Friday/April 7
Propagation Demonstration: Multiplying the Garden Treasures. Mary Frogale, staff horticulturist, demonstrates how to take a single plant and turn it into many. Use hatchets, pruning knives and garden forks to lift, split, and divide our garden treasures - then take one home and make it in to a treasure. Admission is $15. 9.30-11a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Saturday/April 8
An Organic Approach to Gardening. A healthy, organic garden produces strong plants that are able to withstand adverse conditions. Cindy Brown, organic gardener, shows how to become an environmentally aware gardener and share tips on successful organic practices. Fee: $11. 10-11a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Cherry Blossom Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Duke St. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. Call 703-883-4684.
Mini Greenhouse. The weather’s warming up. Start seeds growing indoors in a mini greenhouse now for a garden outdoors later. Feel the warmth going through a tour in a real greenhouse. $5 per child and class. 10-11 a.m. Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173 to register. Repeats April 6.
Saturday/April 15
Planning, Planting and Harvesting a Herb Garden. Margaret Ritchie, author of “Planning, Planting and Harvesting Your Herb Garden,” shows how to include herbs in the landscape, maintain them and embrace them in the daily routine. Books available for purchase. Fee: $11. 10-11.30 a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Saturday/April 22
Historic Garden Tour of Alexandria. This 73rd annual tour features five privately-owned Old Town homes and gardens, two historic churches and four historic properties. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-329-6935 or visit www.VAGardenweek.org.
Garden Day and Herb Sale. Admire the garden at its prettiest and shop for herbs grown at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St. Admission $4, $2 for children, and included in the Historic Gardens Tour ticket. Visit www.carlylehouse.org or call 703-549-2997.
Sunday/April 23
Garden Days Tea and Tour. Learn about the tea customs of the 19th century while enjoying a special blend of tea and period confections. Seatings at noon and 2 p.m. at Woodlawn, the home of George Washington’s adopted granddaughter, at 9000 Richmond Hwy. $25 includes tea and tour of Woodlawn, $5 additional for tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. Reservations required; Call 703-780-4000, Ext. 33. Repeats April 30.
Gardening Days at Mount Vernon. George Washington’s Estate and Gardens are their most beautiful April 17-May 7. Herbalist Betsey-Ann Golon demonstrates 18th-century gardening techniques; guided landscape tours offered at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. daily. Famous garden and gift sale, featuring heirloom plants, some from Mount Vernon, open daily. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Included in admission of $13, $12 for seniors, $6 for students, with ages 5 and under free. Visit www.mountvernon.org or call 703-780-2000.
Markets
Green Spring Garden Markets: 4603 Green Spring Road, 703-642-5173, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/. Saturdays, April 8, 15, 22 and 29 and May 6 and 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Green Spring has invited a select group of local growers to offer shrubs, native plants and wildflowers, ornamental grasses and unusual perennials and annuals. Friends of Green Spring receive 10 percent off in the Garden Gate Plant Shop located behind the Greenhouse. The Green Spring Master Gardeners will be on hand at each Garden Market with an exhibit highlighting a particular horticultural practice such as shade gardening, composting, containers, etc.
Del Ray Farmers Market: Corner of Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, beginning April 15. The Irish Breakfast Band will play opening day. Contact the market master Pat Miller at pmiller1806@comcast.net or 703-683-2570.
Alexandria Farmers Market: 301 King St., 703-838-5006, http://alexandriava.gov/market/farmersmarket.html. Saturdays, year-round from 5 to 10:30 a.m. at Market Square. Arrive early for the best selection of fresh flowers, baked goods, produce, handmade crafts and artwork.
Mount Vernon Farmers Market: Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farm-mkt.htm. Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon from May to October.