How To...

Credit
Trellis Making (cukes, climbing peas and beans)
 
Decided you need a degree in trellis-making?  Get some bamboo, twine & clippers & go for it!  

A basic design idea here.   (2D)  

Even simpler: picture a tic-tac-toe board made of bamboo, each square about 12" to a side. 

Lots of amazing examples from around the world here, mostly 3D types.  


Donate Fresh Vegetables 
PLEASE DO NOT EVER TOSS EXTRA PRODUCE! 

AFAC in Arlington accepts fresh produce for their food bank recipients. We will arrange delivery (they have some specifications, see: http://www.afac.org/plot-against-hunger/donate-fresh-produce/). Saving seed from spent/non-edible cucumbers and tomatoes is also easy and a fun project and will replenish our supplies for next year.  Worst case, contact the GWCG google group via email & we'll be sure the extras get composted. 


Where to Buy Native Plants for your Garden 

At the GWCGarden, we don't plant "native" vegetables, we just plant whatever does well & the members want to eat (though that often does include natives).  However, removing non-native plants & replacing them with natives reduces water usage, and is better for all the native fauna in our region.  

Here are a few places where you can buy native plants. (These suppliers specialize, so you won't be able to get all native plants at one place.)  It also doesn't hurt to ask your local garden shop to start stocking natives; the more that ask, the better chance it will happen!  (Are you listening, Green Street?)

Native Plant Suppliers in the DMV:
  1. Earth Sangha - Largest selection, big sales in spring & fall, or contact Lisa to buy a few items at their farm in the Rose Hill neighborhood of Alexandria.
  2. Nature By Design  - Though small, they're the closest to the 22301 and they have a wide variety.
  3. Watermark Woods
  4. Niche Gardens
  5. Hill House Native Plants
  6. Plant Delights Nursery
  7. Edible Landscaping
  8. Forest Farm
Also, the US Fish & Wildlife Service published Chesapeake Bay Watershed Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping (85 pp). It's available as a free PDF here.