Boston Flora

Month: July 2013

  • Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16 & 17, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Landscape for Life

    This two day New England Wildflower Society course on July 16 and 17 provides you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to work with nature in your garden.  Conventional gardens often work against nature, damaging the environment’s ability to clean air and water, reduce flooding, combat climate change, and provide all the other natural benefits that support life on earth, including us.  The good news is that even one home garden can begin to repair the web of life.  Find out how it is possible to create a great looking garden that is healthier for you, your family, your pets, and the environment, while saving you time and money. Learn techniques for working with soil, water, energy, and native plants to help make your garden more earth-friendly and sustainable.  Bring a bag lunch each day to Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts.  Your instructor will be Mark Richardson, Horticulture Director, and staff at New England Wild Flower Society.  $75 for NEWFS members, $90 for non members.  Visit www.newfs.org to register.

    http://www.newenglandwild.org/images/visit/Entrance%20Sign%20GITW%20(c)%20New%20England%20Wild%20Flower%20Society%20S.%20Ziglar%20websized.jpeg/image_preview

  • Tuesday, July 23, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm – A Gardener’s Challenge: Growing Trilliums, Lady’s-Slippers, and Other Complicated Species

    Despite their reputation for being difficult to grow, many of our most beloved wildflowers can be grown successfully with a little inside knowledge. Dan Jaffe of the New England Wild Flower Society shares tips about some of the methods used at New England Wild Flower Society to grow such plants as lady’s slippers (Cypripedium), trilliums (Trillium) , trailing-arbutus, (Epigaea repens), and other complicated genera and species. Emphasis is placed on creating the correct growing conditions for these species, allowing the plants to take care of themselves more successfully, without the constant attention that many of these plants are reputed to need. After the Tuesday, July 23 lecture, we walk the Garden in the Woods to see these plants in place. Bring a bag lunch. Special discounts on the featured plants will be available in the Garden Shop that day. The program runs from 10 – 1:30, and the fee is $46 for NEWFS members, $56 for nonmembers. Register at www.newfs.org.

    http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/IMAGES/Minnesota/ladys-slipper-flower.jpg

  • Wednesday, July 17, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Art Talk: A Closer Look at the Arboretum-BTU School Partnership

    On Wednesday, July 17, from 6 – 7:30 at the Hunnewell Building at the Arnold Arboretum, learn about the unique partnership between the Arnold Arboretum and the Boston Teachers Union School to enhance science learning for students from Kindergarten through fifth grade. With Ana Maria Caballero, Arboretum School Science Specialist, gain a deeper appreciation for the work behind the art exhibition, “Through a Child’s Eyes,” on display through September 1. Both teachers from the BTU School and Arboretum children’s educators will present at this special talk.  Free, registration requested at www.my.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    https://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/images/BTU_eco-column_outbound.gif

  • Wednesday, July 17, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Ladies Night Out Fishing Clinic

    MassWildlife’s Angler Education Program volunteers are teaming up with the Billerica Parks and Recreation Department for this evening event for women at Nuttings Lake in Billerica, 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 17. To sign up, contact Donna Hansen at (978) 671-0921 or dhansen@town.billerica.ma.us. Wonderful image from www.calhouncountymuseum.org.

    http://calhouncountymuseum.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Port-OConnor-Ladies-Fishing-on-Jetty.jpg

  • Thursday, July 18, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Meadow Gardening at its Very Best

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden sponsored field study will give participants an in-depth look at an exceptional ten-year-old New England meadow, designed by meadow expert Larry Weaner. Tour this amazing 40-acre upland meadow at the height of its bloom with head gardener Deb Munson and learn about planting, maintenance, plant selection, weed control and more. Additionally, tour the beautiful formal gardens surrounding this Georgian home and enjoy spectacular views of the northwest corner of Connecticut. The owner will make a presentation on the development of the garden and has graciously invited participants to picnic on the lawns of this exceptional estate. A mere 40-minute drive from Berkshire Botanical Garden, this extraordinary horticultural gem is a wonderful place to spend a summer morning.

