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April 2021 Newsletter


 

Garden Club News


                🌹Everything Roses🌹  A Virtual Discussion  April 11  2-3:00 PM

A "rose by any other name may smell as sweet" but there are a bewildering number of types and species to choose from. During this virtual discussion, guests will learn about some of the most common types of roses and their attributes. Rose care and pruning will also be covered.  Horticulturalist Carol Allen leads this informative and entertaining program. She has more than thirty years of experience in the horticultural industry with special interests in landscape design and native plants. She has led a wide range of horticultural discussions at area colleges and enjoys helping people understand how to care for their plants.                      Register here

 Back by Popular Demand

The Sandy Spring Museum Garden Club

Drive-Thru Plant Sale

Saturday May 15

If you have perennials that need thinning out, consider donating them to the plant sale. We would like 5 or more of the same type of plant. They need to be planted in sanitized pots.

If you need pots, send an email to: gardenclub@sandyspringmuseum.org.

This is how to sanitize pots: Prepare three large buckets: 1 - water with a little liquid soap; 2 - 9 parts water to 1 part mild, unscented bleach; 3 - clean water. Scrub pots in the bucket with soap and water. A brush and sponge are helpful. Rinse pots in water, then soak in the bleach solution for 10-15 minutes. Wear long rubber gloves with cuffs to avoid getting bleach on your clothes. Remove pots and place them in the clean water to rinse them. If you have terra cotta pots, submerge them in a container of clean water and soak for 10 minutes to remove the bleach from the pores of the material. Spread pots on an old sheet to air-dry, preferably in the sun. The pots should be completely dry before adding soil and plants. It may take a day or two, depending on the weather.

Spring Ephemerals

The Garden Club's March program was presented by Carol Allen. It is now on YouTube. Enjoy the beautiful photos of all the glorious flowers that bloom in the woods and can be naturalized to our wooded gardens.

                                          Garden Tour of Spring Bulbs

" Blossom by blossom the Spring begins"  Algeron Charles Swinson

                                        Here are some local places to see Spring color in our area:

Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Burnside Gardens, Nokesville, Virginia-pick your own

Marriot Woodward Park, Washington, D.C.




The Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Garden 
is having a Spring Flower Display
















Flower Mart at Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore


Historic Garden Week in Virginia
                                                                    April 17-22

The Historic Takoma Park House and Garden Tour
                                                        has been set for May 2

The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage will resume next year.


Bee Hotels
Our native bees will be looking for a place to build their nests. Building and managing bee hotels for wild bees is a great resource on our local bees. Kids will enjoy gathering bundles of cut pieces of bamboo, paper straws and hollow stems to glue into a container for your homemade bee hotel.
 



 April Garden Chores
  • Cut back vines that are growing where you don't want them,
  • Cut back ornamental grasses, including liriope.
  • Start weeding!
  • Topdress with compost and/or mulch.
  • Divide, move and transplant perennials and shrubs.


What's Blooming in Your Garden?

Snowdrops


Hellebore
Forsythia

Daffodils and Siberian Squill

Crocuses





Gardening Programs Online
Beautiful Bluebirds of Maryland is an educational program from the Audubon Society of Central Maryland and the Maryland Bluebird Society.
Homestead Gardens presents: Gardening with Kathy -No Fail Container Gardening, April 7th, 7:00-8:00 PM  Sign up here
The US Botanic Gardens has frequent classes, including Spring Container Gardening on Thursday, April 22 at 10:39 AM.



The Garden Club is a body of the Sandy Spring Museum
Learn more about our activities and how to join the Garden Club.
https://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/programs-and-events/garden-club
email:  gardenclub@sandyspringmuseum.org or call 301-774-0022.
Follow us on Facebook
















      












March 2021 Newsletter


  


Garden Club Update

The Steering Committee has been busy planning this year with many exciting programs and events, within Covid restrictions of course.  Please join us for these upcoming virtual programs:



Spring Ephemerals
                                               March 14     2-3:30 PM                                               
Carol Allen, horticulturalist

Those first flowers in the spring are a balm to the winter-weary soul! Guests will have a look at some early spring flowers, both native and non-native. This virtual discussion will include supporting early pollinators and how to create an early spring blooming tapestry.
   
 Horticulturalist Carol Allen leads this informative and entertaining program. She has more than thirty years of experience in the horticultural industry with special interests in landscape designs and native plants. She has led a wide range of horticultural discussions at area colleges and enjoys helping people understand how to care for their plants.
                                                                  RESERVE YOUR SPOT


Everything Roses
April 11      2-3:30 PM
Carol Allen, horticulturalist

A "rose by any other name may smell as sweet", but there are a bewildering number of types and species to choose from. During this virtual discussion, guests will learn about some of the most common types of roses and their attributes. Rose care and pruning will also be covered. Horticulturalist Carol Allen leads this program.

