The Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Arlington County office announced three events for the end of June at which attendees can learn about different aspects or types of gardening. On Saturday, June 27, from 10:30 a.m. – noon, the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia are presenting a program on water-wise gardening at the Fairlington Community Center, located at 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington.

The program will focus on how to reduce the need for water in the landscape through choice of plants, selection of planting sites, use of mulch and other techniques. Also on Saturday, June 27, Northern Virginians interested in growing edible mushrooms at home for their own use or for sale can attend an organizational planning meeting of an Edible Mushroom Production Cooperative at Fairlington Community Center.

The meeting will explore the possibility of forming a cooperative to obtain the sterile straw and logs used in mushroom production, to make bulk purchases of inoculant and to educate growers and the public.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension and Alexandria Beautification Commission are presenting a program titled Best Management Practices for Urban Landscapes: A Beginner’s Guide to Gardening at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, located at 2701 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, next Tuesday, June 30, from 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Presented by Arlington County horticultural agent Kirsten Buhls, the program will cover soil testing, composting, tree care, planting guidelines, turf management, plant disease and insect control and light and water requirements.

All of the programs are free and open to the public, but advanced notice of plans to attend or registration are requested. For more information, visit mgnv.org or call 703-228-6414.