Monday, January 31, 2022

Monday Thoughts: "I don't think we'll ever know all there is to know about gardening, and I'm just as glad there will always be some magic about it!"

"I don't think we'll ever know all there is to know about gardening, and I'm just as glad there will always be some magic about it!"

-  Barbara Damrosch

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Saturday, January 29, 2022

GardenDC Podcast Episode 89: Working with a Landscape Designer

In this episode, we talk with award-winning designer Susan Cohan about working with a landscape designer. The plant profile is on hellebores and I share some upcoming local events.

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

Show Notes: 1:25 Meet Susan! 2:15 “I spent 10 or 12 years living in Manhattan…”, Susan, on sharing her childhood and background 3:20 “Beyond that, I was always interested in design…” Susan, how her career took a turn as a gardener 4:34 “Particularly landscape design and landscape architecture education is structured…” Susan, on her educational journey as a landscape designer 8:06 Susan talks about the early stages of her career 9:27 “I am a New Jersey native…” Susan talks about her hometown and residency in other areas throughout her life 11:02 Susan talks about her metal degree 13:12 “I am a member of APLD…” Susan, on her organization and field trips to gardens 16:24 Susan defines “garden designer”, “landscape designer”, and “landscape architect” 18:58 Susan talks about designers she admires in each field 21:45 “I like to have a very strong structure…” Susan, on her taste in design 22:55 “The owners and the caretakers of whatever it is that I’m designing, can be in it, not just look at it.” -Susan 25:35 “My energy, focus, and time was so much different…”, Susan, on her history of garden management 26:15 Susan talks about the procedure of working with a designer 30:27 Susan talks about platforms to find good designers 32:04 “We team up with a couple of architects…”, Susan, on working with architects and interior designers 32:40 “Another really great place that people don’t think of is instagram” Susan, on utilizing social media sites to expand your network 33:35 Susan talks about the importance of getting to know your designer 34:47 “The way to think about your total landscape is to think about it in 15-20% of your home and property’s value over time” Susan, on the financial aspects of landscape design 36:02 “Your best investment is going to be in a really, great, functional, conceptual landscape plan that you can then implement in stages.” -Susan 37:40 “From a new construction blank slate…” Susan, on the process of landscape designing with a client 40:14 “Each project is different and unique, and every piece of property is different and unique, and has its own problem and inherent beauty.” -Susan 40:32 “There are two things in the pandemic that everybody wanted…” Susan, on trends in what the clients are looking for 42:16 “Ninety percent of all landscape improvements and home improvements in general, are instigated by the female partner” Susan, on how partners cooperate in making decisions 46:17 “when we draw our plans, we draw it at five years…” Susan, about the period of time for the garden maturity 47:01 “We are a transient culture that moves at will.” -Susan 49:03 “The outside space becomes another usable…” Susan, on how to maximize the space for landscape 50:40 “Trust your designer…” Susan, on the client-designer relationship 52:08 “It is a two-way street, both of you should be working on a collaboration to get the ultimate garden at the end.” -Kathy 52:32 Plant profile: Hellebore – a tough plant that is drought-tolerant, thrives in shade, and is deer-resistant. 54:02 Check out editor Kathy Jentz’s new book “The Urban Garden” with Teri Speight on how to grow a garden on a budget! 55:00 Updates on Kathy’s gardens and upcoming local gardening news including the local orchid displays at the Smithsonian 56: 25 Kathy’s upcoming talks on Homestead Gardens

The episode is posted at: 
https://anchor.fm/gardendc/episodes/Working-with-a-Landscape-Designer-e1den2t

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/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 platform so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Show Notes: Hojung Ryu

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Seed Swap Day Virtual Meeting

 

UPDATE: The recording is now up at: https://youtu.be/kYYP5pHNOcQ 

On National Seed Swap Day (seedswapday.com) this year -- January 29, 2022 -- Washington Gardener Magazine is hosting a free, LIVE chat from 1:00-2:00pm Eastern Time for seed swappers everywhere. 

The hosts are Kathy Jentz, host of the GardenDC Podcast, and Kim Roman, author of the upcoming book, How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round*. This event will feature surprises and prizes. We will be talking about everything seed-related from seed collecting tips to easy propagating tricks.

We hope you can join us for the live session at Washington Gardener Magazine's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine, but if you cannot, we will be recording the event and have it available on YouTube to view anytime. 

One of our prize donors for the virtual Seed Swap Day event is Julie Thompson-Adolf, Owner, Garden Delights. She is the author of Starting & Saving Seeds* and is providing 2 copies of her book AND several packets of her favorite seeds!

Another prize donors for the virtual Seed Swap Day event is Botanical Interests. They offer high-quality seeds and garden products in their catalog. They are providing a $25 gift certificate! Note that you must be a US resident to receive this prize as they can only ship within the country.


*These books are linked to our Amazon affiliate account and if you click on them a few pennies may go to our account for the referral, but it will not impact the book price you pay there.


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Monday, January 24, 2022

Monday Thoughts: “The garden year has no beginning and no end." - Elizabeth Lawrence

“The garden year has no beginning and no end."

