Gardening

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, **[https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf)** and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "**I accept**" to be permitted on the hike. Join us for an approximately **7 mile hike** around **[Hains Point](https://www.nps.gov/places/000/east-potomac-park-hains-point.htm)** along the **[Tidal Basin](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/trail-guides.htm) and over the [Memorial Bridge](https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/memorialave.htm).** There is **no elevation** to speak of. Most of the hike is on **pavement.** **Description** The **[2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival](https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/)** in Washington, D.C. runs from **March 20** to **April 12** with **peak bloom** predicted between **March 29** and **April 5, 2026.** **[Hains Point](https://www.nps.gov/places/000/east-potomac-park-hains-point.htm)**, located at the **southern tip** of **[East Potomac Park](https://www.nps.gov/places/000/east-potomac-park-hains-point.htm)**, is a popular spot to see **Cherry Blossoms**, offering a **less crowded alternative** to the **Tidal Basin.** **It offers** a **4-mile loop trail** ideal for **walking** (and biking), is lined with **cherry trees** and as the point of **convergence** of the **Potomac River**, **Washington Channel** and **Anacostia River**, it provides a **panoramic view** of the area. Emerging from the **Haines point**, we will head along the **Tidal Basin** towards **Memorial Bridge** and then back to the **Marina.** **Facilities:** Columbia Island Marina and at Hains Point. **Where to meet?** We will begin at **[Columbia Island Marina](https://boatingindc.com/columbia-island-marina/)** (Lady Byrd Johnson Park, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA; Note that the only entrance to the Marina is from the **GW Parkway Southbound.** GPS Coordinates: **[38.876366, -77.049883](https://maps.app.goo.gl/z4K5XxsS8KHsyF1A9)** **Arrival Time: Please arrive by 9 am so that we can get all checked in and leave on time at 9:30 am.** **What to bring?** **Bring:** Be sure and wear sturdy walking shoes; dress in layers; and have adequate hydration. We will stop for lunch/snack along the way. **Hiking Pace:** We will hike at a pace of 2.5-2.7 mph while moving. **You must have experience with hikes of this distance and pace.** **Elevation Gain**: N/A **Dogs** are **not** permitted on this hike in accordance with the **[NVHC Dog Policy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cCe0_KteiZM6qiZMi1PZlgWBf_NBCFD0/view)** **Weather:** the weather for this location can be found **[HERE](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/c4025fdf0177c872b7fc2e0d09e7c523995ef49e21145e2d2438fe08649ca9e8).** **Rehydration:** It might be fun to have a snack at **Island Time Bar/Grill** on the water at Columbia Island Marina upon completion of our hike **Leader:** Dawn Keeler 703 533 9231. I will be in a Honda Hatchback, with the hatchback open.

This our weekly game night event! We start at 6pm so that we can get dinner from Aslin Taproom. Come join us and maybe meet some new friends as we play games ranging from Fluxx to Ricochet Robots to Ticket to Ride to Saboteur to Cards Against Humanity (and many others). Bring your games or try the games that our regulars bring! That pesky covid thing is still around. Feel free to wear a mask. I have extra masks if you don't feel comfortable without one.

Join us as we do an invigorating outdoor walk and talk in Historic Greenbelt MD. Our goal is to walk twice around the 1.4 mile path. Should take about an hour. Afterward, those of us interested will head to nearby Cedars of Lebanon restaurant for lunch and conversation. The address for GPS is Buddy Attic Lake Park. 555 Crescent Rd. Greenbelt, MD. Meet us in the parking lot. Thank you! .....Ross A.

Join us between 6:00 and 9:30 to play nontraditional board games at Brew Belly restaurant in Olney, MD. Some games will be provided but please do bring along games you are interested in playing! The start time is 6:00 pm. Typically attendees will begin splitting off for their first game by 6:15, but this can vary. RSVPs let us know who to look out for, and if you will be arriving much after 6:15-6:30, shoot us a message in the event chat. That will let us know if we are slower to split off or to start with a quicker game so you can get gaming sooner when you arrive! If you have registered but find you cannot attend, please change your RSVP. See you soon!!

