E-CARE, Arlington's twice annual environmentally friendly drop-off event, returns on Saturday, April 15, at Wakefield High School, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can safely and quickly dispose of household hazardous materials and old electronics. For more details and a list of what is accepted, visit the County website at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Recycling-and-Trash/Household-Hazardous-Materials-HHM/E-CARE.

The event is for Arlington residents only and no commercial waste will be accepted. Materials accepted include: Automotive fluids, Batteries, Car care products, Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), Corrosives (acids/caustics), Fire extinguishers, Flammable solvents, Fluorescent tubes, Fuels/petroleum products, Household cleaners, Lawn and garden chemicals, Mercury, Paint products (25-can limit), Photographic chemicals, Poisons (pesticides), Printer ink/toner cartridges, Propane gas cylinders (small hand-held or larger) and Swimming pool chemicals.

Spring Artful Weekend at Fort C.F. Smith Park Showcases Local Artists

Where: Fort C.F. Smith Park

2411 24th St N, Arlington, VA 22207

Show Hours: Friday, April 14, 2023, 4pm-8pm, Opening Reception 6pm-8pm

Show hours: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10am-6pm

Show hours: Sunday, April 16, 2023, 10am-4pm

The Arlington Artists Alliance returns to the historic Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park for “Spring Artful Weekend.” This show is a perennial favorite in the Arlington community, drawing hundreds of visitors annually. Spring Artful Weekend features artwork by 30+ Arlington Artists Alliance members and has been an annual show for the Arlington-based arts collective for over 20 years. With a large variety of art genres to choose from—paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, glasswork, artist’s cards, and more—this show is perfect to kick-off Spring. This event is free and open to the public.

The Arlington Artists Alliance and Gallery Underground are supported in part by Arlington County through Arlington Cultural Affairs, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Amazon, the National Landing BID, JBG Smith, and Sotheby's.

Visit http://www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org

Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale

Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of The Church of St. Clement at 1701 N. Quaker Lane. (Masks are no longer required, but free masks will be available if you want one.)

Come find native perennials, shrubs, and trees for sun or shade. Nine or more vendors from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania will be at this event, the largest native plant sale in the D.C. metro region.

Vendors are listed on the sale website at www.NorthernAlexandriaNativePlantSale.org.  The sale is organized and run by volunteers. Questions? Contact Scott Knudsen at 571-232-0375 or cscottknudsen@gmail.com.

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia April 2023 Public Education Programs

VCE-MGNV Virtual Classroom public education events for April 2023 are online and open to all. RSVP online at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/  to receive the link to participate. Click on the event titles to RSVP for each event. If you can't join a live online presentation, video recordings of the sessions will be posted to https://mgnv.org/mg-virtual-classroom/.

April is the month to plant and celebrate TREES! No need to wait for Earth Day (April 22nd) or Arbor Day (April 28th) to select and plant a tree to enrich your home landscape. The fact sheets on native trees within the MGNV Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic are a rich online resource. After you have planted your tree, watch “Best Bets: Native Plants for Shade” on April 21 for ground covers that will protect your tree's roots as well as providing their own beauty.  

Friday, April 14, 10:00 ­ 11:30 am, ONLINE

Case Studies in Lawn Replacement

Have you been thinking about reducing the size of your lawn? Or switching it from grass to something more environmentally friendly? Join Extension Master Gardeners Alyssa Ford Morel and Carolyn Vincent to see examples of similar efforts by several Extension Master Gardeners. They will share how the process went in their own Northern Virginia yards and what lessons were learned. Free. RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.

Friday, April 21, 10 -11:30 a.m., ONLINE

Best Bets: Native Plants for Shade

Gardeners often consider it a challenge to plant in the shady parts of their gardens, but home landscapes with trees can bring welcome relief from the increasing summer heat we are experiencing in our region. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills to learn how to make the most of your shady yard. After discussing degrees of shade, the importance of using layered vegetation, and techniques for building your soil, she will introduce a variety of native plants from trees and shrubs to wildflowers, ferns, and ground covers that will bring beauty through the year while providing important support to local wildlife. Free. RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.

