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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
 July 2006
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Web Reviews
Farm-fresh Philadelphia
Outdoor seasonal farmers’ markets are a great source for fresh, locally grown food to serve at your summer picnics. Farm to City and The Food Trust are two organizations in the Philadelphia area that support local farmers and educate the public about improving our health through good nutritional habits.
A Philadelphia CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is Greensgrow Farms, an experimental farm in the Kensington neighborhood. Greensgrow was featured in the recent PBS documentary “Edens Lost & Found.”
Bug Watch
A warmer-than-normal winter and near-drought conditions this spring will produce plenty of garden insects this summer. Remember that stressed plants are susceptible to insect damage and disease. This web site from the Federal Citizen Information Center has a list of plants at risk from Japanese beetles, as well as biological and chemical controls. The Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program has resources to help you solve your pest problems.
Longwood Turns 100
Longwood Gardens is celebrating its Centennial with a three-day festival, July 20-22. Check the website for educational garden walks, concerts, spectacular fountain displays, and a birthday cake.
Norway to House Seeds in Doomsday Vault - a Yahoo News report
It sounds like something from a science fiction film: a doomsday vault carved into a frozen mountainside on a secluded Arctic island ready to serve as a Noah's Ark for seeds in case of a global catastrophe. [more]
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Save this Date! Growing Greener Cities Symposium
Growing Greener Cities: Symposium on Urban Environmental Issues
in the 21st Century City
October 15 - 17, 2006
Inspired by the film series Edens Lost & Found, this national symposium on sustainable urban environments is co-sponsored by PHS, the Institute for Urban Research at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Media and Policy Center Foundation. [more]
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Green Scene’s “Garden Photo Contest” is Back!
Last year, PHS launched the wildly successful Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest” and, happily, the contest is now back for 2006.
This year’s theme will be People in the Garden, and we’re hoping to see your best shots of friends, family, gardeners or just everyday nature lovers standing amid the flowers and foliage. In the few weeks, we’ll list all the exciting prizes you can win!
The contest’s judges—all professional photographers and gardeners from the Delaware Valley—will be looking for superb images that capture the beauty of gardening and create a sense of community through horticulture. Winning photos will be published in this year’s December/January issue of Green Scene magazine and on the PHS website.
For more entry information, official contest rules, and a complete list of submission requirements, please see the June or August issues of Green Scene or click here to read more about the contest!
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McLean Library Seeks Book Donations
The PHS McLean Library is seeking donations for the annual Book Sale, to be held Tuesday, October 3, from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Drop your donations off at the McLean Library, 20th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, between 9 am & 5 pm, Monday through Friday. We seek used gardening books, natural history books, and cook books in good condition. Questions? Call 215-988-8772 or send email.
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PHS Events
City Gardening Series: Terrariums, Landscapes in Miniature
Monday, July 10, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Philadelphia City Institute Free Library
1905 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA
Extend the gardening season all year long. Penn State Extension educator Doris Stahl offers easy decorating, planting, and maintenance advice about terrariums. [more]
Workshop: Flower Arranging with Summer Flowers
Tuesday, July 11, 10 am - Noon
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
Designed for the beginner who wants to create gorgeous floral arrangements from the flowers in his or her own garden, this workshop, presented by Virginia Page-Hentschel, will cover everything from selecting flowers to mixing colors and textures to arranging them in a simple container. [more]
Tour: The Legacy of J. Liddon Pennock
Wednesday, July 12, 10 am - Noon
OR Thursday, July 13, 10 am - Noon (with lunch)
Meadowbrook Farm
1633 Washington Lane
Abington Township, PA
