Boston Flora

Month: January 2010

  • Saturday, February 6, 10:00 – 11:00 am – Introduction to Hydroponics

    After last year’s excessive rain and crop failures caused by the pathogen late blight, it makes sense to grow vegetables in a more controlled environment. This class will cover the basics of growing vegetables using hydroponics, which is simply growing plants in a non-soil growing medium. This can be a very simple and effective way to grow vegetables which can yield amazing results.  Instructor Tom Dzaugis of Green Path Garden Supply in Northboro will cover the different growing mediums available, why pH is in important in hydroponics, the difference between fertilizers for soil and hydroponics, and lighting. We will conclude with a Q&A discussion on how to put all this information together and have success growing plants hydroponically.  The class will take place at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts, costs $6 for member of THBG, $8 for non-members, and you may register on line at www.towerhillbg.org.

    http://www.ancoraimparoblog.com/blog/Images/aerogarden.jpg

  • Sunday, January 17, 1:30 pm – Horticultural Nomenclature

    On Sunday, January 17, at 1:30 pm in the Putnam Building at Elm Bank, Arthur Haines, Research Biologist at the New England Wild Flower Society will lead you through the often puzzling world of horticultural nomenclature.  Why is something called what it is, and why would anyone ever want to change that?  For those whose Latin is not an easily spoken second language, such changes can be very annoying.  However, there are good reasons for change.

    Arthur Haines began his botanical study in the mountains of western Maine, searching for state rare species with Les Eastman.  His early experience involved working at the University of Maine herbarium and participating in field trips of the Josselyn Botanical Society.  Arthur performed graduate studies in systematics at the University of Maine under Christopher Campbell.  Arthur is also a regional reviewer for the Flora of North America project.  This program is free and is sponsored by the American Rhododendron Society.

    http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/973478_002_b?$redesign-product-zoom$

  • Mondays, January 25 and February 1, 10:00 am – 12 noon – Winter Shrubs and Plantings

    Sandy Vorce is the study group leader for this two part class in Winter Shrubs and Plantings, part of the Tufts University Osher Life Long Learning Institute conducted at Tufts’ Medford campus.  From berries to needles, branch color to fragrance, there are many shrubs that hold particular interest in the New England winter landscape.  Explore the variety, habitat and value of these plants through photographs, stories and samples.  The first session takes place Monday, January 25, and the second will be held Monday, February 1, from 10:00 am – 12 noon.  Sandy Vorce is the Property Manager at Mass Audubon Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary.  She is a Master Gardener trained in ecological landscaping and has a passion for nature and love of wildlife. Call 617-627-5699, or log on to www.ase.tufts.edu/lli for more information.  $50 for Osher Life Long Learning Institute members, $85 (includes annual membership dues) for the general public.

    http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/a/yard/winter-bloomers-01.jpg

  • Saturday, February 6, 10 am – 2:30 pm – Winter Tree Observations: Deciduous Trees

    You may already have taken Carol Govan’s evergreen tree identification class – now move on to deciduous trees.  On Saturday, February 6, from 10 – 2:30, Carol will present a workshop at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden in this program co-sponsored by the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture and the Arnold Arboretum.  Winter is a great time to identify trees based on their overall structure and twig and bud characteristics. Close observation can also reveal clues to the adaptive strategies of various tree species. You will begin indoors at the Wellesley College Greenhouse Visitor Center, carefully looking at twigs and other tree parts, discovering family and genus similarities, and examining indicators of the growth cycles of deciduous trees. After lunch Carol will lead you through the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens to identify trees, observing both large- and small-scale details. Bring a lunch and hand lens and dress for cold weather. (Snow date: February 13)
    Fee $50 WCFH or Arnold Arboretum member, $65 nonmember.  To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/5500733/2/istockphoto_5500733-oak-tree-winter-silhouette.jpg

  • Sunday, January 10, 1:00 pm – The Paradise of All These Parts

    Join author John Hanson Mitchell as he speaks on his latest book, The Paradise of All These Parts: A Natural History of Boston, chronicling the unique story of our beloved New England home, this Sunday, January 10, at 1:00 pm at The Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts.  In 1614, the explorer John Smith sailed into what was to become Boston Harbor and referred to the wild lands and waters around him as “the Paradise of all these parts.”  Fifteen years later a company of Puritans arrived and within a few decades, a new city, known as Boston, was rising among the hills of the peninsula. Almost four hundred years later, one might wonder what remains of John Smith’s “Paradise.”

    John Hanson Mitchell is also the author of Ceremonial Time, Living at the End of Time, Walking Towards Walden, Following the Sun, and Looking for Mr. Gilbert.  He is the editor of Sanctuary, the award winning magazine published by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

    Free admission for Museum members, $10 for non members. For more information log on to www.fruitlands.org.

