Monthly Archives: May 2012

It Was a “Hottie” River Fest

May 31, 2012 0

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Local Cook -Leave a comment

Hot sun, spicy food and crispy hot local perch kicked off our summer river celebrations. Chef/Waterman Ross Dineen did his …

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Chickens in Annapolis!

May 30, 2012 0

Tonight!  Come learn all about raising chickens in Annapolis.  This is in response to the recent Annapolis City Council vote to allow the raising of chickens within the city.  The law allows up to five …

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Solving the Landscape Dilemma of Slopes

May 28, 2012 0

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face in their landscapes is planting on slopes and hillsides, where mowing of lawns is a hazardous enterprise.   Besides turfgrass, we see other low-growing evergreen plants used frequently – …

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Fire Up the Grill to Kick Off Summer

May 24, 2012 0
Fire Up the Grill for Summer

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Local Cook
I can just feel the excitement in the air as we get ready to revv up summer with as much time as possible spent outside-whether garden, beach, …

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Seating Makes the Garden

May 24, 2012 0

Sure, gardens without seating are still gardens, but they’re so much more inviting with places to sit and ponder, plan, smell, and admire what the gardener and Mother Nature have created together.

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Time to Prune Your Rhododendrons, and Maybe Plant Some More

May 22, 2012 0
Time to Prune

Rhododendron bloom time came early this year, like everything else after our crazy-warm winter, and the blooms are mostly gone.  That means it’s time to get out your hand pruners and give your rhodies the …

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Great New Farm-Great New Local Products

May 17, 2012 0
Great New Farm

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Local Cook
I couldn’t ask for a better mid May day to take in a very friendly, informative tour at a new sustainable/biodynamic farm in Prince Georges County-P.A. Bowen’s Farmstead. …

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How to Make Pavers for your Garden

May 16, 2012 2


DIYers and bargain-hunters, did you know that for as little as 30 cents each you can make very cool pavers for your garden?   You might have seen expensive kits for this …

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How to Care for Cut Flowers

May 13, 2012 0
How to Care for Cut Flowers

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!  Even if you’re not a mother.  For me it’s a great day to remember my own mother, who passed on her love of gardening to me.  After she moved to a …

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More of Those Early Berries

May 10, 2012 0

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Local Cook 

Yesiree we do have a confusing and early spring. In fact, the past 12 months have been the warmest since the US started keeping …

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Roses at the Franciscan Monastery

May 9, 2012 0
Roses at Monastery

The Franciscan Monastery in Northeast D.C. is rightly touted as a great local garden to visit – especially in the spring.  Last month the display of tulips made it a must-see destination but now …

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Highlights of a May Garden Tour

May 7, 2012 0

It may have been billed as the Takoma House and Garden Tour but we’ll just ignore the house part and enjoy what the gardens have to offer.  Which in a normal year would include a …

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Local Berries Are Coming!

May 3, 2012 0

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Local Cook 

I was jolted awake when I saw a Facebook notice from Flavor Magazine (Virginia) that LOCAL BLUEBERRIES (from Grelen Pick Your Own-near Charlottesville) ARE ALMOST HERE! …

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Fun with Fertilizers

May 2, 2012 0
Fun With Fertilizers

At this month’s meeting of the Golden Spades, Homestead’s own guru Gene Sumi talked fertilizer – the basics, plus answers to everyone’s questions about them.
Organics Feed the Soil
Organic gardeners know that …

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