Join the American Farmland Trust, the Nantucket Land Bank, Sustainable Nantucket and Remain on Wednesday, August 14 at 6:30 pm at The Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street in Nantucket. Keynote remarks will be made by John Piotti, AFT’s President and CEO, who grew up on Nantucket. Register by August 5. The event is free and open to the public. Locally sourced food and refreshments will be provided, courtesy of Remain. There will be time for questions and answers with the speakers, and informal conversations. Register at https://linktr.ee/NantucketLandBank
For over 90 years, the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden has educated and trained motivated individuals to become horticulturists of the highest caliber. The call to educate and train horticulturists is growing louder particularly as climate change reshapes the field. This transformation brings forth new environmental challenges and opportunities, underscoring the need to recruit and develop horticulturists equipped with the knowledge and skills to address global demands. Discover the rich history of one of the nation’s premier horticulture programs with Richard Smith, Director of NYBG’s School of Professional Horticulture. The talk, at the Polly Hill Arboretum’s Far Barn on August 7 at 5:30, is $10 for Arboretum members, $20 for nonmembers. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-SOPH-Lecture
Jared Barnes, Ph.D., started gardening when he was five years old, and since then he has enthusiastically pursued how to best cultivate plants and cultivate minds. In this inspiring Polly Hill Arboretum lecture in the Far Barn on July 24 at 5:30 pm, Dr. Jared Barnes will share how he educates students about native plants at Stephen F. Austin State University, his explorations in the wild looking for native plants, and his success growing them in east Texas. $5 for Polly Hill Arboretum members, $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required: bit.ly/PHA-Cultivating-Lecture
This small-group Heritage Museums & Gardens workshop session is geared toward home gardeners who wish to learn practical how-to techniques for making more plants using several techniques, including division, propagation, and seeding. Mal Condon, Heritage’s Curator of Hydrangeas, will lead this program and while hydrangeas will be the main focus of this demonstration, these practices can be applied to many other woody ornamentals you would plant on Cape Cod. During this hands-on experience, participants will prepare and “strike” their own cuttings and take them home to nurture and develop into well-rooted plants. Plenty of time will be allotted for questions and discussion and, in addition to cuttings and rooting mix you’ll take home, following the program you’ll also receive a PDF file including presentation content via email for your reference. Advance registration is required.
Please note: this program will take place rain or shine. In good weather, it will take place outdoors in the gardens. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors inside the Heald Center at the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery.
Discover the art of creating the French baked good known as a galette. Participants in this July 30 class with Chef Melissa McCullough at The FARM Institute in Edgartown will learn that the use of simple ingredients can create stunning mouthwatering masterpieces. Participants will all make a delicious flaky pastry dough that is used as the base. However, you will have the option of creating a sweet or savory galette to satisfy your cravings and take home!
Chef Melissa is a trained culinary professional with a passion for sharing the joys of cooking with others. Chef Melissa is fueled by the creativity and artistry that exists within the culinary world. With a deep-rooted connection to the land, fostered by spending every summer on Martha’s Vineyard, she embraces the beauty of farm to table cuisine celebrating the bounty each season brings. Chef Melissa looks forward to working together in the kitchen this summer at Katama Farm!
Pre-registration is required for all Farm Institute cooking classes. Trustees members $48, nonmembers $60. Please contact us with any allergy or food accommodation requests at thefarminstitute@thetrustees.org or if you’d like to join as a member and receive discounted programming. If you would like to attend but are unable to pay, please reach out to LBrown@thetrustees.org for more information. Register at https://thetrustees.org/event/419111/
The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club and the Carnegie Heritage Center invite you to their Edgartown Garden Stroll is an exciting fundraiser to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club’s Old Mill and Scholarship funds. Stroll five beautiful Edgartown private gardens and one historic public botanic garden for self-paced public viewing. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 on day of tour, July 25. Rain or shine. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.marthasvineyardgardenclub.org/2024-edgartown-garden-stroll—july-25-2024.html
Join Peter Cottontail & Friends for the continuing celebration of the 150th birthday of Thornton W. Burgess. Enjoy a summer afternoon on July 25 from 3:30 – 7 filled with a Hare’s magical a-fair.
