Hurray for International Kitchen Garden Day

Today garden bloggers the world-over are celebrating International Kitchen Garden Day by posing in front of a white house (any white house) with edibles in hand to make a photographic statement directed at the next President of the USA: "We're eating the view and so should you!" You can check it out here.

Because I'm a loner, a rebel, and just don't play by the rules, I instead went and sought out a white house with a kitchen garden in the DC area that could act as a direct example of what can be done with a little effort. I did not have to search far -- almost exactly 3 miles due north of the White House, I found this enterprising homeowner who has transformed their entire front yard to vegetable beds. They also used the whole side yard and a good portion of their paved back yard for an elevated squash vine bower.

What makes this even more impressive is the fact that next door is the police department and an animal hospital. Also, they front onto a busy street used by multiple bus lines. So besides all the cars, trucks, bikes, baby strollers, etc. that pass by, their are many busloads of elevated folks looking right down into this patch of edible Eden each hour of every day. They are great examples, not just for the next President, but also for the entire neighborhood.

Fall Harvest Collection for the Hungry

Washington Gardener Magazine is again hosting a fall harvest collection for Plant A Row for the Hungry. Clean out your summer garden and bring your excess edibles to Washington Gardener Magazine’s headquarters at 826 Philadelphia Ave. Silver Spring, MD on Sunday, September 28 between 3-6pm. Your donations will be sorted, weighed, and delivered to local area food banks for the needy. Every donor who drops off excess harvest at the event will receive a special Plant A Row marker for placement in their garden next year so they can proudly mark a row set they aside for the hungry in our local community.

Plant A Row for the Hungry is a project begun and administered by the Garden Writers Association, which Washington Gardener Magazine supports as an Allied member. The concept is simple. There are over 70 million gardeners in the U.S. alone, many of which plant vegetables and harvest more than they can consume. If every gardener plants one extra row of vegetables and donates their surplus to local food banks and soup kitchens, a significant impact can be made on reducing hunger. Food agencies will have access to fresh produce, funds earmarked for produce can be redirected to other needed items and the hungry of America will have more and better food than is presently available.

Tomato Taste in Gazette

The weekly local paper, The Gazette, sent a photographer to the Tomato Tasting last weekend and the issue came out yesterday with the photos and blurb on page A-4. I've scanned it in and placed it here - click on it to see it at full-size. I searched their web site, but do not see anywhere that this item was placed online so that it could be properly linked.

Eagle-eyed readers will note our names was inventively misspelled in the photo caption as "Washington Gardiner"! That is a first for that one. Usually folks drop the first e. *Sigh*. I have requested a correction.

Garden Party Photos Published

The Takoma Voice/Silver Spring Voice came by our party last month and took several photos just after the storm stopped and most of the guests made it out. The photo spread is published in their August 2008 issues on page 34 of both versions of our local community newspaper. I'm finally reporting this here as I've been waiting for the past 3+ weeks for the online version to be posted so I can link to it. (Their habitual tardiness makes me feel so much less guilty when I'm a day or so late posting our new cover to our web site!) It is finally up now and you can view it here. I've also clipped at posted it as a jpeg file below here so that you can click on the page to enlarge and read it.

You will also want to go get the actual paper or go to their web site to see the full issue though as adjacent to this story is a great feature on mojitos, which we served at our event and are available at many fine establishments around downtown Silver Spring. The Voice reviews the different offerings. I generally agree with their conclusion that the best mojito in town is at Cubano's. The worst? Well, I won't trash any local eateries here by name, but I will say I've had a few locally mixed mojitos that were not up to snuff. Sure I'm a mo-snob, but I can forgive not having fresh sugarcane stirrers. What I can't forgive is tinkering with a proven recipe. I mean is it so hard to strain out the muddled mint before the pour? Then throw a fresh spring in for the serve. It is not cool to be on a date and to still be picking tiny, torn mint pieces out of your teeth an hour later. Nor is it cool for a mojito to be made with anything but clear rum or for foreign nasty ingredients to enter the mix -- we're talking salt on the rim or a maraschino cherry thrown in - ugh! I'm not asking for perfection here. Keep it simple and you can't go wrong.