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  • Golden Days Contest

    National Garden Club President Renee Blaschke has a project.  All incoming National Presidents choose a project, but this year Renee is trying something a bit different.  She envisions a country gleaming with daffodils each spring, and to encourage clubs to participate, the New England Region is sponsoring a contest.  The state that has planted the most daffodils per capita by December 1, 2010 will be awarded a monetary prize, an award ribbon, and a certificate.  A “Golden Days” project might include mass plantings at retirement centers, parks, playgrounds, assisted living homes, schools and public buildings – places to plant are limited only by your imagination.  Clubs will submit the paperwork, but if you planted daffodils in 2009, or are planning to plant next fall, keep track of those bulbs and let your president know where they were planted.   Remember Lady Bird Johnson’s wild flowers?  Texas is awash with bluebonnets as a result.  Beautification of our environment is part of the mission statement of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, so we are pleased to notify Massachusetts gardeners of this opportunity.

    http://photos.igougo.com/images/p115418-London-Daffodils_in_Green_Park_London.jpg

  • Monday, February 1 – Application Deadline for New England Wild Flower Society Plant Conservation Volunteers

    New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) participates in a program to recruit and train amateur field botanists to perform much-needed conservation work throughout New England.  The Plant Conservation Corps has grown from a small pilot program to a regional corps engaging hundreds of volunteers all across New England.

    Recognizing the shortage of trained personnel and the labor-intensive nature of plant conservation, members of the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP) recommended that New England Wild Flower Society initiate an effort to train volunteers to perform much-needed plant conservation fieldwork. Since 1998, volunteers have donated more than 50,000 hours of fieldwork and provided invaluable data to State Heritage Programs and NEPCoP professionals. The Corps is established in all six New England states, collecting data, performing management work, working with state Heritage Programs, and building a region-wide constituency for native plants.

    Each volunteer receives classroom and field training as well as a comprehensive handbook. All volunteers can take part in special classes, field trips, and symposia. These educational programs, networking opportunities, and a yearly evaluation process ensure the reliability of volunteer work, as well as the enjoyment of the experience.

    Plant Conservation Volunteers are involved in a variety of plant conservation activities vital to the preservation of New England’s native flora:

    Rare Plant Monitoring
    Volunteers regularly monitor the health of the rarest plants in New England, identifying threats to these populations and building a constituency for natural habitats and plant communities.
    Habitat Management
    Volunteers manage lands for rare species and their habitats. Loss of open space through development and natural succession has become a problem as urban areas expand and rural areas return to forests. In the long run, we must focus on protecting entire habitats, rather than single species, but while striving to do this, we must also maintain individual plant populations.
    Survey and Control of Invasive Species
    Under the Society’s guidance, volunteers assist in removal of invasive species from selected natural areas, particularly habitats where exotic species are just beginning to impact native flora.
    General Botanical Surveys
    Much of New England, especially privately held lands, has never been surveyed comprehensively. The Society trains PCVs to produce botanical surveys of both native and non-native plants and make management recommendations.

    An application form and more information can be found at www.newfs.org.  There will be a learning day scheduled for applicants to hear more about the 2010 activities.  Deadline for submission is Monday, February 1.

    http://www.urbancreeks.org/CCWRAP%20Photos/Cod_Crk_Weeding.jpg

  • Saturday, January 30, 10 am – 2:30 pm – Winter Tree Observations: Evergreens

    Carol Govan has been a popular speaker with The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  Join her on Saturday, January 30 at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden for this one session class beginning at 10 am.  Winter is a great time to identify trees based on their overall structure and twig and bud characteristics. Close observation can also reveal clues to the adaptive strategies of various tree species. You will begin indoors at the Wellesley College Greenhouse Visitor Center, carefully looking at twigs and other tree parts, discovering family and genus similarities, and examining indicators of the growth cycles of evergreens. After lunch Carol will lead you through the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens to identify trees, observing both large- and small-scale details. Bring a lunch and hand lens and dress for cold weather. (Snow date: February 13) Fee $50 Arnold Arboretum or Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture member, $65 nonmember.  To register, or for more information, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    Evergreen Needles and Snow by ...Rachel J....

  • Saturday, January 16, 11:00 am – Snowshoeing Guided Walk

    On Saturday, January 16, beginning at 11 am, enjoy the signs of winter wildlife at the Mass Audubon Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, with a Teacher Naturalist as your guide.  Snowshoeing is an easy and fun way to get around.  You’ll discover animal tracks and signs, beautiful winter scenes, and hidden winter treasures.  Preregistration is not required, and snowshoe rental is included in the price ($8 for Mass Audubon members, $12 for non members),  For more information, call 617-983-8500, or email bnc@massaudubon.org.

    http://workingwellresources.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/snowshoeing-at-the-basin-phippsburg-08.jpg

  • Saturday, January 30, 9 am – 4 pm – Grafting Techniques for Ornamental Trees

    Join Plant Propagator Jack Alexander at the Dana Greenhouses at the Arnold Arboretum on Saturday, January 30 at 9 am for this day long workshop sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum. Grafting is the technique of joining parts of plants in such a manner that they unite and continue their growth as one plant. It is sometimes the most practical propagation method for the hobbyist, since it does not require special conditions or equipment. This workshop will teach methods of grafting and offer practice in making graft unions from actual plant material. You will graft both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. The plants may include two- or five-needled pines and crabapples. (Simple aftercare will be required until planting out in late spring.) If you own pruning shears or a grafting knife, please bring them to class. You must sign an assumption-of-risk-and-release form in order to practice the techniques taught in class (yes, you can cut yourself if you’re not careful!)
    Fee $90  Arboretum member, $110 nonmember.  To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/images/bud-grafting.jpg