gardening

Dear PoP – Another Gardening Question

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user mustachioed

“Dear PoP,

I was reading the posting about what to plant in DC, and I have a somewhat related question.

We have a row house in Petworth that we are in the midst of landscaping…primarily putting in new grass sod.
I need to cover my 200 sq ft front yard with 4″-6″ of organic topsoil before putting in sod. Problem is my yard (I think like many people’s) is elevated six feet from street level with no option of running a wheelbarrow up the slope (there are steps and stone walls). And as a row house…no option from the back either. Has anyone figured out a way to move/place 3 cubic yards (nearly 6000 lbs!) of topsoil on an elevated front yard? Can you blow it in?

All suggestions welcomed!”

I wonder if this just requires old fashioned labor? Has anyone done a project like this themselves?

Dear PoP – What Should I Plant?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“Dear PoP,

I just moved down to the Washington, DC area and have a nice little rowhouse in Columbia Heights. We have a small plot of land, but unlike my place in NYC, I have a tiny little plot of land out front and a porch. I’d like to try my hand at gardening. I am curious if you or any of your readers have tips about gardening in DC. What flowers work well in this climate during the spring/summer/early fall? Where are some good gardening places to visit for supplies and meet fellow flower enthusiasts? Any general tips or inspiring gardens in the city I can check out?”

I know we have some dedicated gardeners who read this site so I’m also looking forward to learning what works best for DC?

Dear PoP – Where Can You Get Soil Tested?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user rockcreek

“Dear PoP,

Do you know of any DC soil testing service? I’m wanting to expand my garden this year but am worried about whats actually in the soil. Just curious if your readers have ever mentioned any service where you can send a soil sample in to a lab and they send you back info about possible contaminants, etc.”

Hmm, I can’t recall if a place to send soil samples has been recommended. Is this something everyone starting a garden should do? And of course does anyone know where this testing can be done?

The Secret to the City’s Best Residential Vegetable Garden?

By Prince Of Petworth

You’ll have to refer to this picture in a couple of months for contrast. This home at the corner of 13th and Euclid Streets, NW in addition to being an amazing house, has the most incredible vegetable garden I’ve ever seen. This was the first spring that I noticed these huge piles of mulch. I wonder if this is their secret? I’ll be back to update in a couple months…

Dear PoP – Backyard Landscaping Recs

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

My husband owned his house before I moved into it two years ago and in the four years we’ve been together I have been in the backyard a total of 1 time and that’s because one of my cats slipped out there. It’s a very small space (the size of a bedroom maybe) but it could be a nice little spot for a morning coffee or an evening beer with a little bit of spitshine.

I’ve asked him to lay down some pavers but, it’s four years now, I have to accept it ain’t happening. LOL! Do you and your readers have any suggestions for a landscaper that can help us improve our backyard space?

P.S. I lean toward pavers because I have never seen a blade of grass out there (I do stare longingly at the yard from time to time even tho I refuse to step foot out there) and he says he thinks that the person who renovated buried some material under the earth back there or something as grass just doesn’t seem to take root and grow.”

I’m also curious how much you think it would cost to have a landscaper set pavers?

Dear PoP – Roof top Garden?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

The warm weather has me thinking an awful lot about planting a vegetable garden. I live in an apartment with a rooftop deck and am thinking of trying a container garden. I’m wondering if your readers have any advice on where to get supplies. What plants grow well on a roof in DC? Any suggestions for tomato plants that won’t grow wildly out of hand? When’s the best time to start something like this?

Any advice would be helpful. My dad grew tomato plants in the yard when I a kid, but I have no idea what I’m doing now.”

Any roofdeck gardeners out there?

Gigantic Community Garden – Glover Park

By Prince Of Petworth

This is most definitely the most gigantic community garden I’ve come across on my walks. It’s located at 42nd Street and Edmund. It’s the Glover Park Community Garden.

I’m not sure the pictures quite do justice to just how large the area is (right off Glover Park).

Dear PoP – Urban Gardening Center Coming to Mt. Pleasant

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville Flickr pool user jamietre.

“Dear PoP,

Saw this ad on craigslist.

Urban Sustainable, a new urban gardening retail store opening soon in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, is looking for some part-time help.

Qualified applicants will possess the knowledge of:

Outdoor/Indoor Gardening, Hydroponics, HID Lighting, Nutrients, Composting, Reverse Osmosis, Ventilation Systems, etc.”

Always nice to hear about new retail coming to Mt. Pleasant! Has anyone else heard about this store? I assume it’ll be on Mt. Pleasant Street, yeah? I’ll post more details as they become available. I’m intrigued by the hydroponics…

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