Washington Gardener Enews November 2013

ENEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2013

Welcome to the Washington Gardener Enewsletter!

This enewsletter is the sister publication of Washington Gardener Magazine. Both the print magazine and online enewsletter share the same mission and focus — helping DC-MD-VA region gardens grow — but our content is different. In this monthly enewsletter, we address timely seasonal topics and projects; post local garden events; and, a monthly list of what you can be doing now in your garden.

We encourage you to subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine as well for indepth articles, inspirational photos, and great garden resources for the Washington DC area gardener.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This enewsletter is only sent out as a PDF via email to current subscribers. Without your support, we cannot continue publishing this enewsletter nor Washington Gardener Magazine! Our magazine subscription information is on page 9 of this enewsletter.

If you know of any other gardeners in the greater Washington, DC-area, please forward this issue to them so that they can subscribe to our print magazine using the form on page 9 of this enewsletter.

You can also connect with Washington Gardener online at: • Washington Gardener Blog: www.washingtongardener.blogspot.com • Washington Gardener Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/WDCGardener • Washington Gardener Instagram Feed: http://instagram.com/wdcgardener • Washington Gardener Pinterest boards: http://pinterest.com/wdcgardener/ • Washington Gardener Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WashingtonGardener/ • Washington Gardener Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/washingtongardenermagazine • Washington Gardener Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/WDCGardener • Washington Gardener Web Site: www.washingtongardener.com Sincerely, Kathy Jentz Editor/Publisher Washington Gardener Magazine

Inside This Enews Issue • Back Issue Sale • Bulbs 201 • Gifts from the Garden • Garden To-Do List • Latest Blog Links • Local Garden Events Listings • Magazine Excerpt: Getting to the Root of Growing Great Carrots • Mum’s the Word • New Clematis ‘Sweet Summer Love’ • Reader Contest to Win a Local Gardening Task Calendar • What NOT To Do in the Garden

Summer-Fall 2013 Issue

Our Summer-Fall 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine issue is now mailing to all current subscribers. The cover story is on creating Magical Miniature Gardens also known as Faerie Gardens.

You’ll also find in this issue: • Carrot Growing Tips • Plant Profile of Abelias • Kudzu Bugs Threaten Beans • Rose Rosette Disease Spreads • Annmarie Sculpture Gardens • Easy-to-Make Stepping Stones • Native Nashville Breadroot • Preventing Powdery Mildew • And much, much more...

To subscribe, see the page 9 of this newsletter for a form to mail in or go to www.washingtongardener.com/index_ files/subscribe.htm and use our PayPal credit card link.

Fall-Winter 2013 issue is in the works with a cover story on Fabulous Ferns!

Reader Contest

For our November 2013 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away one of our 2014 Local Gardening Task Calendar.

Each month includes a list of what to do in the garden for local DC-MD-VA and Mid-Atlantic gardeners, along with a gorgeous photo of a seasonal flower from a local DC-area public gardens’ collection.

You can order one for yourself and as gifts for your favorite local gardeners by going to: http://www.cafepress.com/washgardener. (Note that you can select the calendar to start with whatever month you choose.)

To enter to win a Local Gardening Task Calendar, send an email to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5:00pm on November 27 with “Garden Calendar” in the subject line and tell us: What Garden Task You Always Procrastinate On and Why. In the body of the email, please also include your full name and mailing address. The calendar winner will be announced and notified on December 1.

Quick Links to Recent Washington Gardener Blog Posts • Garden Frights: What is Lurking in Your Garden Beds?

• A Cutting Garden: You Can Grow That!

• Surprise Pumpkin Patch • Bishop’s Garden Re-dedication • Sweet Potato Harvest Time See more Washington Gardener Blog posts at WashingtonGardener.Blogspot.com.

