The warm days of gardening are just around the corner, and spring is in sight. Get started with your own digging, planting and growing with these local events this month.
Growing Edibles in Containers
Sunday, March 1, 2-4 p.m.
So you don’t have the space (or the yard) for a garden … no problem! You can still grow sustainable produce in the space that you do have on a balcony, in a windowsill or on a porch. Learn from the Piedmont Environmental Council about soil, drainage, container sizes, plant types and placement. Then come summertime, you’ll have your own bright red tomatoes, fresh herbs and more. // The Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows: 39990 Howsers Branch Drive, Dulles; $20
Greenstreet Gardens Alexandria 2020 Bus Trip
Tuesday, March 3, 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
It’s time to start getting inspired for your garden this year, so hop on a local bus ride and head to the 2020 Philadelphia Flower Show. Exhibits will be on display in almost every square foot of the space, filled with succulents, geraniums, roses and a variety of other international blooms. Check out handcrafted yard art exhibits, make-and-take areas, live butterflies, potting parties and more. Plus, you’ll make your way back to NoVA in a reasonable time frame. // 1721 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria; $80
Home & Garden Show at Fair Oaks Mall
Friday, March 6-Sunday, March 8, various times
Taking on outdoor landscaping and gardening on your own can be a challenge. But no one ever said you have to do it alone! Browse vendors and local service providers at the the Home & Garden Show at Fair Oaks Mall and you might just leave with an even better plan for your spring and summer landscaping. // 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax; free
Plot Against Hunger Spring Garden Kick-off
Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.
The seventh annual Spring Garden Kick-off won’t have you digging and planting in your own garden (not quite yet, anyway), but will have you getting your hands dirty for a good cause. Learn how to start your own garden and help plant sustainable produce for the local garden that provides healthy, fresh produce to families in need. The event will also feature guest speakers, break-out sessions by local experts and hands-on activities. // Arlington Central Library: 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington; free
Basics of Gardening: Rain Gardens, Diseases and Pest Management
Saturday, March 7, 10:15 a.m.
There’s a lot more that goes into gardening than just digging a hole and putting a seed in the ground. Much, much more. Stop by the Haymarket Gainesville Community Library to learn all about rain gardens (which treat stormwater runoff and can help prevent erosion), as well as how to handle plant diseases and local pests that could seek shelter in your garden. Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will be sharing university-based research and personal experiences to help teach you everything to know about gardening in Prince William County. // Haymarket Gainesville Community Library: 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket; free
The Art of Pruning Workshop
Sunday, March 8, 1-3:30 p.m.
Merrifield Garden Center wants to make sure you’re ready for the spring and summer gardening season. Kicking off a busy season is a workshop on pruning. The activity may seem intimidating, especially due to the potential ladder-and-shears combo, but it is a beneficial treatment for a variety of reasons. Learn why and how you should be pruning your trees and shrubs, as well as seasonal timing, effective tools and more. // Merrifield Garden Center: 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax; $25
Why Native Plants? A Lecture by Elisa Meara
Sunday, March 8, 4-5 p.m.
Virginia Master Gardener and trained garden designer Elisa Meara is a local expert on environmentally sound garden practices and design, and she’s ready to share some of that knowledge with curious local residents. Stop by to listen to Meara share her experiences with adapting to different climates while maintaining a garden, and how you can create the healthiest, environmentally friendly garden in Northern Virginia. // GreenFare Organic Cafe: 408 Elden St., Herndon; free
LCMGA 11th Annual Garden Symposium
Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m.
This all-day gardening event sells out every year, so you definitely don’t want to miss your chance to grab tickets! The 2020 symposium will be welcoming Ginger Woolridge, a landscape artist, garden consultant and writer; Ira Wallace, owner of the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange; Sam Droege, wildlife biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; and Dennis Dimick, a retired journalist and photography editor for National Geographic. // Leesburg Community Church: 835 Lee Ave. SW, Leesburg; $72
Scrapbook Garden Journal Workshop
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Dream up all of your gardening goals and ideas at this workshop, where you’ll be able to make a full-size journal with dedicated, personalized sections for your own needs. You might want areas to keep track of your plant growth, or areas with notes on certain types of produce. Whatever it may be, local book artist Bel Mills will help you choose paper, binding and more so you can create the garden notebook you desire. // Green Spring Gardens and Horticultural Center: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria; $74
Garden Talk: Gardening in Climate Change
Friday, March 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
There’s no denying that this has been quite a warm winter aside from a few chilly days in the low 20s. If you’re concerned about climate change and how it’s affecting our area (as well as how it can affect your garden), head to this talk to hear from Virginia’s extension master gardeners. The team will offer plant selections, water management and other sustainable practices, and answer questions about local sustainability. // Green Spring Gardens and Horticultural Center: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria; $10
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