Friday, April 28, 2023, 10 - 11:30 a.m., ONLINE

Browsers in the Garden Buffet: Strategies for Dealing with Deer

Do deer consider your landscape to be an all-you-can-eat buffet?  These beautiful but ravenous creatures are a problem in many of our gardens. Join Extension Master Gardener Kathie Clements to learn strategies for coping with deer. Deer pressure requires that we think creatively about our home landscapes. She will discuss deer behavior and how it can help you develop ways to better protect your garden. Creative hardscape options as well as resourceful use of shrubs and smart plant placement will be covered. Find out about exclusion tactics such as barriers, repellants, and scare devices. Advice for making wise plant choices and recommended resources to guide your selection of plant materials will be shared.  Free. RSVP at https://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.

ON LOCATION - April Events with Master Gardeners

Sunday, April 23, Langston Boulevard Earth Day Celebration

11 a.m. ­ 5 p.m., Langston Blvd between Woodrow St and Woodstock St, Arlington

Meet VCE Master Gardeners who will answer your questions about planting, soil health, water control, and native plants for your outdoor space. The VCE Small Trees, Big Canopies project will be conducting a free native tree giveaway! This is the second year for this popular event, with music, food and free family fun!  For more information go to https://www.langstonblvdalliance.com/

Sunday, April 23, 12 noon ­- 4 pm

Del Ray Garden Fest

Bean Creative Field, 2207 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria

VCE Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide all the information you need to have a healthy garden this year­how to test your soil, what to plant, and how to improve your vegetable harvest.  Fun, food and activities for all!  For more information go to https://www.visitdelray.com/

Sunday, April 30, 10 am - 3 pm, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden

Glencarlyn Library Community 

Garden Spring Celebration & Plant Sale

300 S Kensington Stt, Arlington 22204

Join the VCE Master Gardeners of Glencarlyn Library for their annual celebration of all things Spring!  Tour the garden in all its Spring beauty, learn what plants will flourish in your garden, sip an herbal drink and munch plant-themed goodies while shopping at native plant vendors. A perfect weekend activity for all. For more information email to: glencarlynlibrarygarden@gmail.com

Wednesdays, April 5. 12, 19, 26

6:30 - 7:45 pm, Arlington Central Library 

1015 N Quincy St, Arlington

Arlington Central Library Talks

Join Arlington/Alexandria VCE Master Gardeners and other expert speakers as they provide information on a variety of garden topics each Wednesday. April topics are: 4/5-Bees and Beekeeping; 4/12-Edible Landscaping/Growing in Small Spaces; 4/19-Top 10 Vegetables; 4/26-Container and Balcony Gardening. Programs will continue on Wednesdays through September.

April 2023, various events, Virtual and In-Person

Alexandria Earth Day

Join us as we commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day with a month full of environmentally focused events, activities, and online initiatives that center on the Eco-City Vision in which Alexandria's residents, businesses, and City government participate in a vibrant community that is always mindful of the needs and lifestyle of the generations to come. We all need to do our part and what better way than through fun, educational, and engaging opportunities.  For more information go to: https://www.alexandriava.gov/EarthDay

Check Out Our Plant Clinics

* The Arlington Central Library Plant Clinic at 1015 N Quincy St, Arlington opens on Wednesday, March 29 from 6 - 7:45 pm. 

* The Alexandria Old Town Farmers Market Plant Clinic at 301 King St, Alexandria opens Saturday, May 6 at 7:00 - 9:30 am.  

* The Arlington Farmers' Market at N 14th and N Courthouse Roads opens Saturday, April 22 at 8 - 11 am. 

* The Del Ray Farmers' Market Plant Clinic at Oxford & Mt. Vernon Avenues, Alexandria opens Saturday, May 6 from 8:30-11 am. 

* The Fairlington Farmers' Market Plant Clinic at 3308 S Stafford St, Arlington, opens Sunday, May 7 at 9 ­ 11 a.m.

Extension Master Gardener Help Desk

The Extension Master Gardener Help Desk is open for your emails, phone or walk in questions. We welcome your garden-related questions, including those related to plant and insect identification. If emailing, please include photos to assist us with identification. The Help Desk is open weekdays from 9 am to 12 noon. Contact us at mgarlalex@gmail.com, phone us at 703-228-6414, or stop by 3308 South Stafford St, Arlington 22206. If planning to come in person, give us a call ahead of your visit to ensure the Help Desk has volunteers available.

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia MGNV.ORG

Also check out resources on the website, mgnv.org for Gardening Basics for Arlington & Alexandria, VA listing our hardiness zone and frost dates, a list of problem plants and better alternatives, and an extensive compilation of Tried and True Native Plants for the Mid-Atlantic Area, complete with great color pictures and descriptions. Schedule of gardening programs is posted on this website, so be sure to check it often