November Garden To-Do List

New Plant Spotlight Clematis ‘Sweet Summer Love’ Clematis ‘Sweet Summer Love’ is a hybrid breakthrough by award-winning breeder, Szczepan Marczynski, combining the easeof-growth, strong fragrance, and hundreds of blooms of ‘Sweet Autumn’ clematis with the added benefit of rich cranberry-violet hues.

This deer-resistant woody vine is covered in rich color a month earlier than other varieties and continues to fall. The vine climbs to over 10 ft, is hardy to USDA Zone 4, and can be placed in full sun or part shade.

‘Sweet Summer Love’ has also received a Bronze Medal at the 2011 Plantarium in the Netherlands and a Silver Medal at Flowers 2011 in Moscow, Russia.

Clematis ‘Sweet Summer was added to the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® line in 2013. It is currently available through mail order companies such as Garden Crossings, www.gardencrossings.com, and will be widely available at retail in spring 2014.

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Here is our comprehensive garden task list for gardens in the greater DC metro region for November 16-December 15. Your additions to this list are most welcome: • Switch your deer deterrent spray, if you’ve been using the same one for several months. Re-apply after heavy rains.

• Have your soil tested at least once every three years.

• Cover carrots and other root crops with straw to extend the harvest season.

• Deadhead spent mums and plant them (if still in pots).

• Leaf drop on established evergreen shrubs and rhododendrons is normal this time of year.

• Bulb foliage already starting to surface? Don’t fret. It is also normal and will not impact next year’s blooms.

• Check for vole problems and set out traps.

• Caulk and seal your home to prevent wildlife coming indoors.

• Protect fig trees from freezing by piling up leaves around them.

• Clean the leaves of your indoor houseplants to prevent dust and film build-up.

• Collect plant seeds for next year’s planting and for trading.

• Turn off outdoor water valve and store hoses.

• Store terra cotta pots in a shed or protected areas.

• Prune and mulch hybrid tea roses.

• Harvest last of your vegetables and till compost into the beds.

• Plant garlic for harvest next spring.

• Force spring bulbs for indoor blooms this January by potting them up, watering thoroughly, and placing them in your vegetable crisper for about 10 weeks.

• Remove this year’s fruiting raspberry canes down to the ground from raspberries.

• Clean out your ponds and compost annual plants. Move hardy plants to deeper water. Cover with netting to block falling leaves.

• Clean, sharpen, and store your garden tools.

• Reduce fertilizing of indoor plants (except cyclamen).

• Set up a humidifier for indoor plants or at least place in pebble trays.

• Vacuum up any ladybugs that come in the house.

• Rotate houseplants to promote even growth.

• Pot up Paper Whites and Amaryllis for holiday blooming.

• Water evergreens and new plantings to keep them hydrated this winter.

• Fertilize your lawn and re-seed if needed.

• Transplant trees and shrubs.

• Continue to divide and transplant perennials.

• Rake leaves, shred, and gather in compost piles.

• Start feeding birds to get them in the habit for this winter.

• Attend a local garden club meeting.

• Turn your compost pile weekly and don’t let it dry out. Work compost into your planting beds.

• Plant evergreens for winter interest.

• Weed.

• Take a break from holiday stress to enjoy your garden.

• Do not place live wreaths or greenery in between your door and a glass storm door, especially if the doorway is facing south. This placement will “cook” the arrangement on a sunny day.

• Sign up all your friends and family for garden magazine subscriptions as holiday gifts.

WASHINGTON GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved.

Garden of Lights

WALK-THROUGH HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY

November 29, 2013 – January 5, 2014

Conservatory Train Exhibit

Visit our Gift Shop and receive 15% OFF on merchandise only.

Expires Jan. 6, 2014 Not valid with any other discounts.

