Meeting calendar, 2023–2024

A luncheon celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Bethesda Community Garden Club was held at the Women’s Club of Chevy Chase. More information and photos are here.

Our first regular meeting of the 2^nd half of our 100^th year anniversary features one of the Washington metro area’s most well-known,longtime gardeners, Ms. Kathy Jentz. Kathy publishes the award winning online gardening magazine “Washington Gardener,” hosts a podcast, and has written several gardening books while maintaining a busy schedule as a speaker. Kathy will call out the 12 most noxious weeds and how to battle them. 

Dr. Jafar Vossoughi, a retired professor of bioengineering and a fellow master gardener, is an authority on figs, that ancient tree whose fruits make sumptuous and delicious preserves when cooked. Figs are thought to have been cultivated since 9400-9200BC—even before wheat—and there are references to them in the Bible. Certain varieties will grow in our area.  Dr.Vossoughi will tell us more about this iconic fruit and perhaps increase our appreciation of it.

One of our favorite garden club events, in which we assemble holiday greens arrangements and take them to charities that serve our community. Bring your conditioned greens at 9:30, so that we may begin the workshop promptly at 10.  Those helping with setup may arrive at 9. For lunch, bring a sandwich; club members will provide a salad and dessert. How to condition greens.

Carole Ottesen—a fellow club member, artist, photographer, author, and gardener, to name a few of her many accomplishments—knows a thing or two about native flora. Her subject is “Gardening with Natives,” a gardening practice enthusiastically endorsed by numerous members. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a seasoned native grower share wisdom on this timely way to garden.

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA ZOOM. Mike Bishop is a native Virginian with a lifelong love of the outdoors. He’s a Virginia Master Naturalist and a part time naturalist for the Fairfax County Park Authority as well as a champion for bluebirds and purple martins. His presentation “Bluebirds” will provide information on how we can help these harbingers of happiness flourish.

Non-native, invasive weeds are our nemesis. They seem to be increasing at an alarming rate, especially with the addition to their number of such old timers as English ivy, rose of Sharon, lily of the valley, etc. Corinne Stephens is on it. She’s the Weed Warrior Coordinator for Montgomery County Parks and she’ll identify some of the worst offenders in her presentation along with other useful weed-fighting information.

Dr. Andrew Ristvey, Principal Agent & Extension Specialist for Commercial Horticulture, Wye UM Extension at UMD, knows about pruning. He has a doctorate in horticulture and interests in plant nutrition, irrigation management, sustainable crop production, and green roof systems. If you’ve followed diagrammed pruning instructions but still wondered if you’ve done it right, here’s a chance to learn from an expert.

Note

• If you would like to attend one of our meetings as a nonmember, please contact us through our contact form.