To have gardening information, classes and demonstrations happening in Fairfax and Loudoun listed free, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or fax to 703-917-0991 or e-mail maweber@connectionnewspapers.com
Get your questions about gardening problems answered by Master Gardeners at Neighborhood Plant Clinics held throughout the area. Bring plant and insect samples to a neighborhood clinic, and if the Master Gardeners do not have an immediate answer, they will send your samples to their diagnostic labs. You will receive a report within two or three weeks. Call 703-324-8556 for more information. Master Gardeners are on hand at the following locations:
* Burke Farmers Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
* Chantilly Library, Wednesdays, 6:30-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Fairfax Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon
* Falls Church City Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon
* George Mason Library, Wednesdays, 6:30-9 p.m.
* Herndon Farmers Market, Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon
* Meadowlark Gardens, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Mount Vernon Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
* Pohick Library, Mondays, 6:30- 9 p.m.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays, 6:30-9 p.m.
* Reston Library, Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays, 6:30; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Tysons-Pimmit Library, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Vienna Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon
* Virginia Cooperative Extension, Fairfax Office, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Exhuberant Garden: Dramatic Plant Combinations. Staff horticulturist Nancy Olney will lead a tour through Green Spring's luxuriant gardens; bold color combinations, contrasting textures and exciting new plants will be highlighted. Learn how to make dramatic plant combinations in your garden. 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27. $7. Registration and prepayment required. Please call the Green Spring Horticulture Center at 703-642-5173 for more information or to register.
Concert in the Garden. The Fairfax Symphony Youth Band will entertain in the garden. 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17. Free. Registration required. Please call the Green Spring Horticulture Center at 703-642-5173 for more information or to register.
The Presidents' Gardens. Step back in time to the day of Jefferson and Madison. Shop the historic plant area at Monticello and have lunch at Michie Tavern before heading to Madison's home at Montpelier. Fee includes lunch, bus, admission and drivers tip. Registration and non-refundable pre-payment to FCPA required. Call 703-642-5173 to register. All tours depart from Green Spring Gardens. Tour buses, staffed by a GSGP tour guide horticulturist, are equipped with air-conditioning and restroom accomodations.
Green Spring Gardens Park (GSGP) serves Fairfax County residents and visitors by advancing the awareness and practice of gardening. The gardens and educational programs at Green Spring focus on practical landscaping techniques that are appropriate for the Washington metropolitan area. The park includes a horticulture center, demonstration gardens, an 18th century manor house, and a wooded stream valley with ponds. Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk. The Horticulture Center is open Monday through Saturday. The Horticulture Center Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call 703-642-5173.
Fairfax Urban Naturalists (FUN). Be a part of FUN, an ecologically sound colunteer organization, co-sponsored by GSGP and the National Wildlife Federation. As a FUN Habitat Steward you will help others to establish wildlife habitats and to discover the importance of native plants. All FUN volunteers receive 24 hours of free horticulture training. After completing the training, participants will be required to help community organizations develop backyard habitats or school yard gardens. Training dates: July 13, 14, 20, 21. For more information or to become a FUN volunteer, call Cindy Brown at 703-642-5173.