Monday, June 16, 2025

Monday Thoughts: "A garden is a friend you can visit anytime." - Gertrude Jekyll

"A garden is a friend you can visit anytime." 

- Gertrude Jekyll

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Saturday, June 14, 2025

GardenDC Podcast on Short Pre-Summer Break

 

The GardenDC Podcast is on a short pre-summer break. We encourage you to catch up with some of the past episodes that you may have missed or re-listen to some past favorites.

May we suggest these episodes focusing on summer gardening topics?
- GardenDC Podcast Episode 68: Summer Vegetables
- GardenDC Podcast Episode 23: Summer Cocktails
- GardenDC Podcast Episode 112: Summer Garden Refresh


BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter/subscriber at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

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!
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Friday, June 13, 2025

Fenton Friday: Cukes and Zukes

The summer interns are pictured above next to their respective plant responsbilities. (This image also gives you a good idea of what our plot looks like overall this week. I stood on the cistern's platform to take it.) They helped weed and water this week. We cleared out the right-hand bed for the Zucchini and Cucumbers, There are four mounds now. One each for 'Japanese Climbing' Cucumber that I ordered from Seed Savers Exchange, Slicing Cucumber English Seedless from Harvesting History, 'Dark Star' Zucchini from Seeds of Change, and 'Nimba' Zucchini from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I hope all the seeds come up in each mound and that we will be thinning them to the best two or three seedlings on each mound soon after that. To protect the tiny cuke/zuke seedlings as they ermerge from birds plucking them out, we put hardware cloth wire covers over the mound.

This week's weather was hot and humid -- we had some rain, but by have had to do some supplemental watering..

We harvested a quart of Blackberries and cut the Garlic Scapes. The Cilantro and Arugula are bolting and I put a cover cloth over them as I want to collect their seeds.

The tomatoes and peppers are settling in. We planted Margold seeds in a line in front of both these groupings adding to the one Marigold 'Marvel II' plant we put in last week, which is already blooming.

In the Pollinator Garden Strip, the Common Milkweed, Calendula, Borage, Violets, and Cornflower are all flowering. The Marigold and Zinnia seedlings are doing well, but the Celosia have disappeared so I'm going to reseed that section--maybe with miniature Sunflowers. Also, someone threw a glass bottle in there that shattered everywhere so am picking out that glass as I weed and water--I'm hoping I get it all.

And... we have mice. One of the interns spotted and removed a dead one from our plot and we save a live one scurry through. So, on top of the resident rabbits and rats, we'll need to keep an eagle eye out for these new pests and have any fall fruit and other things cleaned up in the plots to discourage their future visits. 

Next week, I hope to start our Green Beans seeds, Basils, and reboot the Cutting Garden.

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 14th 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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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Trillium Plant Profile

Trillium Plant Profile

Trillium (Trillium species) are perennial plants with three leaves and three petals on the flowers. Depending on the species, the blooms are white, pink, yellow, and deep red. They are considered a spring ephemeral flower as they emerge in early spring and flower for a few weeks.

There are about 40 Trillium species that are native to the eastern United States. They are also known as wood lily or wake-robin.

They are hardy to USDA Zones 4-9.

Trilliums are pollinated by a variety of insects, including bees, beetles, flies, and moths. Small mammals eat the fruits. Ants are attracted to the seeds, which they help disperse.

Trillium grow best in fertile, moist, but well-draining soils that are high in organic matter. 

They prefer to be in part-shade such as in a woodland edge habitat.

Once established, Trillium will naturalize and expand into clumps with multiple flowers.

Plant trillium rhizomes in early spring or late summer. You can also dig divide established clumps to multiply them.

This plant is low maintenance. It will yellow and die back to the ground by summer. If you want a neater garden look, you can cut it back, but wait until the leaves start dying back before doing so.

A few species of Trillium are considered endangered in the wild, so you should never divide or remove them from public or private lands. Buy Trillium plants and rhizomes from a reputable nursery.

Trillium: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Miguel Zarate

➤ 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

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If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Fleabane Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/05/fleabane-plant-profile.html

~ Golden Ragwort Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/05/golden-ragwort-plant-profile.html

~ Lyreleaf Sage Plant Profile

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/04/lyreleaf-sage-plant-profile.html

And learn even more about Trilliums on GardenDC Podcast Episode 99: Trilliums > https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-99-trilliums.html

Pin this for later!

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Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Garden Photo Show Opening Reception 2025


You are invited to view the winning images of the 19th annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest at an art show at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. All 17 stunning photos were taken in DC-area gardens. Both inspirational and educational, this show represents the best of garden photography in the greater DC metropolitan region.

The photo show reception is Sunday, June 22 from 2:00-3:30pm in the Meadowlark Visitor Center's lobby. The opening reception is open to the public and is free to attend. You may also come by and view the photos any time during the normal Visitor Center hours (10am-7pm daily). The photo show runs through July 30.

Please RSVP at our Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/9454804134648403/

Washington Gardener Magazine is already announcing the 20th Annual Washington Gardener Photo Contest. Start gathering your images now and throughout this year. Most of the entry rules will remain the same as this year’s contest. Photos need to be taken during the 2025 calendar year in a garden-setting in the greater Washington, DC area. We will accept the entries during the first three weeks of January 2025.

