Joel M. Lerner - March's gardening and nature programs around D.C. March's gardening and nature programs around D.C. By Joel M. Lerner Friday, March 11, 2011; 2:52 PM Spring offers many opportunities for lectures, workshops, tours and other educational programs. Before you get busy in the garden, take advantage of one of the many sessions offered this month. Call to ascertain if pre-registration is required. If a fee is not shown, the event is free. Washington Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, 202-686-5807, www.hillwood museum.org U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE, 202-245-4521, www.usna.usda.gov United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, 202-225-1116, www.usbg.gov March 12: Orchid Care Lecture & Repotting Workshops. Join orchid curator David Lafond for a lecture and learn orchid care, cultivation, classification and information about the collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Bring one or two orchids from your collection (and an unglazed terra cotta pot for each) and learn repotting techniques in workshops. Limited to 10 participants per workshop. 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3 p.m. Suggested donation $25. Hillwood. March 12: Garden Production Facility Open House. Once-a-year opportunity for the public to visit the U.S. Botanic Garden's growing facility, the largest greenhouse complex supporting a public garden in the United States. Meet the growers and wander through this working wonderland of plants. U.S. Botanic Garden Production Facility. Directions provided after registration. March 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31: Join staff orchid experts and volunteers for a 15-minute orchid repotting demonstration. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 17: Full Moon Hike for Groups. Put together a group of up to 25 people for a brisk two-hour walk under the full moon. It is not recommended for children under 16. 7-9 p.m. $550. Meet in the visitor information trailer, U.S. National Arboretum. March 17, 18: Full Moon Hike. Join a four-mile full moon hike with a staff member as your guide. 8-10 p.m. $22. March 18: Bobby Ward, author of "Chlorophyll in His Veins: J.C. Raulston, Horticultural Ambassador," will discuss Raulston, founder of the North Carolina State University arboretum, and some of his plant introductions. U.S. Botanic Garden. March 19: Bonsai Repotting Workshop. Learn when and how to repot your bonsai with guidance from a museum curator. Individual attention is provided for each tree brought in by students (limit one large or two small bonsai). Soil and tools are provided. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, U.S. National Arboretum. March 20: Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World. This slide show presentation is a traveling exhibition by the American Society of Botanical Artists that explores the conservation efforts of scientists and illustrators around the globe. 2-3 p.m., U.S. Botanic Garden. March 24: Horticultural Therapy: Applying Principles for Stress Reduction. Lana Dreyfuss, past president of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, will explain the field of horticultural therapy, which can reduce stress. This program is designed specifically for those who wish to learn about horticultural therapy and its applications. 10 a.m.-noon. $20. March 26: Lahr Native Plant Symposium. Explore developments of native plant use in the landscape and the intersection of native plants, horticulture, ecology and landscape design. Lunch included. Beltsville Area Research Center, 10300 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville. 202-245-4523 for directions. March 26: Native Plant Sale. Annual sale featuring extensive collection of native plants from local nurseries. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sponsored by Friends of the National Arboretum. Beltsville Area Research Center, Building 005 parking lot, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville. March 27: Serene Sunday. Stroll the mansion and gardens. 1-5 p.m. March 29: Make Your Own Bonsai. Jack Sustic, curator, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, U.S. National Arboretum, will demonstrate techniques to make your own bonsai. Noon-1:30 p.m., U.S. Botanic Garden. Maryland Audubon Naturalist Society Woodend Nature Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Rd., Chevy Chase, 301-652-9188, www. audubonnaturalist.org Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, 301-962-1400, www.brooksidegardens.org March 12: Rain Garden Workshop. Transform your yard into a natural ecosystem to help capture and filter rainwater using native plants to enhance your soil and create a watershed-friendly garden. Brookside. March 12, 19, 26: Beginner Bird Walks. Bring binoculars or use those of the Audubon Naturalist Society. Walks last approximately one hour. Meet outside the sanctuary shop, Woodend. March 16: Site Prep and Crop Selection for Vegetables. Learn the considerations for choosing a site for vegetable gardens, soil preparation and selection of crops for maximum harvest. March 19, 20: Orchid Sale. Sponsored by the Friends of Brookside Gardens and the Brookside Gardens Orchid Club. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., March 19; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., March 20. Visitors center, Brookside. March 20: Botanical Gems of Montgomery County. Join Carole Bergmann, forest ecologist at Blockhouse Point Conservation Park along the Potomac River, to explore the preserve's contiguous Piedmont forest. Search for early blooms and swelling buds. This two-to-four-mile moderate hike will cover hilly areas to a bluff above the Potomac. Sponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society. March 23: Papercrete Troughs. Create a lightweight trough for your garden to take home and plant, guided by Betty Mackey. Materials included. March 24: Cultivating the Garden Artist Within. Learn to visualize your garden like a professional designer. Common design problems and solutions will be discussed. 6:30-8 p.m. March 26, 27: Ikenobo and Ikebana Exhibition. Sponsored by the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Metropolitan Washington and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society Baltimore Group. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., March 26; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., March 27. Virginia Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, 703-642-5173, www. greenspring.org Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, 703-255-3631, www.nvrpa.org/park/ meadowlark_botanical_gardens University of Virginia Blandy Experimental Farm, State Arboretum of Virginia, Boyce, 540-837-1758, www.virginia.edu/blandy March 12: Basic Gardening: Grow Plants From Seeds. Green Spring master gardeners teach gardening basics. Green Spring. March 12: Propagation Workshop. Horticulturist Tammy Burke will show how to start annuals and perennials from seeds and cuttings. Techniques, potting media and resources will be presented. Meadowlark. March 12: Signs of Spring. Search for budding plants, earthworms, amphibians, migrating birds and other signs of the changing season. Most of this session will be outdoors. 540-837-1758 for details on time and fees. State Arboretum. March 19: Urban Small Space Gardening. Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine's editor and publisher, will discuss creative ways to maximize garden space. March 19: Moonlight Garden Walk. Join a naturalist to explore Meadowlark at night and to search for nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy a fire in the visitor center after the walk. For ages 6 and up. Meet in the visitor center. March 20: Birding in the Gardens. Join a naturalist for a tour of the gardens and a search for birds. Learn basic bird identification and general birding tips. Some field guides and binoculars are available; bring your own if you have them. Meet at the visitor's center. 2-3 p.m. March 25: Basic Gardening. Green Spring master gardeners will guide you through the basics of gardening for birds. March 26: New Trends in Floral Design. Join Bruce Nash, Northern Virginia Community College instructor, and bring a touch of spring to your home with a unique floral design. Materials and containers provided for a $20 supply fee, due by March 18. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $32. March 26: Bull Run Swamp Stomp. Join naturalist Rich Bailey on a night hike searching for amphibian life at Bull Run Regional Park. Find salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs and more. Rubber boots and warm clothes are recommended. Adults and children age 6 and older. 7-8 p.m. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville. Call Meadowlark for directions. Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md.