Putting the "Farm" back in Janelia Farm...
The Garden in the Janelia Archives.
The Garden Club was featured in the 2010 August issue of the HHMI Bulletin. Check it out
About the garden
The garden is located on the hill nearest to the loading dock of the Janelia Landscape Building. Garden beds are divided into 4'x 4' plots and planted with vegetables and flowers. We are striving to maintain an organic garden including on-site cold composting.
It is surrounded by a 10 foot chain linked fence and hose spigots for irrigation.
Please feel free to come visit the garden even if you are not a member. Just make sure you don't leave with more produce than when you arrived. 
If you didn't plant it, don't pick it!
Quick links
About our club
The club began in March 2009 and currently has 46 members. Our group is made up of all levels of gardeners from beginner to master.
We try to meet regularly as a group to discuss issues facing the garden as well as to share ideas about general gardening information and related events happening in the area. Email Nora Forknall if you would like to be added to the Garden Club email list.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the garden? | Our garden is located out the West end of the Landscape Building, near the B gate. See this picture for the exact location. |
I don't know anything about gardening. Can I still join? | Absolutely! People of all experience levels are members of the Community Garden Club. We all garden together and learn from each other. |
Access to water? |
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How is the garden protected from pests? | Virginia wildlife is well represented at Janelia. Groundhog, deer, rabbits and leaf hungry insects have all been seen around the garden. We have been able to successfully avoid losing plants and veggies with the use of fencing and other creative organic deterrents (hot peppers, garlic, organic sprays, etc.). As long as the doors and gates to the fence are kept closed, we shouldn't have a problem with the larger animals. |
| Are there tools? | We have a large collection of garden tools in toolshed outside the fence at the top of the garden for everyone to use including digging forks, shovels, pitch forks, rakes, and hoes. Please return to the shed when you're done. We have 2 wheelbarrows that live by the compost pile stood up when not in use to avoid collecting water and rusting. |
| What's the deal with the compost piles? | We compost vegetative material that is NOT diseased or NOT weeds with seed heads (these should both be bagged and thrown in the trash). All fresh material goes on Compost Pile 1 (see map) and each year we flip the piles allowing for natural composting to break the material back down into compost for use in the garden. |
How can I get more information? | |
How do I get a space in the garden? | Please email Alice or Nora. As of 2023, we have a full garden and will add you to the waitlist. If plots open up mid season, we will reach out and let you know. Once signed up you'll need to agree to the rules of the garden and sign the waiver. |
Pictures
Got pictures? Add them to the photo gallery.
Gardening in Virginia
Planting timetable from VA co-op extension service
Merchants
Local Nurseries
Blue Mount - general garden supplies, landscaping focused (closest to janelia) Sadly, Blue Mount closed in Fall 2024
Merrifield - extensive selection, source of composted manure
Meadow Farms - general garden supplies but limited selection
Debaggio's - only open in spring, lots of vegetable transplant varieties Sadly, Debaggio's is closed down.
Web Resources
Bonnie Plants- peat pots
Burpee- seeds and plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - heirloom and rare seeds
Chili Woman- organic peppers
Fairfax County Native Seedlings- available January-April
Gardeners Edge- tools
Gardens Alive- organic products for plant care, pest control, etc.
Plant Pro-Tec - all natural deer and critter repellent
Seed Savers Exchange – lots and lots of heirloom seeds
Seeds 'n Such - seeds and plants
Southern States - Ag and gardening supplies