There will be the amazing Trevor the Juggler, the Sandwich Town Band, Stories with Stu Parsons, “Hop on Rabbit, Rabbit” StoryWalk, Willow Wands, Cookie Walk, Bubble Art, Fishpond & Floating Rabbit Games, Face Painting, Spare Change Game, Game Garden, visit Peter Cottontail & Friends inside the Green Meadow Forest, and take a family fun photo on the Cape Cod Photobus!
Then, take a break for some snacks including Local Scoop Ice Cream, Kono Pizza, Pineapple Cookie Company, plus a taste of nature with Green Briar’s famous Jam! There will be no parking at Green Briar Nature Center for this event. All parking will be at Sandwich High School. 365 Quaker Meeting House in East Sandwich, and trolleys will take you to the Center. Trolleys run every 20 minutes until 7 pm. Children and Adults $18, Children under 2 free, but ticket required. Get tickets at https://thorntonburgess.org/events/once-upon-a-time-3460
The Nantucket Garden Club’s Annual House and Garden Walking Tour returns August 7 from 11 – 4. This year’s co-chairs are Anna Caspersen, Helen Lynch, and Susan Gambee. Details will be forthcoming – follow the Club on Instagram @NantucketGardenClub. Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended! Ticket price is $75 online. Purchase HERE.
Join the Sandwich Arts Alliance on a fascinating walking tour of showpiece historic houses and buildings on July 10 from 10 – 4, each with a beautiful view. Start your tour by picking up your map at the Sandwich Arts Alliance at the 1834 Old Town Hall. While there, view the restored ballroom. Begin at your own pace into the yards of the featured homes where you will be greeted by costumed docents.
Stroll around the ancient miller’s house that was sold by John Dexter in 1699 to Seth Pope, Esq. for his son. Although the miller’s house is listed as 1699, it was extant when Pope bought it, so it is far older. Bendora, a gorgeous and fanciful Carpenter’s Gothic Victorian “Painted Lady” with beautiful gardens, was built by Ben Bartley upon his 1888 marriage to Dora Newcomb. The impressive 1850 Victorian mansion built by Edward Swann is reached through beach stone arches up a slight hill to a porte-cochere where guests alighted from carriages. Anyone who has walked past the John Jarves house knows it is surrounded by extensive plantings secreted by a hedge. You will finally get to satisfy your curiosity. If you wonder what it’s like to live directly on Shawme Pond, a 1972 house is charmingly sited with views of swans and geese. The owner illustrated the cover of Fur, Feathers, Scales, and Tails, a pet book published by SAA.
The birthplace of renowned children’s author Thornton Burgess – Across from the Hoxie House is School Street, the location of the birthplace of Thornton W. Burgess. This year is the 150th Birthday Anniversary of Sandwich’s renowned 20th century naturalist and author of Old Mother West Wind and many other books. Come sit a moment on this inviting front porch and buy your inscribed copy of Burgess’ biography, Nature’s Ambassador, and a new children’s book, The Last Heath Hen, both by author Christie Lowrance who lives in this charming 1835 home.
Make a point to stop in at Dexter’s 1654 gristmill. Tour the Hoxie House and gardens, built for Rev. John Smith in 1675. Tour the Sandwich Glass Museum. Visit artists painting on the green across from SAA.
Plan on a delightful day with family and friends that you will always remember. $30, available online or at SAA, 130 Main Street in Sandwich.
Nestled within the West Barnstable community lies Meetinghouse Farm, a verdant oasis and horticultural sanctuary. Step into a world of natural beauty and tranquility as you embark on a journey through lush gardens and verdant greenhouse. Wander through the labyrinth and take leisurely strolls across the sprawling grounds of this cherished local gem. Experience the harmony of nature and humanity in perfect union at Meetinghouse Farm. Parking: small gravel road/cul de sac on property, or parking at Fire Station and walking over. Open for Tours: July 6, 7, 13, & 14. The proceeds from the garden tour will benefit Whelden Memorial Library. Rain or Shine. Admission: $5. Pay cash at the door.