This in-depth tour of Meadowbrook Farm’s noted Robert McGoodwin-designed estate will include an expanded discussion on the style of J. Liddon Pennock, who was influenced by the eighteenth-century designer Robert Adam. Note: the Thursday, July 13 tour includes lunch. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Sensational Summer Containers
Wednesday, July 12, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Container gardening at Chanticleer goes way beyond the ordinary, mingling annual, perennial, tropical, and subtropical plants in vibrant, fearless, creative combinations. [more]
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City Gardening Series: Designing Containers for the Small Garden
Wednesday, July 12, 6 - 7 pm
Woodstock Community Center
2829 N. Lambert Street
Philadelphia, PA
Community gardener Janet Carter will show how to integrate colorful containers into your garden for a wonderful effect. [more]
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City Gardening Series: Chanticleer through the Seasons—Summer
Thursday, July 20, 5 - 8 pm
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (depart from)
100 N. 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Join us for an enchanting evening at Chanticleer, a 32-acre garden of ever-changing colors and textures. [more]
Garden Tenders Monthly Meeting: Planning a Late Harvest
Thursday, July 20, 6 - 8 pm
Location to be announced
Philadelphia, PA
Plan now and get more produce and color from your garden well into the fall season. [more]
Chanticleer Walk: Scratch and Sniff
Wednesday, July 26, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Spend a sensuous summer evening walking through Chanticleer with Robert Herald, who will shield our eyes and ears to the sights and sounds of the garden; instead, we will follow our noses and discover those plants that delight our most powerful sense—smell. [more]
Woody Plants Conference
Friday, July 28, 8:45 am - 4 pm
Lang Performing Arts Center
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
This conference is a must for anyone who loves trees, shrubs, and vines. PHS is a co-sponsor of this popular annual conference, along with Chanticleer, Longwood Gardens, the Morris Arboretum, Scott Arboretum, and Tyler Arboretum. To learn more, visit the conference web site.
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Calendar of Plant Sales
See the annual list of hundreds of plant sales, tours, workshops and more in the Delaware Valley.
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Kidz Art: Caterpillar Capers
Wednesday, July 5, 9:30 - 11 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Educator Stella Kavalkovich will take the class to the Butterfly House to learn about hungry caterpillars, then return to the Barn where class members will decorate wooden caterpillar sculptures. Suitable for children ages 6 and older accompanied by an adult. [more]
Children’s Summer Reading
Thursdays, July 6 - 27, 10 - 11:30 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Parents and children ages 4 through 7 are invited to hear readings of books about the outdoors followed by a walk through the preserve in search of the plants and critters in the stories. [more]
Teeny Tiny Trackers: Flutterby Butterflies
Thursday or Friday, July 6 or 7, 10 - 11 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Walk to the Butterfly House followed by a related story about butterflies. Suitable for 3-year-olds accompanied by an adult. [more]
Community Open House Day
Saturday, July 15, 10 am - 4 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
A fun day for all ages with wildflower walks, the bluegrass music of Jericho Mountain, an insect hunt in the meadow, and nature crafts for youngsters. [more]
100th Birthday Party
Thursday - Saturday, July 20 - 22, 9 am - 7:30 pm
Longwood Gardens
Route 1
Kennett Square, PA
Founder’s Day celebration features behind-the-scenes tours, “Get Bzzzy” kids activity tent, strolling entertainers, fountain shows, fabulous food, entertainment by Grammy Award-winning artists and Birthday Cake. Call 610-388-1000 ext. 100.
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How to Submit News & Events
The Wired Gardener is issued 11 times a year (no 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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Other Gardening News & Events
Amazing Butterflies Butterfly House
Saturday, July 1 - Sunday, September 10
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
The Butterfly House is filled with native butterflies in all stages of their life cycles, plus extensive plantings that feed both butterflies and caterpillars. [more]
Daily Guided Tours
Saturday, July 1 - Tuesday, October 31, 2 - 3 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Join a naturalist for a walk on the Preserve’s trails. [more]
Perennials for Shady Places
Saturday, July 1, 9:15 am
Triple Oaks Nursery, Florist & Herb Garden
2359 Delsea Drive
Franklinville, NJ
Free garden tour and workshop. Call 856-694-4272 or email.
