So when are you supposed to take your outdoor plants inside?
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gardening
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“Greetings, PoPpers.
Who manages the distribution of love to the treeboxes and little patches of green on our sidewalks? If you look West of 16th street there are cute railings, grass, and all is generally well manicured. Logan Circle is more of the same. Then there’s Columbia Heights where things are dire.
Does the city maintain these? How are some gorgeous and some are craptastic? If it is the city how do we show the ugly streets of Columbia Heights some much needed horticultural love?”
Anyone know who is in charge of fixing up treeboxes?
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Here’s an odd curbed planter. I appreciate the effort but I’m not sure it’s working. Although it could be a cool piece of art?
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I have to admit that for all the years I’ve lived in and around DC, last year was the first time I’d ever been to the US National Arboretum. Sure, I’d driven by on my way out of town, but frankly, I wasn’t ever quite sure what went on in there, or why I’d want to go until a friend took me to azalea gaze last spring. Since then, I’ve found it’s the perfect place to take the pooch for a walk, sit under a tree and read, or aimlessly meander to clear my head. Unlike many of you, I’m not much of a horticultural buff/gardener, and my front “yard” more closely resembles something you’d see at Sing Sing than something you’d see in an English garden. So I don’t pretend to go and study up on varietals or things of that sort. I go because I can always find a quiet spot, something new to look at and maybe, just maybe some of that gardening stuff might sink in.
While the Azalea Collections are certainly the stars of the show when they’re blooming, I’m apt to say that the tulips, daffodils and crocuses a little earlier in the Spring are my favorites. Going in August though (not the best time of year for catching anything in full bloom) opened my eyes to the idea of the Arboretum as a year-round destination. Fern Valley provided a nice shady walk for the pup and I (beware the rather large frogs that call the stream in Fern Valley home; they scared my dog causing her to slide into the water which caused quite a ruckus among the other critters calling the Valley home). Apologies for the gratuitous photo of my dog. Story continues with lots more photos after the jump. (more…)
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Super cool. Learn how to make your own terrarium. Anyone who volunteers to make me one will gain a friend for life…
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I can’t put my finger on it but this pond really speaks to me.
Thanks to a reader for sending this article on the eco food movement in Oakland from the Wall Street Journal. The article says:
“Yet, amidst the snaking freeways and dilapidated buildings, a bit of green is growing. Since 2001, more than 80 urban farms have been cultivated in the backyards and vacant lots of West Oakland. Produce from zucchini to watermelon is grown for consumption by local residents; goats and chickens are raised on some farms. Last year, more than 10,000 pounds of produce was harvested, according to Oakland’s City Slicker Farms, which is at the epicenter of the neighborhood’s urban-farm push.”
Think anything of this scale would work in DC? (Have we talked about this before or am I losing my mind?)
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A reader has a specific request:
“I’m not sure where else to turn! I moved to the Fort Totten area earlier in the spring and have since discovered what appears to be a community garden near the intersection of 10th and Emerson NE, behind a gas station. I can’t find it on the DC Community Garden website, but would love to get a plot. Do you know of anyone who would have info about it, or other community gardens in the Fort Totten area? There is also an even bigger one near Jarobe Printing at 15 Oglethorpe Street, NW (visible from the metro on the way to Takoma Park) but I can’t find a point of contact for that one, either.”
So if anyone has specific information on those gardens I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated.
But I’m also curious in general how one would go about getting a plot in a community garden throughout the city. Anyone have advice?
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The water ring. Brilliant! How do you think it works? Do you just pour water in the top and it gradually distributes it? Does it seem like it would hold enough water for a tree? Personally I like the old upside down 2 liter soda bottles filled with water. Anyone use that technique?
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When can I buy some of this corn on street corners?