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The Urban Way

By Frank Asher

Featured in the April edition of the  Mid City DC magazine

To all urban gardeners:

To those of you who have small balconies, or tiny enclosed spaces outside with very little or no soil, yet you bring in containers and pots of all shapes and sizes to hold your plants, I say, “Thank you”!

To you folks who create a little green space on your windowsill with a few herbs, or you put a potted plant in the dark corner of your bedroom, I salute you!

All of you are a unique breed. If you are anything like me, you just have to have some green living things in your environment.  I am grateful there are people who like to tend to plants. With all that is being torn apart, it is nice to remember there are people who nurture life.

Container Collage

The great thing about container gardening for the beginner is there are only a handful of easy rules to consider for successful plantings.

1)      Know your sun requirements.

2)      Know your watering requirements.

3)      Be consistent in tending to your plant’s needs. ( It’s sort of like having a pet.)

4)      If you don’t know about your plant’s ideal environment, ask a gardener.

There are no rules when it comes to your pots, containers and planters, as long as there is proper drainage and thickness especially if your pots are holding plants outdoors all year round. Containers can match in themes, color, shape, size, or they can be random and eclectic. No holds barred here. This is a chance to just float your boat!!

Simple, traditional terra cotta pots work fine. They are inexpensive and can be easily replaced.

There are some fine planters out there that are lightweight and yet very durable for D.C. winters. Some of these are made from fiberglass and cement. Yes, I said fiberglass and cement. These planters are weather hardy and lightweight compared to full on cement pots. Most are in very modern shapes and very angular. They work well for close corners.

There are also some beautiful glazed pots large and small in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. I say just play here.  Some are frost resistant , which is good. Others may last a few years while some glazed pots are unscathed by our cold snaps and can handle normal wear and tear for years.

Plants Please

For those of you with rooftops with full sun who want to create outdoors spaces, you might want to choose plants that are tolerant of our hot summers.

Trees:  Crepe Myrtle, Fig, Hollywood Juniper.

Woody Shrubs:  Rosemary, Lavender, Service Berry.

Perennials:  Iris, Lily, Spirea, Cone Flower.

Annuals:  Marigolds, Petunias, Celosia.

Vines:  Moon Vine Flowers are wonderful because of their evening fragrance.

Many tropical plants do well in the summer sun:  Hibiscus, Banana and Mandevilla Vine.

Aloe vera does great in full sun. It can be nice to see on any sunny place. And because aloe vera is medicinal, it offers a sense of comfort to your outdoor grillers. (Good for sunburn, too)

Outdoor patios with partial shade can hold a variety of perennials and blooming shrubs.

Azaleas love part sun/part shade. So do many ground covers if you simply want to add various shades of green to an isolated spot.

Summer annuals like Begonias and Impatiens do well when mixed with Hostas and Ajuga.

One thing to remember: If your enclosed space is surrounded by a fence or a wall connected to your neighbor, you are in another “sub culture.“  Your space’s temperatures will be different and most likely warmer or cooler than predicted weather.

Outdoors Overnight

What’s amazing about time and the seasons is that once the warmer weather begins, folks are more than ready to take advantage of it. Wearing flip flops and shorts, and enjoying MOJITOS and BBQs, people spend “chilaxin” time in their outdoor spaces. Speaking of mojitos, why not create your own herb garden for the mixologist or outdoor cook in the family.  Mint can be added to many drinks.  Rosemary, parsley, sage, and thyme are perfect on skewered vegetables with a little extra virgin olive oil or on chicken that needs a bit of “fresh” added.

Let us not forget vegetables! There is nothing like pulling off a tomato or a few peppers fresh off the plant to put in your salad. I don’t know about you, but when I have tended to my tomato plant or pepper plants for months and then pick one to taste, POW! It tastes better than anything I have ever bought in the grocery store. I personally think we need more urban farmers.  (Do you know your farmer?)  Check out Lancaster Farms! OLD CITY green is a host for their weekly CSA delivery of fresh organic vegetables and produce.  www.lancasterfarmfresh.com Tell them OLD CITY green sent you!

Spring Begins with a Step

If you have never potted a plant or had the space outside to play in the dirt, don’t worry. It is simple to exercise your thumb to make it a green one. It may take a few mistakes and a few dead plants to get the flow, but it is easy if you talk to other gardeners and plant lovers.

OLD CITY green has a few of its own gardeners on staff that can answer your questions and give feedback.

Stop in and see what kind of mood you want to create in your outdoor space this season.

Happy Planting and remember: Think Local.

Frank Asher

Owner and Founder of OLD CITY green

Where people and plants come together.

9^th and N Street NW

Fairies’ Crossing:  A landscape and Gardening Co. Est. 2000

To Inspire your Dreamer!

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The Garden Fairy

February…. Ready or Not, Get READY!!

February gives us glimmers of HOPE that winter will soon give way to spring.
Daffodils and other bulbs will be calling out to all gardeners. Yes, a time to play in
the dirt!! I LOVE IT!!

