Always Learning in the Garden

One of the questions I’m frequently asked by non-gardeners who find out I’m the editor of this magazine is, “Don’t you run out of the things to write about?” Um, no. As a matter of fact, I have so many things yet to cover and so much still to learn. For instance, this month, I learned not to bother to dig out Dahlias from my garden to winter them over. The ones I didn’t get to did much better (and are blooming already!) than the ones I carefully dug up and stored inside. Add that to the list of Cannas and maybe soon Caladiums and Colocasia?

I keep a list of potential topics to cover in a composition book and also in a backlog of hundreds of emails that include potential places to visit, folks to interview, and products or plants to trial.

When we switched to an all-digital format, we were able to increase to monthly issues. That helped me add new bimonthly columns like BirdWatch and give more space to other recurring features.

The weekly GardenDC Podcast has just passed the 150-episode mark and we have not even touched the backlog of topics that can be discussed there. I love picking the brains of horticultural experts and learning the best way to build a Clematis trellis or the origins of purple Okra seeds.

Every day in the garden is one of discovery and delight. Sharing those with you, dear readers, is one of my greatest pleasures in life.

Sincerely,

Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher, Washington Gardener

KathyJentz@gmail.com

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Volume 18, Number 4

ISSN 1555-8959

© 2023 Washington Gardener

All rights reserved. Published monthly. No material may be reproduced without prior written permission. This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that the information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to legality, completeness, or technical accuracy.

Reader Contest

For our June 2023 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a seed collection from All-America Selections (AAS). AAS is an independent nonprofit organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties for the home gardener. After a full season of anonymous trialing by volunteer horticulture professionals, only the top garden performers receive the AAS Winner award designation for their superior performance. Find out more at https://all-americaselections.org/.

The AAS Winner seed collection includes:

• Celosia ‘Flamma Orange’ (pictured)

• Sunflower ‘Concert Bell’

• Snapdragon ‘Doubleshot orange bicolor’

• Verbena bonariensis ‘Vanity’

• Zinnia “Queeny Lemon Peach”

• Torenia ‘Vertigo Deep Blue’

• Torenia ‘Summery Love Pure White’

• Coleus ‘Premium Sun Coral Candy’

To enter, send an email to WashingtonGardener Magazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on June 30 with “All-America Selections Seeds” in the subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in this issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. The winner will be announced and notified around July 1. o

Your Ad Here

Are you trying to reach thousands of gardeners in the greater DC region/MidAtlantic area? Washington Gardener Magazine goes out in the middle of every month. Contact KathyJentz@gmail.com or call 301.588.6894 for ad rates (starting from $200). The ad deadline is the 5th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: KathyJentz@gmail.com.

May 2023 Issue

I enjoyed the begonias article. They have always a reliable favorite.

~

Kathy May, Kensington, MD

My favorite article in this month’s magazine is “Growing Corn in Containers.” I bought corn seeds, but of course, my available space to grow veggies doesn’t nearly match my appetite for seeds. I wondered if I could grow it in a pot. Now I have detailed instructions. Thanks, Kathy, for the terrific magazine. I always find something of interest.

~ Jennifer Whalen, Silver Spring, MD

My favorite article was “Keep Plants Thriving Despite the Heat” because I am always on the lookout for ways to reduce the need for watering. The suggestion about adding wool pellets to soil seems interesting and I will test it out next year on my potted plants. I was also happy to hear about Plants Alive! I still haven’t recovered from Behnke’s closure!

~ John Rebstock, Cheverly, MD

It has been a hot and dry growing season so far this year so the “Keep Plants Thriving Despite the Heat” article had several great tips to help me.

~ Ed Yemola, Drums, PA

I liked “Keep Plants Thriving Despite the Heat.” it will be most helpful this summer as we face more dry conditions.

~

Ann Baker, Manassas, VA

My favorite article is about the Eastern Phoebe because we have had one next in our well house for the last two years. We love them. All the articles are interesting. Keep up the good work.

~

Joanna Protz, Lynch Station, VA.

Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is an easy program to participate in and really does not take any extra resources than what you may have in your garden. In normal times, about 35 million people wonder where their next meal will come from. Most of these are children. That’s where PAR steps in.

PAR is such a simple program: It urges gardeners to Plant A Row (or a container) dedicated to feeding the hungry, and then take the harvest to someplace or someone that needs it. Once you have donated, send an email to KathyJentz@gmail.com with the total (in pounds and ounces) of what you gave. That is all there is to it. Easy. Effective. Adaptable and Helpful.

I always get a lot out of the magazine and will be heading to the Satsuki Bonsai exhibit later today because, until I read the “Classes, Events, and Shows,” I’d completely forgotten about it. My favorite article was “Growing Corn in a Container” because I’d never thought it possible. I grew up on a farm where we always had fields of corn, but in my tiny garden, it was always too much space for too little yield. Growing a few ears for fun in a pot will be great, and with this how-to article, I won’t go wrong.

~ Luann Korona, Silver Spring, MD o