Boston Flora

Month: May 2010

  • Tuesday, May 11, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm – Organic Landscaping at Harvard University

    Join Eco-Tour guide Wayne Carbone on Tuesday, May 11, from 11am – 12:30pm, for a “behind the scenes” view of Harvard University’s land care program and learn how to transition from traditional landscaping practices to organic landscaping from the professionals at Harvard.  Tour highlights will include a walking tour of the Harvard University landscape, a detailed explanation about the development of Harvard’s sustainable landscape program, a discussion of large brewers used for making compost tea, a discussion of equipment used to spread compost tea over Harvard Yard, and a demonstration of the improved root growth realized through the organic landscaping program.  Meet at the Philips Brooks House, Harvard Yard in Cambridge.  The cost is $15 for Ecological Landscaping Association members, and $20 for non-members.   Registrations are limited.  Visit www.ecolandscaping.org, or www.arboretum.harvard.edu to register on line, or call 617-436-5838.

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/HarvardYard.jpg/300px-HarvardYard.jpg

  • Sunday, May 23, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – Newton House Tour

    Eight private Newton homes located in several of Newton’s historic neighborhoods and villages will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, including the 1732 Durant-Kenrick House (below) . The tour, sponsored by Historic Newton -  The Jackson Homestead and Museum, proudly celebrates 28 years of touring Newton’s homes.  Take the opportunity to view distinctive homes, unique additions, and inspiring interior and landscape design.  If you’re looking for renovation ideas or want to appreciate the beautiful work done in these homes, the House Tour is for you. Proceeds from the tour benefit Historic Newton and support programs and events at the Jackson Homestead and Museum, and the community. Tour tickets, $30 (members, $25), will be available at the Newton History Museum, 527 Washington Street (Jackson Street). For advance tickets and information: (617) 796-1450 and www.ci.newton.ma.us/Jackson/calendar/house-tour_list_2010.asp.

    http://mass.historicbuildingsct.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/durant-kenrick-homestead.jpg

  • Wednesday, June 2, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Native Shrub Heroes

    The New England Wild Flower Society is having a session with Robin Wilkerson at The Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Wednesday, June 2, from 10 – 1. Learn about plants that offer color and form to our landscapes, but also provide nourishment and habitat for birds, mammals, and insects.  Find out which shrubs can replace any non-native invasive shrubs lingering in a back corner of your garden-burning bush anyone? Discover the reasons for going native in your plant selection, as Robin Wilkerson introduces you to a choice collection of beautiful and “well behaved” indigenous plants. Following a lecture and slide program, walk the Garden to see these shrubs in their early summer glory.  The fee is $33 for NEWFS members, $39 for nonmembers, and you may register online at www.newfs.org, or by calling 508-877-7630.

    http://www.finegardening.com/CMS/uploadedImages/Images/Gardening/Plants/viburnumtrilobum_mg_2_lg.jpg

  • Saturday, May 15, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – South Boston Grows

    Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline of Boston is sponsoring a service day on Saturday, May 15 from 11 – 3.  South Boston Grows aims to improve community green space and to increase knowledge of growing edible plants with the long term goal of increasing access and exposure to and intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs among under-served populations in South Boston.  If you can help, please rsvp to Tony at tdellovo@ofl.org, or call 617-774-1326 to sign up or to ask any additional questions.  Children are welcome!  All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Rain or shine, please bring your own work gloves, and Save Our Strength will provide lunch.  The service site is at 70 Devine Way in South Boston.  Street parking is available and the Andrew T stop is a 5 minute walk.

    http://ninecooks.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/img_logo_ofl_sm_1.gif

