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"The Wired Gardener" Online Newsletter
The PECO Green Roof
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August 2009
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Web Reviews
PHS Video on Rain Barrels
In just over three minutes, educator Sally McCabe shows us how easy it is to make a rain barrel for the garden. After you’ve watched Sally make her barrel, check out the other PHS Garden Tip videos on YouTube. For more about rain gardens, rain barrels, and what homeowners can do to reduce stormwater runoff, see the Philadelphia Water Department’s Rain Barrel Literature page.
Philadelphia: from Green Country Towne to Greenest City in America
Mayor Michael A. Nutter's Office of Sustainability has released Greenworks Philadelphia, an action plan to reduce Philadelphia’s environmental footprint and its vulnerability to rising energy prices, deliver equitable access to healthy neighborhoods, create a competitive business advantage from sustainability, and unite Philadelphians to build a shared sustainable future.
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PHS McLean Library News
Botanical Art Exhibition
June 19 - September 4
Works in watercolor and colored-pencil by participants in the PHS Botanical Illustration classes will be on display in the library. Stop by and admire them during library hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.
Annual Book Sale Wednesday, September 30
McLean Library Book Sale
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
9:30 am - 5 pm
Mark your calendar to attend the annual McLean Library Book Sale! Buy new gardening books at a discount and used gardening classics at exceptional prices. A small selection of prints also will be on sale. This year, between 4 and 5 pm, buy as many books as you can fit into a grocery bag for $1! Proceeds of this sale benefit the McLean Library.
Gardeners, this is a wonderful opportunity to recycle your used books by donating them for the sale. We are seeking books on gardens, plants, the landscape, urban greening, and natural history. Donations will be accepted until Friday, September 11. more
What’s New in the Library
PHS members may borrow books and DVDs from the library. See the What's New in the Library page of our website and fill out the form to borrow new items. You may also use this form to tell us what books you’d like to borrow in our online catalog.
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PHS Publishes Parks Handbook
PHS is pleased to announce publication of The PHS City Parks Handbook, a comprehensive look at the techniques that make its park program so successful. Written by Jane Carroll, Daniel Moise, and Joan Reilly, the book shows people how to form their own volunteer groups, raise funds, and transform their local parks. The color, soft-cover book was partially funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, and copies are available at Amazon.com for $19.95.
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PHS Events
Chanticleer Walk: The Mixed Summer Border
Wednesday, August 5, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
If you’ve ever wondered how to achieve that “wow” factor in your own garden, take this opportunity to study lush mixed borders on this walk through the summer garden at Chanticleer. Jonathan Wright will highlight a few specific borders and deconstruct each planting. He’ll discuss all the various elements that make up a successful mixed border, highlighting perennials, annuals, bulbs, and woody plants, as well as offer tips for successful succession planting and four-season interest. more
Chanticleer Walk: Ornamental Grasses
Wednesday, August 12, 6 - 8 pm
Chanticleer
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA
Ornamental grasses are easy to care for: graceful and elegant yet tough and drought and deer resistant. There are so many to choose from and a height and color for every garden. Robert Herald will show you how these simple plants can become an exclamation point in your garden. Limit: 25. more
Tour of the PECO Green Roof
Wednesday, August 19, 5 - 5:45 pm
PECO Building
Philadelphia, PA
Want to learn about exciting “green roof” technology? Join PHS for a tour of the PECO building in Center City this summer. Totaling over 45,000 square feet, it is the largest green roof on an existing building in Philadelphia. Says Denis O’Brien, company president and CEO, “As a major business in the region, being environmentally responsible is not just a nice thing to do—it’s the right thing to do.” more
City Gardening Series: Native Plants in the Landscape
Saturday, August 22, 10 - 11 am
Awbury Recreation Center
6101 Ardleigh Street
Philadelphia, PA
Environmental horticulturist Paco Verin teaches why native plants provide a beautiful, hardy, drought-resistant, low-maintenance landscape while benefiting the environment. more
City Gardening Series: Planting to Attract Wildlife
Saturday, August 29, 10 - 11 am
Aspen Farms
4837 Aspen Street
Philadelphia, PA
Join us as Penn State Master Gardener Carolyn Booker focuses on design tips and plant choices that will attract wildlife to the garden. more
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Family-Friendly Gardening
Totally Terrific Treehouses
Through Sunday, September 27
Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road
Media, PA
Tyler offers an exhibition of ten locally designed and built tree houses, all of which feature interactive elements to encourage creativity and mental stimulation, inviting visitors of all ages to explore ecology and sustainability in a playful way. more
Children’s Summer Reading
Thursday, August 6, 13, 20, 27, 10 - 11:30 am
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Read exciting books about the outdoors, hike in the preserve in search of the plants and critters in the stories, then make a nature craft to take home. For ages 3 - 7 accompanied by an adult. more
Peach Party Festival
Camden Children’s Garden Family Festival
Saturday - Sunday, August 8 - 9, Noon - 4 pm
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ
Contact info@camdenchildrensgarden.org or 856-365-8733. more
Insect Hunt
Saturday, August 15, 1 - 2:30 pm
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Explore the world of insects in the preserve’s wildflower meadow. For ages 4 - 14. more
Adult & Child Gardening Workshop