WG2013

Open Sunday – Thursday 5:30-9:00 pm Friday – Saturday 5:30 -10:00 pm (Closed December 24 & 25, and January 1 & 2)

Open New Year’s Eve until 9:00 pm

$20 per car/van (M-Th) • $25 per car/van (F-Su) ADVANCE SALE TICKETS: $20 (available November 1) CASH ONLY AT ENTRANCE Last car admitted 30 min. before closing time

GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved. 3 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 WASHINGTON • Show Info Line: 301.962.1453 • BrooksideGardens.org

Gifts from the Garden The holiday season is fast approaching and nothing is a more personal gift than something you have grown yourself. Here are several ideas for giving from the garden.

Herbal Oils, Vinegars, and Butters

Select and chop up fresh herbs to add into oil infusions, vinegars, flavored vodkas, or mixed into herb butters. Always use sterile containers and clean herbs. Follow the USDA guidelines for canning products.

Seed Collections

Collect seeds from flowering annuals and carefully label them.

You can put them into small coin envelopes and slip each into a small photo album with planting instructions. You can also make a seed-saving jar by painting the lid as an insect or in any pattern you like. (See Ladybug Jar sample above.)

Flower Arrangements

Gather in-season blooms, grasses, and greens from your garden to create mixed bouquets — either fresh or dried. Use tin cans and glass jars as rustic vases that your giftee won’t need to bother to return. Tie a piece of burlap with raffia around the container to dress it up a bit.

Potpourri and Sachets

Strip the buds off dried lavender and package a few tablespoons of it in a circle of tulle tied with ribbon to create a nice drawer/closet sachet.

For potpourri mix, gather dried flower heads (such as chamomile) along with rosehips and assorted herbs. If desired, mix in a few drops of essential oil Package in a pretty jar.

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Garden-Fresh Edibles

If you grow salad greens and/or root vegetables (carrots, radishes, etc.), pick, clean, and package a fresh bundle along with a homemade salad dressing and a pretty salad bowl.

Holiday Greens

Cut greens from your own garden to create holiday wreaths, door swags, and table arrangements. Combine assorted greens such as boxwood, magnolias, junipers, etc. along with woody herbs like rosemary, lavender, and thyme to add a fresh scent to the greens. Wire them all together and tie with a big bow.

Pressed Flowers Cards and Crafts

Throughout the growing season, cut and press dianthus. cosmos, violets, miniature roses, and other colorful blooms to use in the off-season to make various crafts. Pressed flowers are terrific for those of us with poor drawing skills. They can be glued on cards, placeholders, bookmarks, picture frames, and much more. Don’t forget to press some leaves and stems so you can incorporate those as well into any flower collage you create.

Small Starter Plants

Pot up some indoor plant divisions and include care instructions. If the plants have a history, for example a Christmas Cactus that was handed down by your grandmother, include that information as well, A selection of African Violets or coleus cuttings in small pots on a tray are an excellent hostess or house-warming gift.

WASHINGTON GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved.

Garden Tips and Tricks

What NOT to Worry About

Two things many new and inexperienced gardeners start to panic about this time of year are leaf drop of evergreens and bulb foliage popping up out of the ground. These are two things that are totally natural this time of year and nothing to worry about.

Leaf/needle drop on established evergreen shrubs and rhododendrons is normal. Even though they are called “evergreen” they still go through a natural shedding cycle. You will see most of the drop come from the inside branches. Some will lose one-third to one-half of their needles at this time of year.

Note that not all trees and shrubs with needle-like foliage are evergreen. Many are deciduous and shed all their foliage such as the Larch, Swamp Cypress, and Dawn Redwood.

These conifers will leaf back out in spring, don’t worry.

Another garden phenomenon that newbie gardeners notice this time of year is bulb foliage already starting to surface.

Don’t fret. It is also normal and will not impact next year’s blooms. You will notice this especially among some of the minor bulbs such as Ipheon and Muscari. Even a blanket of snow or ice will not impact the bulbs storing energy below the soil. You can give these emerging bulbs a bit of extra mulch, if you desire, but it is really not necessary.

Bulbs 201

You may have been planting the same old daffodils or tulips for a few years now, why not spice things up and taken then to the next level? Here are a few tips to get your bulb displays to be even better.

