winner for the @greengoohelps products is: Jennifer Summers of Waldorf, MD. Congratulations, Jennifer!

GardenDC Podcast Episode 29: Butterfly Gardening

This episode we talk with Smithsonian Gardens' horticulturist Sarah Dickert and entomologist Holly Walker about butterfly gardening and Monarch Waystations. The plant profile is on Radishes and I share about the Autumn Daffodils blooming in my garden.

Sarah Dickert, Smithsonian Gardens' horticulturist 

Holly Walker, Smithsonian Gardens' entomologist

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month!
See how at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/support. 

The episode is posted at: https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/September-19--2020---Butterfly-Gardening-ejs8k7

It is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AsWArNpQo8OlzHoMDMSI8

• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V

• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc

• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk

• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc

• Google Podcasts at this link, either now or soon (note that currently, this link will only work on Android devices)

We welcome your questions and comments!

You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

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Fenton Friday: The Okra Gospel

There is an African proverb that says, "The okra plant doesn't grow taller than its planter." Well, it proved true this year at least, as I got a late start and didn't plant the 'Candle Fire' Okra seeds until mid-June. So, the plants are full and doing well now, producing a handful of okra pods every few days, which is just enough for me for snacking on. They are only about 4 feet tall and are gorgeous -- with big red palmate leaves and white-pink-red hibiscus flowers.

I feel like I am the okra proselytizer. Everywhere I talk about edible gardening, I have to share how easy it is to grow, how you can eat it raw, what a gorgeous plant it is, and no, it is not slimy at all - you just have to get it fresh from your own garden and prepare it correctly.

BTW, here is my Okra growing basics video: 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2013/07/video-wednesday-okra-growing-basics.html

And here is a cool craft you can make from dried okra pods: 

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2017/12/diy-okra-santa-ornament.html

Yes, I see the eyes glaze over, but I persist. I feel like just one more convert, it is worth it. It is not like I have stock on okra seeds, I just need to spread the okra joy!

Is there an unpopular edible that you just have to convince others to grow?

 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 8th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.

September 2020 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine – Tall Sedums, Grape Hyacinths, Onions, Goldfinches, and much more

The September 2020 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out now.

Inside this issue:

·         Tall Sedums for Fall Gardens

·         The Benefits of Bee Watching

·         Create Your Own Woodland Fernery

·         7 Secrets to Successful Onion Growing

·         A Condominium Community Garden

·         Grape Hyacinth Planting Tips

·         Attracting the American Goldfinch

·         What to Do in the Garden this Month

·         Pleasant View Garden Brings New Life to Historic Site

·         DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

and much more…

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the October 2020 issue are due by October 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: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

Discuss "Two Gardeners: Katharine S. White and Elizabeth Lawrence--A Friendship in Letters" with the Garden Book Club

 For our next Garden Book Club selection, we will be reading: 

Two Gardeners: Katharine S. White and Elizabeth Lawrence--A Friendship in Letters 

"Two Gardeners is a collection of these luminous letters, edited and introduced by Emily Herring Wilson. The letters bring to life the unique epistolary friendship between two intelligent women, the "formidable" Mrs. White and the "shy" Miss Lawrence, both avid gardeners and readers, both at a stage of life when to make a new friend was rare indeed: when they first wrote to one another, Katharine was sixty-two, Elizabeth, fifty-four."

You can order it new or used at our Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3mo1SSv

Our Fall 2020 club meeting will be on Thursday, November 12 from 6:30-8pm via Zoom. 

Please RSVP to washingtongardenermagazine (at) gmail.com, so you can get the Zoom meeting link information.

The Washington Gardener Magazine's Garden Book Club is free and open to all. We meet quarterly on a weekday evening near a metro-accessible location in the DC-area. We will announce the details of each upcoming meeting about two months in advance. Please check back on this blog for schedule updates and announcements.

We will also be discussing our next book club selections for 2021. Bring your suggestions!

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GardenDC Podcast Episode 28: Preserving Your Harvest -- Canning, Freezing, and Drying

This episode we talk with Wendy Brister of Cavano's Perennials about Preserving -- Canning, Freezing, and Drying. The plant profile is on Great Blue Lobelia and I share about the Toadlily blooming in my garden.

