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Anacostia Watershed – A Corporate Commitment

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Day of Service for Akridge attracted 65 employees to show up and do their part for the Anacostia Watershed. All departments were represented.

The Anacostia River used to have another name – “Eastern Branch of the Potomac River”. The name “Anacostia” evolved from a tribe of Native Americans who settled along the river. These Native Americans were called the Anacostan or Necostan Indians. This River was their home.

The Anacostia Watershed encompasses approximately 176 square miles in Montgomery, Prince Georges Counties and parts of Washington, D.C. The Anacostia River has been polluted from development, inadequate infrastructure and more. Joint efforts between government agencies, local businesses, and private organizations are working to clean up the River.

For the second year, Akridge committed to a Day of Service along the banks of the Watershed. Over sixty eager employees, including Chairman John Akridge, showed up to make a difference.

Chairman John Akridge taking part in the Day of Service surrounded by his employees. The commitment to be GOOD Stewards of the Land is taken seriously at Akridge.

Everyone eagerly listened as the team from the Anacostia Watershed spoke. They shared a map depicting the Watershed and the improvements made to date. While there is more to do, the results are impressive.

The Staff showed the group a map depicting the size of the Anacostia Watershed.

Instructions were given so everyone was clear about what needed to be cut and removed.

Andre wanted to be sure about the native plants he was seeking for his home garden. He did not want invasives. The staff members were more than helpful.
Before leaving the site, Andre discovered fleabane. Native plants can certainly become addictive.
Nicolas was amazed at finding an Asclepius pod bursting with seeds. Oh, the Monarchs will be happy next year!

It was now a meadow with native plants sporadically blooming and beautiful. Everyone was eager to get started. The need to make a difference was real. I think we might have encouraged a few employees to embrace nature.

Craig was finding some of the tools a little worse for wear…but he made do with what was available. Donations are needed!

Utilizing the tools provided by the watershed, everyone got to work. Using machete’s, pruners, field rakes and more, the enthusiasm was amazing. Trees, vines, and shrubs were chopped, dug up and piled quite high. The piles of debris were moved closer to the banks. Trash was picked up from the parking lot to the field.

Raking, cutting, and lifting of debris was the work of the day! All the employees on-site worked up a sweat on a beautiful day in October.

Before the Day of Service was completed, the Akridge employees gathered for lunch. Experiences of outdoor adventures, including bird watching, on and off the river were shared. A certain level of bonding took place.

Mike looking for any birds that might be keeping him company on this Day of Service.

This Day of Service at the Anacostia Watershed went smoothly. Committing to keeping the environment along the Watershed clean was enjoyed by all. What a wonderful way to give back to the community.

How do you help keep the local environment clean? What is your personal commitment to volunteer for clean up efforts within your community? Share your comments by responding directly to this blog post.

To find out more about the Anacostia Watershed, click here. To find out about the history of the Anacostia River click here.

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Perennial Presence In The Garden

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A perennial presence in my garden is ever-present.

Perennial presence makes a difference in gardens everywhere. Perennials are my favorite type of plant. In most gardens, perennials are the tie that brings yearly beauty to the garden from season to season. The gardener plants a perennial for a reason. Positioning a perennial in a garden serves as a place keeper. A perennial plant will most likely return yearly with optimum care. Perennials are always growing and putting down roots.

On Monday, August 5, 2019, I lost a perennial in my literary world of familiar authors. Toni Morrison was the perennial that encouraged me to write. I counted on her words to know that it was okay to write in my own way. I wrote about how losing this perennial in my literary world has encouraged me to continue to write.

PERENNIAL HABITS

All my life, I have been a book worm. As an adult, I continued to read with passion. As my seedlings grew into womanhood I read. In the midst of a divorce, I found time to read. I found time to write. In midlife, I decided to write words that I did not see coming from someone who looked like me. Toni Morrison was an author who I admired and looked like me. I admired how she executed the written word on topics of interest to me.

Gardening has always been of interest to me. It has been difficult to find books on gardening written by someone who looked like me. I really have not found many authors of color who write about the beauty of the garden from our perspective. There are books, talks, blogs, and ebooks at the moment that communicate about food in urban environments and community gardens. Books on urban farming are easy to find these days. African Americans authors can write about urban farming from necessity and experience. I say a huge THANK YOU to each of these authors inspired to share this perspective in our voice.

