Welcome to Cottage in the Court

#allaboutthegardenlife

Anacostia Watershed – A Corporate Commitment

By Leave a Comment

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.

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Autumn Bliss in Delaware Gardens

By Leave a Comment

Autumn beauty at the Delaware Botanic Garden…a long-awaited visit to the latest botanic garden on the East Coast.

Autumn is a season I look forward to every year. The heat of this summer made me realize that some features of my garden need to be reconfigured. Autumn tells a special garden story. The success or failure of certain plants becomes quite visible. The gardens I recently visited in Delaware were inspirational and instilled a sense of hope for next year’s garden.

Members and friends of GardenComm – Region II recently ventured to Delaware and explored several select gardens. John Boggan, Region II member, curated a day in Delaware featuring various gardens for a taste of autumn near the shore. It was a beautiful day to escape and enjoy gardens anywhere. I missed the first garden filled with annuals and tropicals in a planned golf course community. The second stop of the day at the Delaware Botanic Garden at Pepper Creek is where I met the group.

AUTUMN AT DBG

The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek have been the talk of the horticultural community. Located in Dagsboro, Delaware, the latest Botanic garden on the East coast offers five different garden rooms to inspire all who visit.

Raymond J. Sander, President of DBG Board of Directors welcomed us and answered as many inquiries as possible about the beginnings of the garden as well as the mission.

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek is to create a world-class, inspirational, educational public garden in southern Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all. One can only envision the future of this garden and the effect it will have on the landscapes of the future.

THE GARDEN ROOMS

Brian Trader was our official tour guide as we wandered about the property and embracing autumnal bliss.

Brian Trader escorted our group through the five gardens found at the Delaware Botanic Gardens. The Meadow Garden is a design of Piet Oudolf. He is known for his highly acclaimed naturalistic landscapes around the world. What an honor to visit this special place. This garden is beautiful in every season. Planted with 85% native and pollinator plants, the colors in autumn are just magnificent. A ribbon of soft-toned grasses and perennials danced in the middle of the field.

Autumn ribbons of color grace the landscape at the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek.

We visited the Inland Garden which featured plantings that mimicked how the landscape would have appeared many years ago. Karen Steenhoudt explained to us the significance of an Inland garden. We were invited to visit often and see how it continues to evolve.

Signage helped us identify the different areas like the Inland Dune garden.
The Learning Garden, sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is considered an outdoor classroom. This compliments the Inland Dune garden and has a freshwater pond as well. The perfect demonstration of what the landscape would have looked like over 30,000 years ago.
When visiting the Learning Garden, guests will see nature up close and at the water’s edge so to speak.
The Folly Garden offered a sense of whimsy. A wrought-iron gate was left standing where it was used as an entrance years ago. The homestead is long gone. Bricks found on the property lined the walkways.
A crevice garden is also found in the folly Garden. Even in autumn, crevice gardens intrigue and excite me.

The Woodland Edge Garden featured a branch border. Branches from the trees along the way are used to define the pathways. There were benches along the way for pausing and just enjoying the view.

The views of Pepper Creek leaves visitors wanting to return. Membership, as well as donations, are needed to keep this vision alive. Funding will allow development to continue.

The Woodland Gardens offered the familiar sounds of nature. From the whisper of the wind to the chirping of the birds…serenity was all around us. Oversized manmade nests were tucked among the trees. Educational whimsy created smiles in our group. Imagine 12 acres in its native state. With vernal pools edged with ferns, tall native coastal trees and more. There is a lot to envision and explore.

One of the coolest things was the nest. It was HUGE!! The entire group gathered inside one for a photo. As the twigs breakdown and return to the soil, one could consider this a living earth science space to discover life in the garden. It was amazing!!!
Dotted along the woodland paths, these nests created a stirring in my heart. I could imagine incorporating a small scale nest in my garden. Public gardens are meant to intrigue and inspire!!!

REVISITING NEXT SEASON

This was just the start of a wonderful day in Delaware. Exploring new gardens for inspiration in autumn is refreshing. I highly suggest visiting the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek in any season. Embracing nature and imagining the possibilities of what this site will become is quite intriguing. One of the latest Public Gardens that will educate and inspire all who visit.

Find out more information about the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek by clicking here

Wondering how Piet Odoulf has designed and touched the world of horticulture and landscapes around the world, click here

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Paw Paws and Edible Landscaping

By Leave a Comment

Paw Paws and edible landscaping are quite popular. Paw Paws are also known as Asimina triloba, a small deciduous tree native to the eastern U.S. and Canada. They produce a large, yellowish-green to brown fruit. The fruit tastes amazing!!

Paws Paws and the book Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist is a necessity for gardeners everywhere. It is a good thing that I have no room (at the moment) to grow Paw Paw trees. I do have room to practice other things that Michael Judd writes about in this informative book.

WHO IS THIS MICHAEL JUDD?

Michael Judd is a 20+ year practitioner of the art of permaculture and ecological design. His projects demonstrate how we can include diversity in our landscapes naturally. Michael is the founder of Ecologia, Edible & Ecological Landscape Design and Project Bona Fide. This project is an international non-profit that supports agro-ecology research. Michael has brought attention to food security across the world.

