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How to Start Gardening in Indian Head & Nanjemoy, Maryland
How to Start Gardening in Indian Head & Nanjemoy, Maryland
Grow Your Own in Charles County
Grow Your Own in Charles County
The mild climate, long growing season, and rich soil of Southern Maryland make Indian Head and Nanjemoy great places to start a garden—whether you're interested in vegetables, herbs, native plants, or pollinator-friendly flowers.
This beginner’s guide will help you grow a thriving home or community garden with confidence.
Your Growing Zone
Your Growing Zone
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a
Frost-Free Growing Season: Approx. April 15 – October 30
Soil Type: Often loamy/sandy with pockets of clay (especially in Nanjemoy)
✅ Tip: Native plants and region-adapted vegetables perform best with less maintenance.
Test Your Soil
Why: Understand pH, nutrient levels, and soil type
Where: Order a test from the University of Maryland Extension Office (extension.umd.edu)
DIY kits available at local hardware stores
Goal pH: 6.0–6.8 for most vegetables and flowers
Amend with compost, lime, or sulfur based on your test results.
Choose What to Grow
Popular Veggies: Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, green beans, cucumbers, squash
Easy Flowers: Black-eyed Susan's (Maryland state flower), zinnias, marigolds, coneflowers
Native Plants & Pollinator Favorites: Milkweed, bee balm, mountain mint, goldenrod, Joe Pye weed
Small Trees/Shrubs: Serviceberry, viburnum, blueberries (like acidic soil!)
Decide on Garden Type
In-Ground: Large yards, traditional gardens
Raised Beds: Better drainage, easy access, fewer weeds
Containers: Patios, decks, renters, low-maintenance
Pollinator Patch: Native wildflowers, supports bees & butterflies
Pro Tip: Build raised beds with untreated wood or recycled materials. Place old logs and branches in the bottom of your beds to fill in space -requiring less topsoil. It will work like a sponge and retain moisture in the soil.
Watering & Maintenance
Water deeply 1–2 times per week, not daily light sprays
Mulch with straw or bark to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Use rain barrels (allowed in Charles County) to conserve water
Fence off gardens in rural areas to deter deer and rabbits
Local Gardening Resources
Charles County Master Gardeners
Volunteer-run group offering advice, classes, and plant clinics
Contact via the University of Maryland Extension Office
extension.umd.edu/locations/charles-county
Pro Tip for Using Arbor Mulch:
Let it age before using it around plants. Fresh arbor mulch (often free from tree services) can rob nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes, especially if mixed into the soil. Let it age for a few months in a pile, or use it only as a surface mulch—not mixed in. This way, it suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and slowly adds organic matter without harming your plants.
Bonus tip: Keep it 2–3 inches away from the base of trees and plants to prevent rot and pest issues.
Best Months to Plant (Zone 7a)
March–April - Start cool-weather crops: lettuce, peas, spinach, herbs
May - Plant warm-season veggies: tomatoes, peppers, beans
June–July - Succession plant, mulch heavily
August–Sept - Fall garden: kale, radishes, turnips
Oct–Nov - Plant garlic, cover crops, prep beds for winter
Organic Pest Tips
Use row covers for brassicas (kale, cabbage)
Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap for aphids
Attract beneficial insects: ladybugs, lacewings, birds
Native Gardening & Sustainability
Consider creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat with native plants
Avoid invasive species (e.g., English ivy, Bradford pear)
Compost your kitchen and yard scraps
Learn more at Maryland Native Plant Society
Nearby Garden Centers:
Wintergreen Landscape - 5405 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601
Lowe’s & Walmart Garden Centers (La Plata)
Oasis Fresh Foods in Indian Head and the Melwood Horticulture Training Center in Nanjemoy occasionally offer seasonal plants for sale.
Local Contacts
UMD Extension, Charles County: (301) 934-5403
Town of Indian Head: (301) 743-5511
Charles County Environmental Resources: (301) 932-3440
Google Sites
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