Boston Flora

Tag: Ecological Landscaping Association

  • Monday, August 18, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – The Edible Landscape at Wellesley College

    The Ecological Landscaping Association will sponsor The Edible Landscape at Wellesley College with tour guide Tricia Diggins on Monday, August 18, from 5 – 7 on campus in Wellesley.  $20 for ELA and Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Garden members, $25 for nonmembers, free for Wellesley College students.

    Join Tricia to explore three main components of the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens edible landscape.  As part of its collection policy, the WCBG is collecting and interpreting plants as food for humans and other organisms.  The tour will start in the kitchen garden courtyard that includes an herb garden, a vegetable garden, and other small fruit and nut plants.  The design for the vegetable garden changes each year and this year will be modeled after a Russian dacha garden.

    You will then move on to the Edible Ecosystem Teaching Garden and check on the progress of the garden started in 2010 and a new outdoor classroom.  The garden was designed by forest and permaculture specialists Dave Jacke and Keith Zaltzberg.  The garden features fruit and nut trees planted in association with herbaceous polycultures to maximize ecological functions using a wide diversity of pants.

    Lastly, you will walk to the nut tree collection in the Alexandra Botanic Garden and see a variety of native nut trees (and a few non-native as well), along with a 9 year old grove of paw paws (see picture of cluster below.)  Register on line at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010983.

  • Tuesday, August 12, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – The Trouble with Earthworms

    The Ecological Landscaping Association and the New England Wildflower Society will sponsor The Trouble with Earthworms, a tour led by Mark Richardson, on Tuesday, August 12 from 6 – 8 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham.  $25 for ELA/NEWFS members, $35 for non-members.

    Leaf collection, hauling, and disposal are a large annual cost to property owners and a waste of resources ecologically.  Across the industry, many have adopted the practice of mulch-in-place, which eliminates the expense of hauling leaves off site and purchasing mulch.  Using leaf litter as mulch builds soil organic matter, and fosters a healthy soil food web.  It is a sound horticultural practice with many benefits.  However, it also may be encouraging localized populations of invasive earthworms, which in turn destroy soil structure, speed up nutrient cycles, and favor invasive plant growth.

    Part of the confusion surrounding earthworms might be explained best by Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies ecologist Peter Groffman, who states that “Earthworms are not necessarily making the soil healthy, but they are attracted to healthy soil.”  Earthworms can improve the physical condition of certain soil such as heavy clay soil or soil compacted by heavy equipment.  But if good soil management is being practiced, earthworms do not have a positive effect on aeration or the movement of water or air through the soil.

    Join tour guide Mark Richardson, who will discuss Garden in the Woods ecological management practices as well as research aimed at slowing down the booming population of earthworms in the Garden.  Register by calling 617-436-5838, or on line at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1011038.

     

  • Tuesday, July 15, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Garden in the Woods: Enjoying the Present, Planning for the Future

    The Ecological Landscaping Association, New England Wild Flower Society, and Boston Architectural College will present Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture, New England Wild Flower Society, on Tuesday, July 15, from 1 – 3, at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, speaking on Garden in the Woods: Enjoying the Present, Planning for the Future.

    New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods is a 45-acre botanical garden.  With over 1,000 native plant species on display and 150 rare and endangered species, the Garden is a valuable resource promoting conservation of native New England plants and their habitats.  The Garden serves as the Society’s laboratory for horticulture, gardening, conservation, and education, and has long been a model of naturalistic garden design.

    Today, Garden in the Woods must grapple with a future of uncertainty in the face of climate change.  Get a behind-the-scenes look at the master plan recently completed by Andropogon Associates to envision the future and advance the sustainable operations of this botanical gem.  $20 for members of sponsoring organizations, $30 for nonmembers.  Register on line at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1011136.  

  • Thursday, June 26, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Native Plant Gardens: For Beauty and Bounty

    The Ecological Landscaping Association will sponsor a program on Thursday, June 26, from 10 – 12:30 on Native Plant Gardens: For Beauty and Bounty, featuring three gardens designed by Nanette Masi in Amesbury, Massachusetts.

    The gardens feature native plants, natural garden design, and beauty for humans, as well as bounty that attracts a variety of birds, butterflies and other wildlife.  Once established, native plant gardens require fewer inputs (fertilizer or water) which benefit the environment while saving on maintenance costs.

    Nanette’s private gardens were overrun with invasives when the property was purchased in 1994.  Nanette was hooked by the  natural setting: a freshwater tidal marsh, a stream, and a view of the Merrimac River.  The reclamation started with small foundation plantings, when native plants were scarce.  Now there are small shade gardens, a sunny meadow-based garden, a vegetable garden with grape-covered pergola, and a steep front hillside of clay where invasives continue to taunt.

    The second garden you will see was Nanette’s first residential design for a narrow condominium backyard.  The property was transformed from a struggling, uneven lawn to a pleasing garden with a bubbling stream, mini pond, and visiting frogs.  Along with many native perennials, a dwarf, flowing Japanese maple was included in the design, at the owners’ request.  To add depth and a sense of enclosure, trellises were attached to the fences on either side.

