Local First Friday: American Plant

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

“When we were children our father instilled in us the importance of respect, politeness and honesty in our work. Our grandfather built this business on the principle of treating your customers like they are a guest in your own home.” 

That statement was made by Brett Shorb, who co-owns the 90-year-old garden business, American Plant, along with his brothers Todd and Erik.

The brothers, standing on the shoulders of their grandfather and father, said that they believe the strong generational commitment to American Plant will allow for the company to continue thriving.   

When the Shrob brother’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, the company began to place a large emphasis on removing chemical pesticides and fertilizers. They stand as the leader in chemical removal still today.

What’s It Like Today:

American Plant has two locations on River Road in Bethesda, serving the entire metro area form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. They sell plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs as well as a line of tools, seeds, soils, and mulches. They also sell decorative items for the home. American Plant has a landscape design team that customizes outdoor spaces as well.  

Tinge, the company’s lifestyle boutique, is just a few years old. While the company offered home décor items in the past, they have only recently build a separate space in their stores to showcase the boutique.  

The store located at 5258 River Road is currently being redesigned.

American Plant has an active voice on social media, posting on Facebook and Twitter about garden facts, deals, and plant news almost daily.

What Makes It Special:

American Plant is a family-owned business. It is run by generations of passionate gardeners, and when a new generation begins to manage the company, a whole new set of goals, and idea come with them.

American Plant is full-service location both for inside and outdoor spaces, and they offer a large variety of specialty plants all year round. 

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK: Yard By Yard Makeovers, LLC

Yard By Yard Makeovers, LLC

Specializing in Garden
Renewals & Renovations

7304 Carroll Avenue, #229
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-270-4642
yardmakeovers@yahoo.com
www.yardmakeovers.com

"We can reshape and beautify neglected yards."

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK Details:
Every Thursday on the Washington Gardener Magazine Facebook page, Blog, and Yahoo list we feature a current advertiser from our monthly digital magazine. To advertise with us, contact wgardenermag@aol.com today.

Video Wednesday: Heirloom Mums

Leon A Carrier and Carol Heitmuller Carrier of PlantsMasters in Laytonsville, MD, are growers of specialty cut flowers and selected plants. Here they talk about their heirloom mum selections and growing tips.

Make a Harvest Flower Arrangement

Make a Harvest Flower Arrangement

for your Thanksgiving Table 

Date: Sunday, Nov 22

Time: 1:00-2:30pm

at On The Purple Couch

4228 Howard Ave. Kensington, MD

Classes led by Kathy Jentz,

editor of Washington Gardener Magazine

    We will create a harvest-themed arrangement using locally sourced flowers and seasonal materials.

   This will be a hands-on flower arranging session. No prior floral experience is needed. Each attendee will leave with a harvest arrangement suitable for their Thanksgiving table centerpiece.  

Register at www.onthepurplecouch.com or at

http://www.onthepurplecouch.com/event/make-a-harvest-flower-arrangement/

DIY: Make Your Own Birdbath Container Garden

Guest blog by Gaby Galvin 

Want to draw in birds to your garden while still making something pretty and useful? Try out this simple birdbath that doubles as a small container garden. The best part is, you can use it year-round, going from a full birdbath to this cool hybrid.

Supplies:

17-inch urn

12-inch poly urn

10-inch terra-cotta saucer

Craft paint

Flowers

Potting mix

Instructions:

1. Drill about five holes in the bottom of the larger urn to allow for drainage. These should be evenly spaced, but all closer to the center of the urn.
2. Paint your urns and saucer whatever color you like. Make sure the paint you use is safe for the birds. Wait for the paint to dry.
3. Place the smaller urn upside down in the bigger one and glue it down.
4. Fill the bottom urn with potting mix and plant your flowers. I recommend smaller ones like Alyssum, Violas, or Lobelia so they don’t become too overgrown.
5. Place the saucer on top of the smaller urn and glue it down. Add some water for the birds and you’re done!

Make sure to place your new birdbath somewhere accessible for the birds – probably an elevated space outside. With this two-in-one project, you’re sure to hear birds chirping and see beautiful flowers you might not normally think to have them. Enjoy!

About the author:

Gaby Galvin is a Washington Gardener Magazine summer 2015 intern who is studying multiplatform journalism at the University of Maryland. She does some gardening at home in Davidsonville, MD, with her mother and grandparents. 

