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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
 August 2007
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Web Reviews
Poison Ivy Pervasive this Year
New York Times health writer Jane Brody recently wrote about some of our most common poisonous plants especially the all-too-common Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). She interviewed Dr. Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., who co-wrote the Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, a reference work written for health professionals that home gardeners should look at as well. Visit the McLean Library to consult our copy of the Handbook.
A Magic Hour
The National Wildlife Federation encourages parents to give their children a daily dose of nature through 60 minutes of unstructured time spent outdoors. Their Green Hour website features a blog, community pages, suggestions for activities, book lists, photography tips and articles on nature’s effects on children. Now that long summer days are here, you have no excuse for staying inside!
What’s the Buzz?
During summer evenings, you may find yourself enjoying a little night music. Identify chirps, buzzes and whistles and learn about the creatures that produce them on the Singing Insects of North America (SINA) website. Listen to the recorded songs of crickets, cicadas, and katydids and you’ll quickly become a fan.
Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recently announced that the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle, has been found in Pennsylvania. Several counties are under quarantine. The Emerald Ash Borer has been a threat to ash trees in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, and Ontario since 2002. To learn more about this beetle, ash trees, and quarantine policies, see emeraldashborer.info. If you have seen an Emerald Ash Borer, please call the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 1-866-253-7189.
Urban Agriculture Digested
Urban Agriculture News website culls international newspapers and magazines every day for the most current news on urban agriculture so you don’t have to. It also invites readers to submit articles and to suggest news sources it may have missed.
Abundant Forests, Keeping Them That Way
North American wood and paper companies have joined forces to form the Abundant Forests Alliance whose mission is to ensure that forests will always exist. The site offers tips on how to reuse and recycle everyday items, profiles people and organizations passionate about forestry, and invites you to share your favorite recycling ideas.
Are you a blossoming garden photographer?
If so, you may enter Green Scene magazine’s “Garden Photo Contest” for a chance to win a Nikon Coolpix L10 digital camera. [more]
A Philadelphia Green Journey
Philadelphia Green Director and Eisenhower Fellow, Maitreyi Roy will soon be returning from a two-month tour of Europe’s great urban spaces. She has written about her adventures and reflections in her EuroGreen Observations blog, which includes photographs of outstanding urban green spaces.
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PHS McLean Library News
We Need Your Book Sale Donations!
Recycle your gardening books by donating them to us for the annual McLean Library Book Sale. The sale will take place on Tuesday, October 2, from 9:30 am to 5 pm in the library. We seek gardening books, natural history books, and cookbooks in good condition. Questions? Call 215-988-8772.
New Books in Library
See the "What's New in the Library" page of our web site.
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PHS Events
Workshop: Miniature Garden Portraits in Colored Pencil
Tuesday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 8, 10 - 3 pm
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
At the end of this two-day workshop, taught by Eileen Rosen, you will go home with a charming, intimate “portrait” of a garden you love. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Supermarket Flower Arranging
Wednesday, August 8, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
For those times of the year when you don’t have buckets of flowers pouring in from the garden, learn some tricks to turn those simple supermarket bouquets, supplemented with a few August-blooming flowers from the garden, into something really special. [more]
City Gardening Series: Caring for Flowering Houseplants
Monday, August 13, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Whitman Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
200 Snyder Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Bring the garden indoors with flowering houseplants. Garden educator Eva Monheim gives tips for choosing the best plants, maintenance, and getting the most enjoyment from them. [more]
City Gardening Series: Herbs for the Home Garden
Wednesday, August 15, 6 - 7 pm
Philadelphia City Institute Free Library of Philadelphia
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA
Penn State Extension agent Doris Stahl shares information for growing, harvesting, preserving, and using home-grown herbs. [more]
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City Gardening Series: Bus Trip to Triple Oaks Nursery and Herb Farm
Thursday, August 16, 9 am - 3 pm
Triple Oaks Nursery and Herb Farm
Franklinville, NJ
This trip will include an herb talk and farm tour led by Joe Kiefer. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. [more]
City Gardening Series: Gardening in Small Spaces
Monday, August 20, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Independence Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