- Elizabeth Lawrence

There is always something to do in the garden.

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Saturday, January 22, 2022

GardenDC Podcast Episode 88: Seed Swaps and Exchanges

In this episode, we talk with Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange about seed swapping, exchanges, and tips. The plant profile is on junipers and I share some upcoming local events.

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://anchor.fm/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 platform so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

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Friday, January 21, 2022

Win a copy of "The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City" in the January 2022 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UPDATE: The winner selected from the submitted entries is Joanna Protz of Lynch Station, VA. Congratulations, Joanna! If you didn't win and would like to pre-order a copy of the book, you can do via Amazon or you can order it through BookShop. (These affiliate links may earn a few pennies for Washington Gardener Magazine.)

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For our January 2022 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a copy of The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City by Kathy Jentz and Teresa Speight (prize value: $27). 

   In The Urban Garden you’ll find dozens of inspiring and creative ways to grow flowers, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, and other plants in small spaces and with a limited budget. Whether you want to grow on a balcony, rooftop, front stoop, or tiny urban patio, turn your growing dreams into reality and build a gorgeous and unique garden that showcases your personal style while still being functional and productive. With the ingenious ideas and resourceful tactics found here, you’ll be maximizing yields and beauty from every square inch of your space, while also making a lush outdoor living area you’ll crave spending time in.

   To enter to win the the book, send an email by 5:00pm on January 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Urban Garden” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the January 2022 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about February 1. 

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Monday, January 17, 2022

January 2022 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine –Indoor Mushroom Kits, Junipers, Northern Cardinals, and much more

 

The January 2022 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is now posted.

Inside this issue:

·         Magic Mushrooms:  Indoor Grow Kits for Winter Fun

·         Juniper Plant Profile

·         Beware of the Cuban Tree Frog

·         Photo Contest Entry Deadline

·         DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar

·         Attracting Northern Cardinals to Your Garden

·         2022 Garden Trends

·         Seed Exchange 2022

·         Great Gardening Books Reviewed

·         Managing Thrips in Houseplants

·         Turning a New Leaf with Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

·         and much more…

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the February 2022 issue are due by February 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

 

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Monday Thoughts: “With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon who could not be happy?” – Oscar Wilde

 

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon who could not be happy?”

– Oscar Wilde

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Sunday, January 16, 2022

Seed Exchange 2022 Details


Because of so many potential unknowns around COVID-19, we are hosting just one Washington Gardener Seed Exchange this year. It will be at Brookside Gardens on 2/26/22 (rescheduled from 1/29/22). 

Registration is at: WGSeedEx.brownpapertickets.com. 

The Seed Exchange scheduled for 2/5/22 at Green Spring Gardens has been canceled. 

If You Have Seeds to Bring and Swap
Please package them in resealable plastic zipper or wax sandwich baggies. Put an average of 20 seeds per baggy—more for small seeds like lettuce, fewer for large seeds like acorns. Label each baggy with a white sticker (such as Avery standard 5160 address label sheets) giving all the information you have about the seeds. If known, include the plant’s common and scientific names; its soil, sun, and watering needs; and, its origins—where and when you collected the seeds. If you don't know all the information, that is okay; just provide as much as you can.
   Yes, you can bring unused or opened commercial seed packs.

What If You Don't Have Any Seeds to Swap?
Come anyway! Even if you don’t have any seeds to trade, you are welcome to attend. We’ll have plenty of extra seed contributions on hand and many attendees will be there just to learn, network, and prepare for next year’s seed collecting.
Education Program 
Expert speakers from the local gardening community will give short talks on seed collection and propagation tips. There will be ample time for individual Q&A throughout the program with the featured speakers, and invited experts as well. 



Tentative Schedule
(Note: This schedule is subject to change.)
12:00-12:30 Registration check-in
12:30-12:40 Introductions
12:40-1:20 Gardening talk
  1:20-1:55 Gardening talk
  2:00-2:15 Snack break and room reset
  2:15-2:30 Seed Swap preview time
  2:30-3:00 Seed Swap
  3:00-3:30 Photo Contest winners
  3:30-4:00 Door prizes and closing talk






Speakers:

"Top Tips to Indoor Seed Starting Success"
Niraj R. Ray

Cultivate the City

cultivatethecity.com

 

"Four-Season Garden Planning"

Debby Ward

Prior Unity Garden

priorunitygarden.com




How Do We Swap?
As you check in, staff will collect your seeds and place them at the appropriate seed category tables. 
   You will be assigned a random seed swap number. There will be a short period for attendees to preview all the seeds brought in and available for swapping. You will be called in by your number to pick a seed pack from each of the category tables (if desired).




Held Saturday, February 26, 2022 
from 12:30-4pm
at Brookside Gardens' Visitor Center
1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD

Registration is at: WGSeedEx.brownpapertickets.com. 

COVID POLICY: We require all attendees to show proof of full vaccination at check-in. Masks must be worn during the entire event and social distancing will be maintained.

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