## Details - Please read all below before you sign up **Cost:** Free **Court Type:** Outdoor Grass **Level:** BB/A **Transportation:** Parking will be right by the grass. **What to bring:** at least 3 bottles of water and a ball/net if you have one. **10 persons per net max** **Host's Philosophy on this event:** The purpose of this meetup is to create a fun and supportive environment where we can improve our skills, enjoy competitive games, and connect socially. While we do aim to play seriously and challenge ourselves, the focus is more on growth and enjoyment than simply winning at all costs. That’s why the title doesn’t include “competitive” or “social”—we want a healthy mix of both. We do expect a mindset geared toward learning and getting better over time. That said, this event isn’t intended for total beginners; an understanding of the game is expected so that everyone can contribute to meaningful and engaging matches. The host holds the right to remove you from the game if they believe that you are at a C level(absolute beginner). if you can't pass to the setter for example, you are a beginner. **Skill Level:** 1. **If you want to know your level, please see the link below:** [Smiley Social Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/edit) **YouTube:** The games may be recorded and uploaded to our channel here: Let the host know if you have an issue with this. [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@mp02626) **ATTENDANCE:** **Player Selection:** Regulars > League Members > Your Vibe > Skills > \*Your Attendance Ratio > New Members \* If you have 3 attended events & 6 dropped for example, you may or may not be invited(until you change that ration). Anyone with a drop-off level of -.50 or lower. The host takes attendance very seriously. Please remove yourself from the event (if you can't make it) as early as possible to allow others to join. You will be marked as a ***no-show*** if you don't show up to the event. [Smiley Social Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg/edit) **Q&A** *-Bringing your dog or cat is welcome and encouraged.* *-* Can I come if I don't know how to play? \*No, you may not. The host does teach a beginner's volleyball class that you may attend on Saturdays. -Can I be late or leave early? *The host expects you to be there **on time** and leave on time. If you need to come late or leave early, please let the host know ahead of time.* -Can I come even if I am not on the going list? \*No, sorry -NO SMOKING (anything) **Smiley Social documents:** 1. [Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg) 2. [Liability Waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco) 3. [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/)

On Monday, we'll meet in front of 2100 Clarendon Blvd around 6:50pm and head out for a nice hilly run at 7pm to see the pretty flowers in bloom near Arlington Cemetery 🌷 We usually head out for a drink after the run. So if you're planning to stay after for drinks, bring your ID/etc. Notes: If you're not familiar with the area, please review the routes. If it's cold, take cover inside the foyer area of 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Photos taken during the event may end up on Instagram, Meetup, Strava and similar platform. Route: We'll run 20 minutes out from Courthouse along Arlington Blvd towards Arlington Cemetery to check out the tulips 🌷 , and then turn around and run 20 minutes back to Courthouse. Everyone runs at his/her own pace, so the distance will depend on your speed. Courthouse Library > 15th St > Rhodes St > Arlington Blvd sidewalk > N Meade St (Iwo Jima Memorial) > Netherlands Carillon (🔔🌷) > Arlington Cemetery > Memorial Bridge > And back 👈 Pace: All paces are welcome! We'll be doing an out and back route, so everyone will just turn around at the halfway time marker. That way we should all start and end at the same time. Free Parking at Courthouse Plaza: The underground garage (http://tiny.cc/OmKZx) is on Clarendon Blvd btwn Wayne and Veitch Sts. (near Strayer/CVS and the AMC Theater). If the first 2 levels on the left are full, you can park on the lower levels to the right. Street and Surface Parking lots should be free in the area as well. Metro: Orange or Silver line to Courthouse Station.