1. Layer. Instead of digging a small hole and dropping in one bulb at a time. Dig out a whole bed and then layer your bulbs.

Put in the tulips and hyacinths first, then daffodils, and last the minor bulbs.

2. Stagger. Choose bulbs with different bloom times to lengthen the seasonal display. All bulbs are marked as early-, mid- or late-season blooming. You can use that information to create displays of bulbs that coordinate with each other and with nearby flowering perennials, shrubs, and trees.

3. Throw. Instead of planting bulbs in straight rows or patterns, scatter them in your planting hole and plant them where they land for a more natural “drift” effect. Another way to plant them is in clumps or groups of odd numbers: so three here, a few feet later plant five more in one hole, then another three in another bed, etc. This is especially effective on a slope or in a woodland garden.

4. Choose. Pick bulbs that are more unusual in color and pattern than you normally see. There are hundreds of tulip varieties, no need to go only with red or yellow. Some of my favorites are ‘Princess Irene,’ a peachy-orange, and ‘Queen of Night,’ a dark purple-black tulip. The parrot and peony type tulips are especially striking and you only need a few of those to make a big impact.

5. Experiment. Go in search of early minor bulbs that can

fill in bare spots while the rest of your garden awakens in spring. A few to try are Scilla, Muscari, Chionodoxa, Eranthis, Galanthus, and Fritillaria.

By trying a few of these more advanced bulb gardening techniques, your garden will be full of surprises, beauty, and adventure next spring!

Mum’s the Word!

Local public gardens are putting on spectacular mum shows this season! These mums are far from the boring, old chrysanthemums found in tired supermarket flower bunches. These mums are showstoppers, stunners, and out-right marvels of nature.

“Chrysanthemum Craftmanship” is on display at Brookside Gardens’ conservatory in Wheaton, MD, through Sunday, November 25. This show (pictured here) focuses on the chrysanthemum plant and its diversity of floral styles and plant forms. Amazing results come from skilled and meticulous training of these versatile plants. Vertical columns of color nearly six feet tall and cascading waterfalls of flowers will be on display. These solid masses of flowers are contrasted by “disbudded” plants, whose energy is channeled into fewer but larger flowers. The cool color palette for the display is pinks and purples and white, with blues and silver added by salvias, grasses, and Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’.

At the U.S. Botanic Garden, visitors can see one of horticulture’s most challenging feats: the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum, on until Sunday, November 17. The Thousand Bloom derives its name from the ambitious goal of cultivating a single chrysanthemum plant to produce as many perfectly placed blooms as possible. This ancient technique, known in Japan as Ozukuri, originated hundreds of years ago in Asia and is the most exacting and challenging of all Chrysanthemum training styles.

The United States Botanic Garden teamed with Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA to grow the Thousand Bloom.

The rigorous, 12-month growing process involves meticulous watering, pinching and tying of the chrysanthemum to a customized wire frame to train the plant to grow into the desired form. The largest Thousand Bloom in North America is on display at Longwood Gardens now through November 24. It features 1,416 blooms and measure more than 12 feet in diameter.

Finally, don’t forget the outdoor mum displays. There are many varieties that are hardy to our area, such as the lovely ‘Sheffield’ mums, that can be viewed in the mixed borders of public gardens such as Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA.

About the Author

Kathy Jentz is editor/publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine.

WASHINGTON GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved.

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TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Upcoming Events ~ November 16-December 15, 2013 • Wednesday, November 20, 8:00am-

4:00pm 2013 TREES MATTER SYMPOSIUM Trees and the Built Environment Sponsored by The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks’ Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education Division. Held at Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Attend the second annual Trees Matter Conference to learn from some of the country’s leading experts about innovative efforts to plant, protect and preserve trees in urban and suburban settings. Trees Matter 2013 is ideal for arborists, municipal employees, landscape industry professionals, designers, engineers, green industry employees and anyone interested in the latest research on trees. Approved for International Society of Arboriculture & Certified Professional Horticulturist CEU’S. To register or for more information, please visit http://www.montgomeryparks.org.

