Winter Gardening Classes January -March 2019

Eric teaching about orchids

Our  2019 Seminars and Special Events Schedule through March has been published in-house and will be available on our website later this week. Most are free of charge and are held in the back of our store or in the greenhouse on Saturdays at 9 and 11. In addition, we can host your garden club or civic organization here at a time to be arranged. Contact carrie@valleyviewfarms.com or call 410-527-0700 for additional information.

January 5, 9 am
Welcome to the World of Bonsai, presented by our long-time grower, Martha Meehan, introduces Bonsai to budding enthusiasts.

Martha has hosted our Bonsai seminars since 1985

January 26, 9 am
Succulents I, In Containers, is a class exploring the many non-hardy plants displayed in our greenhouse. Ideas on displaying and planting succulents indoors and out will be discussed. Succulents II, on hardy plants, will be presented in April.

February 2, 9 am
Bonsai Fertilizers and Soils is today's topic. Join us for a repotting demonstration and methods to grow bonsai.

February 2, 11 am
Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny Fairy Gardens are a fun project for families. Bring the kids to create a mini-garden they can enjoy. Materials costs will vary.

February 9, 9 am
Growing Plants Year-Round Using Lights is a subject that is very familiar to our speaker, Eric. Learn more about lighting techniques to produce herbs and vegetables all year.

Eric is an indoor light/plant enthusiast

February 9, 11 am
Orchid Care and Repotting is a skill that many find intimidating. Eric will demonstrate the process, and even assist in repotting your orchid. Learn how easy the process can be with the right products and instruction.

February 16, 9 am
Seed Starting and Germination as discussed by our own Donna S will increase the gardener's ability to grow vegetable and annual flowers for transplanting. Donna will talk about the best lighting, seed starting media, heating and the many choices available to those who start their own transplants.

Donna is our in-house seed guru

February 16, 11 am
The Displaying Airplants Workshop, led by our own Jen K, promises to be a fun project, as participants frame a group of tillandsias for display. Cost of class will vary.

Master Gardener Jen loves plant projects

February 23, 9 am
Gardening Under Glass is a fun way to make houseplant gardening easier. Make your own terrarium after a wee bit of instruction. Buy a glass vessel from us, or bring your own.

February 23, 11 am
Square Foot Gardening 4 U is presented by Air Force veteran Kim Roman. Kim is a fervent disciple of Mel Bartholomew, presenting a method of intensive gardening utilizing smaller spaces to produce abundant harvests.

Kim loves her fruits and veggies!

Weekends in March
Tool Sharpening, by C J, is a must for gardeners who need working pruners, loppers, garden scissors, chainsaws, mower blades and other implements that make our garden tasks easier. C J will be here on weekends in March. Customers may leave their tools with C J and have them returned the next day or week. Times to be announced.

March 2, 9 am
Build Your Own Bonsai is one of our most popular workshops. Participants are provided with a tree, soil, wire, pot, tool rental and advice from other bonsai enthusiasts to create a bonsai for inside or out. Cost is 35.00.

March 2, 11 am
1st Annual Hip Houseplant Revue is a houseplant fashion show, complete with a runway. Our models (let me know if you'd like to be one), will present plants as our moderator speaks of each plant's unique properties and care. Let's have some fun! Stick around later as a panel of experts answer questions anyone may have about the best plants for their home, office or living space.

March 9, 9 am
Bartlett Tree Experts Presents---Preventative Care and Techniques for Growing Healthy, Happy Trees. Last year's talk 'How to Kill a Tree' was a hit, so we are trying again, with a new name to help gardeners care for the largest investment they may have in plants on their property. Bartlett Tree has been Valley View Farms' partner in providing tree care for over a decade.

March 9, 11 am
Vegetable Gardening Boot Camp will give new gardeners much-needed information on soil prep, fertilizers, plant selection, garden placement, and other items. Bring your questions and a 16 oz. cup of soil from your yard for us to test while you attend the class.

March 16, 9 am
Herbs, organically-grown locally for us, have seen increased demand as their health benefits and ethnic flavors are much sought after. Our own herb specialist, Jeff M, will help gardeners navigate through the many choices we have in edible gardening.

Jeff is our urban herb expert

March 16, 11 am
Vegetable Gardening in Containers will be presented by Marty Gottlieb, of Smart Pots fame. Marty's passion to share his gardening successes have made him a staff and customer favorite here at Valley View Farms. You will be very inspired after today's presentation.