As an African American, we must share the beauty of seeing gardens as a thing of beauty to be enjoyed. We are capable of designing them, tending them and embracing them as they grace the spaces we dwell in. We appreciate the beauty found in the garden just like everyone else. Thoughts on the intoxicating fragrance of a Lilly lingers in our minds and invokes a smile on our lips. Recognizing or how an evergreen changed our perspective on their significance in the seasonal landscape, makes a difference. In a world where we acknowledge connecting with our familiar, we can inspire a new generation of gardeners. A generation of garden communicators that look like us. Our words – written or read – can make a difference in a way our ancestors never could.

Why not share our words? As we travel and see great gardens of the world -be they famous or private – let’s share our perennial perspective. We realize beauty feeds our minds, lift our spirits and inspire us to enhance the beauty that surrounds.

PERENNIAL SUPPORT

I have to say a huge Thank you to Gardencomm and the Garden Bloggers Fling. These perennial entities have helped me share my voice as I enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. They encourage everyone to communicate about the horticulture and sharing your unique voice in all forms of communication.

Chicago gardens were a great example of how important a perennial presence is in the garden.

Gardencomm has a yearly meeting that connects garden communicators with leaders in the horticultural world. Part of the conference experience is exploring beautiful spaces. In 2018 the conference was in Chicago. What a memorable experience that was. Our visit to Lurie Gardens, private landscapes, and the private tour of the Ball Headquarters were inspirational. I had time to explore the Chicago Art Museum where I found a landscaped courtyard. This curated courtyard created a private room enjoyed by all museum attendees. This year the conference is in Salt Lake City, Utah. Every year this conference inspires me to see more of the world in different settings with like-minded people. If you are interested in gardens, this is a conference you might want to attend. Gardencomm welcomes garden communicators from all walks of life to join and actively participate.

Denver shared diversity in nature, promoted camaraderie within the group and created memories along the way.

The Garden Bloggers Fling is the community that cultivates connecting and developing friendships with others that blog about gardening. Every year we get together and explore someplace different. In June, June we explored Denver, Co and what a terrific time we had. The stunning mountain views, the Tea House and a day at the Denver Botanic Gardens are in my dreams. Even the rainbow – all worth their weight in horticultural gold. Each Blogger had a different perspective on what we found beautiful and we continue to share. Next year we will be in Madison, Wisconsin.

A perennial presence in the form of organizations like Gardencomm and The Garden Bloggers Fling are planted in fertile soil. Fertile soil created by positive members. The unique opportunities offered are a bonus, like a second crop. Exploring places I typically would not consider as a gardening destination has broadened my perspective on gardening. I get excited about the possibilities of connecting with old friends, making new industry connections, and seeing someplace new. As in the garden, I value my relationship with both of these organizations every year.

Actively involved with both, it would be quite refreshing to see more people that look like me. If we consider our stories unimportant, we suppress our unique voice. We truly have something to say. Where are we? With our knowledge, where are our voices? Why are we not showing up and communicating our experience?

PERENNIAL VOICES ENCOURAGE DEEP ROOTS

There are quite a few African American’s who will never grow their own food. Urban farming is not going to be a hobby they ever intend on embracing. These same folks can tell you about a flower that Grandma grew or the Gardenia scent of Aunt Ethel. We can even share the beauty of the amazing blue hydrangeas that graced the house in South Carolina. I want to share a big “Thank You” to Aunt Parthenia and Uncle James for those trips. The Hunter ancestors gardened with a passion. A week down South in the summer is a part of my life landscape. The mental memories of experiences with meaning. Perennial experiences unimagined at the time. These perennial memories make me smile. You know what I am talking about, right?? Why are we not sharing these stories?

I now know this is Hydrangea Macrophylla…as a child it was simply the pretty blue plant.

I challenge other’s to step forward and write about the beauty that surrounds us. In this instance race, age or station in life does not matter. What matters is the legacy that we can leave the generations that will follow us. Let’s be the perennial influence in the minds of future generations.