🌱 Origami Seed Pot Workshop Saturday, April 11 10:00 AM Many gardeners start seedlings in small plastic containers that eventually get thrown away. In this workshop we’ll learn a simple and practical alternative: folding biodegradable planting pots from ordinary paper grocery bags. Using a traditional origami-style fold, we’ll turn brown grocery bags into sturdy seed-starting pots that can go directly into the soil when it’s time to transplant. The folded shape holds soil surprisingly well and breaks down naturally in the garden. This technique is simple, practical, and easy to repeat at home throughout the growing season. If you're curious about the folding method ahead of time, you can watch a short demonstration here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dlGQP81yfo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dlGQP81yfo) During the gathering we’ll: • Learn the folding method step-by-step • Make several planting pots together • Talk about seed starting and spring gardening • Share ideas for reducing waste in the garden After the workshop, those who’d like can continue the conversation over a casual lunch nearby. If you have **brown paper grocery bags**, please bring a few if you can. If not, no worries—I’ll have extra bags available for anyone who needs them. — 🥾 Difficulty — Very easy. No experience with gardening or origami required. — 💲 Cost — Free. — 📍 Location — Rockville Memorial Library (Rockville, MD) The library is about a 7-minute walk from the Rockville Metro (Red Line), with parking available nearby. We'll be in room Rockville 1 at Rockville Memorial Library. — 📝 Registration — Please RSVP on Meetup so we know how many people to expect. — 🎒 What to Bring — • Brown paper grocery bags (if you have extras) • Scissors • Garden curiosity • Optional: seeds you may want to start this spring — 🚗 Carpooling — Once the location is confirmed, we can coordinate optional carpooling through the Meetup event page.

Calling all foodies and gardening enthusiasts! Join us for an exclusive **Sip and Learn** event where you'll get to taste fresh, live herbs while learning how to grow your own food indoors year-round. 🌱 **Clift** will demonstrate how easy it is to grow more than **75 pounds of food** every year using **LED grow lights**—all from the comfort of your home. Whether you live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space, this event will show you how you can maximize small areas to grow delicious, pesticide-free produce. ### **What to Expect**: * **Live Herb Tasting**: Sample fresh herbs like basil, mint, and thyme, and discover their flavorful uses in your favorite dishes or drinks. * **Grow 75+ Pounds of Food**: Learn how you can grow your own fresh food year-round indoors with minimal setup. * **Indoor Gardening Benefits**: From saving on grocery bills to having pesticide-free herbs and vegetables at your fingertips, we’ll cover the perks of indoor gardening. ### **Why Attend?** * **Perfect for small spaces**—no backyard needed! * Gain expert tips on indoor gardening and sustainable food production. * A fun, engaging way to explore the benefits of fresh herbs and veggies for your meals. * Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about urban farming and sustainability. **How to Join**: Simply RSVP here to secure your spot! Bring your favorite drink or meal to pair with our live herbs. 🌿 Don’t miss out on this chance to sip, taste, and learn! Visit **[indoorgardenmarket.com](https://iwantagreenthumb.com)** to learn more, and RSVP now for a fun afternoon of herbs, learning, and indoor gardening! Thank you, Clift --- Chief Community Grower at indoorgardenmarket.com

"Celebrate the return of spring at River Farm! Browse our popular garden marketplace (30 vendors), seek advice from horticultural experts, enjoy delicious food, and tour River Farm’s beautiful gardens and manor house." **$5-Walkers' Fee** We'll meet first at Belle Haven Park at the main parking lot (picnic tables facing the river). We'll then drive & park in a neighborhood close by & walk to River Farm. **Use this link to buy your ticket:** [Blackbaud](https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=ba63fc80-c17a-4b10-a4e5-c86addb213b2&envId=p-JnbQKmfglEe_obdIa3X7mQ&zone=usa) Please LET ME KNOW that you've BOUGHT your TICKET.

Social Sips & Bites Friends - Looking for a calm and scenic way to spend the day? Join us for a refreshing walk through the U.S. National Arboretum, one of DC’s most beautiful hidden gems. After exploring the peaceful trails and stunning gardens, we’ll head to a nearby restaurant for a relaxed group lunch.