Washington Gardener Magazine (http://www.washingtongardener.com/) is the gardening publication specifically for the local metro area — Washington DC and its suburbs. Washington Gardener Magazine’s basic mission is to help DC area gardens grow better. The magazine is written entirely by and for local area gardeners.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens) is a park of beauty, conservation, education, and discovery. Throughout the year at this 95-acre complex are large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than 20 varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature. Meadowlark is part of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.

Thank you to our Washington Gardener Magazine 2025 Garden Photo Contest Prize Sonsors:
Additional prizes provded by Washington Gardener Magazine.
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Monday, June 09, 2025

Monday Thoughts: "Gardening makes sense in a senseless world. By extension, then, the more gardens in the world, the more justice, the more sense is created." ~ Andrew Weil

"Gardening makes sense in a senseless world. By extension, then, the more gardens in the world, the more justice, the more sense is created." ~ Andrew Weil

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Saturday, June 07, 2025

GardenDC on Short Break

The GardenDC Podcast is on a short pre-summer break. We encourage you to catch up with some of the past episodes that you may have missed or re-listen to some past favorites.

May we suggest these episodes focusing on a few plants we think are underused in our region?
- GardenDC Podcast Episode 105: Crinum Lilies
- GardenDC Podcast Episode 95: Willows

ALSO, if you get a free minute, can you vote for us in the Washington City Paper's Best of D.C.™ 2025?

Go to - https://bestof2025.washingtoncitypaper.com/
Select the Best Local Podcaster" category under Arts & Entertainment
Please write in > Kathy Jentz, GardenDC
Thank you in advance to all who vote for our podcast!

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter/subscriber at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/subscribe

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

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!
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Friday, June 06, 2025

Fenton Friday: Beet Red

 

The new summer interns joined me in the plot this week. We pulled all the Beets and Radishes -- see above pic showing the harvest bounty and me with a matching red face from the exertion in the hot sun. Well, that brings up this week's weather which has turned hot and humid -- back to "normal" for us in early June.

We also pulled weeds and the whitefly-infested Broccoli plants were chucked.

We harvested a few handfuls of Blackberries and handfuls of Cilantro as well as the last of the Lettuce. I am leaving the Cilantro and Arugula in as they are now bolting and I want to collect their seeds.

We planted five Tomatoes and four Peppers along with a Marigold 'Marvel II' I was sent to trial. The Tomatoes are: 'Green Zebra', 'Sun Gold', 'Marriage Marzinera', 'Celebrity',  and 'Currant Red/Matt's Wild Cherry'. The Peppers are: 'Thai Hot Red', 'Lunchbox' (sweet), 'Lemon Spice Jalapeno' mild yellow pepper, and 'Escamillo' sweet yellow pepper.

Next week, I hope to start our Zucchini and Cucumber seeds along with some Green Beans.

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 14th 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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Wednesday, June 04, 2025

Meet the New Summer 2025 Interns

This summer, I have taken on three editorial interns. Look for their author byline in upcoming Washington Gardener Magazine issues and on this blog -- as well as on the Washington Gardener YouTube videos and GardenDC Podcast. As a first assignment, I've asked them to write a short introduction to our readers so you can get to know them.


Hello! My name is Colin Davan and I am super excited to be joining the Washington Gardener Magazine this summer! I am a rising senior at the American University in Washington, DC, studying journalism with a minor in history. I grew up just outside of Boston in two different towns, Hopkinton and Framingham. My backyard was always filled with a wide variety of flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruits, bees, and maple syrup, therefore I have always been surrounded by a horticulture lifestyle. On campus, I have worked on different journalistic projects in courses ranging from broadcast film, podcasts, digital and print news articles, and photojournalism. I am excited to continue to develop my journalistic skills while working in the garden throughout this incredible internship!


Hello, fellow gardeners! My name is Ian Ferris, and I’m so excited to take you all through a scintillating summer of garden stories. I’m a rising senior at the University of Maryland studying journalism and sustainable agriculture. I have a passion for all things environment and hope to write about and research environmental problems that affect communities who aren’t getting their stories told in my future career. In the past, I’ve worked two summers on a garden farm called Maidstone Harvest, where I learned a lot about growing vegetables in a sustainable and efficient fashion. Hopefully, I can bring some of those tricks to the garden this summer! I just spent the last semester abroad in Barcelona, and I can’t wait to be back interacting with my home community through journalism. That’s why I’m so excited to intern for the Washington Gardener. Through this internship, I can improve my writing and journalism while learning more about the environment and its many beautiful systems. I hope you all will join me on this journey by checking out my work!


My name is Miguel Zarate, I am interning for the Washington Gardener this summer! I’m excited to be a member of the staff. I attend the University of Maryland in College Park and I am majoring in Journalism with a minor in sustainability. Outside of that, I am an alumni of the Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House and I just love all forms of writing in general. Growing up, my mother worked for Montgomery County Public Schools, starting as a head of maintenance where she did a lot of environmental work. Later, she was offered the position of director of sustainability. This is when I was introduced to the concept of sustainability and have been striving to bring it to my studies with my university’s minor program. My mother has a garden that I help out with, so far my favorite thing to grow is mint because it’s so plentiful when you get it right.

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