A Collection of Conifers
Wednesday, July 5, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Guided walk with James Pirhalla, horticulturist. [more]
Summer Bird Walks
Wednesdays, July 5 - 26, 8:15 - 10:15 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join birders Tom Reeves and Bruce Wyman as they discuss the relationship between birds and their habitats. [more]
Weekday Wildflower Walks
Wednesdays, July 5 - 26, 11 am - 1 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join Richard Brenner and Dick Cloud to discover the diversity of plants blooming in various ecosystems. [more]
Walk: Plants for Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Thursday, July 6, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join staffer Marie Tomlan to learn about flowers for butterflies and plants for caterpillars. [more]
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White Dog Café Neighborhood Tour of NGA Gardens
Saturday, July 8, 8:30 am
Departs from White Dog Café
3420 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA
Includes coffee and breakfast breads, trolley tour, and lunch at the café. White Dog Café will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Neighborhood Gardens Association. Call 215-386-9224.
Flowers - Then and Now
Saturday, July 8, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Longwood Gardens
Route 1
Kennett Square, PA
Learn how to turn traditional designs into contemporary designs at this hands-on workshop. [more]
Knowing Native Plants
Saturday, July 8, 10 am - 3 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Learn about meadow succession stages with landscape designer and preserve naturalist Ian Caton, who will lead a walk through the preserve’s five-acre meadow project. [more]
A Walk in the Moonlight
Saturday, July 8, 8 - 9:30 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Bring a flashlight and explore the natural world at night. [more]
Night Hike
Saturday, July 8, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join guides Meg Barrett and Deborah Hemphill for a moderate-to-brisk hike followed by refreshments at the Barn. [more]
Summer Blooms
Saturday, July 8, 9:15 am
Triple Oaks Nursery, Florist & Herb Garden
2359 Delsea Drive
Franklinville, NJ
Free garden tour and workshop. Call 856-694-4272 or email.
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Wildflower Walk
Sunday, July 9, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join Dick Cloud for an afternoon walk in search of summer bloomers in Tyler’s meadows. [more]
Guided Tour: A Walk with the Curator
Monday, July 10, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Andrew Bunting will point out recent plant acquisitions. [more]
Summer Woodland Textures
Wednesday, July 12, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Guided walk with Carol Long, Curator of the Garden. [more]
Workshop: Construct a Cedar Trellis
Wednesday, July 12, 1 - 4 pm
Scott Arboretum Classroom and Gardens
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Join Chanticleer’s Joe Henderson and curatorial intern Todd Rounsaville for a look into gardening with vines. [more]
Wine and Trees Tasting
Thursday, July 13, 5:30 - 8 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Sample wines from Chaddsford Winery as you stroll through Tyler’s 150-year-old Painter Trees. [more]
Guided Tour: Summertime Lunch Tour
Friday, July 14, Noon - 1 pm
Departs from Scott Arboretum Offices
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Enjoy the beauty of the arboretum during your lunch break. [more]
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Perennials for a Kaleidoscope of Color
Saturday, July 15, 9:15 am
Triple Oaks Nursery, Florist & Herb Garden
2359 Delsea Drive
Franklinville, NJ
Free garden tour and workshop. Call 856-694-4272 or email.
An Evening in the Arboretum: Time for Three
Saturday, July 15, 5 - 7:30 pm
Scott Outdoor Amphitheater
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
The Time for Three trio mixes bluegrass, jazz, classical, and country/western in this outdoor concert. [more]
Water Gardens
Sunday, July 16, 2 pm
Valentine Gardens
358 N. Sandy Hill Road
Coatesville, PA
Free workshop on perennials at nursery with plants for the rock garden, water garden, herb garden, shade garden, and perennial border. To register, call 610-857-9584 or email.
