Garden like the pros at Merrifield

ADVERTORIAL CONTENT

Merrifield Garden Center offers its fall seminars in three locations: Merrifield Community Hall (next to our Merrifield store), 8104 Lee Highway, Merrifield, Va., 703-560-6222; Fair Oaks Meeting Room (second floor of store), 12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax, Va.; and in our Garden Room in Gainesville, 6895 Wellington Rd., Gainesville Rd., Gainesville, Va., 703-368-1919. For more information visit merrifieldgardencenter.com.

If you’re planning to attend our “Introduction to Cooking with Fresh Herbs” or “Children’s Gardening” seminars, we’d appreciate it if you registered online so we can order the proper amount of supplies. In this schedule, there’s a link to register next to the descriptions of these seminars. Thank you. Seminar schedule follows.

September 17

Merrifield – Trees and Shrubs for Small Gardens, 10 am

Robert Woodman, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

It doesn’t matter if you have a cozy, townhouse backyard or a high-rise apartment balcony. You can still have a beautiful garden. Robert will show you some gorgeous varieties of trees and shrubs that are perfect for small gardens.

Fair Oaks – Four Season Gardening, 10 am

Lynn Cohen, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Make the most of each season. Learn how to design your garden to look beautiful throughout the year.

Gainesville – Build the Lawn of Your Dreams, 10 am

David Yost, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Have you always wanted a thick, dark green, lush lawn? If so, there’s good news. Fall is the best time of year to get your lawn in shape. David will provide you with all the know-how you’ll need.

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September 24

Merrifield – Adding Spring Color with Fall Bulbs, 10 am

Larry Shapira, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center, and Professor Emeritus (Ret.), NVCC

Bulbs are easy, beautiful and fit into any landscape. Fall is the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs and Merrifield offers a wide selection of new varieties and time-honored favorites.

Fair Oaks – Creating Focal Points, 10 am

Joshua Dean, Landscape Designer, Merrifield Garden Center

Plants and hardscapes are essential to the structure of any garden. But focal points give your garden personal character and flair. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Joshua’s ideas of how to focus interest in your garden.

Gainesville – Introduction to Cooking with Fresh Herbs, 10 am

Lilienne Conklin, Chef, Merrifield Garden Center

Chef Lilienne will show you how to use fresh herbs to bring out the best in your recipes. You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make. Registration is appreciated, but not required at www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/seminars.

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October 1

Merrifield – Introduction to Cooking with Fresh Herbs, 10 am

Lilienne Conklin, Chef, Merrifield Garden Center

Chef Lilienne will show you how to use fresh herbs to bring out the best in your recipes. You’ll be amazed at the difference it can make. Registration is appreciated, but not required at www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/seminars.

Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks – 73^rd Annual Potomac Rose Society Rose Show

Saturday, October 1, 1 pm – 6 pm

Sunday, October 2, 12 noon – 4 pm

Gainesville – Houseplants & Bringing Tropicals Back Indoors, 10 am

Regina Lanctot, Tropical Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to overwinter your favorite tropical plants indoors. Regina will also introduce you to some beautiful houseplants to brighten your home and keep your fingers in the dirt.

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October 8

Merrifield – Fall Magic with Trees and Shrubs, 10 am

Michael Fahey, ISA Certified Arborist, Merrifield Garden Center

Watching leaves change to shades of red, orange and yellow is always exciting! Now there’s no need to hop in your car to see fall foliage. Attend this seminar to learn how to create a gorgeous panorama in your own backyard.

Fair Oaks – Incredible Fall Container Gardens, 10 am

Paul Westervelt, Annual & Perennial Production Manager, Saunders Brothers Nurseries

Container gardens are not just for summer! Learn how to create a dazzling display with fall-peaking perennials and cold-tolerant annuals. Your family and friends will be impressed with the results.

Gainesville – Deer Prevention, 10 am

Renatta Holt, Landscape Designer, and James White, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Renatta and James will help you develop an effective strategy to protect your valuable landscape from deer. They’ll discuss various control strategies and deer resistant plants that you can use alone or in combination.