Originally from the lower part of Appalachia, Michael grew up just outside of Washington, DC. Everyone had backyard gardens and native trees could be found in the wild. At 23 years of age and a bit of traveling, Michael realized his calling to teach permaculture far and wide. This man knows his stuff!

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING WITH A PERMACULTURE TWIST

Need guidance for creatively enhancing your landscape? Considering adding a bit of food to the garden? What about using your garden debris to enhance the existing soil? This IS the book for you. From start to finish, Michael manages to engage the reader and provide basic instruction for the DIY person.

The Chapter on Rainwater harvesting, Swales and Rain Gardens is very important. With the lack of rain, yellowing plants, and high water bills, we need these garden must-haves NOW. Other chapters include topics like Food Forests, Earthen Ovens, Fungi and more.

The Herb Spiral is aesthetically pleasing and is a great way to enhance the garden year-round.

One of my favorite chapters was the one on Herb Spiral, The Ultimate raised bed. This will be my first project from this book and I can’t wait! The benefits of creating a Herb Spiral are many. It is a space saver, easy to water, raised planting bed of sorts. Herb spirals create a micro-climate for growing and lessens the need to bend over.

As I am aging, the Herb spiral is an ideal idea for these reasons and more. Did you know you do NOT need a dedicated place in the garden for an herb spiral? You can build this on a patio or any solid surface. With some granite blocks, cardboard, and soil/compost mix, a spiral can be built. I dare say there is ALWAYS a creative way to garden. Michael Judd proves this with the Herb Spiral.

The other intriguing chapter features how to build a Hugelkultur. Considered to be mounds of fertility, they just make sense.

Hugelkultur. I bet you can’t say that ten times really fast, but I bet you can follow the easy instruction found in this book.

Hugelkultur benefits will outweigh the comments from your uninformed neighbors. Top-notch water retention, warm soil, and a creative way to build the soil are just a few benefits. Recycling organic matter in place (I LOVE THIS), and bending over less, just imagine!

By imitating the forest floor, a hugelkultur makes use of woody material found in the garden. The retention of moisture allows debris to decay, which feeds the nutrient cycle and any plants that are nearby. This just makes sense right?? The taller the hugelkultur, the better. A one-foot hugelkultur will turn a difficult area into a retreat for your plant material. Some of my plants that did not survive the drought will help start my first hugelkultur. What a great idea for anyone.

For those of us who are beyond the cutting and hauling away stage of life, what a dream project!

ABOUT THOSE PAW PAWS…

Signage the greeted attendees of the PawPaw Festival held at Ecologia in Frederick, Maryland. A perfect setting for Paw Paws and Edible landscaping.

After visiting one of the largest Paw Paw growers in Westminster, Maryland, Michael began growing Paw Paws locally. On September 21, 2019, I attended the Long Creek Annual Paw Paw Festival. I had the opportunity to taste the different cultivars of Paw Paw. One of the first things I took advantage of was sampling Susquehanna, Shenandoah, Alleghany, and Rappahannock Paw Paws. Each cultivar was served in chunks at the entrance to the festival. All of them were different in taste and soothing to the tongue. I cannot remember which one was more appealing to me. I was on a mission to find the Paw Paw ice cream. A little cream, little milk, and some sugar make this ice cream a delicious treat on a hot September day.

Believe me…the Paw Paw ice cream was delicious. I even shared it with my little friend!

There were many vendors at this Paw Paw Festival…

Swallowtail Forest Farm had some fresh-picked tomatoes, peppers, a few cuttings of Elderberry plants, and fresh flowers. He was sold out of Paw Paw seedlings.
In a child-friendly environment, the perfect playground had been arranged for the children to play safely and freely. This just warmed my heart.
Between tours of the site, Michael Judd donning sharp glasses and a distinctive hat. He answered questions on paw paws and edible landscaping.

I tasted two types of pureed paw paw with maple syrup on bread cooked in an on-site earthen oven. Instructions to build an earthen oven can be found in Michael Judd’s book. There was also a gourmet sampler from Acornucopia & Sylvan Canopy. I tasted Acorn shortbread, persimmon, roasted chestnuts, cheese, and sorghum. Some of the food was delicious, while others were a bit interesting. I should have tried the pizza as well.

I highly suggest reading this book. Consider Edible Landscaping With A Permaculture Twist, if you love paw paws, or if you want to surprise a gardener. This wonderful human called Michael Judd is sharing and showing us the way to creatively curated edible landscapes!

To find out more about Ecologia, Edible & Ecological Landscape Design, click here

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Marigolds – Summer’s Gold

By Leave a Comment

Marigolds – summer’s gold are simply beautiful in a vase…

Marigolds are Summer’s gold from start to finish for this gardener. From seed to ground to vase, marigolds provide golden nuggets of beauty to the garden all season long. They are one of the easiest additions to the garden. Growing marigolds guarantees a season-long, easy to maintain display of color for the garden border. There are benefits that complement the beauty of this simple flower. As children, my siblings and I helped my Mom plant a border of marigolds right outside the kitchen. The size of the seed makes it easy to plant by little hands. Marigolds bring smiles to gardeners of all ages. Many elderly plant lovers remember it as being a plant from the past.

