Boston Flora

Tag: University of Massachusetts

  • Wednesday, April 30, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm – Keeping Clean Water in Your Community

    Learn innovative techniques for meeting stormwater requirements, protecting marine resources, and managing green spaces, in this free seminar to be held Wednesday, April 30 from 8:30 – 2 at the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Station, 1 State Bog Road, East Wareham. The event is sponsored by the Buzzards Bay Coalition (www.savebuzzardsbay.org) and features the following panel:

    Solving the Stormwater Management Puzzle: Joe Costa, Executive Director, Buzzards Bay National Estuary Project
    Protecting Marine Resources: Neil Churchill, Marine Fisheries Biologist, Massachusetts Dept. of Fish & Game
    Clean Water Landscaping: Mike Talbot, Ecological Lawn Care

    http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/view.image?Id=8552

  • Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – The 100 Square Foot, 25 Tree, 5 Variety Backyard Apple Orchard Fruiting Wall

    The University of Massachusetts Extension has a fabulous class and hands on seminar scheduled for Saturday, April 26, from 10 – 2, with Jon Clements at Wards Berry Farm, 614 South Main Street in Sharon. Your fruiting wall will produce two bushels each of five apple varieties in just 3 years from planting using just over 100 square feet of backyard! We will spend some time indoors talking about site, variety, rootstock selection, planting, and annual care (including pest management) of your fruiting apple wall. Then, we will go outdoors and actually plant the orchard from start to finish including site preparation, fertilization, pruning, and tree support. Voila! Instant orchard. There will be a break for participants to enjoy a BYO lunch. $85 fee.  Register at https://classic.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1460640.

    http://fruit.umext.umass.edu/2013appleharvest/honeycrispappleB118o0o913.jpg

  • Tuesday, April 8, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – The Invasive Plant Issue and Invasive Plant Identification

    On Tuesday, April 9, the University of Massachusetts Extension’s Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program will sponsor The Invasive Plant Issue and Invasive Plant Identification, from 9 – 2 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 11 Beaver Street in Milford, Massachusetts. This course is an overview of the topic of invasive plants, focusing on why we should be concerned about them and enhancing your ability to readily identify invasive plants as well as their look-alikes. The work of the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group, including its strategies, recommendations, and the recently released Early Detection/Rapid Response Priority List document, will be discussed. $75. To register, visit https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1362488 or call 413-545-0895.

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  • Saturday, April 5, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Growing & Pruning Grapes

    The University of Massachusetts Extension will sponsor a class on Growing & Pruning Grapes on Saturday, April 5, from 10 – 1, led by Sonia Schloemann at Wards Berry Farm, 614 S. Main Street in Sharon. Grapes are one of the most universally enjoyed fruits available. Many of the new varieties have excellent taste, are winter hardy, and can make excellent wine. Grapes are fun to grow but present some challenges. Sonia Schloemann will help participants through the basics and give them the tools to overcome some of the challenges. Specific topics will include selecting varieties, planting, fertilizing, controlling pests, pruning, and vine training. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning and training grapes in order to produce a bountiful crop.  $50 fee.  To register, visit https://classic.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1460640.

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  • Thursday, April 3, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – Landscape Education Day

    Every new year comes with its own challenges for successful maintenance of healthy and attractive landscapes. These challenges include variable and unpredictable weather, insect pests, weeds and changing regulations. Join UMass Extension Educators at the UMass Cranberry Research Station, 1 State Bog Road in East Wareham on Thursday, April 3 from 10 – 3:30 for a day of learning about the latest research-based information to help you kick off a successful landscape management season. Topics include new nutrient regulations and BMPs for nutrient management, timely info on insect pests of landscape and urban trees, developing a landscape weed management program, principles of ecological landscaping, and finding the right plant for the right place. $75. Register online at https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1362516, or phone 508-295-2212, x 47. Photo below from the Massachusetts Nursery & Landscaping Association.http://www.mnla.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/slider3.jpg

  • Saturday, March 29, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm – Grafting Apple Trees

    University of Massachusetts Extension will hold a hands-on workshop, Grafting Apple Trees, on Saturday, March 29, from 9 – 2:30 at The Farm School. 488 Moore Hill Road in Athol. Many people do not realize that all apple varieties are reproduced by grafting – they are not grown from seed. For horticultural enthusiasts, one of the most satisfying techniques to master is grafting. Wes Autio will present a hands-on workshop on “bench grafting” and “cleft grafting” of apple trees. Other grafting techniques will be discussed. Proper tools and sharpening will be included. All participants in the workshop will graft several of their own apple trees to take home.  There will be a break for participants to enjoy a BYO lunch.  You may register and pay at https://classic.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1460640.

    http://www.pd4pic.com/images/apple-apple-tree-red-autumn-vitamins-frisch.jpg

  • UMass Green Directory

    The UMass Extension 2014 Green Directory is available for download at http://ag.umass.edu/agriculture-resources/green-directory. The 42-page guide offers names and contact information for staff with expertise in particular areas, information about extension newsletters, conferences, and workshops, information about testing services provided by the extension, and other useful information. A good document to keep at hand.

    http://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/icons-logos/green-directory-button-rt.png

  • Friday, December 6, 6:45 pm – Conifer Swamps of Central and Western Massachusetts

    Glenn Motzkin, botanist/ecologist, will address the New England Botanical Club on Friday, December 6, beginning at 6:45 at Harvard University, in the Haller Lecture Hall (Room 102), Geological Museum, 24 Oxford Street in Cambridge.  The door is to the right of the Harvard Museum of Natural History entrance.

    Glenn Motzkin is a plant ecologist interested in patterns of species distribution, vegetation dynamics, disturbance history, and the application of historical ecology to conservation in New England. Glenn has studied a wide range of natural communities, with particular interests in the history and dynamics of uncommon communities that support rare species and are priorities for conservation. Glenn is currently an independent ecological consultant, having previously worked as Plant Ecologist at Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA. Glenn serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

    He received his BA in American Civilization, Brown University (1982)  and an MS in Forest Ecology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1990).

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  • Saturday, September 7, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – City of Boston’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off

    Drop off your hazardous waste on Saturday, September 7, from 9 – 2 at the University of Massachusetts, Morrissey Blvd Parking Lot D in Dorchester.  No latex or acrylic paints, please.  Electronics recycling and paper shredding will be available at Bayside Expo as well.  For Boston residents only, no commercial waste accepted, and proof of residency required.  For more information please call the Mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500, or visit www.cityofboston.gov/recycle.

    http://dumpsterrentalbostonma.net//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/boston-household-hazardous-waste.jpg

  • Late Blight Update for Home Gardeners

    The University of Massachusetts Plant Diagnostic Lab has confirmed the presence of Late Blight (LB) in Franklin County on tomatoes on July 11. Advice for home gardener clientele: At this point in the season, if symptoms begin appearing on plants, remove plants, place in a plastic bag, seal, and discard in the trash or completely bury plants deep enough underground so plants decompose and will not re-sprout. Do not put the plants in a compost pile as spores will still spread from this debris. Visit the website https://extension.umass.edu/vegetable/alerts,  for more details, images, and management options.  You may also track the spread of the disease at the website USA Blight, www.usablight.org.

    http://assets.slate.wvu.edu/resources/295/1273252622.jpg