Camden Children’s Garden
Wednesday, August 19, 10 - 11:30 am
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ
Learn together how to put the fun back into gardening. Contact info@camdenchildrensgarden.org or 856-365-8733. more
Chocolate & Vanilla Flavor Festival
Camden Children’s Garden Family Festival
Saturday - Sunday, August 22 - 23, Noon - 4 pm
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ
Come to the garden for crafts, educational activities, and a “Flavors of the Forest” concession stand. Contact info@camdenchildrensgarden.org or 856-365-8733. more
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Other Gardening News & Events
Programs at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
August 2009
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
1635 River Road
New Hope, PA
Discover seasonal wildflowers on a guided walk, learn about the life of a Monarch, find out how to identify polygonums, and enjoy a meadow tour and a butterfly. more
Continuing Education Courses
August 2009
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Edible Plants, Healthy Habitat Designs, and Groundcovers are just a few of the fun classes and courses starting in August at Longwood Gardens. more
Scott Arboretum Events
August 2009
Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA
A seminar on hardy cacti and succulents, a tour of the arboretum’s two green roofs, a sneak peek at plants to be offered at the Scott Associates’ Plant Sale, and a Culinary Herb Party Workshop are among the events scheduled at the arboretum this month. more
Day Trip to the Savannahs of the Batsto River
Saturday, August 1
Burlington County, NJ
This Philadelphia Botanical Club trip will focus on the Platanthera orchids, with the hope of seeing several other rare and common species. Contact Ted Gordon at pbitgordon@aol.com or 609-859-3566. more
31st Anniversary People’s Festival
Saturday - Sunday, August 1 - 2, 1 - 8 pm
Vernon Park
Germantown & Chelten Avenues
Philadelphia, PA
Two days of Entertainment, Education, Empowerment and Exhibits: this year the festival honors Mother Earth by sharing information about our responsibility to do our part for the preservation and improvement of our local and global community. Contact Ahlia Love at ahlia@peoplesfestival.org or 215-248-3544.
Volunteer Opportunity: Tree Care Club Pruning
Thursday, August 6, 6 - 8 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Join Tree Steward volunteers and citizens to prune and care for a selection of Wilmington’s street trees. DCH staff will offer on-site training and education. Contact 302-658-6262 x 113.
Art Exhibit: Mary Coty
Friday, August 7, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 N. Dupont Street
Wilmington, DE
Enjoy refreshments while observing Mary Coty’s paintings in the DCH gallery, part of Wilmington’s monthly Art Loop. more
Day Trip to Manumaskin River
Saturday, August 8
Cumberland County, NJ
Join the Philadelphia Botanical Club on a day trip to habitats in three watersheds: Manumuskin River, Manantico Creek, and Muskee Creek, with a chance to see a number of rare species. Contact trip leaders Gerry Moore at gerrymoore@bbg.org or 718-623-7332 or Renee Brecht at rbrecht.cumaurice@yahoo.com. more
Wild Edibles Tour with Steve Brill
Tuesday, August 18, 1 - 3 pm
Pennypack Farm & Education Center
685 Mann Road
Horsham, PA
Join “Wildman” Steve Brill on one of his world-famous foraging tours around the farm, where wild foods grow side-by-side with food crops. Contact education@pennypackfarm.org or 215-646-3943. more
The Garden Conservancy Open Days Program
Friday - Saturday, August 21 - 22, 10 am - 4 pm
Fordhook Farm
Doylestown, PA
Visit Fordhook Farm, home of W. Atlee Burpee & Co., for “Burpee’s Harvest Festival,” with garden tours, a plant sale, and guest speakers. Contact info@gardenconservancy.org or 1-888-842-2442. more
Fall Gardeners’ Market
Saturday, August 22, 9 am - 2 pm
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
1601 Valley Forge Road
Valley Forge, PA
Presented by the Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group, the Fall Gardeners’ Market brings together quality vendors selling a wide variety of outstanding annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees, as well as tools, photography, pottery, and other garden-related items. more
The Garden Conservancy Open Days
Sunday, September 20, 10 am - 4 pm
Private Gardens Tour
The annual Philadelphia area Open Days garden tour features three private gardens in Chestnut Hill and vicinity. Visit http://gardenconservancy.org/opendays/ or 1-888-842-2442 for more information.
NJ Shade Tree Federation 24th Annual Meeting
Friday - Sunday, October 23 - 25
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Cherry Hill, NJ
Presentation topics will include timely information about the selection, planting, and care of trees. Contact Donna Massa at njshadetreefederation@worldnet.att.net or 732-246-3210.
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Plant Sales and Events
See the 2009 Plant Sales and Events on the PHS website for major plant sales and garden tours in the greater Philadelphia region. [more]
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Garden Q & A
Our gardening experts volunteer their time to answer your questions. Use the form on our web site. Note: this service is not available the month of December.
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How to Submit News & Events
The Wired Gardener is issued 10 times a year (no July or 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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About the Wired Gardener
Edited by Janet Evans, McLean Library manager, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, with contributions by Priscilla Becroft.
Become a PHS Member!
PHS Membership is your passport to savings throughout the year including FREE Flower Show tickets, exclusive membership pricing to a wide variety of educational programs, garden tours, and trips, participation in the Annual Plant Dividend, and discounts at regional garden centers. Most importantly, your support is critical to our work - initiating greening projects that educate and inspire individuals to make more attractive and livable places through horticulture. Click HERE for more information regarding membership benefits and levels.
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