Advanced Landscape Plant IPM PHC Short Course January 21-24, 2014 For registration information contact: Avis Koeiman Department of Entomology 4112 Plant Sciences Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Tel: 301-405-3913 Email: akoeiman@umd.edu  6

• Wednesday, November 20, 7:30pm Bees in Your Garden Talk Hosted by the Takoma Hort Club and held at Historic Takoma, Inc., 7328 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD. Join the Takoma Horticultural Club for a presentation by Sam Droege of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.

Friends, did you know that you have bees in your garden? Few people realize that Takoma Park is not only the city of trees, but the city of bees. While urban beekeeping for honey production is taking off, less visible, but more important, are the native bees that let us share their habitats. Solitary nesting, nonstinging, there are over 100 species in the city that do much of the pollination.

The choice of what we plant can augment or depress the numbers of bees that live here; we will talk about these colorful and varied bees, the plants they use, and your role in creating or destroying their populations.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations required.

• Thursday, November 21, 6:30pm

Rock Spring Garden Club’s Fourth Annual Holiday Floral Demonstration Preregistration is required to attend the event featuring Sarah von Pollaro,, the owner of D.C.’s Urban Petals Floral Design, who has placed arrangements in the White House, Kennedy Center, museums and embassies. But von Pollaro also shares tips aimed at inspiring people to “think outside the vase” and include flowers in their lives on any budget.

Doors open for guests at 6:30 p.m. at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 4301 Wilson Blvd.

Admission is $25 and includes door prizes, raffles, refreshments, with proceeds to benefit RSGC’s community outreach programs. To register contact Renee Bayes at 703-241-2651 or Rsbayes@aol.com. For more information visit the website at www.rockspringgardenclub.com.

• Saturday, November 23 Presentation: Seeing Trees Join Nancy Ross Hugo for a special afternoon to discuss the behind the

WASHINGTON GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved.

scenes work and research that inspired her acclaimed nature book Seeing Trees: Discover the Extraordinary Secret Lives of Everyday Trees. This event is cosponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum and Casey Trees. Held at the U.S. National Arboretum. Details at http://caseytrees.org/.

• Monday, November 25 Thanksgiving Table Flowers Karen Nelson Kent AIFD, CFD It’s a wonderful time to bring a friend or family member to kick off the holiday season while learning the latest trends for designing your Thanksgiving table.

You will use traditional and new techniques while working with fresh flowers and seasonal items to create a floral design suitable for everyone’s table.

Course #248809, 3:30-5:00pm or Course #248810, 6:30-8:00pm Fee: $54 FOBG: $49, registration required. Held at Visitors Center Adult Classroom, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. Details at http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/.

• Thursday, December 5, 6-8pm Holiday Music Concert Featuring Lox & Vodka Evenings at the Conservatory are magical! Get into the holiday spirit with live seasonal music in the Garden Court.

This concert features festive Klezmer music performed by the group Lox & Vodka. Come join the fun and enjoy the USBG after hours! Please note: Limited seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20001 (202) 225-8333, See more at: http:// www.usbg.gov/events/.

• Friday, Dec. 6, Saturday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.

Wreath-Making Workshops Join a six-generation tradition of decorating with Tudor Place greens as you create your own holiday wreath using materials from the gardens. Choose from cedar boughs, magnolia leaves, berry-laden holly, pine cones, and boxwood to fashion our own distinctive, medium-size wreath. All materials pro-

TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS DC-Area Gardening Calendar ~ Upcoming Events ~ November 16-December 15, 2013 vided along with helpful instruction and tips. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007. www.TudorPlace.org.

