A Summer Send-Off for Your Garden
3 Ways to Prepare Your Garden for the Changing Season
Late summer is the perfect time to clean up your garden and prepare it
should include any invasive plants or weeds that found their way into the soil. Remember to use gloves, wear long pants and socks, and use caution around thorns or plants that can cause irritation. For daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and any other bulbs that sprang up in the spring, you can now pull them up (if you haven’t already) and divide any bulblets you find into separate plants. This will help cut down on crowding even more come spring. Take Cover Cover crops are plants that improve soil health, reduce erosion, and keep your garden healthy, and now is a great time to plant them! Hardy legumes, field peas, certain types of clovers, and warm-season grasses can all work as cover crops, so talk to your landscaper or local nursery to pick out the best choices for your region. While you may not see the fruits of your labors until spring, you can still enjoy preparing your garden for a successful upcoming year and cherish the time you spend with your family outside.
for the coming winter. In the next couple of months, the temperature will start to drop, but by putting in work now, you can ensure your garden is healthy and ready to flourish next spring. You can
even turn garden cleanup into a fun activity for the whole family. Here are three ways to get your garden ready for the next season, while sharing some valuable outdoor time with your loved ones.
More Mulch, Please While most gardeners know the benefits of summer mulching, winter mulching can help lessen water loss, keep weeds out, and regulate soil temperatures during the colder months. It offers an added layer of protection for your plants’ roots, which can be sensitive to continuous freezing and thawing, by keeping the soil temperature more consistent.
Out With the Old If any of your plants didn’t fare so well, take some time to remove them and clear space for future plants. This removal
Before summer comes to a close, go on a mini getaway through Gaithersburg. Check out some of these local spots for a historical tour of our colonial city! A FAMOUS TREE AND THE MAN WHO LIVED THERE A forest oak tree grew where Maryland Route 355, commonly called the “Great Road West,” would eventually travel. Benjamin Gaither built a house in colonial America in 1802 on the same property where the city’s most famous tree was still just a sapling. Benjamin would die 26 years later, but his legacy lives on as Gaithersburg, which was officially incorporated on April 5, 1878. In 1975, the old Forest Oak tree was estimated to be around 275 years old! This means it has been front and center for some of Gaithersburg’s most storied events. JUST PASSING THROUGH Much like the remainder of the northeastern part of the U.S., Gaithersburg has revolutionary claims to fame. Both General George Washington and General Edward Braddock would travel through Gaithersburg while leading troops to fight in the Revolutionary War. Of course, General Washington would later become President Washington, the first president of the United States. City folklore often cites the famous Forest Oak for having borne witness to these historic travels. The Unique History of Gaithersburg A COLONIAL CITY
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory was built in 1899, and it served as one of five
observatories across the globe that focused on gathering pertinent data about our stars and space. While the
observatory closed in 1982, the observations gathered there are still used by scientists today! PRESIDENTIAL PARTIES
Given Gaithersburg’s close proximity to Washington D.C., it’s only natural that the city serves as a stop for presidents looking to escape the hustle and bustle of running a country. One such destination within our city limits was the famous peony garden at Edward Schwartz’s home. Schwartz planted the garden in 1913, stretching the landmark from the railway station to Hutton Street. With more than 410 varieties of peonies, Schwartz’s garden was a phenom adored by many tourists, including former President Woodrow Wilson. Today, Schwartz’s home is Gaithersburg City Hall.
Learn more fun facts about our city and check out local hot spots by visiting GaithersburgMD.gov.
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