Tag: gardening
Zoning amendment would allow front-yard gardens
A front-yard garden in Annandale. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a zoning change to allow homeowners to have gardens in their front yards. Currently, gardens are only permitted in side and rear yards on lots less than 36,000 square feet. The proposal would allow gardens that are no more than 100 square … Continued
Garden Day and Plant Sale under way at Green Spring
Garden Day at Green Spring Gardens. [Photos by David Siegel] Big crowds turned out for the annual Spring Garden Day and Big Plant Sale today at Green Spring Gardens. It’s going on until 3 p.m. There are more than 40 vendors selling seedlings, shrubs, and garden supplies. There’s also a bake sale and food truck, … Continued
A ‘food forest’ planned to help the needy
A food forest [Greenability] A new nonprofit organization called Food Uniting Neighbors (FUN) is planning community gardens and a “food forest” to provide nutritious, organic fruits and vegetables to community members in need. The group hopes to get its first garden planted this year in raised beds at Peace Lutheran Church on Lincolnia Road, says the … Continued
Native seedling sale under way
Persimmons [NVSWCD] The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual seedling sale started Feb. 1. In keeping with this year’s theme, Incredible Edibles, the sale features native shrubs and trees that provide fruit, berries, and nuts for wildlife, and in some cases, treats for humans. Seedlings can be ordered online by April 2 or … Continued
School news: They’re off to a good start
First-graders hard at work at Wakefield Forest Elementary School. An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Healthy kids – Bailey’s Elementary School and Falls Church High School are among the 11 Northern Virginia schools awarded Healthy Kids … Continued
Green Spring volunteers honored
Volunteers helped renovate the gazebo at Green Spring Gardens. The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has named Green Spring Gardens volunteer Tatiana Lisle the recipient of the 2018 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award and named Friends of Green Spring (FROGS) the 2018 recipient of the Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award. Lisle was recognized … Continued
Hidden Oaks interpreter honored
Holland Naturalist Suzanne Holland, the visitor services manager at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale, was honored as one of 30 “Shining Stars of Interpretation” in the United States by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). Holland is credited with increasing programming and visitation at Hidden Oaks, which is operated by the Fairfax County Park … Continued
Public invited to tour sustainable gardens
The Carosella residence. If you’ve always wanted to create a backyard oasis that focuses on sustainability, the annual Sustainable Garden Tour, hosted by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, is a great way to see some examples. The 2018 tour, on Sunday, June 10, 1-5 p.m., features homes, a church, and a school … Continued
Annandale Farmers Market opens May 3
The Annandale Farmers Market opens for the season May 3. The market, at Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, will be open every Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon, through Nov. 1. Eleven vendors will be onsite, offering seasonal produce, baked goods, and prepared foods. There will be a plant clinic at the market staffed by Master Gardeners … Continued
Farmers Market in Wakefield Park opens Wednesday
The Wakefield Farmers Market opens for the season on April 18. The market, at Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road in Annandale, will be open every Wednesday, 2-6 p.m., through Oct. 31. Eleven vendors will be onsite, offering seasonal produce, baked goods, and prepared foods. A plant clinic will be at the market where Master Gardeners … Continued
Healthy trees can withstand a windstorm
Tree damage from windstorm. Much of the damage caused by trees crashing onto houses and power lines during last week’s windstorm could have been prevented, says Jim McGlone, an urban forest conservationist with the Virginia Department of Forestry. Many of the trees that were uprooted were already dead or dying, McGlone told the audience at … Continued
Deer-tolerant, native seedlings on sale
Redbud This year’s seedling sale hosted by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is focusing on native trees and shrubs that are deer tolerant. You can order a package of six bare-root tree seedlings for $11.95 or a package of 10 bare-root tree and shrub seedlings for $16.95. Seedlings can be ordered online. Orders … Continued
Awards recognize beautification efforts
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross (left) presents a beautification award to Alex Pathammavong and PJ Tierno of Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. On the right is Kimberly Wilkins, a member of the Bailey’s Crossroads Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation. The Bailey’s Crossroads Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation presented two beautification awards at its Dec. … Continued
Annandale Road farm for sale
The farm on Annandale Road. The “farm” on Annandale Road is on the market for $3 million. The owners, Bobbi Ngo and her husband, have been growing vegetables and herbs on their 2.1-acre yard since they moved there more than 30 years ago. The house is a modest, brick two-story rambler built in 1951 with … Continued
Native seedlings on sale
Sassafras The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for its annual native tree and shrub seedling sale. The theme for this year’s sale is “Fall Color.” Native plants promote clean water and air, prevent soil erosion, provide valuable habitat, and add beauty and resilience to the landscape. Two seedling packages are … Continued