The Arlington Food The “Arlington Reads, Arlington Grows” Assistance Center’s garden at Arlington Central Library grew Gardening Talks (AFAC) Plot Against out of the joint initiative of the Library and Hunger program AFAC Plot Against Hunger volunteers, who at the promotes AFAC’s dug the original garden near the Library’s Arlington Central Library vision of providing east entrance in May 2010. In June 2010 access to nutritious the garden was dedicated and containers food for all Arlingto- added on the patios. Wednesdays, 7:00 pm nians in need by The past eight years have seen an expansion in the garden (tennis court side) PLOT AGAINST HUNGER asking for donations of the square-foot gardens and perennial unless otherwise noted of produce from local gardeners and farmers. plantings, improved borders and irrigation We seek to educate AFAC clients and others in on the tennis court berm, and benefits from incorporating fresh produce into healthy diets. the nearby native plant garden. From the 703-845-8486 www.afac.org/plot start, this has been a cooperative and edu- cation-oriented effort.

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The Arlington County Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service provides educational programs based on research in Agricultural and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Science, 4-H Youth Development and community viability to help people in Arlington County improve their lives, 703-228-6400. library.arlingtonva.us 1015 N. Quincy St, Arlington 22201

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March 6: Seed Starting & Plant Propagation. Learn the July 31: Preserving the Harvest – Canning, Freezing. best techniques for growing seedlings throughout the 2019 GARDENING TALKS Learn how to can & freeze fresh produce to savor seasons. Free seeds. Bluemont Rm. summer flavors all winter, from experienced Master at Arlington Central Library March 13: Vegetable Garden Design for Success. Best Food Volunteers. Bluemont Rm location? How to layout? Plan your garden for best vege- 7pm Wednesdays August 7: Vegetables for Fall & Winter Harvest. tables, & use flowers to attract pollinators. Bluemont Rm Grow vegetables nearly year-round. There’s still time May 15: Foraging for Wild Edibles. Find edibles in our March 20: Intensive Gardening How-To. Succession & to grow and enjoy them now! By garden urban area, by foraging in wild (and not so wild) areas. By companion planting & techniques to maximize produc- garden. August 14: Cover Crops for Healthy Soil. Sow the tion. Bluemont Rm. right cover crops at the right time to protect, add nu- May 22: Grow Tomatoes & Peppers for Success. Tips & March 27: Fruit for your Garden – Trees, Bushes & trients & structure to your soil. By garden tricks to get the best tomatoes & peppers. Fertilizing, Brambles. Learn the best varieties & care of small fruit, pruning & recognizing pests & diseases. By garden August 21: Lasagna Gardening, Bokashi Composting, brambles & trees for your garden & growing techniques. Hugelkultur. Explore easy no-dig, no-till organic gar- May 29: Pollination, Pollinators, & Flowers in the Gar- Bluemont Rm. dening methods that build rich soil in your garden den. Diverse flower plantings welcome bees & beneficial April 3: Planning & Planting Your Herb Garden. Herbs beds. By garden insects. Visit the Library’s native flower garden. By garden are the spice of life, so grow your own! Basic techniques August 28: NO GARDEN TALK on planning & planting an herb garden. Bluemont Rm. June 5: How to Grow Squash & Cucurbits. Cucumber beetles, borers, wilt & mildew problems? Learn growing & September 4: Making Teas & Using Herbs from Your April 10: Balcony and Container Gardening Basics. No pest control techniques for squashes & cukes. By garden Garden. Teas & herbs have many benefits. Learn room? No problem! Grow herbs, native plants, flowers & what your herb garden can offer for enjoyment and June 12: Insects: Pests & Beneficials. Learn from an ex- edibles on your patio, balcony, front stoop, or back deck. health. Bluemont Rm Bluemont Rm. pert how to manage pests and favor beneficial insects in your garden without resorting to chemicals. By garden September 11: Growing Season Extension and Win- April 17: Vegetable Gardening in the Shade. Learn ter Sowing. Hot caps, cold frames, row covers & oth- which vegetables appreciate shade during summer’s hot June 19: Weeds 101 – Keep those Weeds at Bay. Learn er techniques protect your crops from the chill. Plus months. Bluemont Rm. how to identify some local weeds & best ways to deal with learn Winter Sowing techniques to start spring seeds them (Hint: some are edible!). By garden early outdoors, with no lights needed! Bluemont Rm

April 24: Vertical Garden Structures & Protection Tech- June 26: Body Techniques for the Garden. A physical niques. Make better use of limited space & use cages, September 18: Permaculture for an Urban Setting. therapist teaches you how the right moves can help you Discover permaculture, a sustainable way to grow trellises, & fencing to train vegetables -- tomatoes, cu- avoid aching muscles and injury. By garden cumbers, pole beans , peas -- to grow upwards rather food, with basic designs & tips on how to start. In- than sprawl. Learn about structures to protect your vege- July 3: NO GARDEN TALK cludes presenters’ journey installing a food forest at tables from squirrels & other critters. By garden. Fairlington Community Center. Bluemont Rm

July 10: Top 10 Vegetable Diseases. Our area’s hot, hu- May 1. Composting & Vermiculture. Compost is nutri- mid summers make vegetables vulnerable to diseases. September 25: International Flavors from the Gar- ent-rich, superior to fertilizers & mulches. Learn basics of Learn how to control the occurrence and spread of plant den. Join AFAC clients, staff & volunteers as they turning kitchen scraps into rich soil, & how to use worms diseases. By garden explore international cuisines using harvests from area farms & gardens. Quincy Rm to enhance your results. By garden July 17: Vegetables vs. Summer Heat. Learn how heat October 2: Garlic – Growing, History. Plant this fall, May 8: Irrigation, Rain Barrels, Sub-Irrigation Planters, affects plants, how to protect heat-hating plants, and harvest next summer. Learn varieties and the fasci- Ollas. Learn how to water efficiently using drip & rain which plants tolerate our summer heat. By garden nating history! Quincy Rm barrel irrigation systems, ollas & sub-irrigation contain- ers. Bluemont Rm July 24: Mushroom Growing. Grow your own mush- October 9: Growing Microgreens & Sprouts. Healthy, rooms on logs. A hands-on demonstration with techniques easy & low cost to grow indoors. Learn techniques, & materials needed for success. By garden benefits, get grow kit and supplies! Quincy Rm