Catering specifically to the landscapes of Cape Cod, this Grow Native Massachusetts online discussion on November 20 at 7 pm will feature an alternative, ecologically minded approach for our lawns and gardens. We’ll think beyond the lawn, hydrangeas, and boxwood hedges that have become common on the Cape and consider alternatives that support the biodiversity and ecology of this special place. Erin Camire of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod will speak. Register at https://grownativemass.org/Our-Programs/calendar. $15 for Grow Native members, $20 for nonmembers.
Join friends at The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on November 20 in Calderwood Hall for a special evening with James Prosek—award-winning artist, writer, and naturalist—in celebration of Gardner’s Eden, one of the Museum’s newest publications and the culmination of Prosek’s 2018 residency at the Gardner. In conversation with Pieranna Cavalchini, Tom and Lisa Blumenthal Curator of Contemporary Art at the Gardner Museum, Prosek will trace the roots of inspiration for the book and provide insights into his artistic practice. An audience Q&A and book signing will conclude the event. Copies of Gardner’s Eden will be available for purchase from Gift at the Gardner.
During his artist residency at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, James Prosek was drawn to Gardner’s collection, her love of plants, and the relationships she nurtured. Over the course of several visits, he created a series of 54 exquisite drawings capturing everything from rarely seen personal mementos and carefully arranged gallery objects to the ever-changing flora and fauna of the Museum’s iconic Courtyard.
Each drawing is paired with carefully selected quotations from letters, poems, and journals by Gardner, her friends, and contemporaries. These selections highlight the breadth of Isabella’s eclectic interests and reveal Prosek’s own keen, observant eye. Thoughtfully paired with an essay by the artist, they invite readers to reflect on the enduring dialogue between art, nature, and personal history.
Draw up a chair for The Gardens Trust’s new series featuring favorite gardens by some of our most popular contributors. Week One on November 19 will be led by Caroline Holmes. Primarily a garden historian, Caroline describes herself as academic, but not dry; informative and amusing – as Nietzsche wrote ‘we should call every truth false which was not accompanied by laughter.’ She’s the author of 12 books and a speaker who has appeared on every continent except Antarctica.
Her earliest influences were European, especially French, and she finds one of life’s great pleasures is dropping into another language and the joy of exploring the underlying culture. Traveling around the world, often alone, provides unexpected discoveries; hence her choice of gardens putting on a show in tropical, sunny or cool climates – who are the designers and artists, who are the fans? Around these planets are satellites of botanical friendship, plant hunting and invention. Not always alone, heady scents and clever designs are best shared. This ticket LINKis for this individual session and costs £8, and you may purchase tickets for other individual sessions via the links below, or you may purchase a ticket for the entire course of 4 sessions at a cost of £28 via the link here. (Gardens Trust members £6 or £21). Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days prior to the start of the talk, and again a few hours before the talk. A link to the recorded session (available for 2 weeks) will be sent shortly afterwards.
This year, Historic Salem, Inc. is pleased to celebrate the season with “Boughs & Blooms: Christmas in Salem 2025.” Join us as we visit some of Salem’s most beautiful spots downtown, down Summer Street, and at the edges of Broad, Essex, and Chestnut Streets.
Tickets are available now but mark your calendars now for December 6 & 7! There will also be a limited preview night on Friday, December 5. Christmas in Salem is always a crowd-pleaser so you don’t want to miss this event. Visit https://www.historicsalem.org/cis.html for reservations.
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program offers competitive grants to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers, nonprofit staff, graduate students and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region. Northeast SARE is one of four regional SARE programs funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Test an idea on your farm that could impact farming in the region. Proposals are due online by 5 pm Eastern on December 9. Proposals are submitted online at: projects.sare.org. Visit the Northeast SARE website at: http://www.northeastsare.org/FarmerGrant. For questions about this Call for Proposals, please contact Candice Huber at northeast-fr@sare.org or 802-656-7587. Northeast SARE staff can provide advice on the intent of the Farmer Grant, help with clarifying questions, and offer support using the projects.sare.org system.
Kick off the holiday season at Berkshire Botanical Garden with a night of creativity, connection and seasonal beauty. In this hands-on workshop on Friday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. Hilary Collingwood of Moonflower Farm will guide you step-by-step in designing a stunning Thanksgiving centerpiece. Whether you’re hosting dinner or simply want to bring a little autumn magic into your home, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind arrangement — and the skills to make more. All vessels and plant materials are provided. $90 for BBG members, $110 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/thanksgiving-centerpiece-workshop
With millions of learners on several media outlets, Epic Gardening is committed to helping people grow plants through its gardening education and supply store. Join Kevin Espiritu, founder and CEO of Epic Gardening, for an online conversation on November 19 at 7 pm Eastern about the journey of building his impactful gardening business, current projects, the ways he reaches people through digital outlets, and insight into plant materials, gardening techniques, and gardening education resources. This American Horticultural Society conversation will be filled with valuable tips for home gardeners, garden communicators, garden educators, and professionals building plant businesses.
Kevin Espiritu is the founder and CEO of Epic Gardening, the world’s most-followed gardening education brand and gardening supply source. As a self-taught gardener, Espiritu has spent over a decade producing educational gardening content across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, The Beet podcast, and his blog. He’s amassed over 23 million social media followers, 25 million podcast downloads, and over 120 million pageviews on his blog. Additionally, Espiritu has authored three books: Field Guide To Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live, Grow Bag Gardening: The Revolutionary Way to Grow Bountiful Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Flowers in Lightweight, Eco-Friendly Fabric Pots, and Epic Homesteading: Your Guide to Self-Sufficiency on a Modern, High-Tech, Backyard Homestead. Kevin currently lives at his Epic Homestead in San Diego, California.
Join Jim Donahue, Curator of Historic Landscapes & Horticulture of the Preservation Society of Newport County, on Thursday, December 18 at ll am at The Breakers for a behind the scenes tour of the holiday decoration process. Preservation Society members $20, general public $25. This is an Adult Event. Two other dates, December 4 and 11, are already sold out, but you may add your name to a waiting list. To register visit https://www.newportmansions.org/events/behind-the-scenes-the-breakers-holiday-decorations-3/
Color Flows on Winter Street is a multi-week event that will transform Downtown Crossing into a vibrant, welcoming destination for residents and visitors. As part of the City of Boston’s effort to reimagine our streets and pedestrian zones as safer, more engaging, and enjoyable for all, the event features public art programming, lighting, games, food, and live performances for all ages. This pilot program will test new approaches to street use and encourage long-term investment in this corridor, as part of the City of Boston’s Design Vision, led by the Planning Department. The installation will feature art by Massiel Grullón and food from local restaurant jm Curley and is being done in partnership with the Downtown Boston Alliance and Groundswell Design Group.
If you have visited the legendary Gallery of Wreaths at the Berkshire Botanical Garden Holiday Marketplace, you may have wondered how wreath designers create their botanical masterpieces and whether you can craft your own. This three-hour program on your choice of Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or Sunday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will combine a classroom introduction with guided hands-on practice using 14-inch balsam wreath forms, after which you will take home your own decorated holiday wreath. Chris Ferrero will lead this class, starting with a slide program introducing principles, techniques and creative ideas. Then participants will be assigned workstations in the same studio used by BBG’s wreath designers, several of whom will be on hand to help you select materials and practice optimal construction skills. Experience with a hot glue gun is recommended. The wreath below is a creation of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, and if you can’t participate in the BBG workshop you may wish to order one at https://bostonflora.com/
Please register here for Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please register here for Sunday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