• Friday, December 6 - Tuesday, December 31, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Greens Show & Sale Don’t miss the chance to admire the holiday decorations adorning the Hammond-Harwood House! The theme for this year’s decorations is “Christmas Around the World,” and nine local garden clubs have crafted arrangements with an international flair. Wreaths and arrangements decorated by their talented volunteers will also be available for purchase. Held at The Hammond-Harwood House is the “Jewel of Annapolis.”

For more information on this National Historic Landmark, visit www.hammondharwoodhouse.org.

• Sunday, December 8, Noon-4pm Gardeners’ Holiday Open House Enjoy a day of holiday fun in the garden: shop for holiday gifts and plants, listen to seasonal music, view the beautiful decorations and enjoy refreshments with friends. This festive day is for gardeners of all ages, individuals and families. Free admission, For more information call Green Spring Gardens at 703-642-5173.

• Wednesday, December 11, 1:002:30pm A World of Flavor Laura Vogel, Brookside Staff Herbs and spices are a fixture in our kitchens, but how often do we think about the global sources of these humble ingredients? Take a worldwide tour of fragrant plants while making pomander ball ornaments for the holiday with citrus and cloves. Register for Course # 248849. Fee: $18 FOBG: $15, registration required. Held at Visitors Center Adult Classroom, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. Details at http://www. montgomeryparks.org/brookside/.

• Fridays, December 13 and 20, 5:309:30pm Maymont by Moonlight Enjoy an enchanting holiday evening at Maymont in Richmond, VA. A horse-

drawn carriage transports guests along a luminary-lit lane to Maymont Mansion where elegantly costumed Victorian ladies and gentlemen await. Witness the excitement of Christmas 1893, taste seasonal refreshments and listen to joyful carol singing by the bonfire. $28 per person/$22 for Maymont members. Register at www.maymont. org or call 804-358-7166, ext. 310.

Magazine receive a $5 discount off the admission to the Washington Gardener Seed Exchange.

• Saturday, December 14, 4-8pm Four-Museum Open House...

Holidays Through History New and old mix beautifully in this festive annual event! Tudor Place, with Dumbarton House, Woodrow Wilson House, and Anderson House, throws open its doors for music, crafts, treats and the splendor of holiday decor in historic settings.

Children can enjoy creating holiday cards with the charming Peter Waddell, Tudor Place Artist in Residence. Visit just one mansion or all four, on foot or by shuttle bus (free with ticket).

Museum members attend FREE! Register at http://tudorplace.org/.

See even more event listings on the Washington Gardener Yahoo discussion list. Join the list at http://groups.yahoo. com/group/WashingtonGardener/.

• RootingDC is a FREE Urban Gardening Forum held annually in late winter.

Details to be posted soon at http:// fieldtoforknetwork.org/rootingdc/ for the event on Saturday, March 1, 2014.

Still More Event Listings

Event Listing Submissions

To submit an event for this listing, please contact: Wgardenermag@aol. com and put “Event” in the email subject head. Our next deadline is December 12 for the December 15 edition of this enewsletter featuring events taking place December 16 - January 15.

SAVE THE DATE: • January 8 - 10 MANTS 2014 MANTS is one of the largest private Green Industry Trade Shows on the east coast with over 300,000 square feet of exhibit space. Registration required.

Held at the Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD. 21201; www.bccenter.org.

• The 9th Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, hosted by Washington Gardener Magazine, takes place on January 25, 2014 (location TBA) AND on February 1, 2014 at Green Spring Gardens in Fairfax, VA. Seed Exchange attendees trade seeds, exchange planting tips, hear expert speakers, and collect goody bags full of gardening treats.

The event also includes such “green” features as the garden book and catalog swap. Participants are encouraged to bring their gently used garden books and mailorder garden catalogs to trade with each other. .

Subscribers to Washington Gardener

Local Gardening Calendar

Each month includes a list of what to do in the garden for local DC-MD-VA and Mid-Atlantic gardeners, along with a gorgeous photo of a flower from a local public garden collection.

On November 25, go to http:// www.cafepress.com/washgardener to order this new calendar.

A great gift idea and treat yourself!

