GardenDC Podcast Episode 192: Urban Agriculture

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Mchezaji “Che” Axum, the Director of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education at UDC, all about urban agriculture. The plant profile is on Kerria 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 Waiting for May Flowers from Christy Page of Green Prints.

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

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 175: Herstory of DC Gardens

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/12/gardendc-podcast-episode-175-herstory.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 143: Balcony Food Growing

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-143-balcony.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 68: Summer Vegetables

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-68-summer.html

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SHOW NOTES: 1:00 Welcome Mchezaji “Che” Axum, agronomist and Director of Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education at the University of the District of Columbia 1:48 Che’s gardening background – he originally wanted to be a pharmacist 4:38 Background on the University of the District of Columbia and the green spaces on campus 6:55 What classes are offered at UDC around Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education 12:49 Che defines urban agriculture and gives its history 15:13 What is sustainable urban agriculture? 16:43 What lesson can we learn from the ancient Egyptians? Take care of the soil! 21:30 How do you deal with the heat and urban heat islands in urban agriculture? 24:24 Che’s response to people who say they have no space to grow 27:23 Urban agriculture challenge: water. How should people get it? 29:16 How should urban gardeners handle vermin? 32:03 What does the future hold for urban agriculture? Che’s gives his projection 35:15 The history of Queen Hatshepsut: The first person to document plant exploration 36:57 Che explains spiritual agriculture and why it is important 40:15 What are Che’s favorite crops? 43:16 To find out more and contact Che, visit udc.edu 44:30 Che’s final thoughts on urban agroecology 46:47 Plant Profile: Kerria 48:37 What’s new in the garden this week? The epimediums are blooming 48:47 This week’s garden tip on hummingbird feeders and pruning your azaleas 50:56 Upcoming events in the Maryland, D.C., and Virginia area – Silver Spring Garden Club’s plant sale fundraiser on Saturday, May 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brookside Gardens. Saturday, May 18th is Spring Garden Day, the big plant sale at Green Spring Gardens in Virginia. 52:40 Check out Groundcover Revolution by Kathy Jentz for low-maintenance alternatives for lawns on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 53:59 Check out the Urban Garden by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight on Amazon.com and Bookshop.org 54:59 Christy Page from GreenPrints on waiting for May flowers

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Episode Credits:

Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Interview Edit: Hannah Zozobrado 

Show Notes: Josh Panepento 

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