Spring is finally here! To celebrate, let's visit the tulips at Brookside Gardens before walking through the Seminary Historic District and making our way over to Bethesda. We'll finish off by visiting Max's Best Ice Cream for a sweet treat to end the day https://maps.app.goo.gl/ Part I - Walk to Brookside Gardens (1.6 miles) [https://maps.app.goo.gl/f2ARZeSKNXob9z8A9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/f2ARZeSKNXob9z8A9) Part II - Walk around Wheaton Regional Park (2.5 miles) [https://maps.app.goo.gl/czHfnKj81UZdYPf49](https://maps.app.goo.gl/czHfnKj81UZdYPf49) Part III - Walk through Seminary Historic District to Bethesda (9.4 miles) [https://maps.app.goo.gl/W1qcehvqPrdL6JiU7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/W1qcehvqPrdL6JiU7) **Mileage:** \~13.0 miles **Start Location:** Glenmont Metro Station **End Location:** Bethesda Metro Station **Time:** 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM **Terrain:** This will be have a solid amount of uphill (\~900 feet) elevation gain) with a mix of paved, gravel, and trail surfaces

Community Seed and Plant Swap Do you love gardening? Want to expand your collection of plants and seeds without breaking the bank? Join MOFB for their free community-based event. Sunday, April 19th 4-6 pm at Mid-Ohio Farm on the Hilltop 116 N Wheatland Ave Columbus OH, 43223 To RSVP for free in-person attendance: https://forms.gle/t6Ppoc5WnRFPTJMZ

Open to public: Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Hosted by OSU The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser Location: Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center 2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210 Spring Plant Sale Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb! Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike. Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together. Credit/debit cards only.

Wild Ones Columbus Annual Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 23th, 2026 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Eastern Time) Overbrook Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 4131 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43214 Public Welcome, Family-Friendly Free Event A wide variety of native flowering plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees will be available from Wild Ones Columbus and local vendors Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife, and Scioto Gardens. Wild Ones will publish a list of plants that will be available at this year's sale closer to the event date. Be sure to stop by! Show up anytime!

SAVE THE DATE! POLLINATOR PATHWAY + LICKING LAND TRUST Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 30, 2026 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon Granville Farmers Market Raccoon Valley Park 1225 River Road | Granville Plant package pre-order coming soon!

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Free Communal Garden Class Series GROWING MUSHROOMS In this class, we will discuss how to raise mushrooms on logs outdoors as a way to raise food in parts of your yard that are usually too shady to grow vegetables or other crops. We will discuss what mushroom species can be cultivated, what tree species they can grow on, and demonstrate how to prepare and inoculate the logs. By following these steps, you can have your own bountiful mushroom harvest! APRIL 27 | 6:00-7:30 PM | WELLS BARN 1851 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43205 INSTRUCTOR: MARC AMANTE Mare Amante is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Central State University who is also currently serving as CSU Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources Interim Program Leader. He has worked on and managed diversified vegetable farms across the Midwest and currently owns and operates an urban farm here in Ohio where he raises microgreens, vegetables, raspberries, and log-grown mushrooms for sale to local markets and restaurants. Registerefor free here https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/cg-growing-mushrooms/

5th annual Earth Day Celebration! This year (2026) the Celebration is scheduled for April 25th with activities running from 10am-2pm. This is a non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome! We will have food trucks, Birds of Prey, kids crafts, live music, raspberry plants, apple trees, and of course NATIVE PLANTS! Where: Lynd Fruit Farm, 9399 Morse Rd, Pataskala Ohio 43062 Time: Activities will be from 10am- 2pm. The Market will remain open until 5pm.

LICKING COUNTY LIBRARY Author & Artist Julie Zickefoose Saturday, April 11, 2026 1 p.m. Licking County Library 101 W. Main St. | Newark, Ohio Julie Zickefoose: Author, Painter, and Bluebird Extraordinaire Zickefoose is an American nature book writer, naturalist, bird artist, and blogger. She lives in Ohio on an 80-acre wildlife sanctuary, which she said inspires much of her work, including her 2012 novel, The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Bird, and NATURAL GARDENING FOR BIRDS The novel is illustrated with 320 of Zickefoose’s colored paintings, life sketches, and drawings, and it was one of Oprah’s 2012 book club reads.