Boston Flora

Month: January 2018

  • Wednesday, January 24, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Digital Photography: Capturing Botanic Images

    Melissa Pace, garden educator, artist and photographer, will lead a Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop on Wednesday, January 24 from 10 – 4 that will give you an understanding of the elements of photography; line, texture, shape, space and color to add “wow” to your garden photography. This program is ideal for novice photographers using tablets, phones and simple cameras.Mass Hort Member Cost: $75; General Admission Cost $110 Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/496/digital-photography-capturing-botanic-images?filter_reset=1

  • Saturday, January 13, 7:30 am – 7:30 pm – NOFA/Mass Winter Conference

    The Northeast Organic Farming Association will hold its Winter Conference at Worcester State University on Saturday, January 13, from 7:30 am – 7:30 pm. The theme is Cover. Diversify. Regenerate.

    Join keynoter Regenerative Pioneer Gabe Brown (pictured) and more than 60 farming and gardening experts at this year’s 31st Annual NOFA/Mass Winter Conference. We will explore how soils can be improved and degraded soils can be restored by promoting the biological function of the soil ecosystem with living plant cover, mulches, and smart farm systems.

    In addition to dedicating a portion of our program the science and practice of building soil life, we have workshops on topics like raising healthy livestock, high-production gardening, managing an integrated farm and homestead, growing and marketing nutrient-dense crops, encouraging beneficial insect populations, improving access to healthy foods and soils, and supporting organic food systems in a changing climate. Fee is $90. Register at https://www.nofamass.org/events/wc

  • Thursday, January 16, 5:15 pm – 7:30 pm – The Fight Before the Flood: Rural Protest and the Debate Over Boston’s Quabbin Reservoir

    In 1919, state engineers proposed solving Boston’s water supply crisis by damming the Swift River, flooding a western Massachusetts valley and evicting 2,500 people. The contentious six-year debate that followed does not fit the standard story of urban conservationists versus rural peoples, as many valley residents defined themselves as rural and conservationist, and thus offers scholars a chance to see fresh nuances in early twentieth-century land management, rural life, and urban development. The Massachusetts Historical Society welcomes Jeffrey Egan of University of Connecticut, with comment by Karl Haglund, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, on Tuesday, January 16 from 5:15 – 7:30, at 1154 Boylston Street in Boston. To RSVP: email seminars@masshist.org or call (617) 646-0579.

  • Saturday, January 20, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Native Lawn Alternatives

    “Lawns are a soul-crushing timesuck…,” reads the headline of a recent article on washingtonpost.com. According to NASA, more surface area in the U.S. is covered by lawn than by any other single irrigated crop. Lawns are resource-heavy, requiring irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive in our climate. Learn some of the best, environmentally friendly lawn alternatives for urban gardens.

    This class is part of the Urban Gardening Series, a set of classes designed to help city dwellers grow healthy, sustainable, and beautiful urban gardens. Led by New England Wild Flower Society in partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Commission, these free classes take place at the Cambridge Public Library (449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA). Native Lawn Alternatives will be held Saturday, January 20 beginning at 1:00 pm. Free admission.

  • Saturday, January 20, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Greenhouse Growing and Maintenance

    David Fiske, Mass Hort Gardens Curator, will lead a Saturday, January 20 workshop from 10 – 2 in the Putnam Building at the Gardens at Elm Bank that will show you ways to best utilize your greenhouse and indoor growing spaces. He’ll discuss not only how to use these spaces to grow specific plants and starts, but also review maintenance needs that should be on your seasonal checklist. Massachusetts Horticultural Society Member Cost: $25; Non Member Cost $40. Register online at http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/612/greenhouse-growing-and-maintenance?filter_reset=1

  • Conway School of Landscape and Design Moves to Easthamption

    Conway School of Landscape and Design has moved to a mill building on 180 Pleasant Street in Easthampton. The school is leasing space and looking to buy a permanent facility somewhere near an urban center down the road. According to a report by Andy Castillo in the Greenfield Recorder, the move was influenced in part by a changing environmental and technological landscape, and students had difficulty commuting to the rural property which was up. a dirt drive. The school’s educational focus is on the effects of climate change, and resilience to that change, particularly on urban spaces and post-industrial cities. Director Bruce Stedman said that’s easier to teach closer to affected cities and towns.

