Delaware Center for Horticulture brings a veggie garden to the "food desert" of Southbridge, Wilmington.

Good on them.  I used to have to travel to Southbridge once a week in a former career, and if there's a neighborhood in Wilmington that needs help, it's that one.  And not only did DCH and the Master Gardeners of NCCo team up to bring a big community garden to Southbridge, they installed a beautiful mural on the adjoining building.  It's worth clicking on the story just to see the mural.  Really well done!

Link to the story in the News Journal: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111225/GARDENER0103/112250311

Free and public talk on Iceland's culture and landscape at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, Wed. afternoon

[From theDCH.org]

Iceland’s Culture & Landscape

Join TheDCH staffer Joe Matassino for a presentation about Iceland’s unique cultural landscape including his February 2011 visit to the Icelandic Horticultural College, or Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands Reykjum and the Reykjavik Botanical Garden.  Bring a bag lunch.  Icelandic water will be served.

Supported by the Nancy Corroon Travel Scholarship Fund.

Date	Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Time	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location	Event held at TheDCH
Registration cost	Free and Open to the public
Contact	Joe Matassino

Delaware Center for Horticulture designs storm-water runoff system for Trolley Square's ACME.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Friday, July 15th, at 11:30 am.

From DCH:

Major greening renovations completed in ACME parking lot

Installed by the Delaware Center for Horticulture

Project will save ACME $1,500 per year

Wilmington, Del. – The Delaware Center for Horticulture (TheDCH) announces completion of a stormwater mitigation project at the ACME grocery store in Wilmington’s Trolley Square neighborhood. A ribbon cutting ceremony and luncheon will be held on July 15 at 11:30 AM. The event will be attended by city, state and federal officials; ACME executives; major media and numerous stakeholders.

The 9,000 square foot system captures an estimated 70 percent of the site’s annual rainfall, providing relief to the city’s combined stormwater and sewer system and helping to preserve the integrity of the region’s drinking water. The landscaping and engineering system is designed to filter, slow and absorb rain that falls on the roof of ACME’s building and 1.42 acre parking lot. It includes 19 large shade trees, more than 2,800 shrubs and smaller perennial plants, a rain garden, and a series of underground holding tanks – while maintaining almost the same number of the parking spaces.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin in the Trolley Square ACME parking lot, on the corner of Delaware Avenue and North Dupont Street. The event will be followed immediately by a luncheon at TheDCH at 1810 North Dupont Street.

Editor's note: we're not big fans of ACME in my household - they're overpriced.  Especially that location.  But I consider this to be a beautification coup for Trolley Square, and an essential water-saving device for the city that will hopefully be followed by more such projects.  Congrats to the DCH on seeing this project through.

Mt. Cuba center offers twilight tours every Wednesday and Thursday evening

The tours are held at 5:30pm every Wednesday and Thursday, now through the last week in July.  Admission is $5.  Their description:

"In the cool of late afternoon, take a stroll around our garden ponds and babbling brook. Relax, refresh, and rejuvenate as you enjoy the lilies, azaleas, coneflowers, and coreopsis. If conditions are right, birds will serenade you as they perch on the tulip poplar canopy."

Mt. Cuba is located at 3120 Barley Mill Rd, Hockessin, 19707, at the southern end of what those of us who grew up around North Wilmington think of as "the valley".   The website doesn't say that reservations are encouraged, but you might want to call them, just in case, at (302) 239-4244. 

For info on all of Mt. Cuba's events and resources: http://www.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=827&pid=148428&pvt=mcc

Delaware Center for Horticulture posts video of early progress in one of their urban gardens.

This particular garden is located at 13th & Brandywine.  Looking good. 

While the central location for the DCH is located on DuPont St. in Trolley Square (a block and a half behind Logan House - really gorgeous spot, too), they operate these urban gardens in rougher neighborhoods, and teach residents of those neighborhoods how to take care of them.  It's a pretty awesome program.  For more info about the Delaware Center for Horticulture, visit: http://www.thedch.org/

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By the way, for job seekers: they're looking for someone to work part-time this summer in teaching 8th graders how to garden.  Here's the description: http://www.thedch.org/who-we-are/careers-internships/help-assistant

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And don't forget that the deadline to enter the City Gardens Contest is Friday.  View my previous post on the contest: http://wilmingtonic.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-city-dwellers-with-gardens-deadline.html

For city dwellers with gardens: deadline to enter the City Garden Contest is Friday, 6/17

Judging will take place on July 9th, but if you want to enter your Wilmington city garden, enter by Friday, June 17th.  Participation is free. The contest is put on every year by the Delaware Center for Horticulture, with various prizes (best vegetable garden, best flower garden, etc.) .  I know people who've entered and won, so I will say: don't be intimidated if you're not exactly growing The Victory Garden out there on 4th street - it's not that hard to impress the judges. 

