Fallen leaves, decaying logs, and gone-by flowers nurture overwintering birds, pollinators, fireflies, turtles, and more. But it’s all so messy! How can we manage the practical and aesthetic concerns that arise when we keep autumn materials on home or community properties? Kathy Connolly will present a Zoom presentation on November 7 at 5:30 pm Eastern, $17 for Native Plant Trust members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/leave-the-leaves-save-the-stems/
The Massachusetts Master Gardener Association announces Inspiration for Next Year’s Garden, the 2017 Massachusetts Gardening Symposium to be held Saturday, September 23 from 8:30 – 3:30 at Westford Academy in Westford, Massachusetts. This year’s Symposium speakers come from diverse backgrounds and have different fields of gardening concentration, but all share one passion: teaching others.
Thomas Rainer, author of Planting in a Post-Wild World, will speak on The Garden of the Future: Reimagining the American Yard. Learn how plants fit together in nature and how to use this knowledge to create gardens that are more satisfying, more resilient, and less work.
David L. Culp, Vice President of Sunny Border Nurseries, will present Perennials: The Best Plants of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. How do tried and true favorites compare with new introductions? What are the current trends? And what horticultural advances might the future hold?
Kathleen Gagan, owner of Peony’s Envy, discusses Designing Gardens with Peonies. Learn how to create your own “peony plan” including cultivar and site selection, mixing types of peonies, structuring mixed gardens, and companion planting.
Janet Macunovich, garden designer, author and educator, will follow with The Art of Fall Garden Clean Up. Every hour you spend in the fall can save you 2+ hours in the spring, yield months of winter pleasure, and give your plants a valuable head start for the new season.
Early bird pricing through August 6 – $75 per person. August 7 – September 16 (registration deadline) $90 per person. Price includes lectures, Garden Marketplace, and lunch. No walk-ins. To register online, visit http://massmastergardeners.org/2017-gardening-symposium/
The calendar says October, but it doesn’t mean your work in the garden is done. There are four areas you need to concentrate on. Betty Sanders calls them the ‘Must Do’s’, ‘Should Do’s’, ‘Could Do’s’ and ‘Don’t Do’s’.
Garden writer, lifetime Master Gardener, and President of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Betty Sanders offers a Massachusetts Horticultural Society program on Thursday, October 8 from 7 – 8:30 at Elm Bank that will ensure your garden gets off to a great start next spring. Register at http://goo.gl/UhG3tV
$10 Mass Hort Members, $15 Non-Members. Image from www.dailymail.co.uk
On Tuesday, October 19 from 10 – noon (rain date Wednesday, October 20, 10 – noon) get inspired by this hands-on opportunity to learn about all the various garden activities to do in the autumn. Get tips on planting, dividing, fall clean-up, pruning, and preparing for the winter months ahead. This combination garden walk and gardening workshop is set in a beautiful two-acre garden that includes a native plant woodland, a large vegetable garden and orchard, and diverse perennial beds. Robin Wilkerson leads this New England Wild Flower Society excursion, for a member fee of $24, non member fee of $29. To register, and for directions, log on to www.newfs.org. Photo credit to allanbecker.gardenguru.squarespace.com.
The weeds and vines are entangling Olmsted’s rhododendrons and encroaching views at Stonehurst, The Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 18, from 10 – 1. Help restore these historic grounds and get some exercise to boot. Please bring work or gardening gloves and any pruning tools you have handy. Following the clean-up operation, the house will be open to the public from 12 noon until 3 pm, with a guided tour offered at 1 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. For directions to 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive please call 781-314-3290, or log on to www.stonehurstwaltham.org.
