Valley View Farms has scheduled seminars to be helpful and fun for our community. In addition to our classes, we have many informative handouts, plant diagnostic services, water testing for ponds, and extraordinary signage on all of our plants. Most important, we have friendly, knowledgeable personnel to assist in any way we can.* This year we will be donating $5.00 for every project created in our workshops to the WBAL Kids Campaign.
What better way to find the next bonsai project than touring the nursery for possibilities? Martha Meehan will point out what to look for (hint: it’s all about the trunk) as everyone walks through our nursery.
Martha shares her love of literati and cascade style bonsai. Spruce and Chamaecyparis are the
plants of the month. The literati style, known as bunjin-gi in Japanese, draws inspiration from the minimalist landscapes depicted by Chinese scholars and poets (literati or wenren) who emphasized elegant simplicity and freedom of expression. Literati bonsai are characterized by a long, slender, often twisted trunk with minimal branches and foliage, typically placed high on the trunk. This style focuses on the beauty and expressiveness of the trunk line, suggesting the tree's struggle and resilience against adverse conditions.
The cascade style, or kengai, represents a tree growing on a cliff or waterfall, with the trunk bending downwards over the edge of the pot. This style captures the dramatic effect of nature's forces, such as wind and snow, on a tree growing in a harsh environment. Cascade style trees feature a trunk that initially grows upwards but then sharply bends downwards, with the apex extending below the base of the container. The branches follow the downward direction, creating a cascading effect.
Photo credit: https://abanahomes.com/
Plant a Fall Container with a combination of perennials, grasses, herbs and autumn annuals that will last through the season. The approximate cost of $60 includes planter, soil, fertilizer and 5-7 plants.
Learn about perennial grasses and late fall perennials, including native plants. Fall bloomers provide shelter, and food for migrating butterflies, hummingbirds and birds. Join Baltimore County Master Gardeners for more information. Rachel Fischer hosts.
After summering outside, our houseplants will need to move indoors. Things to consider: How do we prevent insects indoors? Should we repot? How do we provide lighting for our indoor plants? What’s the best way to acclimate our plants for indoor health? Eric Rutledge and Sam O’Neal host.
Fall is the BEST time to seed a new lawn or repair an existing one. Our experts will discuss which fertilizers, seed and weed control to use for fantastic results now and next spring. Join Brian Brannan and John James for the information.
How big will it be this year? Over 1,000 pounds? 2,000 pounds? Be here when the Giant Pumpkin arrives! Guess how many seeds are in this year’s pumpkin and record it in our book. We will count the seeds on October 25 at noon to find the winner and award gift cards!
It’s your turn to take the stage and show us your own bonsai tree. Everyone is encouraged to share
their projects, telling us a bit about them and basking in the glory of your accomplishments. The Plant of the Month will be determined from the Show and Tell today.
Lasagna bulb planting is a gardening technique where multiple layers of different spring-blooming bulbs are planted in the same pot or container, creating a continuous display of flowers from early to late spring. We'll plant a large pot, layer the bulbs that will work well in this environment, then top with pansies and look forward to spring. Pot, soil, bulbs, and pansies included for $50, or bring in your own pot and purchase your supplies separately. Carrie Engel hosts.
Fascinated by owls? Join us for a close look at these magnificent birds and learn more about their habitat from Kathy Woods and volunteers from the Phoenix Wildlife Center. Phoenix Wildlife Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and return to the wild of owls and other wildlife.
Did you guess the correct number of seeds in our Giant Pumpkin this year? Tom and Laurie Tasselmyer (Tom is the Chief Meteorologist at WBAL) will count the seeds after we open the huge orange orb. The first person to do so will win a $300 Valley View Farms gift card. Second place receives a $200 gift card and third a $100 gift card.
As Old Man Winter approaches, winter care of both indoor and outdoor bonsai takes center stage.
Martha will discuss methods used to keep bonsai happy and healthy through the next few months.
Our Plants of the Month are Citrus, Olives, and Pomegranates
Winter is just around the corner! Tim McQuaid will provide tips to keep the pond healthy, the fish safe and the plants resting until the spring thaw.
This month will cover carving and caring for older bonsai. Our plant of the month is juniper.
Make your own holiday porch pots with greens, winterberries, and other ‘ingredients’ to create a beautiful design outdoors (or indoors) to greet your holiday guests. Costs will vary depending on materials used, starting at $50, including pot, sand, and greens.