If you don't have a garden, or don't live in the city limits, and would still like to participate, you can apply to be a volunteer judge for the contest.  The deadline for that is July 24th. 

DCH's blurb:

"The Wilmington City Gardens Contest recognizes Wilmington gardeners for their contributions to a greener city. Volunteers can participate by either entering their gardens, or by judging. No previous experience is necessary. This event truly brings together the best of what Wilmington gardeners and judges have to offer. Refreshments are served during judging."

To enter the contest or to volunteer to be a judge, contact Marcia Stephenson at mstephenson@thedch.org .
You can also download forms to be an entrant or a judge at  http://www.thedch.org/activities-events/city-gardens-contest .

Garden jazz concert on Penna. Ave. on Wednesday, to benefit DCH.

The concert will be held at the Goodstay Gardens, 2600 Pennsylvania Ave., on Wednesday evening from 6-8pm.  This should be a good way to check out a local garden you might not have known about, hear some fun jazz, and support a good cause.  The band is the Hoppin John band from Philly, playing New Orleans brass band, early r&b, Dixieland, and straight jazz.  The concert benefits the Delaware Center for Horticulture, one of Wilmington's most worthwhile community-building institutions (they plant flowers and trees all over Wilmington and teach inner-city youths how to care for gardens).  Tickets are $10.  Cash bar, wine and beer.  For more info:

http://www.thedch.org/activities-events/calendar-events/event/jazzing-goodstay-gardens

The Delaware Center for Horticulture is giving away small white oak trees.

They have a limited supply, so they're only offering it to "Facebook friends".   Join their FB page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilmingtonic-Blog/107351306015947#!/pages/Delaware-Center-for-Horticulture/111911201884



According to the DCH, Delaware was once covered with these white oak trees, and they're a great tree for supporting native wildlife.   They're located behind Trolley Square, on DuPont St.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture is giving away small white oak trees.

They have a limited supply, so they're only offering it to "Facebook friends".   Join their FB page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilmingtonic-Blog/107351306015947#!/pages/Delaware-Center-for-Horticulture/111911201884

According to the DCH, Delaware was once covered with these white oak trees, and they're a great tree for supporting native wildlife.   The DCH is located behind Trolley Square, on DuPont St.

Tomorrow, Friday May 6th, is National Public Gardens day.

Area gardens like Longwood and Winterthur expect to be busy (are they giving discounts or something?  I haven't heard).  But my recommendation is a small and little-known but charming garden right off of Pennsylvania Avenue, called Gibraltar Gardens. 

You may have passed by a high stone wall with glimpses of arches and sculpted vases inside, and wondered what bank president lives there.  That's actually a more-or-less abandoned mansion and estate that has been taken over by a preservation society and is open to the public (the outside part, not the crumbling mansion that overlooks it).  It can get a slightly overgrown look, depending on how recently it's been weeded by a group of volunteers, but there are always nice plants to see, old sculptures, reflecting pools, and verandas.  It's completely free, there are usually few people there, and it only takes a few minutes to stroll around and check out. 

The Gibraltar estate is located on the north side of Pennsylvania Ave., near UD's Wilmington campus, right before PA Ave. turns into Rt. 52 and you get to the 141 ramps.  The entrance is on the side street that runs next to the high wall.  For info on the history of the estate:

http://preservationde.org/about-pdi/gibraltar/

Wilmington's "Garden Day" earns mention in The New York Times

The Times article in question talks about several garden tour events happening on the east coast around now, and Wilmington is one of them.  Garden Day is not something I was prepared to blog about, because it's one of those things that sounds cool, but nobody I know would be able to afford $35 to see some home gardens.  However, I'm impressed that the event made it into the NYT.  So, I'll let the blurb tell you about it:

"DELAWARE
Wilmington, May 7 Fourteen private gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Wilmington Garden Day, including the grounds surrounding a 215-year-old farm house, which has a Royal Paulownia “forest,” a reproduction 17th-century boxwood garden, and a plein-air living room built into the ruins of an old barn. Another site on the tour features a garden with a Benjamin Franklin tree, several hosta cultivars, a Satomi Japanese dogwood and four crepe myrtles, as well as a perennials collection of coneflowers, clematis, dahlias and deutzias. Tickets, $35 at Janssen’s Market, 3801 Kennett Pike (Buck Road) in Greenville. Advance tickets, $30, and information by email to cindy.dunn@comcast.net and wilmingtongardenday.org."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/garden/28tour-midatlantic.html

Two events at White Clay this weekend: Wild Mushroom Hike, and Spring Weed Out

SUNDAY: A couple of weeks back I wrote about a guided Wild Mushroom Hike occurring in a Kennett Square wildlife preserve that sounded great but was $25.  Good thing I didn't pull the trigger on that one, because now White Clay Creek State Park is offering a guided wild mushroom  hike for FREE (though you do have to pay the nominal park entrance fee if you don't have an annual parks pass).  It's on Sunday, May 1st, starting at 1pm, and the guide will be mushroom enthusiast Glenn Cote.  Come prepared for an intermediate hike.  Currently, the park is saying "call the nature center for meeting location":  (302) 368-6560. 