 
This is the fourth in a 5-part series on DIY projects for the home gardener. Look for the next installments in this DIY blog series on the 1st of each month (through December 2015) here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com. 

 

Image sources: Lowes.com

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK: Behnke Nurseries

Behnke Nurseries today reflects the same old-fashioned principles set by our founders. We offer the widest practical selection of top quality plants, with knowledgeable staff to assist in plant choices and educate in plant care.

Behnke Nurseries now enjoys nationwide recognition as Washington’s premiere plant and garden center. Here you will find all kinds of great articles and tips on a wide variety of plants and products from our staff of seasoned horticulturists.

See: http://behnkes.com/website/

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK Details:
Every Thursday on the Washington Gardener Magazine Facebook page, Blog, and Yahoo list we feature a current advertiser from our monthly digital magazine. To advertise with us, contact wgardenermag@aol.com today.

Video Wednesday: Shutting Off Water Sources to Winterize Your Garden

In this video, Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, demonstrates how to shut off your water sources before winter.

Win Heaven is a Garden in October 2015 Washington Gardener Magazine's Reader Contest

For our October 2015 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving a signed copy of Heaven is a Garden: Designing Serene Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection by Jan Johnsen (a prize value of $18.00).  
   Why do some gardens make us feel so wonderful, relaxed, and refreshed? Using ideas based on ancient and modern practices, this book shows how you can uplift yourself and others in a serene setting designed for “unplugging” and relaxing. Whether you are intending to create a lovely garden or just thinking about a future outdoor haven, Heaven is a Garden will help you see your backyard in a whole new light and reawaken an awareness of the wonders of Nature. “Simplicity, Sanctuary, and Delight” is the guideline that noted landscape designer Jan Johnsen recommends in this elegantly written book. She draws on her 40 years in the profession and offers stunning visuals and specific ways to make a garden look glorious and feel harmonious at the same time. She reveals how to highlight a power spot, explores the lure of the sheltered corner, explains why a gate facing east is considered auspicious, and suggests which trees you can use to impart a special atmosphere. Gardeners will also enjoy the chapters on the mysteries of color, a rock’s resonance, and the magic of water.
   To enter to win a signed copy of Heaven is a Garden, send an email to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5pm on Friday, October 30, with “Heaven” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us which was your favorite article in the October 2015 issue of the magazine and why. Please also include your full name and mailing address. The pass winners will be announced and notified on November 1.

UPDATE: Congratulations to our winner Karen Bishop Wood of Hollywood, MD! Her entry was chosen at random from among the submitted entries.

Fenton Friday: Closing out the Season

While this week has been mercifully mild, it is coming to the end of the official growing season and we are to have our individual plots cleared out and cleaned up by November 1. We can still continue to grow crops through the winter, if we wish, but many do not at my garden. A few have set up row covers, but mostly as I walked around today, I saw emptied-out beds and a few with freshly sown cover crops.

I have been working this week to pull out the last of the tomato vines and annual flowers (pictured below). My green beans are still producing well, so I'm leaving them up until the last possible second.

Over-wintering in my plot are:
- Calendula (pictured at top)
- Asparagus
- Strawberries
- Garlic
- Chives
- Arugula
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Parsley




This will be my last Fenton Friday report for 2015. Check back in around mid-March 2016, when I plan to kick off the new growing season -- weather-dependent, of course.

 How is your edible garden growing 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. I'm plot #16. It is a 10 ft x 20 ft space and this is our 4th year in the garden. (It opened in May 2011.) 

ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK: Love & Carrots

Love and Carrots provides gardening assistance to people who would like to have an organic vegetable garden in their backyard, front yard, patio, balcony, or even bay window. DC is unique in that it has abundant yard space for a city. Many people here have both a front and back yard, however not many people use these spaces to grow food. They would like to see that potential realized and so far, they have seen that the interest in home gardening in DC already exists. Their aim is to help get people started growing their own food as locally as possible – in their own yard!

They design, install, and maintain organically grown vegetable gardens, transforming backyards and rooftops into fresh, organic banquets. Veggies are just a part of what they do – Love and Carrots also works with native plants, chicken coops, and rain gardens.

See:  http://loveandcarrots.com/

Every Thursday on the Washington Gardener Magazine blog, we feature a current advertiser from our quarterly print magazine or monthly online enewsletter. To advertise with us, contact wgardenermag@aol.com today.

Video Wednesday: Orchid Potting

Carol Allen of Behnke Nurseries demonstrates how to re-pot or pot-up an orchid.