  • Sunday, May 16, 2:00 pm – Horticulturists of Forest Hills

    Discover the horticulturists of 19th century Boston, who developed many of the fruits, flowers and trees that we enjoy today, during a tour led by author and historian Anthony Sammarco at Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Jamaica Plain, on Sunday, May 16, beginning at 2:00 pm.  The walking tour is sponsored by The Forest Hills Educational Trust, and there will be a $9 fee to attend.  Sample some of the edible creations of these pioneering horticulturists, including Bartlett’s Pear and Downer’s Late Cherry.  For more information, call 617-524-3354, or log on to www.foresthillstrust.org.  Postcard below painted by Catharina Klein (1861 – 1929).

    http://postcardcollector.org/forum/extensions/InlineImages/image.php?AttachmentID=295

  • Saturday, July 17 – Saturday, July 24 – A Garden Tour

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. and the Southeastern District presents “A Garden Tour”, a standard flower show at the Barnstable County Fair,  Fair hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm every day.  Entries are open to all members of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. and any members of National Garden Clubs, Inc.  New entry days are Saturday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 21.  An exhibitors’ meeting will take place Friday, June 11, at 9:30 am.  For more information on entering, contact Flower Show Chairman Robin Murphy at 508-295-9076, or email heroncreekdesign@msn.com.  For a complete schedule or entry information contact Hila Lyman, Design Division Entries Chairman, at 508-548-0841, or email her at hilajeanne@comcast.net.

    The Barnstable County Fair has been an annual summer tradition on Cape Cod for 164 years. The Fair is a place where families can spend the day together and share experiences they can only experience at the Barnstable County Fair.

    There are animal shows, 4-H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, games, live music, arts & crafts, food and commercial vendors with various arts and crafts for sale.

    For more information on the fair, log on to www.barnstablecountyfair.org.

    http://www.flowergarden.com.au/images/roses/arrangements/arrangements.jpg

  • Saturday, May 15, 2:00 pm – Vegetable Garden Preview at Tower Hill

    The Vegetable Garden at Tower Hill is one of the Garden highlights of the summer season.  For the past ten years, horticulturist Dawn Davies has been the force behind the plant selections and arrangements for this charming garden, and she has taken the displays to new and inspiring heights.  Join Dawn on Saturday, May 15 at 2 pm for a sneak preview of the Vegetable Garden Healthy Harvest theme for 2010.  Dawn shares tips and techniques for growing a bountiful, healthy and beautiful vegetable garden.  Photo below of the Vegetable Garden at Tower Hill  by Maria von Brincken, Landscape Designer.  The tour is free with admission to Tower Hill.  For more information, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

    Left Side Vegetable Garden

  • Friday, May 7, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Wellesley College Botanic Gardens Tour

    The Ecological Landscaping Association is sponsoring a tour of the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens, 106 Central Street in Wellesley, on Friday, May 7, from 10 – noon.  The charge will be $10 for ELA Members and $15 for non-members.

    Set in the picturesque campus of Wellesley College, the Botanic Gardens are an unforgettrable place of beauty.  Naturalized plantings as well as specimen trees and shrubs from around the world await discovery just a short distance from Boston.  A tiny brook winds through the gardens from a waterfall to Paramecium Pond (below).  Several different habitats comprise the arboretum, including a maple swamp, meadow, and fragments of different forest types, with many native species.  Other specialized gardens include a green roof planted with native species, a dwarf conifer garden, a butterfly garden, and an edible forest garden designed by David Jacke.  Tricia Diggins, Senior Gardens Horticulturalist at Wellesley College, will guide you through the various gardens and explain the ecological methods that are being used to care for the plant communities.  Registrations are limited.  Call 617-436-5838, or email ela.info@comcast.net.

    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/39376237_d115f60c16.jpg?v=0

  • Saturdays, May 15 – October 30, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Coastal Growers Market

    Casey Farm in Saunderstown, Rhode Island hosts a seasonal farmers market in collaboration with other local farms and artisanal food producers. Special events run throughout the season, including visits by chefs, children’s activities, craft days, and an heirloom tomato tasting. Rain or shine. For information, call 401-295-1030, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.

    http://www.sustainable-gardening-tips.com/images/farmers-market-recipe.jpg