The American Horticultural Society at River Farm

7931 E Boulevard Drive

Alexandria, VA 22308

Phone: (800) 777-7931

Fax: (703) 768-8700

http://ww.ahs.org

Join or renew now!

Links:

AHS Seed Exchange

Reciprocal Admissions Program

AHS Heat Zone Map

AHS Books

Youth Gardening

Make a Donation

National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Photo of the month:

These dried seed heads of Queen Anne's lace in River Farm's meadow look ready for a snowball fight.

What's New at the AHS

Webinar Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for “Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love,” the first presentation in the AHS’s 2009 members-only webinar series. Garden designer and author Julie Moir Messervy will give this online presentation on March 11 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited so be sure to register early. A high-speed Internet connection is recommended for best results.

Seed Exchange Reminder
The 50th annual members-only Seed Exchange has been very popular already, and there is still time to get your seed order in before the deadline on Tuesday, March 3. Although hundreds of orders have already been filled by AHS volunteers, the 2009 Seed Exchange is still fully stocked with all 217 selections offered. Plus, don’t forget that in celebration of the golden anniversary of the seed exchange, members who donate $25 or more will receive a cookbook from the exchange’s 2009 sponsor Renee’s Garden. The seed catalog and order form are available online; to access them, you will need the username (ahs) and the members-only password listed in the January/February 2009 issue of The American Gardener. However, if you would prefer to have a copy mailed to you, please call (703) 768-5700 ext. 115 or send an e-mail to jgagliardi@ahs.org. If you are not already an AHS member, you can join on our website or call (800) 777-7931, ext. 119.

Complimentary or Reduced Admission to Gardens
Did you know that an AHS membership card is your passport to more than 200 botanic gardens and arboreta across the country? Gardens and other organizations that participate in our Reciprocal Admissions Program give AHS members complimentary or discounted admission, discounts on events or purchases in their gift shops, and many other benefits. Even if you are not an AHS member but are a member of a garden that participates in this program, you also may be eligible for these benefits from other gardens. For more information and a complete list of participating sites, visit the AHS website.

Flower and Garden Show Discounts
The AHS also has special arrangements with several flower and garden shows in the United States. AHS members presenting a valid membership card receive discounts or even complimentary admission to more than 30 shows this year. To view the list of participating shows and the benefits they offer, visit the AHS website.

Travel Opportunties with AHS
Discover some of America’s horticultural treasures through AHS’s popular Travel Study Programs. Upcoming trips include Baltimore, Maryland, in June and New York’s Hudson Valley in October. In addition, this year’s annual President’s Council trip will feature Portland, Oregon in August. For more information and to sign up for the Travel Study mailing list, visit the AHS website.

Save the Date: Spring Garden Market
If you live nearby to the AHS’s River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, be sure to mark your calendar for our Spring Garden Market on April 17 & 18, 2009. Vendors from the Mid-Atlantic region will be offering plants as well as a variety of garden supplies. April 16 is members-only night, during which AHS members get first pick. For more details, visit the AHS website. Vendors of plants and garden-related items that would like to participate should contact Sharon Grant at (703) 786-5700 ext. 114 or sgrant@ahs.org for more information.

Youth Programs Internship
The AHS is offering a youth programs internship this year, beginning in May. Funded by the 2009 ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program, this internship is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students interested in engaging children and youth in gardening activities. Candidates with education, work experience, or training related to teaching, museum studies, and horticulture will be given preference

What's Growing On

By James Gagliardi, AHS Horticulture Coordinator

As an avid gardener, I begin to suffer from plant withdrawal at this time of year. Starting some seeds indoors is a great way to alleviate this and get a head start on spring. Many kinds of seeds can be sown four to six weeks before the last frost –be sure to follow planting instructions on seed packets for best results. Detailed information on how to start seeds indoors can be found at Renee’s Garden. To find the average last date for frost in your area, The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a Frost Chart for major U.S. cities. And for the best deals on seeds, our members-only Seed Exchange is hard to beat!