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October 15

Merrifield – Walks, Walls and Patios, 10 am

Renatta Holt, Landscape Designer, Merrifield Garden Center

A well-designed landscape integrates the hardscape elements of walkways, walls and patios with your home and garden for a beautiful and functional result. This class will inspire and educate you with wonderful ideas you can incorporate into your own landscape.

Fair Oaks – Find Your Garden Style, 10 am

Mary Kirk Menefee, Landscape Designer, Merrifield Garden Center

Attend this seminar for an overview of various garden styles – Formal, English Cottage, Modern, Japanese, Southern, Naturalistic, etc. – along with top plants and construction tips to achieve the look.

Gainesville – Spooky Gardens, 10 am

Karen Rexrode, Plant Specialist, and Regina Lanctot, Tropical Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

If you love Halloween, this seminar is for you. Have a great time learning how to decorate your garden with black foliage, unique plants and unusual containers and terrariums. Be ready for accolades from family and friends.

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October 22

Merrifield – Green Walls, 10 am

Wayne Boyland, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Evergreens play an important role in the landscape. While offering year-round beauty, they provide privacy, block views and define specific areas. Wayne will introduce you to some of our most beautiful needled and broadleafed evergreens, and discuss their attributes, so you can find the perfect evergreens for your needs.

Fair Oaks – Children’s Gardening (Ages 6-12), 10 am

Laura Hawthorne, Merrifield Garden Center

This session is ideal for parents, grandparents and favorite aunts who want to introduce children to gardening. Each student will bring home a pumpkin that they’ve planted with flowers. (An adult must be present). Registration is appreciated, but not required at www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/seminars.

Gainesville – Extend Your Outdoor Fun with Fire Pits and Fireplaces, 10 am

Mary Kirk Menefee, Landscape Designer, Merrifield Garden Center

Savor the crisp, autumn nights with family and friends over a cozy campfire. Learn how easy it is to stretch your outdoor living and entertaining into another season with fire pits, fire bowls and fireplaces.

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October 29

Merrifield – Creative Landscaping, 10 am

Joshua Dean, Landscape Designer, Merrifield Garden Center

Forget cookie cutter landscaping. Dream big! If you can imagine it, we can build it. Joshua will inspire you with some of his innovative projects that brought his clients’ ideas to life.

Fair Oaks – Pruning Made Easy, 10 am

Larry Shapira, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center, & Professor Emeritus (Ret.), NVCC

Professor Larry will discuss the basics of pruning, including proper timing and techniques. Bring your pruners and gloves. Seminar will include a hands-on segment outside, weather permitting.

Gainesville – Harvesting Black Gold in Your Garden, 10 am

David Yost, Plant Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Looking for ways to make your garden more eco-friendly? David will show you how to recycle yard and kitchen waste into a valuable soil conditioner.

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November 19

Fair Oaks – Christmas Floral Designs, 10 am

Merrifield Garden Center Floral Design Team

Decorate your home with the greens, flowers and berries of the holiday season. Learn how to make lasting floral designs with artificial greens and picks.

Gainesville – How To Create A Festive Container Garden, 10 am

Renatta Holt, Landscape Designer, Merrifield Garden Center

Got an empty pot on your front porch or patio? Renatta can help you turn that eyesore into a beautiful display for the holidays with evergreen branches, berries, pine cones and other adornments.

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November 25-26-27

All Three Stores – Holiday Open House

Kick off the holiday season with a visit to Merrifield Garden Center. The fabulous displays and festive atmosphere are sure to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

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December 3

Fair Oaks – Incorporating Fresh Flowers with Holiday Greens, 10 am

Peg Bier, Plant and Design Specialist, Merrifield Garden Center

Bring the beauty and fragrance of the holiday season into your home with fresh cut pine, holly, cedar, boxwood, magnolia and other plants. You’re sure to be inspired.

Gainesville – How to Create Your Own Holiday Theme Tree, 10 am

Merrifield Garden Center Design Team

Each year our designers set up a large number of Christmas trees, each with their own theme. These beautiful trees have been attracting large crowds and warming hearts for generations. Now you have a chance to learn how our designers create these displays of art.