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SATURDAY: The other event is a volunteer affair.  White Clay Creek needs help removing an invasive weed - the tall, prickly "garlic mustard" - from one segment of the park.  If you missed all of the area clean-ups and are looking for some volunteer clean-up action, this is for you.  The instructions on the park's Facebook page are:

"Saturday, April 30th, 9-11am.  Help us remove garlic mustard from Pleasant Hill Woods. Be sure to wear long pants and boots or sneakers, and bring a pair of work gloves, if you have them. Also, be sure to bring drinking water. Meet at the 9-Foot Road parking lot. "  

So where is that, you're wondering.  I'll try to explain:  9-Foot Road is a driveway leading into the park, and it's off of Thompson Station Rd., across from the W.L. Gore campus in western Newark.   You'll find Thompson Station Road off of Papermill Rd., at the intersection that has Happy Harry's, Tony's Pizza, the Gore campus, and that little house on the corner that always has guitars hanging from the rafters.    If my directions are unintelligible, try this map:

http://files.meetup.com/901803/wcc_middlerun_map_2.0.pdf

You're looking for the "P" for parking that is just to the right of the section marked "9 Foot Rd Area". 

Learn about native wildflowers at Mt. Cuba Center's 7th annual Wildflower Celebration, on Sunday May 1st

From Mt. Cuba Center's website:

"The goal of the annual wildflower celebration remains a desire to share our mission of fostering an appreciation for plants of the Appalachian Piedmont. Our guests will see the beauty of the gardens and understand how native plants support the environment. One more feature has remained constant over the years – parking and admission is still free. "

For more info, visit: http://www.mtcubacenter.org/images/PDFs-and-SWFs/Wildflower_2011_1.pdf

Worth repeating: cherry trees and theatre happy hours

There is still time to see the cherry trees in bloom in Brandywine Park, by the zoo.  But hurry, because they're fading fast.  If inclined to visit the zoo while you're there, they just debuted two baby pygmy goats.  You can buy anti-melting-from-the-cuteness spray at the gates.  $4 for adults.

ALSO: don't forget that the new Queen Theatre is now having a happy hours, 3-7pm and 10pm-close, Monday thru Friday.  Good way for city workers or dwellers to see the theatre and support it if, like me, you haven't found a reason on the  Queen's schedule yet to actually attend a concert. 

Side note:  My band mates would appreciate this.  I know someone who went to the Rusted Root show the other day.  Guess what?  No opening act.

Cherry trees in bloom at the Josephine Gardens in Brandywine Park

If you haven't seen the cherry blossoms in Brandywine Park, on the stretch of grass between the zoo and the river, go this week.  The weather is ideal (not the case when this happens, most years), and you will not find a finer display of heirloom blooms north of D.C.  Most of the trees, originally a gift from Japan, are nearly 100 years old.   This is a little more poignant when you remember that Wilmington's sister city, Miyagi, was one of the cities devastated in the recent earthquake in Japan.  I can't find info on whether the cherry trees actually came from Miyagi, but it's a pretty good possibility.  There are placards under the trees that explain more.

When you've finished taking it all in, go for a walk on the trail that runs next to the park.  In daylight hours, it's perfectly safe, with plenty of other walkers and joggers always around. 

If you're looking for a quick picnic lunch to bring, try the take-out at these eateries in Trolley Square: Ciao Pizza (they have great subs as well as pizzas), Temptations (NY deli sandwiches priced from $7-$10.  A lot of the sandwiches include the words 'chopped liver', but there are plenty without if you don't happen to be a connoisseur of the liver), or Diablo Burritos. 
A personal favorite of mine on Lovering Avenue, down the street from Gallucio's, is the Fresh Thymes Cafe.  A small mostly-lunch joint owned and operated by a mother and daughter team, Fresh Thymes is always good for a gourmet take-out sandwich, as well, with plenty of choices for vegetarians and vegans.   So bring some food and your honey to the side of the Brandywine River, lie back and stare up at multitudes of fluffy, pom-pom-like cherry blossoms like Wilmingtonians have been doing for many decades, say hi to the llamas (or possibly alpacas) at the edge of the Brandywine Zoo, and enjoy the sunshine while it's here.

More info on Brandywine Park: http://www.destateparks.com/park/wilmington/brandywine-park/index.asp