Wendy recommends the book Yes, You Can! And Freeze and Dry It, Too by the late Daniel Gasteiger as a terrific resource of preserving. And here is the Tomato Jam recipe we mentioned: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2017/09/diy-tomato-jam-recipe.html

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month!See how at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/support. 

The episode is posted at:

https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/September-12--2020-Preserving-Your-Harvest----Canning--Freezing--and-Drying-ejha4h

It is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AsWArNpQo8OlzHoMDMSI8

• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V

• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc

• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk

• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc

• Google Podcasts at this link, either now or soon (note that currently, this link will only work on Android devices)

We welcome your questions and comments!

You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/kathy-jentz/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Fenton Friday: Groundcherry Surprise

Groundcherry Plant

This week at the community garden we had lots of rain and yesterday we had a torrential rainstorm, so I have not been over to the plot much. In my absence, I lost a few Cucumbers and Tomatoes to some creatures gnawing on them - likely the same ones that destroyed my Watermelon last week.

Edamame

I did pull out all the Edamame (soybean) plants and had one big meal of them. They were delicious! In their place, I planted 'sugar Magnolia' Purple Snap Peas from Botanical Interests and I saw that they were already started to emerge when I visited the plot today.

Lettuce Seedlings

Also, starting to emerge are the lettuce seedlings planted by intern Nicole and I weeded a bit and found that the Groundcherries (pictured at top) had once again seeded themselves in the same spot by my Asparagus. They are always a welcome sight in late summer.

Finally, I cut a bunch of the Celosia flowers to use in my flower arranging talk and demo tomorrow for the DC State Fair. I also cut a lot of my Goldenrod from my home garden and will decide what third flower I want to add in when I gather the rest of my supplies in the morning. I am thinking something white like my Garlic Chives now in flower might be nice for a color balance.

What are you harvesting from 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 8th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) See past posts about our edible garden by putting "Fenton" into the Search box above.

13th Annual DC Plant Swap

UPDATE - the event is at capacity and registration is CLOSED.

13th Annual DC Plant Swap Details

hosted by Washington Gardener Magazine

What: A Plant Swap -- bring and receive free plants to expand your home garden and houseplant collection

Why: Free Plants and Fall is a perfect time to get them in the ground!

Date: Sunday, September 20

Time: starting at 11:00am bring your plants for sorting by category (shade perennial, groundcover, herb, houseplant, etc.) -- swap starts promptly at 11:30am -- do not be late (the swap goes fast and can be over in a matter of minutes!) - we plan to conclude and be cleaned up by 12:00noon.

Place: U.S. National Arboretum - exact location provided in confirmation note. (We will stay socially distanced and park vehicles with one space between them. If you bike there or get dropped off, you will also occupy one parking space with an open space left between you and the next vehicle/person.)

Weather: This event is rain or shine. In case of a bad storm, we will reschedule for the following Sunday.

Who: anyone is welcome and it is FREE! You must register in advance. We are strictly limiting this event to 50 participants. EACH PERSON attending must provide a name and email for our entry security list and contact tracing records.

Bring:
~ a facemask to wear at all times
~ pen and paper - you will want to take lots of notes during the preview phase
~ plants to swap - pot them up NOW -- the longer they can get settled in their pots, the better their chance of success and survival
~ labels - fully label all your swap plants with as much info as you have - optimally that will include: common and scientific name, amount of sun needed, amount of water needed, any other special care notes, and color of the blooms (if it is not currently in flower)

What kind of plants to bring: you can bring houseplants, native plants, vegetable plants, ornamental garden plants, water garden plants, annuals, perennials, biennials, shrubs, trees, cuttings, seeds, etc.

What NOT to bring: common orange daylilies* and any invasive species - use this list (http://www.mdinvasivesp.org/list_terrestrial_plants.html) to screen your plant offerings
*Hybrid daylilies are fine and totally welcome, but the common orange ones (aka "Ditch Lilies") usually end up with no takers and we are stuck having to throw them out as yard waste.

How: On arrival, you will place your plants into the marked categories. Then, we will have a preview period so you can see what is available. Finally, individuals will be called to take turns picking out plants in selection rounds until all the plants are taken.

AFTER the Swap: Enjoy the beauty of the US National Arboretum's plant collections.

Register at http://dcplantswap.rsvpify.com