18 S. 7th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Camden County Master Gardener Robin Potter will show how, even with limited space, you can have an attractive garden. [more]
City Gardening Series: Tool Time in the Garden
Wednesday, August 22, 6 - 7 pm
Fitzwater 2000 Community Garden
2042-44 Fitzwater Street
Philadelphia, PA
Landscape architect and community gardener Michael LoFurno demonstrates what every good gardener should know about the value of using the right garden tool. [more]
City Gardening Series: Cooking with Herbs
Saturday, August 25, 10 am – Noon
Awbury Garden Club, Awbury Arboretum
One Awbury Road
Philadelphia, PA
At this hands-on workshop, community gardener and culinary chef Delmer Gill shows how adding fresh herbs is a quick way to transform ordinary meals into extraordinary meals! [more]
City Gardening Series: Kids in the Garden
Wednesday, August 29, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Donatucci Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
1935 W. Shunk Street
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental educator Lori Hayes demonstrates how gardening can be a rewarding and educational experience for children and their adult partners. [more]
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Daily Guided Wildflower Walks
Wednesdays, August through October, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
For all ages. See flowers and fruits in season and discover fun facts about their use. Learn about the Preserve’s history, habitats, and plant/animal interactions. [more]
Children’s Summer Reading
Thursdays, August 2, 9, 16, 10 - 11:30 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Children ages 4 to 7 and their parents are invited to this reading hour followed by a walk through the Preserve. Kids will make a simple craft to take home. [more]
Peach Party
Camden Children’s Garden Family Festival
Saturday, August 11
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
Contact Betsy Payne by email or at 856-365-8733.
Chocolate and Vanilla Flavor Festival
Saturday, August 25
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
Contact Betsy Payne by email or at 856-365-8733.
A Walk in the Moonlight
Saturday, August 25, 7:30 - 9 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Explore the natural world at night. We may see bats hunting for insects over Pidcock Creek, hear owls calling or see early fireflies. Bring a small flashlight. Suitable for children and adults of all ages. [more]
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Other Gardening News & Events
Walks and Workshops
August, 2007
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Butterfly walks, daily wildflower tours, meadow walks, and an ecological garden makeover workshop are among the numerous August offerings at the Preserve. [more]
Continuing Education Courses
August, 2007
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Garden safely with your pet, learn about perennials and groundcovers, and discover the art of Tai Chi—all during the month of August at Longwood Gardens. [more]
Arboretum Events
August, 2007
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
This month, enjoy an evening of music or wine in the arboretum or preview the Scott Associates’ September Plant Sale with lectures and guided tours. [more]
Lecture on Soil and Trees
Saturday, August 4, 10 - 11 am
The American Horticultural Society
George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA
Arborist Dr. Rex Bastian will speak about the components of healthy soil and their effect on trees. Contact Peggy Bowers by email or at703-768-5700 x149.
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The Garden Conservancy Open Days Program
Private Garden Tours, Plant Sale, and Guest Speakers
Friday & Saturday, August 3 & 4, 10 am - 5 pm
Visit gardens in Point Pleasant, Perkasie, and Doylestown, including Fordhook Farm. [more]
Meeting: West Jersey Rose Society
Wednesday, August 8, 7:30 - 9 pm
Carman Tilelli Community Center
Cherry Hill Township Complex
820 Mercer Street
Cherry Hill, NJ
Members’ rose gardens will be shown. Q&A and a social period follow. Call 856-234-6583.
Al Fresco Wine Tasting
Thursday, August 16, 6 - 8 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres and sip wines from Iron Hill Brewery at Tyler’s Butterfly House. [more]
Perennial Orchids: Grow them Outdoors
Wednesday, August 15, 10 - 11:30 am
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
Workshop for adults with author and Wild Orchid Company owner William Mathis. Contact Betsy Payne by email or at 856-365-8733.
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Garden Q & A
Our gardening experts volunteer their time to answer your questions. Use the form on our web site.
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How to Submit News & Events
The Wired Gardener is issued 10 times a year (no July or December issue) on the 1st of the month. We post notices of gardening events and give precedence to Philadelphia-area events. Deadline: the 15th of the month for listing in the next month's issue. Send brief details and contact information by email and reference "Wired Gardener" in the subject line. Press releases are not accepted. Please review and follow the format used in our Other Gardening News and Events section.
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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, library manager, McLean Library, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; contributions: Elena Sisti and Priscilla Becroft.
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