    Deb Munson is a horticulturist with a strongly environmental and sustainable ethic in her gardening practices.  BBG members $50, nonmembers $60, and full directions will be sent upon registration at www.berkshirebotanical.org.  You may also call Elisabeth Cary at 413-298-3926.

    http://www.berkshirebotanical.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Meadow.jpg

  • Wednesday, July 10, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Stormwater Solutions at Mt. Auburn Cemetery

    The Ecological Landscaping Association and NOFA Organic Land Care are sponsoring Stormwater Solutions at Mount Auburn Cemetery on Wednesday, July 10, from 10 – noon at 580 Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge. Uncontrolled storm water, drought, and fire are major issues we must address in the face of global climate change. Habitat is more at risk than ever. Environmental stresses lead to habitat degradation and water quality concerns, especially in species reproductive habitat. Efforts must be implemented to preserve and protect where ever we can. Effectively dealing with nonpoint source pollution associated with sediment-laden runoff is a key aspect to an effective stormwater management plan. In the past few years, Mount Auburn Cemetery has completed several projects to address habitat preservation and water quality in their water bodies. John Paul Kwiatkowski for a professionally guided tour of these stormwater solutions: erosion control on steep hillsides, pre-treatment solutions for runoff into ponds, and bio-filtration project to improve water quality. Paul will address site considerations, challenges faced and addressed during the projects, and maintenance issues related to the projects.

    Mount Auburn Cemetery is one of the most beautiful and historic landscapes in America and covers 175 acres just outside Boston. This historical landscape is on the leading edge of sustainable and environmentally sound land care practices, including leading edge stormwater management solutions. Registrations are limited. For more information call 617-436-5838, or link to https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010462. $20 for sponsor members, $25 for nonmembers.

    http://www.nofamass.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/events/storm_water.jpg?itok=kEZVMgp7

  • Thursday, July 11, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Tree Cutting in the Home Garden

    Removing trees from the landscape would not typically be a recommendation from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. There are many situations, however, when it becomes necessary to remove damaged, diseased or otherwise unwanted trees from your property. Join Massachusetts Certified Arborist Scott McPhee and Hartney-Greymont, Inc. on Thursday, July 11, from 7 – 8, as they cut down an “unwanted” tree in the Italianate Garden. Scott will also walk you through the decision process of pruning versus transplanting versus removal of trees, the proper tools for tree work at home, the steps involved, and why and when to have a professional arborist handle the job.

    Scott McPhee has a BS in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture from UMass Amherst, and is a Mass Certified Arborist and ISA certified arborist. Scott also has 30 years’ experience working with people and their plants as a pruning instructor for the home gardener and the industry professional alike. This presentation will take place in the Italianate Garden of the Manor House at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley. Fee: $15 members – $20 non-members. Register at www.masshort.org.

    http://www.slowfoodboston.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1368306414.jpg

  • Wednesday, July 17, 1:00 pm = 3:30 pm – Art in the Garden Watercolor Workshop

    On Wednesday, July 17, from 1 – 3:30 in the Gardens at Elm Bank, Francesca D’Elia will demonstrate and you will learn a technique for creating colorful watercolors. It is called the English Method. It was used in the 1800s by a few English painters. They used the watercolor in a very realistic style. When you begin doing the technique you will use only five pigments. It opens up a whole new world of expressing yourself! You learn about the pigments and how they interact with one another, while painting a beautiful landscape or flower.

    Fee: $35 for Mass Hort members; $40 for non-members. Register online at www.masshort.org.

    http://www.artwatercolor.com/img/tropicsII.jpg

  • Saturday, July 20, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm – Ripe Now! Cooking from the Farmers’ Market

    As temperatures rise, the distance between plates and farms should fall. Spend an afternoon making this happen by cooking up the best farmer’s market produce Massachusetts has to offer, at the Boston Center for Adult Education on Arlington Street in Boston. Chef Diane Manteca will lead you step by step through delightful summer dishes. In the end, you’ll leave with a collection of recipes that are just like you: fresh, fabulous, and based in Boston!  The class will take place on July 20 from 2:30 – 5:30 at 122 Arlington Street. $60 fee ($51 for BCAE members) and a $20 materials cost.  Sign up at www.bcae.org.

    http://oldwayspt.org/sites/default/files/images/grilled-artichokes-de.jpg

  • Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 pm – All About Honey

    Did you know that honey reflects terroir as much as wine? From the bees that concocted it, the season it’s produced in, and the flowers it’s sourced from, honey tastes of its origins. In this Stir Boston class, to be held Wednesday, July 31 at 7 pm,  you’ll explore the terroir, production methods, and styles of honey alongside its many uses on the dinner table. That’s right, honey is not just for dessert and cheese but can be used throughout the meal in vinaigrettes and brines, purées, and gels. Enjoy some honey for a change; it’s the bees’ knees!  $165.  Class (with terrific food and drink) will take place at 102 Waltham Street in Boston, and you may register by calling 617-423-7847, or emailing info@stirboston.com.  These evenings sell out quickly. Image from www.buttermilkpress.com.

    http://www.buttermilkpress.com/blog//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/honey-spoons.png