    “Conway School of Landscape and Design was founded in 1972 by Walter Cudnohufsky in a small sugar shack next to his barn on Delabarre Avenue. The school then moved to a 600-square-foot building on Route 116, built in 1986 as a house, remodeled in 2003 . . . He (Cudnohufsky) imagined he would only have it there for a few years,” Stedman said. “Forty-two-odd years later, we’ve done that.”

     

  • From the Archives: Buying Speakers

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay has welcomed an impressive roster of guest speakers to our meetings since we began. The usual process is to identify a topic of interest to our members, and then search for an appropriate person to deliver the information. In 1983, however, late members Stella Trafford and Susan Davis attended an auction held for the benefit of the Arnold Arboretum, which was held at the Case Estates in Weston. They made successful bids on two distinguished speakers – Corliss Engle, who promised to talk on the topic of Begonias, and Lily Rice, whose subject was Daffodils. Each high bid was $25. Additionally, Stella and Susan purchased two spring garden tours: the Haffenreffer garden in Chestnut Hill ($40), and Uplands in Manchester ($70).  Corliss Engle, whose contributions to the Begonia Society led to the naming of Begonia ‘Corliss Engle’ in her honor. gave her presentation on November 10, 1983, and Ms. Rice spoke on March 15, 1984.  We have not yet found mention in our records of taking the two tours purchased.  To see the array of programs presented over the years, we encourage you to visit https://bostonflora.com/history/, and if any recent speaker is of interest, email info@bostonflora.com and we can try to put you in touch.  Photo of a begonia cross of ‘Corliss Engle’ below is by Guy Savard.

  • Saturday, January 13, 10:00 am – 11:15 am – Winter Walk at Polly Hill Arboretum

    Join Polly Hill Arboretum staff for a look at plants of interest in the winter landscape. Every season of the year the arboretum offers something of beauty and interest to visitors. Meet at the Visitor Center, 809 State Road, Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, and dress for the weather. Tours are free with $5 Admission/ free for members and children 12 and under, and run for a little over an hour. No pre-registration required.

    Winter Walk tours run the 2nd Saturday of each month, November – March.

  • Tuesday, January 23, 3:00 pm – Garden Club of the Back Bay Winter Tea

    Tuesday, January 23, 3:00 pm – Garden Club of the Back Bay Winter Tea

    Each year we thank our members for their support with a Winter Tea, scheduled to take place Tuesday, January 23 beginning at 3 pm, when we will return to  The Courtyard Restaurant at The Boston Public Library. Overlooking the beautiful Italianate courtyard in the BPL’s historic McKim building, the Courtyard Restaurant is steeped in history and loaded with delightful tea selections. We mix and mingle from 3:00 – 3:30 , followed by a selection of tea sandwiches and sweets, and your choice of premium loose leaf teas. Members are invited to ask friends to join them, although we must charge a separate increased fee for guests. The Club underwrites a portion of the expense of the tea on behalf of our valued members. $45 for Garden Club members, $55 for guests. Our members will receive an email notice of this meeting. For more information email info@bostonflora.com.

  • Mondays, January 29 – March 5, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Winter Fruits with Graphite and Wash

    Create a portrait of your favorite winter fruits, using undertones of graphite overlaid with transparent washes of watercolor. Through her guidance and demonstrations, Carrie Megan will help you achieve deliciously pleasing portraits. This Wellesley College Botanic Gardens class takes place on five Mondays, January 29, February 5, 12, 26, and March 5, with a snow date of March 12. For advanced beginners and above. $225 for Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens, $275 for nonmembers. Register by calling 781-283-3094, or email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu.