Boston Flora

Category: Berkshires

  • Tuesdays, November 26 – December 17, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Plant Health Care

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden course on Plant Health Care meets for 4 weeks on Tuesdays, November 26 – December 17, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, in the Education Center. BBG members $215, nonmembers $240. Register online at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/plant-health-care-2

    Look at factors that affect plant health care, including insects, diseases, pathogens, and abiotic influences. Basic diagnostic techniques will be taught. Learn to minimize potential problems through proper site preparation, plant selection, and placement. Managing problems using biological, chemical, and cultural techniques will be discussed with a focus on IPM (integrated pest management).

    Instructor: Jen Werner has taught at the vocational high school level and at Springfield Technical Community College, as well as leading trainings for Master Gardeners and classes for garden clubs and garden centers. her hands-on experience ranges from landscape maintenance, construction and design, greenhouse management and production, nursery work, horticulture therapy, and entrepreneurship. Jen is a NOFA Certified Organic Landcare Professional and recently earned a UMASS Invasive Plant Management Certificate.

  • Tuesdays, October 29 – November 19, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern – Soil and Soil Amendments, Online

    This Berkshire Botanical Garden online course on Soil and Soil Amendments will explain how plant growth is affected by soils, from drainage to pH and nutrients. Learn how to evaluate soils, improve those that are less than ideal, and amend soils for specific garden uses. Fertilizers, soil amendments, making and using compost, moisture management, and the pros and cons of mulching will be covered. Students need to get a soil sample before class and bring the results to the first class. This course meets for 4 weeks on Tuesdays, October 29 – November 19, 5:30 – 8:30 pm Eastern.

    Taught by Monique Bosch, trained in landscape design, horticulture and soil biology, who is a community leader focused on healthy soil/healthy food. In the last 15 years she has worked with volunteers and students to build over 40 edible school and community gardens, and a two-acre urban farm in Bridgeport CT. These days she works as a Soil Health Program Manager for CT NOFA, and runs a worm composting business with her son Justin. She also teaches Soil Management for Brooklyn Botanic Garden. In 2023 Monique worked with staff and students at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, to launch a Food and Resilience center. She studied ‘The Soil Food Web’ under Dr. Elaine Ingham, and teaches microscopy, soil health and composting to farmers and organizations. Through microscopy and test trials, Monique explores the relationship between living soil and healthy, nutritious food.

    BBG Members: $215, Non-Members: $240. Register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org

  • Sunday, November 3, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Textile Identification Day with Rabbit Goody

    Come learn about historic textiles (and bring your own!) to be identified by renowned weaver/textile historian Rabbit Goody of Thistle Hill Weavers in New York. This Historic Deerfield special event will begin with an introductory talk on historic textiles from 9 am – 10:30 am Eastern, available via Zoom, after which Rabbit Goody will conduct 20-minute individual examinations of textiles brought in by attendees ($10 surcharge, slots booked in advance.) All attendees are welcome to observe the textile identifications. 

    In person: $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Virtual Zoom lecture only: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at www.historic-deerfield.org Box lunches ($18) available to order in advance. 

  • Tuesdays, October 1 – October 22, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Ornamental Woody Plants

    This four-session Berkshire Botanical Garden course will focus on the bones of the garden with a survey of ornamental woody plants for residential landscape design. It will cover ornamental shrubs, small flowering trees, shade trees and broadleaf and needle evergreens. Students will become familiar with the many garden-worthy woody plants that thrive in Zone 5. The course covers plant ID, selection, siting, cultivation and possible design uses. The classes will be held Tuesdays, October 1 – October 22 from 5:30 – 8:30, and is $215 for BBG members, $240 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/ornamental-woody-plants-1

    Jenna O’Brien, owner and founder of Viridissima Horticulture & Design since 2003, has been working in Berkshire gardens for over 20 years. Jenna specializes in container gardening, perennial garden design and care and estate garden and conservatory management.

