Monday, October 28, 2024

Monday Thoughts: “An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life.” - Cora Lea Bell

 

“An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life.” 

- Cora Lea Bell

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Saturday, October 26, 2024

GardenDC Podcast Episode 216: Fierce Flora

In this episode, we talk with Susan Pell, Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden, about plants that fight back. The plant profile is on Holiday Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) 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 12 Things to Grow in Your Greenhouse 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 33: Flinging with the Garden Tourist

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-33-us-botanic.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 77: Goth Gardening

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-77-goth.html

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Fierce-Flora-e2q5e21

Show Notes: 01:20 - Welcome Susan Bell, Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden 01:37 - Susan updates what’s been going on with her since the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Botanic Garden in 2020 03:09 - A bit about the U.S. Botanic Garden and their new exhibit, Fierce Flora (www.usbg.gov/visit/exhibits/fierce-flora-tales-survival-and-demise) 04:36 - The location/setting of Fierce Flora 05:24 - Susan discusses how the exhibit connects to our everyday lives 06:21 - Susan talks about the multi-sensory aspect of Fierce Flora 07:11 - Is Fierce Flora appropriate for all ages? 07:47 - Susan discusses how Fierce Flora appeals to all people, even those who aren’t huge plant fans 10:10 - Selfie stations at the exhibit help educate people on plant identification 11:31 - Susan discusses the importance of understanding different plants and their benefits/purposes 12:41 - Differences between spines/spikes/thorns/prickles 14:20 - Susan discusses glochids 16:19 - Susan talks about plant hairs 17:38 - Susan discusses pointy features on seeds 19:37 - How burrs inspired the creation of Velcro 20:08 - Plant defenses against herbivores 21:20 - Kathy and Susan talk about dark leaves 24:33 - Susan discusses how plants defend themselves against other plants 26:15 - Susan talks about Carnivorous plants 29:04 - Venus fly trap 29:59 - Bladderwort 31:40 - Susan talks about toxic plants 34:10 - Kathy and Susan discuss Jimsonweed 35:35 - Autumn crocus and colchicine 35:59 - Kathy and Susan discuss the importance of knowing which plants are safe to have around babies and pet 37:02 - Dispelling the misinformation around Poinsettias and Aroids 38:41 - Plants with oxalate that have a sour taste 40:09 - Kathy and Susan talk about eating hot peppers 41:29 - Susan discusses plants in the Nightshade family 42:50 - Pokeweed 43:02 - Susan talks about the Cashew tree 44:31 - Susan discusses rashes that people get from plants 46:45 - The importance of plant identification 47:55 - How can listeners find out more about the U.S. Botanic Garden or contact Susan? (www.usbg.gov/) 50:47 - Schlumbergera (Holiday Cactus) Plant Profile 53:01 - What’s new in the garden this week? Beautiful color on the Pink Muhly grass and picking the last of the zucchinis and peppers 53:30 - Garden tips of the week? Use bulb augers to speed up your planting and pot your spring bulbs up now for earlier indoor blooms 54:17 - Washington Gardener October issue is out! (washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/10/) 55:07 - Upcoming local gardening events: Gardener’s Focus Program on Specialty Mums, Eco-savvy Gardening Fair, and Fall Colors Tram Tour 56:30 - 12 Things to Grow in Your Greenhouse this Winter 1:00:33 - Thank you for listening! Become a supporter

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: Zachary Intrater
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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Friday, October 25, 2024

Fenton Friday: Brassica Breakthrough

 
The Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts are now growing so large that they have lifted up the pins holding down the cover cloth. Maybe that is my sign to remove it? But I'll keep it draped over for now.

Last week, I reported that the Lettuce seeds still had not germinated so this week we planted Spinach (embedded in a seed tape) in their place. Two days later I arrived the find the seed tape dug up and in shreds. So, I'm putting 2 + 2 together and thinking that equals rats, which unfortunately are a fact of life at our urban community garden. I suspect they ate all the lettuce seed and they also went after the spinach seeds. I'm going to just cover that area with straw for the winter and re-think what I'll plant their next spring.

The seedlings for Radish 'Cherry Belle' are getting big and need thinning asap. The seeds of the  Radish 'Round Black Spanish' and the Carrots we planted at the same time are still not really in evidence, but I'll give them a few more weeks.

We pulled out the Tomato vines and I'll soon yank out the last of the Peppers, Zucchini, and Eggplant. We are required to have our summer crops cleared out by November 1, but it seems such a shame this year as we are having such a mild fall and will be in the 80s for Halloween this year they predict! 