Marty is very enthusiastic about vegetable container gardening

March 23, 9 am
Spring Lawn Clinic is presented by our garden shop manager, Brian B. He will review timetables, products, methods- both organic and traditional, necessary to maintain a beautiful lawn all season. Please bring in  16 oz. of soil for free pH analysis.

Brian knows lawns!

March 23, 11 am
Growing a Deer Resistant Garden will be presented by Kathy Jentz, a gardener, garden communicator and publisher of Washington Gardener magazine. Bambi may be cute, but we don't want him and the whole herd feeding on our gardens. Kathy will cover proven and humane tactics to deal with deer and other wildlife to keep them out of our edible and ornamental garden.

Read Kathy's magazine; follow her advice!

March 30, 9 am
Spring Pond Opening, featuring our own Tim M, details the steps necessary to get fish, plants, pumps, filters and other components of the pond up and running for spring.

Tim knows ponds!

March 30, 11 am
Answers to Frequently Asked Gardening Questions from a Pro features our Garden Center manager Brian B. He will offer a basic how-to for a wide variety of gardening topics, including how and when to apply and use fertilizer, how much grass seed to use and when to use a spreader vs. a sprayer. Have questions? This is the perfect venue in which to ask them.

Look for more topics in our April - June schedule to be published in early March. Any ideas for seminars or workshops? Let us know by emailing carrie@valleyviewfarms.com.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

 Three of us go to Longwood Gardens every year to celebrate our friendship. This year, we found some Christmas trees we may have to try to replicate next year in our greenhouse here at Valley View Farms. While I love my own tree and the hundreds that surround me at work each day, the displays we saw at Longwood kept us clicking our iPhones with the new ideas we encountered.

Birdhouse tree with smaller trees to the side, decorated with seedheads and other bird feed

Paper trees in the music room

Orchid tree overhead

Loved the protea and ginger

Beautiful use of natural materials

Tillandsia trees are always a personal favorite

Tillandsia trees mimic the conifers on the outside

Roses and ivy

Pilea, pepperomia, and lysmachia add contrast and color

Simply poinsettias

Christmas Tree Spaceships?

We loved the trees at Longwood, and are sure to return for next year's displays. Like our own Christmas Shop, it is fun to spot the new displays while still treasuring the older ones.  

Enjoy the holiday season, with an outing with friends to the local botanical gardens, or a drive to see the area's beautiful outdoor light displays. 

Merry Christmas!

Poinsettias; are They Poisonous?

Dear WBAL TV Noon News Viewers,

I got in a lot of trouble and some unwanted attention today when I said on WBAL TV, our local NBC affiliate, that poinsettias are not poisonous. I have gathered research from both Ohio State and Cornell Universities citing poinsettias' non-toxicity, but I may not have said forcefully enough that pets should be kept away from all houseplants as we often don't know how they have been treated. The link presented here was published just yesterday by a scientist from Cornell University. 6 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season does mention holiday plants that may be harmful, including mistletoe and holly.  As I mentioned in passing during the segment, I personally got sap from a Euphorbia (a poinsettia relative) and suffered for some time with an irritated eye.

I apologize to everyone who found my response to the question to be lighter than it should have been. I have had dogs and cats and am very careful to keep them away from plants that I bring into my home. The Ohio State University also cited research providing answers as to whether poinsettias are poisonous. Some sites that I have since checked do say that poinsettias have a low toxicity, including the ASPCA website on toxic plants.

I'm hoping Dr. Kim Hammond addresses the question during his pet segment on WBAL. To any of you who have additional questions or concerns on what I presented during the noon show today, feel free to email me at carrie@valleyviewfarms.com, or call the store at 410-527-0700. I am generally in from 7-3 except on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I will respond to any emails in the next few days as soon as possible.

Again, I apologize for any concern my comments have caused. I am a pet and plant enthusiast and would never place my animal's or anyone else's purposely in harm's way. We had agreed as a company at one point to not discuss plant toxicity as each situation is different, and some pets may have allergies that we are unaware of. I answered this question, often asked during my work as a garden center employee, thousands of times. Please feel free to send me any information from reputable sources that I may learn more.

