Boston Flora

Tag: Garden in the Woods

  • Tuesday, August 11, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Hydric Soils

    This course for environmental professionals, to be held at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts on Tuesday, August 11 from 9 – 4, serves as an introduction or refresher on hydric soils, with a focus on understanding the current field indicators of hydric soils in the United States (USDA-NRCS), the basis for USACE soil descriptions. During the morning classroom session, we will review basic soil descriptors including color, texture, and soil development, specifically hydric characteristics, and redoximorphic features. In the afternoon field session, we will learn to apply these indicators to soils. Bring available field equipment and a bag lunch; wear footwear appropriate for muddy conditions. The course, taught by Amanda Atwell, is $88 for NEWFS or Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions members, $110 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/hydric-soils.

  • Sunday, August 2, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Kill Your Lawn

    According to NASA scientists, in the United States more surface area is covered by lawn than by any other single irrigated crop. Lawns are resource-heavy, requiring irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive in our climate. Learn why you should “kill your lawn” and how to replace it with environmentally friendly native plantings. The class will be held on Sunday, August 2 from 9 – 3 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, taught by Mark Richardson. The fee is $82 for New England Wild Flower Society members, $98 for nonmembers, and is co-sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/kill-your-lawn.  Image from www.sustainable-gardening.com.

  • Wednesday, July 29, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Out of Control: Chemical-free Strategies for Invasive Plant Control

    Invasive non-native plant species surround us: along roadsides, deep in forests, and in our own backyards. After decades using synthetic herbicides to control invasives, the invasive species remain out of control and growing environmental concerns are driving landscape professionals and the public to consider alternative control methods. Join the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) at the Garden in the Woods for an afternoon workshop from 1 – 5 on Wednesday, July 29 to explore chemical-free options for invasive species control.This workshop will feature six concise and information-packed presentations plus a powerhouse panel discussion. Topics will include:

    Chemical-free Riparian Restoration
    Invasive Control in Closed-loop Systems
    Comparing Control Options
    Mobilizing Volunteers for Invasive Plant Removal
    Invasive Species Management Realities
    “Goatscaping” – A 4-Legged Approach to Invasive Control
    Chemical-free Controls – Get Your Questions Answered by the Panel of Experts

    ELA members price $30, nonmembers $40. Register today at www.ecolandscaping.org. Image from www.landscapeonline.com.

  • Tuesdays, July 14 – August 4, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Landscape for Life

    This intensive four session (July 14, 21, 28, and August 4) introductory course co-sponsored by the Ecological Landscape Alliance and the New England Wild Flower Society will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to create a great-looking garden that is healthier for you, your family, and the environment. This class, taking place at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, is based on the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, the nation’s first rating system for sustainable landscapes.

    Instructor Mark Richardson oversees the New England Wildflower Society’s botanic garden, Garden in the Woods, and its native plant nursery operation, Nasami Farm in Whately, Massachusetts. He studied ornamental horticulture at University of Rhode Island and helped run a mid-sized ornamental plant nursery before finding his true passion in public horticulture. He led undergraduate programs at Longwood Gardens, overhauled the curriculum of the Professional Gardener Program, and oversaw adult education at Brookside Gardens. In 2013, Mr. Richardson assisted with the development of the first comprehensive master plan for Garden in the Woods. He holds a MS from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Bring a bag lunch each day. $185 for members of the sponsoring organizations, $218 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/landscape-for-life/2015-07-14/#sthash.D6dVSvgx.dpuf

  • Saturdays, July 18, 25, and August 1, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Introduction to Plant Families: Rosaceae, Liliaceae, Violaceae, Ericaceae

    Expand your understanding of New England’s wild plants by learning interesting clues about their family relationships and classification. We’ll use microscopes to study woody and herbaceous plants inside and then we’ll head outdoors to look at the differences between the many plants we’ll find in the field. You’ll learn basic formulas for plant structure and how to apply these to other families. Bring lunch and a hand lens.
    Fee $178 member of a sponsoring organization, $218 nonmember. Offered by the Arnold Arboretum with the New England Wild Flower Society, and taught by Carol Govan at Garden in the Woods, Hemenway Street, Framingham, on Saturdays, July 18, 25, and August 1.  Register at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu/Info.aspx?EventID=1.

  • Tuesdays, June 16 – June 30, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm – Herbaceous Native Plants for Professionals

    Join Dan Jaffe for this Ecological Landscape Alliance three session class at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Street in Framingham (June 16, 23, and 30) to learn about the best native plant materials available today for use in the design and landscape trades. Covering everything from plants for tough spots to specialty plants for specific habitats, this class will add a host of less familiar native herbaceous species to your plant palette.

    Dan Jaffe is a propagator and stock bed grower at New England Wild Flower Society. Prior to that, he earned a degree in botany from the University of Maine, Orono, as well as an advanced certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design from New England Wild Flower Society. After interning at Garden in the Woods, Mr. Jaffe worked for a year as Plant Sales Coordinator at the Garden. $162 for ELA members, $190 for nonmembers.
    – See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/herbaceous-native-plants-for-professionals/2015-06-16/#sthash.1WTPha8J.dpuf.

  • Saturday, June 13, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Choosing the Right Plant

    Learn essential gardening skills this summer at Garden in the Woods. Join the New England Wild Flower Society in the Garden to learn about Choosing the Right Plant. In this instructor-led demonstration, our horticultural professionals will show you how to get beautiful results in your garden using native plants. This session will take place Saturday, June 13, from 2 – 3, and is $16 for NEWFS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/weekend-gardening-series-choosing-the-right-plant. Rosa rugosa image from www.gobotany.newenglandwild.org.

  • Tuesday, June 9, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Gardening for Pollinators

    Pollinators are all the buzz these days, but what are they and why are they so important? In this New England Wild Flower Society class on Tuesday, June 9, from 10 – 12:30, you will learn how essential pollinators are to the reproductive success of the world’s flowering plants, and take away easy tips for attracting and supporting pollinators to your own garden and yard. The class is given by Ellen Sousa at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, and the fee is $33 for NEWFS and Mass Audubon members, $40 for nonmembers, co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/gardening-for-pollinators-1. Image from www.extension.org.

  • Wednesdays, May 27 – June 10, 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm, and Saturdays, May 30 – June 6, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm – Native New England Shrubs

    Shrubs vary widely in size, shape, color, bark, flower, and fruit. This New England Wild Flower Society course taught by Roland “Boot” Boutwell at Garden in the Woods will introduce you to almost fifty species of native New England shrubs, emphasizing plant identification, family characteristics, and historical plant uses. Bring a hand lens to each session. Weekend sessions are held in off-site locations; directions will be provided during the first class. Dates and times: Wednesdays, May 27, June 3, 10, 6:30-8:45 p.m.; Saturdays, May 30, June 6, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There is another Native New England Shrubs course which begins September 10. Fee is $200 for NEWFS members, $250 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/native-new-england-shrubs-1. Image of elderberry bush from www.nativeplantwildlifegarden.com.

  • Fridays through June 26, 7:00 am – 9:00 am – Artists in the Garden

    Exclusively for artists. This unique opportunity gives artists access to the Garden in the Woods in Framingham on select Fridays between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., before it opens to the public and when the light is especially beautiful. This is your chance to photograph, paint, draw, and sketch beautiful landscapes, native wildflowers, pollinators, and more. Preregistration is required. $13 for New England Wild Flower Society members, $16 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/artists-in-the-garden-1.