Lawn reduction and outright replacement are hugely popular topics in the eco-gardening world today, and even in mainstream media. And the most challenging place to get rid of lawns altogether are front yards – because of HOA (or co-op) rules, … Read More
There’s a new (plant) nursery in town – or just outside Greenbelt, in Beltsville, not far from the old Behnkes location. It’s Lillian Farms, situated along Odell Road in a surprisingly residential neighborhood. It opened last November and it’s time … Read More
Lincoln Smith has been described, by one Washington Post reporter, as a “landscape architect gone rogue,” after he quit his “high-end landscape architecture firm” to experiment and advance forest agriculture, the goal proclaimed on the home page of Forested. … Read More
Like many Greenbelters, I’m alarmed by the decline of bees and other pollinators and want the plants in my tiny yard to help support them. So because the coleus I’d been growing in pots in my front garden attracted no … Read More
Hey, Greenbelters! Now, before the leaves are out it’s pretty easy to spot English ivy growing in trees, where it can damage them. And a lesser-known harm is from the berries iti produces after it’s grown vertically and matures … Read More
At the time that Greenbelt first promoted “No-Mow April” in 2022, this garden writer, Master Gardener and lifelong gardener wrote “Beware No-Mow April” about its potential harm to turfgrass, citing U.Maryland lawn-care advice. Even if you’re anti-lawn, the most environmentally … Read More
by Kate Murray It’s finally time to clean out your understairs closet and get an outdoor shed for your GHI townhouse. It’s a bit of a process and takes some planning but it’s doable. Here’s what I’ve learned if it’s … Read More
Ever heard of the Prince George’s Beautification Awards? They were started in 1960 by the county’s Chamber of Commerce, and the program is now run by the county’s Beautification Committee (members include County Landscape Architect, garden clubs, non-profits and interested … Read More
[This is Part 2 of my Greenhills report. Part 1 covered public spaces, including a commercial strip.] Housing in Historic Greenhills From an architectural source: Each [residential] section has a mix of dwellings, one or more collector streets, a series … Read More
A very knowledgeable Greenbelt expert in resources for residents, especially seniors and people with disabilities, is City of Greenbelt employee Christal Batey. She recently gave a zoom talk about sources of aid for Marylanders who need financial help modifying their … Read More
I was recently asked by newcomers to Greenbelt what native plants I recommend, and could they please see them in my garden? What a great idea! So much more helpful than consulting lists of plants native to our region, with … Read More
Since moving to Old Greenbelt, I’ve been increasingly drawn to Mid-Century Modern architecture, especially because my townhouse in Old Greenbelt is Modernist, It was built in1937 in the International Style so rarely used in the U.S. but more common in … Read More
Join Greenbelters and other garden-lovers in the beloved lakeside garden of Mary Lou Williamson this Sunday from noon to 4. The forecast is great! Light refreshments will be available. As an avid gardener and long-time editor of the Greenbelt News … Read More
No-Mow signup at City of Greenbelt website. Letter to the Editor Did you happen to see my letter to the editor of the Greenbelt News Review’s April 7 issue under the title “No-Mow Presents Problems for Lawns”? Here it is: … Read More
(Today I sent the following letter to Greenbelt Homes, Inc.‘s Buildings Committee, which will be discussing compliance the new zone and problems with our current exception system at its meeting tomorrow night.) Bottomline: I urge the Buildings Committee to … Read More
