Arlington and Alexandria September Events

The following events are scheduled by VCE Master Gardeners in Arlington and Alexandria in September. September events will be posted online at https://mgnv.org/events/mgnv-events/ 

Thursday, Sept.1, Fall Lawn Care, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. Fall is the ideal time to restore cool-season grass, the most common turf grass grown on lawns in the Northern Virginia area. This program will describe how to improve lawns and the underlying soil and outline steps for ensuring a beautiful weed-free lawn. Alternatives to turf will also be explored. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com. 

Tuesday, Sept. 6, Simpson Gardens Stroll, 11 a.m. to noon, Simpson Park Gardens, 420 E. Monroe St., Alexandria 22301 (by the YMCA). VCE Master Gardeners who maintain the Simpson Park Demonstration Gardens will be in the garden to greet visitors, answer gardening questions and describe what’s blooming in the garden. No need to register; just drop by.

Tuesday, Sept. 6, Putting your Herb Garden to Bed, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., Alexandria 22314. Find out which herbs you should prune, pull, protect and bring inside. And yes, you can plant now! Learn tips and techniques to use and preserve all the herbs you’ve just pruned. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com.

Thursday, Sept. 8, Putting your Herb Garden to Bed, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd., Alexandria 22304. Find out which herbs you should prune, pull, protect and bring inside. And yes, you can plant now! Learn tips and techniques to use and preserve all the herbs you’ve just pruned. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or emailmgarlalex@gmail.com

Wednesdays in the Garden, Sept. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 7 to 9 p.m., Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington 22201. This series of indoor and outdoor programs, taught by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, is designed to teach gardening skills to a wide audience. Topics by date: Sept. 7, Putting Your Herb Garden to Bed for the Winter; Sept. 14, Eat Fresh in December: Cold Frames and Hot Beds; Sept. 21, topic to be announced; Sept. 28, Inside Arlington Kitchens: Multicultural Cooking Techniques. All September programs will be held in the second floor Conference Room. No registration required. To confirm topic and room number, check the Arlington Library Events Calendar at http://library.arlingtonva.us or call the library at 703-228-5990. 

Sunday, Sept. 11, Organic Vegetable Garden Taste and Tour, 1 to 4 p.m., Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington 22207. Hosted by VCE Master Gardeners. Enjoy samples from the garden and talk with Master Gardeners about growing vegetables in Northern Virginia―with a special emphasis on planting fall crops and over-wintering vegetables. (Park in the lot and walk past the Nature Center to the garden.)  

Sunday, Sept. 11, Composting Program in conjunction with the Organic Vegetable Garden Taste and Tour, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington 22207.Arlington County Horticulture Extension Agent Kirsten Buhls will describe what to put in a compost pile, how to maintain it so the materials break down properly, and how to use compost to enrich and improve garden soil. No need to register.

Sunday, September 18―AutumnFest Celebration at Glencarlyn Library Community Garden, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 300 S. Kensington St., Arlington 22204. Free tastes of herbal treats and drinks, a naturalist with critters, balloon artist. Free Master Gardener-led mini-workshops. Hundreds of locally grown sun- and shade-loving perennials, ferns, shrubs, and trees for sale, just in time for fall planting. Rain or shine. Sponsored by VCE Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (Alexandria/Arlington). For information call Alyssa Ford Morel at703-907-9318 or Judy Funderburk at 703-671-5310.

Monday, September 19, Tree Selection for Urban Street and Small Yard Plantings, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria 22305. Sponsored by the Alexandria Beautification Commission, this program will provide participants with criteria and resources for making decisions about “Right Tree, Right Place.”  Register to attend by contacting the VCE Horticulture Help Desk at 703 228 6414 or mgarlalex@gmail.com.

Sunday, Sept. 25, Simpson Park Gardens Fall Open House, 1 to 3 p.m. 420 E. Monroe St., Alexandria 22301 (by the YMCA). VCE Master Gardeners who maintain this demonstration garden welcome visitors to the garden for a display of what’s in bloom, with emphasis on native plants and plants for pollinators. Discover host plants for butterflies and their larva. Enjoy light snacks and drinks and get a closer look at your neighborhood garden.

Sunday, Sept. 25, Screening of the film, Hometown Habitat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington 22201. VCE Master Gardeners of Arlington/Alexandria join with Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment to present this 90-minute environmental education documentary focused on showing how and why native plants are critical to the survival and vitality of local ecosystems. Entomologist Doug Tallamy, an authority on the misuse of non-native plants in landscaping, provides the narrative thread throughout the film. Seating is limited, so advance registration is requested. Sign up athttp://bit.ly/2av1P2g.

Thursday, Sept. 29, Soil Evaluation & Composting, 7 to 8:30 p.m, Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria 22304. Learn the basics of evaluating your soil and how to turn yard clippings and kitchen waste into black gold that will nourish your plants. As leaves are about to fall, instead of bagging them, learn to use them to create a natural and earth friendly soil amendment for your home and garden. Advance registration requested at mgnv.org. Questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com.