Your Ad Here

Are you trying to reach thousands of gardeners in the greater DC region/MidAtlantic area? Washington Gardener Enews goes out on the 15th of every month and is a free sister publication to Washington Gardener magazine. Contact wgardenermag@aol.com or call 301.5886894 for ad rates.

The ad deadline is the 10th of each month. Please submit your ad directly to: wgardenermag@aol.com.

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MARCH/APRIL 2005 • Landscape DIY vs. Pro • Prevent Gardener’s Back • Ladew Topiary Gardens • Cherry Trees

MAY/JUNE 2007 • Roses: Easy Care Tips • Native Roses & Heirloom Roses • Edible Flowers • How to Plant a Bare-root Rose

MAY/JUNE 2009 • Top Easy Summer Annuals for DC Heat • Salad Table Project • Grow and Enjoy Eggplant • How to Chuck a Woodchuck

MAY/JUNE 2005 • Stunning Plant Combinations • Turning Clay into Rich Soil • Wild Garlic • Strawberries

JULY/AUGUST 2007 • Groundcovers: Alternatives to Turfgrass • How to Pinch, Prune, & Dead-head •William Paca House & Gardens • Hardy Geraniums

SUMMER 2009 • Grow Grapes in the Mid-Atlantic • Passionflowers • Mulching Basics • What’s Bugging Your Tomatoes • Growing Hops

JULY/AUGUST 2005 • Water Gardens • Poison Ivy • Disguising a Sloping Yard • Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 • Succulents: Hardy to our Region • Drought-tolerant Natives • Southern Vegetables • Seed Saving Savvy Tips

FALL 2009 • Apples • How To Save Tomato Seeds • Persimmons

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005 • Container Gardens • Clematis Vines • Sponge Gardening/Rain Gardens • 5 Insect Enemies of Gardeners

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 • Gardening with Children • Indoor Bulb Forcing Basics • National Museum of the American Indian • Versatile Viburnums

WINTER 2009 • Battling Garden Thugs • How to Start Seeds Indoors • Red Twig Dogwoods • Unusual Edibles to Grow in Our Region

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 • Backyard Bird Habitats • Hellebores • Building a Coldframe • Bulb Planting Basics

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 • Dealing with Deer • Our Favorite Garden Tools • Indoor Bulb Forcing Basics • Delightful Daffodils

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006 • Garden Decor Principles • Primroses • Tasty Heirloom Veggies • U.S. Botanic Garden

MARCH/APRIL 2008 • Patio, Balcony, Rooftop Container Gardens • Our Favorite Garden Tools • Coral Bells (Heucheras)

SUMMER 2010 • Fragrance Gardens • Watering Without Waste • Lavender • Potatoes

MAY/JUNE 2008 — ALMOST SOLD OUT! • Growing Great Tomatoes • Glamorous Gladiolus • Seed Starting Basics • Flavorful Fruiting Natives

FALL 2010 • Vines and Climbers • Battling Stink Bugs • Russian Sage • Garlic

JULY/AUGUST 2008 • Landscaping with Ornamental Grasses • Edible Grasses to Graze On • Slug and Snail Control • Sage Advice: Sun-loving Salvias

WINTER 2010 • Paths and Walkways • Edgeworthia • Kohlrabi

MARCH/APRIL 2006 • Top 10 Small Trees and Large Shrubs • Azaleas • Figs, Berries, & Persimmons • Basic Pruning Principles MAY/JUNE 2006 • Using Native Plants in Your Landscape • Crabgrass • Peppers • Secret Sources for Free Plants JULY/AUGUST 2006 • Hydrangeas • Theme Gardens • Agave • Find Garden Space by Growing Up SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006 • Shade Gardening • Hosta Care Guide • Fig-growing Tips and Recipes NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 • Horticultural Careers • Juniper Care Guide • Winter Squash Growing Tips and Recipes • Layer/Lasagna Gardening JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007 • Indoor Gardening • Daphne Care Guide • Asparagus Growing Tips and Recipes • Houseplant Propagation MARCH/APRIL 2007 • Stormwater Management • Dogwood Selection & Care Guide • Early Spring Vegetable Growing Tips • Franciscan Monastery Bulb Gardens

