Boston Flora

Tag: Ecological Landscaping Association

  • Friday, May 7, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Wellesley College Botanic Gardens Tour

    The Ecological Landscaping Association is sponsoring a tour of the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens, 106 Central Street in Wellesley, on Friday, May 7, from 10 – noon.  The charge will be $10 for ELA Members and $15 for non-members.

    Set in the picturesque campus of Wellesley College, the Botanic Gardens are an unforgettrable place of beauty.  Naturalized plantings as well as specimen trees and shrubs from around the world await discovery just a short distance from Boston.  A tiny brook winds through the gardens from a waterfall to Paramecium Pond (below).  Several different habitats comprise the arboretum, including a maple swamp, meadow, and fragments of different forest types, with many native species.  Other specialized gardens include a green roof planted with native species, a dwarf conifer garden, a butterfly garden, and an edible forest garden designed by David Jacke.  Tricia Diggins, Senior Gardens Horticulturalist at Wellesley College, will guide you through the various gardens and explain the ecological methods that are being used to care for the plant communities.  Registrations are limited.  Call 617-436-5838, or email ela.info@comcast.net.

    http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/39376237_d115f60c16.jpg?v=0

  • Thursday, April 15, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Mount Auburn Ecological Tree Care

    Enjoy a private Ecological Landscaping Association Eco-Tour of the beautiful 175 acre landscape of Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge on Thursday, April 15, beginning at 10 am.  Mount Auburn is one of the most historic landscapes in America and is on the leading edge of sustainable and environmentally sound land care practices.  This event features the more than 5,000 trees that are under Mount Auburn’s ecological tree care program.  $10 for ELA members, $15 for non members.  Paul Walker will lead the tour, and you may register on line at  www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1006114, or call 617-436-5838.  You may also email ela.info@comcast.net.

    http://www.gardenvisit.com/assets/madge/mount_auburn_garden_cambridge/600x/mount_auburn_garden_cambridge_600x.jpg

  • Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Growing & Greening Your Landscaping Business

    The Ecological Landscaping Association Roundtable presents “Growing and Greening Your Landscaping Business, Even in This Economic Climate!” on Wednesday, March 24, from 4 – 6, at Nordic Hall at the Scandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham Street, West Newton, MA.  $20 for ELA Members and $25 for Non-Members.

    This ELA Roundtable presentation offers a unique perspective on growing a landscaping business in the midst of uncertain economic times. Jackson Madnick will discuss his approach to organic lawn care in combination with the new drought tolerant, ultra deep-root grass seed options. Working with the results of a recent state wide survey, Jackson will present strategies to reach the 91% of the public who are not currently using a landscaping company – a large untapped source of clients. Another highlight of this discussion will be Jackson’s methods for producing the ultimate “Green” Lawns; lawns that are not just green in color but are water saving, run off preventing, carbon foot print lowering, and more profitable for you!

    Walk-ins Also Welcome! For more information: ela.info@comcast.net or (617) 436-5838 Jackson Madnick is an environmental, water-energy, and turf expert. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Congress of Lakes and Pond Association (COLAP), was the former Chairperson of the Wayland Surface Water Quality Committee, and was instrumental in the successful efforts to renew the National Clean Water Act. Jackson lives in a sustainable house that he is renovating to produce 95% of its heating, cooling, and power from the sun and earth.

    http://www.wildaboutflowers.ca/Misc%20Imagaes/Grass%20Seed%20Bags.jpg

  • Friday, March 12, 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm – Managing Fruit Trees in the Edible Landscape

    Join tour guide Nick Novick on Friday, March 12, from noon – 3, to visit a small orchard and learn the ecological care of fruit trees using a holistic approach. Until fairly recently, producing a reliable fruit crop required the use of a number of synthetic chemicals with troubling health and environmental profiles. By changing the way we think about “pest control” and utilizing innovative approaches along with improved materials, good results are now possible without the use of environmentally damaging chemicals.

    You’ll visit a home orchard at 393 Estabrook Road in Concord where you’ll discuss care throughout the year, including pruning, spray materials and timing, and discuss other, practical considerations. The focus will be on apples, but some other fruits will be discussed.

    Nick Novick owns and operates Small Planet Landscaping, which, since 1997, has provided environmentally sensitive landscaping services including lawn fertility and weed management, low-impact orchard care, and installations emphasizing native plant communities. He has a B.S. in Environmental Conservation, attended UMass Extension’s Green School, and has served on the Board and edited the newsletter for the Ecological Landscaping Association. His company currently cares for almost 80 trees on six different properties.

    Fee is $20 for ELA members, $25 for non-members, and walk-ins are welcome. For more information email ela.info@comcast.net, or call 617-436-5838.

    Directions: From the center of Concord, take Lowell Road (heading northwest toward Carlisle) for just over a mile. At the four-way stop/intersection, take right onto Barnes Hill Road. Go 1/2 mile, and take left onto Estabrook Road. Number 393 is the last property on the left. Following the parking signs, proceed through the two, stone pillars, go a few hundred feet, and take a left just past the small, brick house. Someone will point out where to park. Call Nick directly if you have difficulty finding the site: 508-308-4960.

    http://www.treehugger.com/the-apple-orchard-photo.jpg

  • Thursday, February 25, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm – ELA Annual Conference and Marketplace

    The Ecological Landscaping Association will hold its Annual Conference and Marketplace on Thursday, February 25, beginning at 8:00 am at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Learn how to maximize biological potential, minimize environmental impacts, and obtain spectacular results.  Sessions will focus on water use, landscape design, and practical skills.  You may also visit the Eco-Marketplace.  Toby Hemenway, author of Gaia’s Garden, will share his design approach to sustainable landscaping.  There will also be a Keynote Dinner at 6:45 PM.  For admission data, contact www.ecolandscaping.org, telephone 617-436-5838, or email elawebmaster@verizon.net.