In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we chat with Kaitlin Calogera, a licensed tour guide and author about the women behind many of Washington, DC's public gardens. The plant profile is on Calendula and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Self-Sowing Plants by Dr. Allan Armitage. If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to: ~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 96: Women in Horticulture http ..read more

Loofah Plant Profile Loofah (Luffa sp.) is a gourd that is dried and used to make a sponge. It is an annual vine that is part of the cucumber and squash family. It is hardy from USDA Zones 7 to 13. There are two main kinds of Loofah -- the Luffa aegyptiaca also known as the angled luffa, ridged luffa, Chinese okra, or vegetable gourd, and the Luffa acutangular or L. cyclindrica also known as the smooth luffa, Egyptian luffa, dishrag gourd, or gourd loofa.  Plant them from seed in late spring in a full sun location with good draining soil that is amended with comp ..read more

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." - Emily Bront ..read more

For our November 2023 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away The Garden Journal* by Linda Vater ($30.00 prize value) from Cool Springs Press.    Compiled by gardener, author, and QVC host Linda Vater, The Garden Journal is an essential record-keeping tool for every gardener, no matter what you grow. From daily happenings and garden successes to plant lists, variety names, and seasonal to-dos, you’ll be able to stay organized and keep a carefully curated record of current activities and future tasks. This gorgeous journal acts as a logbook and guide through five years ..read more

GardenDC: The award-winning podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening is taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday week and will be back shortly with new episodes. While there is no new episode today, we recommend you re-listen to a past favorite or catch up on some that you might have missed. We also have the following suggestions of past episodes that we think you will enjoy: ~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 84: Thanksgiving from the Garden https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-84.html ~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 85: Camellias https://washingt ..read more

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest." -  William Blake ..read more

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we chat with Nancy Lawson, author of Wildscape* and The Human Gardener*. The plant profile is on Mock Orange and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Visiting the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum by Christy Page at the Food Gardening Network. If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to: ~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 47: Pollinator Victory Gardens htt ..read more

Ninebark Plant Profile Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a native shrub with beautiful foliage, arching stems, and Spirea-like spring flowers. The common name, Ninebark, refers to the multiple layers of attractively peeling and shredding bark. It is also called Atlantic, Eastern, or Common Ninebark. The West Coast native version is the Pacific or Tall Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus). Ninebark also has an Asian counterpart, Physocarpus amurensis. Ninebark prefers full sun and not to be crowded as powdery mildew can be an issue. It can tolerate periodic wet soils and is adaptable to a wide ..read more

"It was a beautiful, bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it."   – Diana Gabaldon ..read more

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we chat with Carol Reese, retired Extension Horticulture Specialist, about native plant fallacies. The plant profile is on Sweetgum and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Cooking with Pumpkins by Christy Page at the Food Gardening Network. If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to: ~ GardenDC Episode 141: Nature's Best Hopehttps://washingtongardener ..read more