Tag environment

The photo shows string bean plants dappled with sunlight through their leaves, with a tree, a fence, and hills in the distance.

Meet the Authors: Growing an Edible Landscape

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Several photographs of lush gardens surround title, "Growing an Edible Landcape."

Monday, Dec 4 | 7 – 8:15 pm
Elkridge
For adults. Register here.

Authors Gary Pilarchik of @therustedgarden and Dr. Chiara D’Amore discuss their new collaborative book, Growing an Edible Landscape: How to Transform Your Outdoor Space into a Food Garden. Plan for the spring ahead and learn how you can convert your lawn and landscape areas into fruitful edible gardens with this practical guide overflowing with ideas, plans, designs, and know-how.

Gary Pilarchik has been gardening for most of his life. His grandfather taught him about vegetable gardening in first grade, and it ignited a passion that has been with him ever since. Gary started his YouTube channel, The Rusted Garden, in 2011 as a way to enjoy himself and teach others about gardening. He has since grown his following of dedicated subscribers, and he started a second channel, My First Vegetable Garden, a few years later to cater to first-time vegetable growers. His belief is that a garden wants to give, vegetables want to grow, and everyone can have a successful garden.

Chiara D’Amore is the Executive Director of the Community Ecology Institute, a non-profit organization working to cultivate communities in which people and nature thrive together. She holds a Ph.D. in Sustainability Education and a Masters in Environmental Science and Engineering and teaches courses related to climate change, civic ecology, experiential education, and research design.

3 sets of dried stems and seeds are shown in clear plastic containers against a blue backdrop.
Seeds from the 1st Annual Howard County Seed Share held at HCLS Miller Branch in January 2023.

Save the date: 2nd Annual Seed Share at HCLS Miller Branch, Saturday, January 20, 2024, 2-4 pm
A seed exchange is a great opportunity to acquire new varieties, save money, and reduce seed waste, while learning and sharing with fellow gardeners and community volunteers. Free demonstrations and information will also be available.
If you would like to share seeds, please drop them at one of three locations, from January 1 – 18:

  • HCLS Miller Branch | 9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City
  • HCLS Elkridge Branch | 6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge
  • Community Ecology Institute | 8000 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia


Close up of lily of the valley flowers, white bells, green stems and a dark background.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Kristen B. 1 Comment
Close up of lily of the valley flowers, white bells, green stems and a dark background.

by Ann H.

With the Library’s help, of course! The Enchanted Garden celebrates its 10th season this coming spring, during which the garden and the gardeners have grown! We’ve had challenges to learn from and victories to savor. Together they position us well for our best season yet.

While the garden rests under a blanket of snow, this gardener dreams! Spring conjures up visions of colorful blooms, warm sunshine, plentiful rain, and rich soil. New garden catalogs, books, and now webinars spark grand ideas and plans. I am eager to get my hands in the soil and nurture all the plants and wildlife (not bunnies!) that create our abundant garden.

Visitors to the Enchanted Garden can expect to be wowed by the tried and true as well as something new.

Here’s what you can look forward to:
• An expanded Edible Landscape that combines flowers, herbs, and vegetables lovely enough for your front yard.

• A traditional Native American garden named The Three Sisters featuring corn, beans, and squash.

• Companion planting pairings to help plants get the nutrients they need, fend off pests, attract pollinators, and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

• Container gardens showcasing vegetables, herbs, and flowers for small spaces.

• 500 pounds (fingers crossed!) of food raised for the Howard County Food Bank.

• A healthy environment that provides for people and pollinators without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides.

Ambitious plans require many helping hands. We look forward to the return of volunteers, teens, tweens, and children to our Enchanted Garden. Stay tuned for classes and events to be offered all season long!

Ann is a Master Gardener and the Enchanted Garden Coordinator at the HCLS Miller Branch, where she has worked for many years. You can find her smiling in the garden and sharing her passion for plants, nature, and our community.