  • Wednesdays through Sundays, September 27 – October 27 – Naumkeag Pumpkin Show

    The Trustees invites you to tour the Naumkeag Pumpkin Show, which opens Friday, September 27, and will be on view Wednesdays through Sundays through October 27. This is an outdoor event. Be prepared to walk across unpaved pathways on uneven terrain through the woods and gardens. Trails may be muddy or icy at times, sturdy boots are recommended. Dress appropriately for the weather that day. Costumes are encouraged! Details and ticketing information are available at https://thetrustees.org/program/naumkeag-pumpkin-show/ Naumkeag is located at 5 Prospect Hill Road in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

  • Sunday, September 15, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Dewey Hall Dahlia Festival

    The second annual Dewey Hall Dahlia Festival will take place on Sunday September 15th, 2024 from 12pm-4pm. Come view the visually stunning display of dahlias submitted for the homegrown dahlia contest, peruse gorgeous bouquets available for purchase at the bouquet bar, and enjoy floral foods and beverages. There will also be facepainting, an assortment of local vendors, a garden information booth, and a raffle of fabulous horticultural prizes. Our workshop room will feature workshops in floral arranging with dahlias, creating biodegradable flower crowns, and overwintering dahlia tubers (the workshops are ticketed and registration in advance is encouraged to guarantee your place). Harpist Marie Hamilton will provide live harp music to accompany the event. Dewey Memorial Hall is located at 91 Main Street in Sheffield, Massachusetts.

    ‍To enter the homegrown dahlia contest fill out forms at https://www.deweyhall.org/event/dahlia-festival by midnight on Sunday September 8th, 2024. Blooms will need to be dropped off at Dewey Memorial Hall on Saturday September 14th between 2pm and 4pm. 

  • Saturday & Sunday, August 31 – September 1, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Berkshire Woodworkers Guild Fine Wood Show

    Each summer, the Berkshire Botanical Garden hosts the Berkshire Woodworkers Guild Fine Wood Show and Silent Auction, when Guild members exhibit and sell unique, hand-made products ranging from furniture to musical instruments. Guild members also provide ongoing demonstrations. The Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge, and the dates this year are August 31 – September 1 from 9 – 5. $5 admission for the general public and $3 for BBG members. Sean Stanton from North Plain Farm, Great Barrington, Mass., will be onsite Saturday and Sunday offering farm-raised pork sausages and beef hotdogs. Pleasant & Main in Housatonic, Mass., will be onsite both days as well with their signature coffee drinks, baked treats and savory breakfast crepes.For more information visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Thursday, August 29, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Berkshire Botanical Member Potluck

    Join Berkshire Botanical Garden on August 29 from 5 – 7 to celebrate the bounty of summertime with dishes created from veggies grown in your garden, and ours. Meet other nature-lovers, enjoy a cocktail on our Center House veranda, and share a meal straight from the garden. This event is exclusively for our members. We will be providing a few of our favorite veggie dishes and we ask you to bring your own. Drinks will be provided courtesy of the Garden.

    Please RSVP to mweiner@berkshirebotanical.org. To join the Garden, visit https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/

  • Saturday, August 17, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Spore into Specimen

    Discover the enchanting world of mushrooms on August 17 from 1 – 2:15 at the Clark Art Institute, 225 South Street in Williamstown.

    In this workshop, Andrea Puccio, director of the library, and Terri Boccia, collections development librarian, lead a tour of rare books in the Clark library’s collection featuring mushrooms. Then, Jan Rolin from Mycoterra Farm (South Deerfield, Massachusetts) teaches participants about the mushroom lifecycle and how to harvest their own mushrooms using a grow-at-home kit. Learn how mushrooms can help us both environmentally and physically as you discover how to pick, store, and cook the mushrooms you grow.

    Mycoterra Farm is a leader in sustainable mushroom cultivation, dedicated to producing high-quality, gourmet mushrooms. Located in the heart of Western Massachusetts, they pride themselves on innovative farming techniques and a commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition to their farm operations, Mycoterra Farm collaborates with Mass Food Delivery to ensure fresh, locally-grown mushrooms and other produce reach communities across the region.Tickets $30 ($28 members). Includes one mushroom growing kit. For accessibility concerns, call 413 458 0524. Register at www.clarkart.edu

  • Thursday, August 15, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Cocktails in Great Gardens – Peter Bevacqua and Stephen King

    On Thursday, August 15, from 5 – 7, the Berkshire Botanical Garden invites you to step through the gates of this garden and find yourself in a private magical world. This two-acre garden feels much larger because of its division into many garden rooms. One area unfolds upon the next, each with its own unique sense of style and individuality. Key to the garden’s style is the focus on form and texture. Texture derived from the selection and juxtaposition of plants whose form, leaf shape, and color create a tapestry that remains interesting long after flowers fade.

    The garden is featured in The Private Gardens of the Hudson Valley, by Monacelli Press. Tickets are limited (BBG members $45, nonmembers $55) and reservations are required. Call 413.298.3926 for more information. You may also register online at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    The Gardens of Peter Bevacqua and Stephen King