A PERENNIAL PRACTICE

I am about to embark on a journey to see gardens and all things beautiful. For the past ten years, I have traveled to Europe to see gardens and mentally reset my soul. Many African American travelers do not seek the beauty of gardens in their travels. I have read about the beaches, the Islands, skiing and more. I rarely read about the flora of the places visited by my community. This saddens me.

I will heed my own advice and be a perennial presence in the world of garden writing. I will write to encourage others to notice the natural beauty that surrounds us. Writing in my unique way, in my own voice, I will share.

I can always appreciate a perennial presence in a garden…no matter where I am…even in France.

Beautiful gardens touch my soul and I weep. Weeping for missed opportunities. I know someone has walked a similar path. Someone missed the beauty along the way. I am obligated to share. Perhaps the next person, will savor the moment and embrace the opportunity.

The important thing is that I will share, in my own unique voice.

Noticing seasonal changes,

Teri – Cottage In The Court

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Gifts – When The Garden Says Thank You

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Gifts…we Love them…but do we say Thank You?

Gifts are to be received with joy. Usually gifts are given out of love and appreciation. Given with minimal expectations, except for one or two. The giver would like for the recipient to use the gift. The other expectation should go unsaid, if you have manners, a Thank You is in order and appropriate. What does this have to do with the garden?

OUR WORDS AS GIFTS

As a Garden Communicator, we are often asked to review various items. It can be a plant, a book or other just about anything pertaining to the garden. Last year, I was asked to sample a Vinca called Plug and Play Combo Seaside Delight. These sample gifts came from PanAmerican Seed. First of all – Thank you Pan American Seed!! The name was certainly appropriate. I planted it in my front garden and YES IT SHOWED OFF! Seriously- I plugged it in and it played well with my other plants. Of course, I neglected to take photos. 

Gifts can sometimes be more than anticipated- in a good way. Wandering through my garden, I noticed a distinctive leaf. Much to my surprise, I found Plug and Play babies. This annual Vinca seems to have forgotten that this is Zone 6B.

Plug and Play Vinca self seeding in Zone 6B

These are the special gifts from last years garden – Plug and Play Vinca seedlings. Who would have guessed this?

I couldn’t wait to see these babies grow and bloom. I am heeding the advice of one of my trusted GardenComm mentors and sharing. As Garden Communicators, it is our unique and trusted voice that connects vendors with the consumer. Vendors share an ask or a gift of something to be trialed. When we share our thoughts, our audiences listen. 

Seaside Plug and Play finally is in bloom in the midst of the dry weather.. Thank You!!

This past weekend Plug and Play bloomed. In spite of the dryness we are experiencing, without fertilizer, and unanticipated neglect. Joy and hope, special gifts from a few trial plants, courtesy of Pan American Seed. Did I say THANK YOU ??

CONFERENCE ETIQUETTE

If you go to a conference or trade show and you are given a sample, asked to trial an item or to give a review,  remember an honest response is worth a thousand words. Are you practicing good manners and sharing? Are you saying Thank you after being given a gift? 

When you plant your garden in the Spring, what if the results were not fruitful after toiling all season?? Share the love and respond accordingly. 

Mixing up some fish emulsion to keep this growing and blooming til the weather changes…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about Gardencomm, click here

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Pot Culture

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TPIE shared ideas of a different type of pot culture. Using simple houseplants to calm the eye in a semi shade garden is an unexpected pleasure.

Pot culture is a great way to embrace seasonal color up close and personal. The possibilities depend on the look that you want to achieve. Summer offers tropical options that we might not think about. In January I had the opportunity to attend TPIE -The Tropical Plant International Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When I left Maryland I had just shoveled the snow from my walkway. My flight could not have been at a better time. I was not sure what to expect in Florida in January. I knew I wanted to expand my familiarity with using tropical plants. TPIE was just the place to explore creative pot culture.

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A strawberry pot used for assorted succulents and topped off with a fern. Easy care display of pot culture.

What is considered a tropical plant in the DMV is what is in the landscape in Florida. I found it amazing to see a bed of begonias as a ground cover in the exterior landscape. Basic plantings like snake plants surrounded by impatiens can inspire any inner gardener. Perhaps not in the ground but what a statement in a pot. Height, structure with a soft skirt in the semi-shade garden…who would have thought about this?? Take those houseplants outside and give them a taste of the tropics. Pot culture has endless possibilities.