Sincerely,

Carrie Engel

Benefits of Trees

Trees add instant value to the home, save energy with shade in the summer and windbreaks in the winter, provide food and shelter for wildlife and so much more. Recently, while researching some material for a talk to The Kent Island Garden Club, I was able to spend some time looking into all that trees provide.

"The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day." USDA

"A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000." Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers

"The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the groundwater supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams." USDA Forest Service

As important, how do trees make us feel? A summer's day on a tire swing beneath the shade evokes days gone by. Just relaxing in the woods has now been identified as shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. Leave devices behind, wander into the trees, and hours later, breathing, seeing and feeling becomes easier.

A Chinese proverb states "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Franklin D Roosevelt cautioned us years ago when he said "A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."

"Trees exhale for us that we may inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish", said Munia Khan.

This fall, as we enjoy the annual autumn showing of colorful leaves and the changing tree landscape, let us appreciate trees more, and maybe even add a few to keep our land and ourselves healthy.

Why We Love Fall, or, 10 Reasons to Visit Valley View Farms in October

Fall is a beautiful season. We get it! The weather, the trees, the time off between vacation and Christmas, the festivals and so much more add up to a good time. We're busy setting up the Christmas Shop, helping gardeners get their plants and lawns rebooted, and enjoying autumn. Here are our own Top Ten Reasons to come see us this month, not in any kind of order.

1.  Ravens football! We love our team and have plenty of spirit. Honestly, we love the Monday, Thursday and late Sunday games best because they give us a chance to enjoy the daytime outside here at the garden center.

   

   Ravens gear for the home, the dog or you

2. Mums and pansies are cool weather performers in the garden and oh, so colorful too. We grow them at our farm in Hydes, MD, and can have them delivered every day.

   

   4 sizes available 

3. Trees, shrubs and perennial get the benefit of fall planting because the ground is still warm, even as the air temperatures cool down. Plants planted now will root in, providing a healthy, drought-tolerant plant come spring and summer. 
4. Bulbs are some of the easiest things to grow, especially daffodils. Deer and smaller varmints don't like them, and who can resist their sunny, yellow blooms heralding spring. 

   

   Daffodils, tulips, crocus and more!

5. Lawns may be hurting from too much rain this summer, so seeding now is a great way to have a beautiful grassy space come late fall and spring. 

   

   Grass seed for most situations

6. Pumpkins! As one of our founders, Billy, used to say, "Pumpkins are like puppies; everybody loves them." And our BIG pumpkin will go on display Wednesday, October 3 at 10. You've got to see this thing up close and personal. 

   

   Our own pumpkin people!

7. The Straw Maze is a fun place to watch the little kids test themselves. They may get a bit rambunctious at times; all the more fun. 

   

   We all need a hand sometimes

8. The Haunted House in the back of our greenhouse is dark, scary and fun. We love to watch kids (and adults) work up the nerve to walk through the darkened tunnel. See the display of Halloween houses and accessories too!

   

   Are you afraid of clowns?

9. The Christmas Shop is getting set-up. It's fun to watch the transformation and to spot all the new items. But, if it's too early for you, avoid the main building and stay with all that is fall outside and in the greenhouse. 
10. PEOPLE! If you are a people watcher, love seeing children and families having fun, and are looking for remarkable photo ops, this is THE go-to place for fall. And we'll have face painting available on weekends from 10-6.

    

    This family arrives for their annual photo shoot

We could go on and on. Phoenix Wildlife Center celebrates Owl-o-ween

Wait until you see his head turn almost all the way around

with us on October 20, Paul DeRemigis will be here working on beautiful, original art all about Maryland, and we even have a guess-how-many-seeds-are-in-the-pumpkin contest. We will be open every day from 7 am-9 pm through fall. There's something for everyone in the family; we welcome your leashed pets too.

We love our pups!

See you soon! In the meantime, enjoy all of your other fall activities.

Fall Gardening Classes

What comes to mind when you think of fall? For many, its trees changing colors, mums, pumpkins, and, back to school. We take learning seriously at Valley View Farms, starting up our gardening classes once again in September. Here is a list of upcoming seminars:

On September 1 at 9 am, we will kick off our fall gardening series with Show and Tell Bonsai. Bonsai enthusiasts are welcome to share their projects and plants with others during the get-together, identifying the successes, challenges and techniques used in creating bonsai.

The September 8 class at 9 am will showcase Fall Gardens and Container Designs. Eric R will share design ideas and demonstrate how to combine plants in gardens and containers for autumn decorating.