Reserve Your Spot


Home Remedies to Control Pests in the Yard and Garden

On February 14, Marilyn Kessinger gave a wonderful presentation on pests. She described many solutions to the pest problems we may have in our home, yard and garden, now and in the coming summer months. Here are a few of her suggestions:

To deter mice, use strong scents in areas they may inhabit or enter your home. Cotton balls may be soaked in peppermint, ammonia, cloves, hot pepper, white vinegar or citronella to keep them away.  Commercial products which do not include pesticides include Pestblock and Tomcat, rodent-deterrant expanding foams, and Mouse Magic, a peppermint and spearmint product available in sachets or pellets. Steel wool and crumpled aluminum can also be put into crevices and small holes.


Ants can also be a nuisance in your home. They also don't like strong smells such as cinnamon, essential oils, cayenne, black pepper and citronella. Borax is a safe way to kill a nest of ants. A bait of 1 part borax and 3 parts sugar will attract ants who will in turn carry the borax back to the nest. Other recipes for this concoction include:1 tsp borax/1/2 cup honey, 1 tsp peanut butter/2 tsp borax/2 T honey.
A spray made with 1-20 drops of peppermint in a cup of water would make a good repellent and chalk and diatomaceous earth are great barriers to ants. Why not plant mint near the house foundation to deter ants?

Fruit flies that are attracted to mature fruit and vegetables can be a nuisance any time of year. Since they are attracted to vinegar, make a trap of vinegar, with a few drops of liquid soap added, in a small dish or jar lid, cover it with plastic wrap and prick a few  holes in it. The flies go in and can't get out. Or leave out an almost empty opened wine bottle to capture the party-goers.
White flies, fungus gnats, scale and spider mites can be a real problem with houseplants. Safer brand houseplant sticker stakes will attract and kill flying insects. The larvae can be eliminated with a drench made from 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide and 4 parts water. Natural plant derivatives neem and pyrethrin are available in stores. To make a homemade insecticidal soap simply add a few drops of vegetable oil and liquid soap to a spray bottle with one cup warm water.

Dust mites can best be controlled by frequent vacuuming and using zippered pillow covers. Sprays with aromatics such as lavender, clove, eucalyptus , peppermint and rosemary are also useful.


BTI is a biological control for mosquito larvae. Mosquito dunks placed in water barrels, ponds and water features or broken up and sprinkled into the saucer under your outdoor plants and downspout extensions will help to stop the life cycle of these pests. Commercial sprays may kill pollinator bees, beneficial insects and our darling lightening bugs.

Ticks are also offended by certain smells and plants including flea bane daisy, lemongrass, garlic lavender, cedar, rose geranium, rosemary, mint, chrysanthemum, wormwood and marigolds.


And because mice are the major carrier of ticks, make some tick tubes by placing lint or cotton balls soaked in pyrethrin inside empty toilet paper tubes and place in areas around your yard and near brush piles. 



Slugs like to party in beer, leading to their demise. You could also spray them directly with white vinegar, dust the ground with diatomaceous earth, or use slug controls with nemotodes or iron phosphates. To keep slugs out of pots, try putting copper flashing or pennies all around the sides of the pot. The slugs will get a shock! Plants they don't like are garlic, fennel, rosemary, rue, anise and wormwood. 

You can watch the full video HERE.


Garden Travel at Cherry Blossom Time

The Tidal Basin is well known for it's cherry blossoms. The virtual  National Cherry Blossom Festival is March 20-April 11, 2021. There are other, less crowded places to see cherry blossoms as well and since being outdoors is a sensible way to be socially distant, perhaps a little garden travel is in order.

National Arboretum

 

                                                                        Dumbarton Oaks

                                                         Druid Hill Park, Baltimore

                                                  Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Epsworth United Methodist Church, Gaithersburg


                                                                 Fairmount Park, Philadelphia


                                                      Pagoda at Patterson Park, Baltimore



                                                    


House Plants 

Kathy R's African violets...

Mini Cyclamen

Euphorbia Lactea Cristata Coral Cactus


Marge's primrose
                                                               
Jan's Curry plant, Dracaenas and oxalis (purple shamrock)

Houseplants add the greenery we miss outdoors this time of year. Be sure not to overwater, but mist occasionally, and use a light to extend the daylight. 



March Garden Chores
  • Clean up - get an early start by cleaning the yard and garden beds, cutting back grasses and ratty-looking foliage of perennials. Stems left over winter may have nesting bees, so leave the stalks or lay the trimmings on the ground.
  • Mulch to prevent new weeds and hold the moisture.
  • Create places to step as the garden will be extremely wet.
  • Seed the bald spots and fertilize your lawn, but not at the same time.
  • Prune summer blooming shrubs.
  • Plant potatoes, onion sets, peas, beets and kale.
Through the snow, life emerges.
Say hello snowdrops!



The Garden Club is a body of the Sandy Spring Museum
Learn more about our activities and how to join the Garden Club.
https://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/programs-and-events/garden-club
email:  gardenclub@sandyspringmuseum.org or call 301-774-0022.
Follow us on Facebook



































February 2021 Newsletter





Garden Club News

The Steering Committee of the Garden Club began the New Year with new officers and committee members.  Our new co-presidents are Marge Combs and Kathy Ramienski.  If you are interested in joining a committee, being a future officer or just wondering how to get more involved consider becoming an at large member of our Steering Committee.  Send us an email to gardenclub@sandyspringmuseum.org and we will get back to you.