    The third garden is a recent design.  The property is carved out of a steep knoll with close to a 1:1 slope within 10 – 15 feet of the side of the house.  The rear of the property slopes down steeply to a series of granite terraces featuring wide granite walkways with curves and beach stone ribs as spaces.  Creative stonework was installed by the talented mason Adam Bennett of Colonial Stoneworks.

    $20 for ELA members, $25 for non-members.  Register at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010985.

  • Sunday, April 6, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Tick-borne Disease: Awareness, Prevention and Treatment

    The Ecological Landscaping Association and the New England Wild Flower Society will co-sponsor Tick-borne Disease: Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment, on Sunday, April 6, from 1 – 3:30 pm at Garden in the Woods in Framingham.

    Lyme and other tick-born diseases are increasing each year and expanding northward. People who work in and enjoy gardens and wild areas are at high risk for exposure, as are their families and pets.  This panel discusses the latest research on changes in climate, habitat, and predators that affect the distribution of ticks and diseases; tick life cycles and disease hosts; and infection-prevention methods such as improved landscape practices and personal protection.

    The panel will also cover what to do if bitten, including tick removal, disease symptoms, accurate diagnosis, and treatment options.  It will explain the scope of the public health emergency: epidemiology, legal issues, and available resources.  Attendees will come away empowered with preventative strategies and knowledge of treatment options.  Please bring questions.

    Instructor Jeanne Hubbuch, MD, is a family practice physician in Newton, with experience in acute and chronic Lyme and other tick infections.  She will focus on treatment of Lyme disease, including the latest research results, and will discuss lifestyle and stress reduction for treatment and recovery.  Alan Geise, Professor of Biology at Lyndon State College, Vermont, and researcher into the rise of tick populations and disease, will highlight the environmental issues involved.  Dori Smith, M.Ed., owner of Gardens for Life in Acton, is a writer and educator in recovery from Lyme disease.  She will discuss landscape management and personal prevention, as well as the public health issues.

    $20 for ELA or NEWFS members, $25 for nonmembers.  Refreshments will be served.  Register by calling 617-436-5838 or visit https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010933.

    http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2011/04/parenting/lyme-disease-risk-map-600.gif

  • Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Principles of Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Webinar

    In the Ecological Landscaping Association presentation to be held on line on Wednesday, March 12 from 7:30 – 8:30 pm, Tim Downey, owner of Aesthetic Landscape Care Inc, will discuss with attendees a practice he’s pioneered called mulch mowing for all seasons. With particular emphasis on the autumn leaf challenge, aka “leaf cleanup.” This is an old approach, with newer technology which not only makes this practice good for the environment, but ridiculously profitable for businesses, and affords cost controls, saving clients money and more.

    The presentation will quickly look into the evolution on how this practice came about, its benefits to the environment, benefits to communities/municipalities, and finally a detailed explanation on how to get started with your own business, making you a leader in your area while realizing greater profits and fewer aches and pains.

    There be plenty in the presentation for Q & A, and Tim will be available after the Go To Meeting time limit ends for e-mails and phone calls to answer individual question and provide clarification where needed.

    Tim’s Bio:

    Tim Downey, a landscape contractor responsible for landscape design, installations and maintenance, has been serving clients in the Westchester County NY area since 1983. An ardent environmentalist, Tim has worked to evolve his business to work more closely with nature’s principles, attempting to keep the Hippocratic Oath, “First, do no harm” as his mainstay. Tim is the pioneer largely responsible for the revived practice of mulch mowing, becoming part of a growing trend in Westchester and beyond. In this presentation, he’ll look at using mulching mowing through out the year, with particular emphasis on “fall cleanup” and leaves.  The webinar is free, but you must register in advance at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/788429990. Image from www.turfmagazine.com.

    http://www.turfmagazine.com/content/TF/2012/10/A8743_2.jpg

  • Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Invasive Plants: What Follows Success Webinar

    Many projects designed to control and eliminate invasive species meet with success only to find that an unintended consequence of success results in new infestations and unexpected problems. Invasive Plants: What Follows Success reviews the concepts and strategies that are used to deal with the successful removal of invasive species and the prevention of the establishment and spread of new species that arise when necessary actions that follow success are not taken into consideration prior to control efforts.  This free webinar, on Wednesday, February 19 from 7 – 8, is sponsored by the Ecological Landscaping Association, and you may register on line at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/944497270.

