gardening

Garden of the Day (Owner Submitted)

By Prince Of Petworth

The owner writes:

“My garden is outside the city but it’s planted in straw bales, which can very easily be done on a balcony or in a rowhouse yard. Put some sheet plastic under the bales, cover in compost, let them rot for a few weeks, and plant. When you’re done you can pretty easily compost up all the straw.

I forgot to pick a zucchini for a day or so:

Farm haul from the other day:

it’s so easy to urbanize the concept.”

After the jump check out a phenomenal chicken and an odd bonus garden. (more…)

I Envy Your Tomatoes Vol. 76

By Prince Of Petworth

I saw this Petworth couple planting this garden a couple of months ago. They told me to come back and I wouldn’t be sorry. Well played. Well played.

Tomato Envy Vol. 2

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Hells yes you should envy my awesome tomatoes. In the earthbox below are Audrey III and Audrey IV; the pic was taken a couple of weeks ago. Each is over 6 feet tall and vining out of control! One is an heirloom variety called “Matt’s Wild Cherry” and the other is a Juliet tomato. Off to the right in the photo is a Golden patio “dwarf”. It collapsed under the weight of its tomatoes this past weekend. I have tied it back up; if it dies, there will be fried green tomatoes! The other photo is a handful of cherry tomatoes picked just this morning. So good.”

Awesome! If anyone else has a great garden, vegetable or flower or simply a prized tomato, shoot me a photo in an email.

Volunteers Do Great Work on Median at 3900 Block of NH Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Volunteer Carol in front, Organizer Jeff in middle, volunteer Chip in background

Mad props to the volunteers for braving the weather (rain Sat., heat Sun.) and totally hooking up the median on the 3900 block of NH Ave, NW. When I came home from my walks I had to do a double take. After chatting with some of the volunteers on Sun. I learned that the area will mature and grow over a 3-5 year period. It’s hard to capture how great it already looks in the photos but this’ll give you a little idea.

More photos after the jump (including a before photo). (more…)

Tomato Envy

By Prince Of Petworth

I admit it. I have some serious tomato envy after passing dozens of scenes like this, this weekend.

I say we have an informal contest: if anyone is growing tomatoes out there and you have an especially good looking one – send me a photo!

Reminder: Median Planting Sat. Volunteers Needed

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Jeff on 8th for sending in details and images of what’s going on with the New Hampshire Ave, NW medians. He writes:

“In the 3700 block, the median will be tilled and mulched. This is due to the foot traffic caused by people not crossing at the cross walks (aka jaywalking). Which resulted in the sod being killed. Also, DDOT/UFA is looking into options to reduce jaywalking in the 3700 block but as of right now a solution hasn’t be selected.

In the 3800 block, the median will be tilled by DDOT/UFA, and will be mulched on July 10 with mulch donated by Tom Carter from Terra, Inc ( which is based in Petworth). If and when we are able identify additional funding and community support, we will also plant this median and any other median from Georgia Ave to Grant Circle.

In the 3900 block, the median will be mulched (again with mulch donated by Tom Carter from Terra, Inc) and planted with flowers via a grant from ANC 4C on July 10. Volunteers are still needed for the planting.

If anyone wishes to volunteer please email us at [email protected].”

They Should be Knee High by Now!

By Prince Of Petworth

Speaking of urban farming here are a couple of unusual shots from New Hampshire Ave, NW near the Petworth metro. I love encountering fruit trees. I have noticed too many this year but the one below is apricot, I think. Have you guys spotted any fruit trees around town? What’s the most unusual crop you’ve seen grown in the city?

Working on New Hampshire Ave medians at Georgia Ave, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Yesterday I asked, what about the grass? in the medians. Today Wayan took the photo above and writes:

“This morning landscapers are out fixing up the very abused medians at the Georgia Ave and NH Ave. It looks like they’re going to re-sod them or just mulch them. Maybe they could put down the spongy sidewalk covers instead to protect the baby tree roots from the heavy foot traffic this median gets as people leave Petworth metro station.”

What about the Grass?

By Prince Of Petworth

We’re often reminded to water newly planted trees (especially if they’re in front of our house) but what about the new grass in the medians? How do these get watered when there is little rain? The medians on New Hampshire from Grant Circle to south of Georgia Ave are looking in pretty rough shape. In hindsight is grass a bad idea for these medians?

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