Now all this mojito and garden party talk has me thinking that the unofficial end to summer is this weekend and a Labor Day gathering in the gazebo to close out the season might not be a bad idea. I'll check the weather reports and my schedule then post here if a last-minute function is in the plans.

Tomato Head Gallery

Here are some of the Mister/Miss Tomato Heads created at the Tomato Tasting we hosted last Saturday. The Brandywine tomatoes we use were generously donated by Spring Valley Farm and Orchard. Staff photographer Drena J. Galarza took these photos and it shows that she is a kindergarten teacher by day, doesn't it?

I learned a few things from this first-off event. Children younger than 4 enjoy sticking toothpicks in tomatoes. No need to have any artistic goal or concept in mind. It is just fun. Therefore, we ended up with a few "sputniks" in our gallery.

I also learned that certain grown-ups are without shame or sound judgement -- a number of individuals were coming up and sampling the cut-up foods off the kid's activity table. When we warned them that A. the food had been kid-groped, B. it was just for the kid's project, and C. was not meant in any way, shape, or form for actual sampling, they remained undeterred. The selection included such wonderful foods to sample as broccoli shavings, stale celery bits, and old raisins -- yum. I suppose this behavior is par for the course when dealing with the general public, but it still saddens and kinda sickens me that folks will eat anything put out on a paper plate in a street market.

Despite the misbehavior of a few, it was a terrific morning and the crowds had a great time. Most children took their creations home with them, but a few left theirs for our display. Next year, we may get even more ambitious and have them all leave theirs on display for a competition of sorts (all will win prizes) and we can award categories such as "best animal resemblance," "scariest dinosaur," "most raisins used," etc.

Tomato Tasting Results

Here are the results of the first annual Washington Gardener Magazine's Tomato Tasting at the Silver Spring FreshFarm Market.

• Sun Sugar ~ 42 votes


• Evergreen ~ 20 votes


• Cherokee Purple ~ 14 votes


• Red Grape ~ 10 votes


• Mystery Yellow ~ 5 votes


• Brandywine ~ 3 votes
  

We had almost 100 taste ballots turned in. (Many more folks tasted-and-dashed, declining to vote or thinking we were some kind of free food free-for-all.) I'm now a convert to Sun Sugar - my previous favorite Sun Gold pales in comparison. Many commented they will be growing Evergreen in their gardens next year, it was a surprising solid second. Most of the tomatoes were heirlooms and all came from farmers at the market. Spiral Path Farm was the source for the top three entries. The Mister/Miss Tomato Head activity was also a big hit -- I'm estimating 40 children took part. My next post will contain TomatoHead photos of some of the fanciful creations. The winner of the prize drawing for a big basket of garden and market goodies was Barry E. Shapiro of Silver Spring, MD.

Last List... for now

Here is the online link to this week's The List: Top Gardening Events for the week ahead on page 39 of today's print edition in the Washington Examiner. You can find the Examiner in the many red street-boxes around town. I saved a screen capture of the listing as a JPG and posted it here at left -- you can click on it to read at 100%.

Notice in the print edition, the only thing showing of my list is the cherry tomato picture I took at last year's Penn Quarter farmer's market. To read the actual list you are instructed to go online. I've copied and pasted it here:

Gardening

1. Washington Gardener Magazine’s Tomato Tasting: Sample the multitude of tomatoes at market and vote on your favorites. Stop by for tomato recipes, growing tips and much more.Details: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday; FreshFarm Market; Ellsworth Drive between Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring; free, registration is not required; 202-362-8889; http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/.
2. Native Plant Seminar/Sale: The seminar, in its 17th year, features three dynamic speakers as well as post-seminar workshops. Throughout the day the Native Plant Sale, featuring 13 native nurseries, is open to the general public.Details: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday; Irvine Nature Center; 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills; $70, $60 for members, workshops are $25, sale alone is free; 410-484-2413, ext. 25; http://www.explorenature.org/.
3. Invasive Plant Identification and Removal: Join The Nature Conservancy for a volunteer workday removing invasive plants from the Potomac Gorge, in the national parks just upstream from Georgetown. Children over the age of 5 are welcome.Details: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 23; Potomac Gorge Park; free; 202-225-1116; www.usbg.gov/education/events.
4. Rain Gardens — Learn How to Manage Storm Water Beautifully: Learn the five types of rain gardens that are easiest for homeowners to install. Get tips on how to design, plant and maintain your rain garden. After the talk, participants will have the chance to view the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council’s demonstration “RainScape” garden on the USBG grounds to check out some beautiful landscape elements that also control storm water runoff. Details: noon to 1 p.m. Friday; U.S Botanic Garden; National Mall, Washington; free, registration is not required; 202-225-8333; http://www.usbg.org/.
5. Tropical Sensations Art Show: The Brookside Gardens Visitors Center exhibitions showcase affordable original works or giclee prints of original works on horticultural themes by area artists.Details: Through Oct. 10; Brookside Gardens; 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton; 301-962-1400; http://www.brooksidegardens.org/.

— http://www.washingtongardener.com/

This will likely be my last list for the Examiner. I was doing it for the past year-and-a-half without direct compensation and just in exchange for the link and credit line -- many times which were missing. I did not feel for the time investment Imade in this that we were really getting much out of it. Instead, I hope to launch in early September our own event listing on our web site or here. Still tinkering as to format, frequency, etc. Right now we do a selection of events in our monthly Washington Gardener Enewsletter where we list a sort of top 10 for the month, but I get several hundred submissions and would like to do something more comprehensive. The Washington Post Home section dropped their garden event listings awhile back too and I say I can't blame them. The listings are a real chore and time-suck. Will see what I can come up with that will be manageable.

Meanwhile, you may have noticed that event #1 in this week's list is our Tomato Tasting. Here is the blurb from FRESHFARM Markets E-News issue of August 20, 2008:

>>SILVER SPRING

Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm, downtown on Ellsworth Dr.Market is OPEN now through November 15, 2008.

Saturday, August 23: Tomato Tasting at Market!

Kathy Jentz, editor of "Washington Gardener" magazine, is coordinating the tomato tasting at market so you can sample the best of our farmers' tomatoes and vote for your favorites. We'll have tomato recipes and tomato seeds galore! Kathy will also give away copies of the current "Washington Gardener" and Renee Catacalos, editor of "Edible Chesapeake," will distribute the most recent issue which features Kathy's article on tomatoes. For kids, there's a "Mr. Tomato Head" activity table where tomato "toys" or "artwork" can be made and/or eaten. We'll also raffle off a basket full of garden and market goodies. Join us for the first "Purple Cherokee Heirloom Tomato Days of Summer!"

At market this week: Tons of sweet corn, peaches, nectarines, melons, apples and raspberries. Tasty pastries at Praline; breads and more at Atwaters. Chicken at Groff's Content and Evensong; beef at Tomatoes, Etc.. Firefly's goat cheeses pair nicely with summer fruits and vegs. Welsh Gardens and Suttler Post have cut flowers; Four Seasons Nursery has potted plants and herbs. Lots of fresh cut herbs at Evensong. Charlie Koiner has figs--these fly out of the market! Charlie and Lynn will also have their 130+ ribbons (including 4 Grand Champions) from this year's Montgomery County Fair and photos too!<<

So THAT explains where all my first and second prizes ribbons went too. Darn those Koiners and their winning ways! Kidding! Can't wait to see their display. I'll have to pick their brains for prize-winning entry tips.

Summer Gardening Trends Report

The 2008 Summer Gardening Trends Research Report from GWA is now out. A few choice results:

~ On average, consumers are planning to spend about $771 on their yards and gardens this year, where expenditures include making improvements and doing maintenance.