    About the Presenter:
    John Peter Thompson is a contractor and consultant working with USDA ARS, APHIS, Forest Service and the National Park Service, as well as the Africa Trade Office of Maryland (Parker & Associates), and Invasive Plant Control, Inc..
    Mr. Thompson is a nationally recognized speaker on horticulture, invasives, bioeconomics and history. he was born in California but has lived in Maryland for the last 52 years. He owned and operated a small business for ten years before returning to the family nursery and garden center business in 1988 starting as a warehouse janitor and finishing as CEO and Chairman of the Board in 2008. During this time, while managing the perennial production and sales department, he was awarded the Perennial Plant Association Retailer of the Year award in 2000.
    Mr. Thompson has been reappointed to the National Invasive Species Council Advisory Committee (NISC ISAC) having previously served as Vice Chair and Secretary. He is the Maryland Nursery & Landscape Association liaison to the Maryland Invasive Species Council and expert subject matter member of the State of Maryland’s Invasive Plant Council. He also is an active user of social media ‘Tweeting” daily @InvasiveNotes with over 6925 followers as well as a writer of essays about social, scientific and philosophic issues on his blog, Invasive Notes (www.ipetrus.blogspot.com). John Peter works as a volunteer advocate to politicians and policy makers as President of the National Agricultural Research Alliance.

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  • Tuesday, January 7, 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Irrigation Tips for Landscape Designers

    The Ecological Landscaping Association and the New England Wild Flower Society will co-sponsor Irrigation Tips for Landscape Designers on Tuesday, January 7, from 9 – 11 (snow date Wednesday January 8), a panel discussion lead by Theresa Sprague and Trevor Smith, at Garden in the Woods in Framingham.  $20 for ELA and NEWFS members, $25 for nonmembers.

    The goal of most irrigation systems is to produce healthy landscapes while conserving water.  For landscape designers to achieve this goal, irrigation systems need to be well designed.  This panel discussion will held you understand the basics of irrigation systems in order to improve communication with irrigation contractors.  For more information email ela.info@comcast.net, or call 617-436-5838.  Theresa Sprague is the owner of BlueFlax Design in Mattapoisett, where she focuses on merging science with the fine art of landscape design.  She holds a Masters Degree from the Conway School of Landscape Design and is currently ELA’s Vice President.  Trevor Smith is owner of Land Escapes, a full service ecological landscaping company in the Boston area. He is currently ELA’s President.

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  • Thursday, January 16, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (Snow Date January 17) – Managing Large-Scale Landscapes Sustainably

    Join the Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA ) and Wellesley College on Thursday, January 16, from 8:30 – 4:30 at the Wellesley College Science Center for a symposium on the development and maintenance of large-scale landscapes that utilize fewer inputs, are designed and maintained with the environment in mind, and become more sustainable over time. Experts who work daily in successful, sustainable large-scale landscapes will lead four panel discussions. If you are interested in sustainable landscapes for colleges, parks departments, public agencies, cemeteries, golf courses, forests, land trusts, public gardens, or other large landscapes, this event is for you.

    Maintaining Large-Scale Landscapes
    Landscapes Over Time, Soil Compaction, Invasive Plants, Recycling Organic Matter, and Sourcing Quality Compost

    Panelists: Dennis Collins, Mount Auburn Cemetery, John Forti, Strawbery Banke Museum, and Stuart Shillaber, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.  Please note that both Dennis Collins and John Forti are past Garden Club of the Back Bay presenters.

    Large Lawns: Ecological Approaches
    Mowing Frequency, Inputs, Pests, Disease, and Alternative Energy Mowers

    Panelists: Richard Luff, Sagamore Golf, Fred Newcombe, PJC Ecological, and Anthony Ruggiero, Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy

    Runoff as Resource: Large Scale Stormwater Solutions
    Erosion to Irrigation, Collection Options, Dealing with Large Rain Events, Water Quality, Minimizing Demands of Potable Water

    Panelists: Tom Benjamin, LA/Sustainable Designer, Brad Buscher, Groundwork Lawrence, Eden Dutcher, GroundView, and Kate Venturini, University of Rhode Island

    Managing Semi-Wild Landscapes

    Designating “Semi-Wild” areas, Identifying Invasive Plant Threats, Setting Management Priorities, Tackling What is Feasible (and Leaving the Rest)

    Panelists: Tobias Wolf, Wolf Lighthall, Heidi Kost-Gross, G/S Associates, and Sandy Vorce, Mass Audubon

    Registrations are limited – Use This Link to Register Online Now

    For more information: ela.info@comcast.net

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  • Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Garden in the Woods Master Plan

    Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture, New England Wild Flower Society, will speak at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Wednesday, March 11, from 7 – 9, in a program sponsored by the Ecological Landscaping Association, the New England Wild Flower Society, and the Boston Architectural College.  New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods is a 45-acre botanical garden.  With over 1,000 native plant species on display and 150 rare and endangered species, the Garden is a valuable resource promoting conservation of native New England plants.  The various gardens and habitats serve as the Society’s laboratory for horticulture, gardening, conservation and education, and has long been a model of naturalistic garden design.

    Now, the Garden in the Woods must grapple with a future of uncertainty in the face of climate change.  Get a behind-the-scenes look at the master plan recently completed by Andropogon Associates to envision the future and advance the sustainable operations of this botanical gem.  Registrations are limited.  For more information email ela.info@comcast.net, or call 617-436-5838.  $26 members of sponsoring organizations, $32 general public.

    http://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/victorygarden/images/victorygardens/othergardens/gardenwoods/souhernpitcherplant_lg_3.jpg