Anthuriums and Bromeliads…what a colorful combination. Perfect for a protected spot by a doorway or as a corner accent.

There were combinations of succulents with orchids as a mixed planting. Succulents in varying heights, natural color combinations as well as tropicals hung high to draw the eye up as well as around. A pitcher plant in a hanging basket, instead of a trailing petunia – exotic vs. traditional. Succulents planted on the bottom and sides of moss covered baskets – hanging or tilted on the ground are unique. One such succulent that would drape is the donkey tail cacti.

Pitcher plants are an eclectic option for a hanging basket that is bound to evoke a conversation or two.

Consider the container as well. There are so many creative options to contain beauty. From paint cans, tires, broken pots, rotted bottom wheelbarrows, chairs, and more. A rectangular planter hanging at eye level with an assortment of bodacious tropicals adds interest to any setting.

Eclectic, creative containers add interest to the most basic plantings.
Succulents in a trough hanging is always a different option for pot culture.

No place to hang a planter? Pots at assorted heights with textural foliage, assorted blooms or not. Using cinder blocks, assorted wooden blocks or even bricks, assorted height combinations add interest in a basic way.

Bougainvillea is a great plant for trailing or climbing for a long blooming pop of color. Excellent for a statement pot to anchor a sunny spot.

In a sunny corner, a collection of pots can add pop. A lush bougainvillea, sun-loving coleus, a Brugmansia in a pot underplanted with Vinca graced with Dichondra Falls…just a few options for pot culture. Exploring the options for what can be planted in a pot was a lesson well learned at TPIE.

This is a great silver accent plant that trails or adds sprawling interest on the ground. I love it cascading from pots and then gracing the ground…amazing display!

I am glad I took the time to go to TPIE. As I begin to create bodacious planters for my terrace, I am inspired to think out of the box for my unique expression of pot culture. Will you think beyond the usual annuals and perennials and consider personalizing your pot culture?

Considering tropicals for my pots,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Peace In Anne Spencer’s Garden

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Peace is here and in every season
a quiet beauty.

Excerpt from For Jim – Easter Eve by Anne Spencer

Anne Bethel Spencer February 6, 1882 – July 27, 1975) Not just your everyday gardener but an American poet, teacher, civil rights activist, and librarian.

Peace in the garden is quite special. Peace among a group of people is an amazing thing. Who knew that most gardeners are believers in peace, love and happiness. Every time I attend an event pertaining to gardening, I am carrying the spirit of Anne Spencer on my shoulders. It was Anne Spencer who wrote about and found peace in her Virginia garden.

Anne Spencer, an African American Woman, a recognized poet of the Harlem Renaissance, didn’t start school until she was 11 years old, only to become quite the voice of her time. Anne Spencer also had a bodacious garden in Lynchburg, Virginia that was the place to pause or spend the night for many African Americans of note, who traveled but could not stay at certain establishments. The organizer of the Lynchburg NAACP in 1918, Anne was very much aware of what was going on around her but chose to write of peace, love, and happiness.

Heaven’s Virginia when the year’s at its Spring.Anne Spencer

As an African American woman who gardens, I can’t help but wonder how Anne Spencer started gardening. Was it when she sat to write on those pieces of paper, which have been lost over time? Perhaps gardening was a welcome distraction. Finding the mental seeds to create a literary garden in her mind, ready to plant on paper. Was it to get outside, allowing nature to help her curate a personal place of peace? I will never know the true answer to the question of why Anne Spencer gardened. I do understand why her garden is just a meaningful as her words ad more important than ever.

Peace in the garden is often a sacred thought. When I immerse myself in the garden, I find the words that often escape me when inside. The evening air gently gliding over my shoulders, the stars illuminating my keyboard..the words come as I am surrounded by peace. Imagining Anne Spencer with her slips of paper, pencil in hand, the moon guiding her words as she sits in her garden writing thoughts of peace, love, and happiness.

Edankraal, built by Anne Spencer’s husband, Edward. The name combines both their names as well as the word “kraal”, the Afrikaans word for enclosure or corral.

I must visit Anne Spencer’s Garden. Paying homage to this African American woman who was more than a poet, she was a gardener. Thank you to the Spencer family for finding partners to help preserve such an important structure and garden. Anne Spencer’s garden lives on in her memory.

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