February 6, 2014 - Boston Flora

Wednesday, February 26, 11:00 am – The Ants of New England

February 6, 2014 by Boston Flora

Aaron Ellison , Senior Research Fellow at the Harvard University Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts, will speak at The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s February meeting about his new guide book A Field Guide to the Ants of New England. Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus of Harvard University, has said â€œThis ground-breaking field guide not only contributes to our basic knowledge of ants, but places the ants of New England within reach of those interested in the natural history of the region.â€ Sean Menke of Lake Forest College said â€œThis goes beyond any ant book that has come before it and puts it in line with the popular and best bird books on the market â€“ readable and easy to use by non-experts.â€

The meeting will take place at 11 am (members note: the meeting starts one hour later than usual) at The College Club of Boston, 44 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. Members will receive written notice of the meeting. Free for Garden Club of the Back Bay members, $5 donation requested from nonmembers. An optional lunch will follow the meeting at a separate charge. If you are not a GCBB member but wish to attend, email info@gardenclubbackbay.org.

Thursday, February 13, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Planning a Vegetable Garden from Scratch

February 6, 2014 by Boston Flora

Edible landscapes are beautiful and functional interactive spaces that nourish on many levels. Gardeners build soil and arrange plants, but we can’t control the weather. Trial and error is part of the experience for all levels. Everyone can do it! It’s a meditation on life and this Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop on Thursday, February 13, from 7 – 8:30 at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, will give you the tools to get started right. To locate the garden we will discuss solar exposure and microclimates, testing for lead, and plant options for various conditions. Basic soil science will illustrate the importance of compost in correcting poor soil fertility, structure, and pH. Adam Monroy of Home Harvest will present pictures of custom gardens installed by Home Harvest to inspire the imagination. To close we will talk about building resiliency into your garden through intensive cropping patterns, diverse intercropping, cover crops, and other progressive home gardening techniques that will make your garden work for you!

Adam Gray Monroy works as a designer, consultant, and builder for Home Harvest installing custom edible landscapes in Metro Boston. With an extensive background in landscape design/build, Adam has earned degrees in horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and landscape architecture. He is passionate about growing food and integrating it into traditional landscape design.

Fee $15 Mass Hort Members; $20 non-members. Register at www.masshort.org, or call 617-933-4973.