The thornless Blackberries are all producing and are sending out lots of new growth. I'm torn on best timing to cut those back hard -- before or after winter? Your opinions, please.

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).

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Thursday, October 24, 2024

Win a $100 gift certificate for deer-resistant bulbs from Flowerbulb.eu in our October 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

UPDATE! Our winner is Anamaria Anderson of Arlington, VA.

For our October 2024 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a $100 gift certificate for deer-resistant bulbs from Flowerbulb.eu. 

   While most experienced gardeners will say that deer will try almost anything, there are several plant varieties they tend to find unappetizing. Flowerbulb.eu has a solution to this: deer-resistant spring bulbs to safeguard spring blooms. These bulbs enhance gardens while bringing peace of mind to gardeners, who can know that their time and money invested are protected from deer browsing. Learn more at https://flowerbulb.eu/deer-resistant-bulbs/.   

   To enter to win the gift certificate, send an email by 5:00pm on October 31 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Flowerbulb.eu” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the October 2024 issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about November 1. (Replies might be published.)

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Monday, October 21, 2024

Monday Thoughts: “The great thing is not to be timid in your gardening, whether it's colors, shapes, juxtapositions or the contents themselves. Splash around and enjoy yourself." ~ Christopher Lloyd

“The great thing is not to be timid in your gardening, whether it's colors, shapes, juxtapositions or the contents themselves. Splash around and enjoy yourself." ~ Christopher Lloyd

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Sunday, October 20, 2024

October 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine –Pitcher Plant, Pokeweed, Planting Daffodils, and much more…

The October 2024 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out.

Inside this issue:

·         Pretty and Predatory Pitcher Plant

·         Houseplant Humidity Myths

·         What is Killing the Arborvitae?

·         Urban Tree Summit

·         Great Gardening Books Reviewed

·         Do’s and Don’ts of Mowing in Wet Conditions

·         Daffodil Planting Tips

·         When to Water Air Plants

·         American Pokeweed

·         A Sunflower Protest Garden

·         Saving Seeds from Natives

·         and much more…

 

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


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Saturday, October 19, 2024

GardenDC Podcast Episode 215: A View from Australia

In this episode, we talk with garden consultant Andrea Whitely, with an Australian gardener's view of American gardens. The plant profile is on Jewels of Opar 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 a Perfect Fall Day 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 167: Flinging with the Garden Tourist

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-167-flinging.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 92: Universal Garden Truths

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/02/gardendc-podcast-episode-92-universal.html

This episode is archived at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/A-View-from-Australia-e2ps7uv

Show Notes: 01:19 - Welcome Andrea Whitely, Australia-based Gardening Consultant 01:49 - Andrea talks about her childhood gardening experience 03:05 - Learning about horticulture in school 07:41 - Andrea shares her current growing conditions in Perth, Australia 12:32 - Andrea talks about Australia’s year-long gardening cycle 15:34 - Kathy and Andrea discuss GardenComm, a non-profit organization for garden communicators 19:18 - Andrea talks about seasonality in Australia 21:29 - Nuytsia, the “West-Australian Christmas Tree” 22:32 - Is there a big native plant movement among gardeners in Australia? 25:15 - Is there a big lawn culture in Australia? 28:45 - Andrea compares trees in the U.S. to Australia 29:42 - Andrea talks about the Jarrah tree 31:06 - The shothole borer and other issues facing trees in Perth 35:31 - Andrea talks about public gardens 39:06 - What American plant does Andrea wish they had in Australia? 40:48 - What Australian plant does Andrea think Americans should plant more? 43:51 - Is there a big gardening culture in Australia? 45:23 - Andrea talks about garden shows and clubs in Australia 48:22 - Are houseplants big in Australia? 49:50 - Any U.S. gardens that Andrea hasn’t visited that she wants to? 52:18 - Where to contact Andrea? (https://andreawhitely.com/) 54:07 - Final things that Andrea wants Americans to know about Australian gardens 56:42 - Jewels of Opar plant profile 58:10 - What’s new in the garden this week? Radish seedlings have sprouted, but lettuce seeds MIA 58:31 - Garden tips of the week: Don’t use old windows for cold-frames, if they have lead paint still on them 59:06 - Upcoming local gardening events: Silver Spring Garden Club meeting at Brookside Gardens and the Eco-Savvy Gardening Fair 1:01:21 - A Perfect Fall Day: Making Memories in an Apple Orchard 1:04:28 - Thank you for listening! Become a supporter

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: Zachary Intrater
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!
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