Tag: heirloom vegetables

  • Monday, August 20, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – New England Heritage Gardens

    The Bidwell House Museum’s extensive ornamental gardens are designed to showcase historical, native, and pollinator-friendly plants, as well as herbs used by 18th century settlers. The main garden bed highlights the shrubs and perennials common to New England gardens of the era.The Heritage Garden gives visitors a look at the likely design and crops the Bidwells would have grown to feed their family and many community members.The Museum plants vegetable varieties that were present in New England in the mid-18th century, including Hubbard True Green squash, Red Wethersfield onions and Blue Pod Capucijners peas.The Museum has also started a collection of heirloom apple varieties that originated in Massachusetts in the same period, including Hightop Sweet and Westfield-Seek-No-Further.The four-square layout of the garden would have reminded the Bidwells of English garden design, a feature that was common throughout New England at the time.

    Berkshire Botanical Garden will host a field trip to the garden in Monterey, Massachusetts on Monday, August 20 from 9:30 – 12:30 pm. Transportation to and from BBG included in price and time. $35 for BBG members, $45 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/new-england-heritage-gardens-offsite-field-study

    Ruth Green owns Green Arts Gardens, specializing in organic landscape and edible garden design and installation. She is an accredited organic landscape care professional and holds a masters in landscape architecture. Ruth has been head gardener at the Bidwell Museum since 2009.

  • Saturday, June 5, 11:00 am – 25th Annual Tower Hill Plant Sale

    It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the first Plant Sale was held on the rough field and lawn in front of the Farmhouse.  That sale attracted nearly 400 visitors – pretty astonishing for the first sale at the brand new headquarters of the Worcester County Horticultural Society. At its peak, the sale has attracted as many as 3,100 visitors, expanding to become one of Tower Hill’s largest fundraisers.

    Because of the construction  at the core of the property, this year’s sale will be held in the grassy overflow parking field adjacent to the paved lots.  Some details remain the same: one of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose.  These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing.  Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks.

    More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale:  unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members. Special Plant Sale T-shirts to commemorate the 25th anniversary will be sold, and there will be Plant Giveaways to our early arriving members.  Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments.  Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest.  Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m.  For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

    http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-835.jpg

  • Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 9:30 – 5 pm – Agricultural Exhibition

    Experience an old-fashioned agricultural exhibition complete with demonstrations of early New England farm equipment and displays in the Center Meetinghouse of Old Sturbridge Village.  Displays will include Village-grown heirloom vegetables and agricultural accomplishments.  Plan now to join the exhibition of Visitor-grown heirloom vegetables.  For more information log on to www.osv.org.

  • Saturday, May 30, 11-4 – 24th Annual Tower Hill Plant Sale

    One of the many benefits of Tower Hill’s Plant Sale is the ability to select from the specialty offerings of more than a dozen participating Plant Societies, including Bamboo, Cactus & Succulent, Conifer, Daylily, Epimedium, Fern, Heather, Hosta, Indoor Gardeners, Lilac, Magnolia, Miniature Plants, Orchid, Rhododendron, and Rose.  These ardent devotees are wild about their specific plant interests and can offer great tips on care and growing.  Please note that a Tower Hill member discount card does not apply to sales in the plant society area, and most of the societies are able to accept only cash or checks.  More than 12,000 plants will be available for sale:  unusual perennials, herbs and everlastings, shrubs and trees, including Cary Award Winners, natives, annuals, incredible edibles, and Tower Hill “Best Buy” plants – donated divisions from beautiful plants grown by members.  Two silent auctions on the day of the Plant Sale feature a variety of choice, hard to find, specimen plants and garden ornaments.  Register first and enjoy the challenge of competing with other plant enthusiasts for the plants that spark your interest.  Tower Hill members enjoy the benefit of early admission at 9 a.m.  Free Admission all day, and $1 parking fee.  For more information, call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Saturday, May 9, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Casey Farm Plant Sale & Open House

    Join Historic New England at Casey Farm’s kick-off event for the summer season. A variety of organic plants are available for sale, including unusual and old-fashioned varieties of annual and perennial flowers, heirloom vegetables, and culinary herbs.  Free tours of the grounds will continue throughout the day and the festivities extend through Sunday, May 10 (10-4).  Admission free.  Casey Farm, Saunderstown, Rhode Island.  For more information and directions call 401-295-1030, or log on to www.historicnewengland.org.