LET’S TALK ABOUT MARIGOLDS

The most common type of marigold is known as Calendula or Pot Marigold. This is a Latin word meaning clock. Pot marigolds are used in tinctures and edible products. The unexpected color of a Calendula bloom is a welcome surprise in a fresh salad. The sweetness of the leaves is also a welcome gift.

The other marigold commonly found would be the Tagetes type. Tagetes marigolds are named after a religious prophet. This marigold was used in religious ceremonies, as well as offerings to the Virgin Mary. The usually larger blooms are not edible. In some cases, Tagetes can be a skin irritant.

FUN FACTS

Here are a few fun facts:

Marigolds represent a desire for joy and wealth. This everblooming annual promotes good cheer as well as representing the beauty and warmth of the rising sun.

Did you know the marigold is one of the most popular annuals in America today?

W. Atlee Burpee founded the Burpee Seed Company. Financial struggles almost ended this resource for gardeners around the world. David Burpee took over the company and embraced marigolds. Recognizing the history and popularity of this hardy, well-traveled plant, David seized the opportunity to hybridize marigolds. In a way, marigolds (and David) resurrected the Burpee Company.

One bloom, dried and crumbled marigold bloom will allow me to save and share for next year’s garden.

LET’S GROW THIS PLANT

Did I mention how easy marigolds are to grow? You seriously cannot go wrong with seeds. Easy to handle, quick to sprout and a terrific idea for crafting seasonal gifts.

Loosen the existing soil to a depth of 4 – 6 inches. lant each seed between 8 12 inches apart. Smaller blooming varieties or marigolds should be planted close together. Larger blooming varieties like such as the Tagetes are planted further apart. Check the back of the seed packets for optimum planting instructions.

Add a layer of organic material to suppress weeds and to provide a moist environment. Water when the temps are high and if there is a drought. Only use a very diluted fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer for this annual. (If you pay attention to the health of the soil, you will inevitably have healthier plants.) Planting marigolds in rich soil is not a good idea. Fertilizing marigolds will create an abundance of foliage and minimal bloom.

In most gardens neatness counts. To encourage more blooms, deadhead the finished blooms. What is deadheading? Pinching the finished bloom back to the closest set of two leaves and voila – you just became a Deadhead expert. While not really required, the finished blooms can become unsightly, however, it is all a part of the normal garden cycle. Think of it this way, removing and drying the finished blooms can make a great gift from the garden. Consider gifting them for friends or to the local school for next year’s garden program or to community centers for summer programs.

GOT ISSUES?

Notice a bit of speckling on the leaves? Most likely those are mites. One of the few insects that just love marigolds. A quick shot of water or a spray of insecticidal soap will remedy this quickly.

Fungus or moldy leaves showing up? Try to remember to water at the right time of the day – early morning or early evening, allowing the foliage to dry quickly. Excessive sitting water on the leaves or overhead watering of most plants is just a bad idea. Practice proper garden watering. Marigolds can tolerate a ridiculous level of dryness.

MARIGOLD BENEFITS

A bit of yellow, touch of orange marigolds placed in a small vase is sure to bring cheer to any room.

Marigolds are great friends with benefits in the garden. French marigolds can repel nematodes. Nematodes feed off of the roots of garden vegetables like tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and more. Planting marigolds is like having a colorful army protecting the beauty of the garden.

A vase of marigolds will last about a week indoors. What an inexpensive way to have a cluster of cheery yellow, red, or orange at your fingertips. If you really want to remember the blooms of a marigold planting, strip the leaves and hang them upside down for drying. Adding the dried blooms to seasonal wreaths or potpourri are perfect for curing winter blues.

TRUE STORY OF AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

A simple gathering of marigold blooms.

Last month I used marigolds for a few office arrangements. I brought them home at week’s end so I could savor the beauty of local flowers on my table. I hate to see anything not repurposed if there is an opportunity for repurposing.

Time for harvesting finished blooms for next year’s garden.

When it was time to discard this arrangement, my thoughts were on deadheading the withering blooms, dry the seedheads, and save them for my garden next year. That is when I noticed a surprise in the vase.

It seems as though these stems are taking root!

I had never used marigolds as a cut flower before this year. They have always been so inexpensive, I would just grow them in the garden and enjoy them outside. I had no idea they had the ability to root! I am going to pot up the rooted cuttings and see if they will produce a few late-season blooms in my garden. Saving pennies in the garden is always a good thing. I am considering the original bouquet garden gold, as I will have seeds for many seasons to come!

Do you grow marigolds in your garden? There are so many to choose from. Take time to explore some of the great selections of cultivars from reputable seed companies like Burpee. Won’t you try some in your garden?

Heading to the garden to plant my garden gold!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about marigolds click here

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather

Perennial Presence In The Garden

By Leave a Comment

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

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblrmailby feather