Red Trail Ramble
Tuesday, July 18, or Sunday, July 23, 9:15 - 10:45 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join long-time hiker Lois Brooks for an invigorating hike at a comfortable pace on this 3.1-mile trail featuring two ascents. [more]
Morning in the Fragrant Garden
Wednesdays, July 19, 10 - 11:30 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join volunteer Aldys Davis and members of the Herb Society of America as they share their gardening knowledge and answer questions about the uses and cultivation of herbs. [more]
Hydrangea Culture and Care
Wednesday, July 19, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Educational demonstration with horticulturist Suzanne French. [more]
Floral Design - Master’s Workshop
Wednesday - Saturday, July 19 - 22, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Longwood Gardens
Route 1
Kennett Square, PA
Master level design course covering the four categories of floral design: Exotic, Natural, Romantic and Design. [more]
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Lecture: Adventures in Japan
Thursday, July 20, 5:30 pm
Science Center Room 101
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Join Tim Boland for a plant travelogue of Japan, its woodlands, forests, people, and bounty of ornamental plants. [more]
Birthday Celebration
Friday, July 21, 4 - 7 pm
Queen Village Garden
3rd & Christian Streets
Philadelphia, PA
Help celebrate the Neighborhood Gardens Association’s 20 years of preserving community green spaces. Raffle/silent auction, refreshments, and birthday cake. [more]
Horticulture Workshop: Hydrangeas
Friday, July 21, 9:30 am - 2 pm
Scott Arboretum Classroom and Gardens
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Join curator Andrew Bunting and Tom Boland for a day of in-depth exploration of the genus Hydrangea. [more]
Plant Stewardship Index Field Training Workshop
Saturday, July 22, 9 am - 5 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
The Preserve’s new Plant Stewardship Index (PSI) is a quantitative tool that allows stewards of public and private lands to survey and assess the status of native plant populations on properties they protect and manage. This workshop provides an overview of field sampling techniques and practical experience in the calculation of PSI. [more]
Awbury Plant Swap
Saturday, July 22, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Cope House, Awbury Arboretum
Entrance on Chew Avenue (between Haines Street and Walnut Place)
Germantown
Philadelphia, PA
Bring your extra indoor and outdoor plants and swap them for plants you don’t have. Contact Leomar Cooper at 215-224-5872.
Evening Wildflower Walk
Sunday, July 23, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Join wildflower expert Dick Cloud on a leisurely walk through the meadows. [more]
Container Plantings for Summer and Fall
Wednesday, July 26, 11:30 am - Noon
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE
Educational demonstration with horticulturist Suzanne French. [more]
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16th Annual Gardening Contest
Penn State Master Gardeners
Deadline: Friday, July 27
Prizes will be awarded for vegetable gardens, community gardens, neighborhood beautification projects, ornamental gardens, and youth gardens. Open to Delaware County residents only. Contact Linda Barry at 610-690-7669 or by email.
Lavenders - A Window to Wellness
Saturday, July 29, 9 am - 1 pm
Longwood Gardens
Route 1
Kennett Square, PA
Learn about Lavandula species that will grow in this region and about beneficial applications of the essential oil from lavender. [more]
Natural Frames Workshop
Saturday, July 29, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Using twigs, cones, pebbles, and other natural materials, Tyler’s Deborah Hemphill will teach you how to make an 8” x 10” picture frame. [more]
Grasses, Sedges & Rushes: A Primer
Saturday, July 29, 10 am - 1 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
This introductory class with Bill Olson will include a short visit to the preserve’s meadow. [more]
Field Trip to Bunker Hill Bogs
Jackson Township
Ocean County, NJ
Saturday, June 29
Philadelphia Botany Club
Carbon County, PA
Explore sites containing old cranberry bogs, upland pine-oak forest, and remnants of an Atlantic white cedar swamp. [more]
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Ask a Gardening Question
Our 20 gardening experts volunteer their time to answer your questions. Use the form on our web site.
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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, library manager, McLean Library, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; contributions: Jane Alling and Priscilla Becroft.
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