Welcome Elizabeth From Frager's!

Photo by María Helena Carey

With cherry blossoms in full bloom and daffodils lining the streets, we are reminded that it is once again spring.  The fact that these harbingers of life are being dusted in snow reminds us that it is spring in Washington, DC.  And with spring comes the human instinct to connect with the earth, to go outside, take a walk –maybe picnic– and for those lucky enough to have the space… to garden.  If you are an established gardener, you have probably already been scouring your neighbors’ yards for the first signs of crocus and galanthus (snow drops- -ed.).  But once the bright yellow blooms of forsythia light up the sidewalks and the BID start trimming the crabapple trees along Pennsylvania, there is no question for any of us: it is time to start digging.

Unfortunately, for many, the love of gardening does not necessarily go hand in hand with our ability:

“When should I plant what?”

“How to prune, and when?”

“Why do I need to fertilize?  What do I fertilize with? Chemical, organic, fish, seaweed, worm castings?”

“What is a worm casting??”

“What kind of bug is that!?!”

“What do you mean I need to prune my tomato plant?”

And so on, and so on… the questions are endless.

For some of you I may already be a regular part of your life; for others, I hope to be of some help in the future. My name is Elizabeth Philbrick, and I am the manager of the Garden Center at Frager’s Hardware. Every day I answer dozens of questions in the hopes that my neighbors will go home and prosper in their gardens. However, what has become increasingly noticeable over the years is that I am asked the same questions over and over again, and at the same time every year –which, I might add, is perfectly normal, since not much has changed in the rhythms of nature for quite some time now.

So instead of having to drum up my metaphors and mnemonic devices multiple times daily, and in hopes of making life a little easier for everyone, I will be answering your gardening questions every other week here on The Hill is Home.  Additionally, I will be interjecting some of my own timely “need to know” tips.  Every two weeks I will sift through the questions submitted to me on QuestionForElizabeth@gmail.com and do my best to reach most of you by answering the most expressed concerns, maybe fill some gaps in knowledge, or (if you submit a picture) maybe even diagnose a common problem Capitol Hill is facing at the time.  Remember, we all start at the beginning, so no question isn’t worth asking.

I hope to hear from my neighbors soon. And please, never stop growing!