Celebrate Halloween at the Fall 5K & Festival on Saturday, October 31st! Our partners DC Squared and Bladensburg Main Street have tons of festivities planned to make it a spooky good time. Show up dressed in your Halloween best to be entered into a costume contest with the chance to win some cool prizes. Before the race begins at 8:30 AM, we’ll warm up with a “Thriller”-themed zumba dance party. Children can also enjoy trick-or-treat stations and fall-themed games in front of the Washington Youth Garden after the festival starts at 10 AM. 

Strollers are allowed at the race, and children under 13 can race for free. Dogs are also welcome, but must stay on a 6-foot non-retractable leash.

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The drop-in volunteer hours scheduled for Saturday, October 24th in the Washington Youth Garden have been cancelled. We are sorry for any inconvenience and hope you will join us at our next drop-in session on Tuesday, October 27th from 9 AM to 12 PM.

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The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Join the celebration on Saturday, November 7th for a full day of festivities including museum tours, family activities, an exhibit about the history of the museum, a chance to see newly donated trees, and a celebration of the community that cares so deeply for this special place. Drop in to enjoy these free activities from 10 AM to 4 PM.

That evening from 6 PM to 8 PM, don’t miss a special science café exploring the scientific mechanisms at work that transform trees into stunning bonsai. Hear from experts studying different soil properties as well how plants respond to growth in containers, get a sneak peek of bonsai after dark, and enjoy tasty cocktails. Registration is required for the science café.

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The growing season may be winding down, but there is still much to do in the garden. Fall is a great time to take stock of the past year’s successes and do some preparation for the next growing season. Here are some fall gardening tips from our Washington Youth Garden team:

Plant bulbs and native plants

• Fall is a great time to plant bulbs and natives to encourage root growth and ensure your plants are well established come spring. Stock up on bulbs at FONA’s bulb sale during the Fall 5K & Festival on October 31st.

Good time to divide

• If you have a plant that has grown too large, you can divide it and replant in a new spot or share extras with neighbors and friends.

Fall cleaning

• Remove any diseased or damaged plant material from the garden, as pests can overwinter in piles of old plant debris. But leave healthy plant material to provide habitat for beneficial insects.

Save seeds

• Collect seeds from plants once the seeds look dry and brown. Separate the seeds from the chaff and leave to air dry fully before storing. Be sure to leave some seeds for birds to feed on through winter.

Apply mulch

• Offer some extra protection to semi-hardy plants over the winter and return nutrients back to the soil that have been used up during the growing season.

Harvest cool-season veggies

• Pick herbs to dry and use in cooking throughout the winter and early spring.
• Continue to harvest greens and brassicas. Root veggies like carrots and radishes will even taste sweeter after a light frost!

The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is home to several Chinese elms displayed in different styles. Plant #140 was donated by its creator Stanley Chinn in 2002. It is a forest-style penjing of seven Ulmus parvifolia arranged in a single container to represent a slice of wooded landscape. The interactions between the trees in forest bonsai are gently cultivated, and their realistic imperfections make them just as interesting as a single perfectly groomed tree. Their lovely exfoliating bark, small leaves, and fall display make them a popular tree, both in miniature and full size. They normally grow 30-50 feet tall, and their resistance to Dutch elm disease, drought, and urban conditions make them good city trees. Some nurseries sell Siberian elms as Chinese elms, so make sure to check that they have small leaves, lacy exfoliating bark, and an autumn flowering period before purchasing.

See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. FONA supporters get perks like discounts and early access to registration.

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