As a part of The National Arbor Day Foundation's Trees for America campaign, 10 free flowering trees will be given to each person who joins the nonprofit Foundation during January 2003. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between Feb 1 and May 31 with enclosed planting instructions. Members also receive a subscription to the Foundation's bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, with information about tree planting and care. To become a member of the Foundation, send a $10 contribution to Ten Free Flowering Trees, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Jan 31.
"Starting Seeds Indoors" teaches you a fun and economical way to enjoy plants in your landscape. A free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
Bring the fun and beauty of gardening indoors and learn about plant care, selection, lighting, water and fertilizer in Merrifield Garden Center's free seminar, "Indoor Flowers and Foliage." Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
The Greenbriar Garden Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month (except June, July, August and December) at 7:30 p.m. in the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, and is open to all from Greenbriar and surrounding communities. For additional information, call Toni Moriarty at 703-449-0168.
The Jan. 27 meeting will feature topiaries. Although the art of topiary has been practiced for centuries, topiaries have just recently become popular features as landscape focal points and indoor decoration. From the formal to the whimsical, these living forms are easy to create. Doug Brock, plant specialist at Betty’s Azalea Ranch, Fairfax, will present a film and demonstrate how to make sphagnum topiaries using pre-made topiary forms, sphagnum moss and a variety of plants.
"The Beauty of Orchids," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, teaches the basic culture of orchids, including proper potting, watering and care. Includes a slide show. Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, teaches methods, timing, tools and techniques of pruning trees and shrubs to maintain size and health. Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Growing Bonsai," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, teaches the history of these unique plants as well as tips to grow them successfully. Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"Trees and Shrubs for Landscape Use," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, discusses proper selection, planting and care of trees and shrubs to help make the most of your landscape investment. New varieties as well as traditional favorites will be presented. Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Proper Pruning and Plant Maintenance" will be offered by Merrifield Garden Center on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. Learn simple rules about one of the most confusing aspects of gardening: how and when to prune. Maintenance also will be discussed. 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield, in the Merrifield Community Hall. 703-560-6222.
Learn some basic design principles and create a design that is beautiful and functional in "Landscape Design," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Success with Fruit Trees," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, will teach pruning, fertilizing, spraying and other tips to ensure healthy fruit trees. Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"Four Seasons in the Garden," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, teaches how to make the most of a garden in each season. Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Critter Control - Protecting Your Landscape," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center, teaches the latest strategies to help keep deer, rabbits, squirrels, moles and voles from ruining your landscape. Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m.in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
Learn how to integrate different elements of construction and plants to create beautiful and functional gardens in "People, Plants, Patios and Paths," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center. Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Growing Beautiful Roses," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center teaches the different varieties of roses, proper planting, fertilizing, pruning, pest control and more. Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m.in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"Spring Lawn Care," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center explains how to achieve a thick, healthy, green lawn. Bring samples of lawn or weeds for questions. Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Building a Healthy Lawn" will teach about seeding, fertilizing, liming, preventing crabgrass and controlling weeds and insects. This free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center is on Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"New Introductions and Dry Gardens" presents new varieties of perennials to include in gardens along with ideas for gardening in dry areas. This free seminar from Merrifield Garden Center is on Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
Learn some of the basics of gardening in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in "Gardening 101," a free seminar from the Merrifield Garden Center. Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m. in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"Creating Unique Container Gardens," a free seminar by the Merrifield Garden Center, teaches imaginative combinations of plants, colors and containers to add to gardens. Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
Learn about the almost endless selection of conifers available to include in gardens in "Conifers in the Landscape," a free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center on Sunday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building, in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
Merrifield Garden Center offers the free seminar "Water Gardening," covering the components of having a beautiful water feature in your landscape. Saturday, March 29 at 10 a.m. in the Merrifield Community Hall, 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield. 703-560-6222.
"Creating Exciting Places in the Shade," a free seminar from Merrifield Garden Center, teaches how much color and interest can be found in a shady garden. Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. at 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
"Creating Interesting Rock Gardens" teaches the design and installation of these gardens. The free seminar by Merrifield Garden Center is on Sunday, March 30 at 1:30 p.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.
Andre Viette, host of the radio program "In the Garden with Andre Viette," offers two presentations on perennials in Merrifield Garden Center's free seminar, "Perennials with Andre Viette." Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., 12101 Lee Highway, the 2nd floor of the Fair Oaks Store Building in Fairfax. 703-968-9600.