However, before the game begins, a little prep is in order. I have put together a
list of to do’s. I know! I hate to do lists, too. But a list might help us in this game
called Gardening.

Gardening is once again a favorite leisure pastime in America and around the
world. Homeowners and others are realizing the health benefits derived from
gardening. Not only is it good exercise, it is mentally therapeutic,

If you are a homeowner, you have most likely discovered the resulting increase
in your home’s property value. My clients have been amazed at what a few
flowers, shrubs and a tree with rocks around it have done for home “curb
appeal.” Not only is planting an investment in your property, it is an investment
in your serenity. Even people who rent find that planting their own garden adds
delight to the dinner table in the later months.

Involve kids in your gardening. When I teach community gardening workshops,
I see how the children LOVE growing their own vegetables. I think it is a great
thing to teach our children the benefits of growing our own food, and tending
to the earth. It teaches children much more than just nurturing qualities; it also
teaches them the cycles of nature, of life and death. It makes kids strong in so
many ways!!

TO DO LIST for FEBRUARY!!

1) Look through seed catalogues and decide what new seeds you’d like to plant.
Order early to get discounts.

2) Take a nap.

3) Make a cup of tea or a pot of coffee, step out into your garden a look around.
Bring a note pad. Write down what works and what doesn’t. (Pajamas optional.)

4) If you like Jerusalem artichoke (Helinathus tuberosus), prepare a bed and
have them ready to plant.

5) Look up recipes for Jerusalem artichoke…YUMMY!!

6) Stream a movie and relax.

7) Cut late flowering clematis to a foot off the ground in late winter. There are
several varieties and species of clematis so keep a tag on the ones that need
pruning. Research types of clematis. Do this step before actually cutting.

You can cut a few branches off your dogwood or forsythia and bring them
inside for early flowering.

9) Now is the time to prune most fruit trees and look for winter pests, such as
scale. If necessary, spray with “ORGANIC” products to deter them.

10) Make a date with a friend or with yourself to go to the U.S. Botanical
Gardens, The Arboretum, or any public garden just to see nature at play. (A good
thing to do if you have a Valentine.)

11) Pot a few clumps of crocuses from the garden as they emerge. In a sunny
spot indoors, they will develop blooms before the ones outside.

12) Create a new station on Pandora.

13) Sow seeds such as poppy, forget-me-nots, snapdragons, blanket flower,
sweet peas, bachelor buttons and sea drift.

14) Take a leisurely walk in the neighborhood. Make this walk different. Go a
different route. Even if you are driving, go down a new street. See what’s new in
the neighborhood.

15) Dig out any “needy plants” in your garden. It certainly makes room for new
plants that might add more pop in the coming seasons. (This can be applied to
friends as well. While you are creating beds and borders in your garden, create
and expand comfort zones or renegotiate boundaries with the people around
you.)

16) Enjoy and pamper yourself in as many ways as possible. Go to a spa. See
a play. Go to the movies. Go out to a new restaurant for dinner. Try some things
you have never done before.

17) Get the kids to a planting workshop. Take one yourself.

18) Oh yes…this is a time to prep herb seeds if you like.. Research available
herbs at OLD CITY green in mid-March. Workshops available, too.

19) Call (202) 412.CITY (2489) for late winter garden clean-ups.

February is but once a year. Make the most of it!
Relax and enjoy more. And give yourself some time to plan.

Frank Asher
Owner/Founder of OLD CITY green
Where people and plants come together.
Owner/Founder of Fairies’ Crossing:
A landscape and gardening company.

On December 21st, 2010

The Sun will be going through its annual rebirth, and will be absent for the longest of any day.

All in preparation
for the New Year!

It’s Winter Time!

It can be hard to adjust to less light, more sleep, and of course the cold…

..But for more than selling an assortment of holiday trees, garland, and wreaths;

OLD CITY green can be the perfect “oasis” of warmth and company!

And it’s been proven that something as simple as a warm fire and a friendly smile can compensate for that lack of sunlight!

So stop by, warm your bones, and say hello, during the darkest, AND arguably the most special time of the year!

AND YES!

We still have plenty of

trees, wreaths, garland, and paper whites

in stock

But they’re going fast!!

XMAS Trees

okay.. we said it.

Fraser firs and Scotch pines
Ranging from table-tops
to giant 10′ plus tall trees

On December 21st, 2010

The Sun will be go through its annual rebirth, and will be absent for the longest of any day.

All in preparation

for the New Year!

It’s Winter Time!

It can be hard to adjust to less light, more sleep, and of course the cold…

But more than selling an assortment of holiday trees, garland, and wreaths;

OLD CITY green is the perfect “oasis” of warmth and company!

And it’s been proven that something as simple as a warm fire can compensate for that lack of sunlight!

So stop by, warm your bones, and say hello, during the darkest but arguably the most special time of the year

We still have plenty of

trees, wreaths, garland, and paper whites

in stock

But they’re going fast!!
(even the hot cider)

Stop by today, or call in advance to have us reserve one for you!

(202) 412 - CITY

Live Jazz
Saturday December 11th
The perfect winter weekend activity!

See you there!