           

                         Sign up now for the February Online Program

                               

HOME REMEDIES TO CONTROL PESTS IN OUR HOME AND GARDEN

February 14 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

 Free

Everyone, at one time or another, has had uninvited guests invade their home or garden: mice, flies, ants, and slugs are just a few of these pests that are so frustrating to discover and they can quickly proliferate if not controlled. Marilyn Kessinger, a Garden Club member, homeowner, and pet owner will share some of the effective ways she has learned to naturally discourage these nuisances. You will discover tips and techniques to use in your own home or yard to successfully discourage these annoying pests!   

                            Register HERE                   


Sandy Spring Garden Club Spring Programs

Join us as we welcome Spring!


Mark your calendars now for these two wonderful and enlightening Spring Programs. Yes, we are still presenting on Zoom!

March 14, 2021

Zoom Program - 2:00 PM

Spring Ephemerals, presented by Horticulturalist Carol Allen

Those first flowers in the spring are a balm to the winter-weary soul!  We will look at some common early spring flowers both native and non-native.  Their role in supporting early pollinators will be discussed and also how to create and maintain an early spring blooming tapestry.


April 11, 2021

Zoom Program - 2:00 PM

Roses, presented by Horticulturalist Carol Allen

A "rose by any other name may smell as sweet", but there are a bewildering number of types and species to choose from. We will look at some of the common types and their attributes.  Rose care and pruning will also be discussed.



Ordering Seeds for this Summer

In the Garden Club Mary wears many hats, including overseeing the growing of seedlings that are sold at the Strawberry Festival. She selects seeds and manages the plantings at a local high school greenhouse. 

In recent years she has been ordering seeds from Seeds 'n Such, and Pinetree Super Seeds. She sometimes also orders from  Jung Seeds, Park Seeds, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

Pinetree has varieties that are harder to find, like Zucchette Rampicate, a prolific, sprawling zucchini that is less susceptible to the squash borer.  Johnny's has a wonderful selection of seeds.  Baker Creek and Southern Exposure have nice heirloom seeds.

The new seeds Mary is most interested in acquiring this year are: Zinnia profusion 'Red Yellow Bicolor', 'Autumn Frost' hybrid squash, 'Snak Hero' peas, 'Green light' cucumber and 'Echalion Creme Brulee' shallots.  They are All American  Selection winners for 2021.

Mary suggests getting together with other gardening friends to place an order, sharing packets of seeds and shipping costs.  With last year's heightened interest in home gardens, it is suggested we place our orders soon.

 

 

'Echalion Creme Brulet' shallots from  

'Red Yellow Bicolor' zinnia from Park Seed

'Green Light" cucumber from Park Seed

'Autumn Frost' hybrid squash from Pinetree Superseeds

'Snak Hero' peas from Seeds 'n Such

 At All American Selections you will find even more ideas for your 2021 gardens, including these beautiful perennial plants:
Celosia Kelos 'Candela Pink'

Leucanthemum 'Sweet Daisy Birdy'

Penstemon 'Arabesque Red'
                
     PennState Extension has also reviewed new perennials and trees and shrubs for 2021.

New England Aster 'Pink Crush'

Redbud 'Flame Thrower"

Helleboro 'Golden Lotus'


Winter Bird-Feeding

The Audubon has a guide for feeding birds in the winter, explaining the right combination of feeder and food to provide a refuge for birds and a stage for watching their colorful antics.

Here is a fun project to make -  a Bird Seed Wreath made in a bundt pan.
 




                The kids will enjoy making this bird feeder from a recycled water bottle and wooden spoons.

            

       
This cute feeder would be your winter guest's "cup of tea".


February Garden Chores

The  UMD Home and Garden Information Center has plenty of February Tips and Tasks for outside garden tasks as well as caring for your indoor plants.  Here are few more ideas:     
      • Trim trees and shrubs while dormant 
      • Build new raised garden beds
      • Check for insect infestation
      • Force forsythia or pussy willow branches
      • Plan your garden, buy your seeds
      • Get your hand tools sharpened.  Here are some local places:

                Christopher's Hardware                         Ron Berman's Sharpening   
                        500 Olney-Sandy Spring Road             4000 Shallow Brook Lane, Olney, MD                                                                                                                           301-570-1300                        
                                                                                       301-648-4615
                                                                                       ronbermanshears@comcast.net
                                                                                       ronbermansharpening.weebly.com


As we huddle indoors this winter, it is great to see that the US Botanic Garden has videos of the gardens in summer and inside the arboretum. There are also online events such as cooking demonstrations and yoga classes. 





The beauty of Winter...


the promise of Spring.


The Garden Club is a body of the Sandy Spring Museum
Learn more about our activities and how to join the Garden Club.
https://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/programs-and-events/garden-club
email:  gardenclub@sandyspringmuseum.org or call 301-774-0022.
Follow us on Facebook



















































































































































































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