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 • Autumn Edibles — What to Plant Now • Beguiling Barrenworts (Epimediums) • The Best Time to Plant Spring-blooming Bulbs • 14 Dry Shade Plants Too Good to Overlook NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • Outdoor Lighting Essentials • How to Prune Fruiting Trees, Shrubs, and Vines • 5 Top Tips for Overwintering Tender Bulbs • Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009 • Compost Happens: Nature’s Free Fertilizer • Managing Stormwater with a Rain Garden • Visiting Virginia’s State Arboretum • Grow Winter Hazel for Gorgeous Winter Color MARCH/APRIL 2009 • 40+ Free and Low-cost Local Garden Tips • Spring Edibles Planting Guide for the Mid-Atlantic • Testing Your Soil for a Fresh Start • Redbud Tree Selection and Care • Best Viewing Spots for Virginia Bluebells

SPRING 2010 • Community Gardens • Building a Raised Bed • Dwarf Iris • Broccoli

SPRING 2011 • Cutting-Edge Gardens • Final Frost Dates and When to Plant • Bleeding Hearts • Onions SUMMER 2011 • Ornamental Edibles • Urban Foraging • Amsonia/Arkansas Blue Star • Growing Corn in the Mid-Atlantic FALL 2011 • Herb Gardens • Toad Lilies • Sweet Potatoes • Cool Weather Cover Crops WINTER 2011 - EARLY SPRING 2012 • Green Roofs and Walls • Heaths and Heathers • Radishes SPRING 2012 • Pollinator Gardens • Brunnera: Perennial of the Year • Growing Yacon SUMMER 2012 • Tropical Gardens • Captivating Canna • Icebox Watermelons

WASHINGTON GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved.

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Fabulous Ferns

Daytrip to Chanticleer Gardens

Garden Event Season Wrap-Up Growing and Cooking BEETS

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Magazine Excerpt: Getting to the Root of Growing Great Carrots by Elizabeth Olson

Carrots are perhaps best known as the popular orange-colored root vegetable available year-round in the produce section at markets. Although some consider carrots to be ordinary, they are much more than that. They have an interesting history and have been adapted to meet modern needs and preferences.

The cultivated carrot was first grown in the region of central Asia now comprised of Afghanistan and surrounding areas. Purple-rooted and yellow-rooted carrots were in cultivation in this region by the year 900. Later centuries have seen the spread of cultivated carrots around the world and the development of orange-, white-, and red-rooted cultivars. Today, orange is the most popular color of carrots.

Carrot is a biennial species that is started from seed and grown as an annual. It belongs to the Apiaceae plant family, which also includes dill, celery, and parsley. The scientific name for this wonderful root vegetable is Daucus carota, ssp. sativus.

The flavor of carrots varies from very sweet to spicy to rather earthy, depending on the cultivar. In addition to flavor, a significant reason for the popularity of carrots is that they can be prepared or preserved in so many ways.

Fresh carrots store well in the refrigerator crisper drawer (remove the tops). Also, some cultivars hold their root quality well in the ground for a long period of time, especially in cool weather.

The two most challenging aspects of growing carrots are matching the root shape to the soil type and getting the seeds to sprout. Carrots grow best in well-worked, deep, loamy soil that is free of rocks and debris, and into which compost has been incorporated. The popularity of carrots has led to the development of different styles of root shapes that can be grown in shallow or heavier soil types...

Want to learn more growing carrots? Read the rest of this EdibleHarvest column in the Summer-Fall 2013 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine. See how to subscribe below to start with this issue.

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WASHINGTON GARDENER ENEWS © 2013 Washington Gardener Magazine. All rights reserved.