On September 15 at 9 am, our own Nathan S will host a Fall Lawn Clinic. This is a great opportunity to get some answers about seeding and feeding the lawn. Nathan will also identify weeds and pests that may have found their way into fall lawns.

Fall is a great time to renovate the lawn

Also on September 15 at 11 am, we are excited to present Susie Creamer, the Director of Urban Education at the Patterson Park Audubon Center. Susie will teach us how to create a Bird-Friendly Garden. 

Spring Flowering Bulbs are the topic of September 22nd's talk at 9 am. Specifically, Carrie will be exploring the world of minor bulbs, the unique plants that can be tucked into the landscape with the more popular tulips and daffodils.

Learn more about minor bulbs like Camassia

The Unusual Styles and Techniques of the Bonsai world are featured at the October 6 class at 9 am. Literati, and using Jin and Shari are among the topics of today's discussion featuring Martha Meehan.

Water gardening enthusiasts will appreciate the class on Winterizing the Water Garden, hosted by manager Tim M. on October 13 at 9 am.

Tim will 

One of our favorite events of the year is Owl-o-ween, happening here on October 21 at 1 pm. Kathy Woods, from Phoenix Wildlife Center, will be here with some volunteers to teach us about owls, hawks and other birds of prey. PWC rescues and rehabilitates birds and other animals that may have been inadvertently harmed, often by humans. Kathy may have an owl or two with her for us to meet and learn more about.

One of the volunteers from Phoenix Wildlife Center

Our Create a Topiary Workshop on October 27 at 9 am will enable us to create a living sculpture with plants in time for the upcoming holidays. Please check our website or facebook page for more information closet to the date.

Lastly, what would fall be without the GREAT PUMPKIN SEED CONTEST? The seed count happens at noon on October 27, with WBAL's Tom Tasselmyer and Laurie Tasselmyer who have been our guest counters for many years.

Laurie and Tom Tasselmyer

Stay tuned for more seminars and events as we get closer to the holidays. In the meantime, enjoy the remnants of summer and the upcoming fall season. .

NEW Plant Introductions for 2019

New plants are coming from plant breeders fast and furiously. New calibrachoas, coleus,verbenas, lantanas and other annual favorites are hitting the market and are ready to be introduced to gardeners by our growers at Valley View Farms.

Calibrachoas continue to be popular

New coleus for color in sun and/or shade

   Our grower, store manager and greenhouse manager (that's me) drove 450 miles to Columbus, Ohio for our nation's largest plant trade show, or as they called it, a Solutions Marketplace, to see what's new. In addition, our grower John and I traveled to Lancaster County to see how many of the plants did in real conditions in a  yearly field trial that allows us to see the plants in action. Here are some of our favorites so far. We still have some evaluating to do, and will post those results later this year.

Providing food and habitat for pollinators is at the forefront of many gardeners minds. These plants are terrific to attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to our gardens.

We love this new, supersized gomphrena. Look for it in large pots next summer

New salvias are always a hit...with gardeners and pollinators

Our long summer days can wreak havoc on our plants. During our five day trip, I really got a chance to see what would hold up in the garden and, even in pottery containers, with no watering. Dragon Wing begonias and lantanas did great. Here's a sample of newer varieties of each for considering in next year's garden.

Made for the shade; the chartreuse foliage will lighten up the shade garden 

Combination of several lantana varieties create this beautiful planter

Speaking of summer, what would the season be like without tomatoes and basil? This new basil, Amazel Basil from Proven Winners, offers resistance to downey mildew, a problem we've seen over the last few years, and a slow-to-flower plant that provides a longer harvest time of the very aromatic and flavorful leaves.

My personal favorite of all of the 800 new plants introduced at the trade show, was the Vinca. Vinca Soiree's adorable little blooms will handle the heat without a need to water frquently. The Vinca Tattoo series offers some new colors to our gardeners' favorite mid-summer plant.

Tattoo vinca has some HOT colors

We love the new Soiree colors

Best of all, the trip allowed us to catch up with good friends and business associates. Maybe we will relax later in the garden and partake in a lovely cocktail or two made with ingredients from one of our herb gardens.  

Mason, Lisa and Mark Hecklinger with our grower, John Miller and GM Tim McQuaid

Nice addition to lemonade, ice tea or your favorite beverage