~ Almost half of American households (43%) grow vegetables in their gardens. The top reasons households gave for not growing vegetables in their gardens include:
No time (29%)
No interest (21%)
No space (20%)
Lack of knowledge (8%) and
Not enough sunlight (6%).

~This year, about two out of five (39%) consumers say that they participate in container gardening. This is down from 47% last year.

I picked these three out as the most surprising. I think the $771 is very low as it includes lawn maintenance. Just paying a weekly lawn mow would account for that amount. Are people including their water bill? Mulch? Leaf bags? Heck, if you are DIY, one lawnmower blade sharpening per year and the gas/electricity will still set you back for a good chunk of that.

As to the reasons not to veggie garden, I find 6% for lack of sunlight not reflective of what I hear in my area. I'd say that and lack of space are the only two reasons I ever hear. Many DC-area residents try tomatoes with enthusiasm and give up due to the lack of light. We'd see many more veggie gardeners if apartment rooftops and sunny public spaces were given over to those who want to grow their own produce.

Finally, container gardening went from 47% to 39% in one year?! I think something is way off there. Maybe the terminology - is "patio gardening" better? I can't think of anyone I know who does not have at least one pot at their entrance steps, balcony, or patio -- the majority of whom do not consider themselves gardeners.

Not sure I can use any of this for shaping our magazine content. Interesting, yes. Fun to know. But in the end not much real world application.

Think Local First

I FINALLY took two minutes last week to join Think Local First DC. As many of you now I'm a fierce proponent of buying local and supporting local businesses. I may pay a little more to use a local printer and not have the magazine printed in Canada or China (You would not believe some of the print sales and paper supplier calls I get.), but I think it is worth it to be able to meet my printer in person and have deliveries come from just a few miles away not trucked in from another country. I've managed to set up relationships with local businesses and freelancers for almost all aspects of the magazine's production. You may have noticed our cartoonist is in the UK and we manage our whole relationship via online files so that is not too guilt-inducing. I have been actively seeking a local garden humorist over the past few years with no luck in matching Chris Madden's talent - so far. If you know of someone who might fit the bill, drop me a line.

But back to local. Why focus on supporting other DC region businesses? First, as a green gardener we want to help the environment. Supporting local businesses cuts down on sprawl and wasted transportation energy. Second, we are investing in our own future. We want DC to remain a unique, thriving community with a variety of local businesses we can call on when the need arises. Third, we get better service. Yeah, I said it. Our local quick printer does not give me the attitude I get when I walk into Kinko's where the kid behind the counter literally rolls his eyes that he has to get up and take down the details of a job order. Our local quick printer owns her business and actually is happy to see me and my business walk through the door. And she always has a few minutes to spare for local community gossip and to share what new, local restaurants to try.

I could go on and on about the superiority of local, but Think Local First DC has some great lists on why to shop local first and how to do so that you can explore on their site. Forthose who strive to plant local and eat local, this is just the next natural step. If you are a local DC business and want to join too, please tell them "Washington Gardener Magazine" referred you and sign up here.

Hummingbird Habitats in new Washington Gardener Enews

The latest online issue is out and now archived:

Washington Gardener Enews
Vol. 4, No. 8 — August 15, 2008

In This Issue:

Hummingbird Habitats

Magazine Excerpt: Sage Advice on Salvias

August To-Do List

Spotlight Special: Carousel Little Bluestem

Reader Contest: TerraCycle Pot and Plant Spikes

Local Gardening Events

A Sunny August Bloom Day

It's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day again and here are a few pics I took running around only the backyard yesterday. The county is ripping out part of my front and side walks to put in handicap stripping (yellow pad inserts with bumps) and new concrete edging to alert people that they are about to enter a busy street. It is NOISY and annoying on a day when I'd like to be out there in the garden - but luckily a fairly quick process and I'll have bright, shiny new sidewalk come Monday.

In the pot is a dwarf Buddleia I'm trialing. The sunflower is one I planted by my side fence and it keeps turning its head away from passers-by and in towards the fence. Shy? Or just bratty? The rest are perennials and self-sowers that are reliably turning my pond area into a jungle. The birds are loving it.