Boston Flora

Tag: University of Massachusetts

  • Thursday, May 3, 7:00 pm – Backyard Apples

    The visual experience of flowering fruit trees in the home landscape is surpassed only by the delicious variety of summer and fall fruits which they produce. Growing apples successfully can be a horticultural challenge, but it can be done! Dr. Wes Autio will present a program at Elm Bank on Thursday, May 3 beginning at 7 pm  on how to grow apples in the home landscape. Varieties, root stocks, young-tree care, nutrition, pruning, training, and pest control will be covered.

    Wes Autio grew up in a rural/tourist part of western Maine and received his B.S. degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Pomology from UMass. In 1985, he joined the faculty at the University of Massachusetts. He currently serves as the UMass Fruit Program Leader and Coordinator of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture’s Fruit & Vegetable Crops Program. He regularly interacts with tree-fruit farmers and the many individuals interested in tree fruit in the landscape. His research focuses on apple and peach rootstocks and controlling growth of apple trees with mechanical and hormonal approaches.  Photo from Through a Glass, Darkly. Free, but registration recommended at www.masshort.org.

  • Tuesday, March 6, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – A Visit with Isabella Stewart Gardner

    A few years ago, The Garden Club of the Back Bay welcomed acclaimed performer Jessa Piaia, who took attendees back to 1910 with her dramatic portrayal of Isabella Stewart Gardner, America’s first patroness of the arts, and lover of plant material.  For those who missed the meeting, you’ll have another chance on Tuesday, March 6, from 10 – noon at South Church, 41 Central Street in Andover.  The Andover Garden Club is sponsoring the program, and a $5 guest charge includes refreshments. Piaia studied performance at London’s Oval House Theatre and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. An employee of Harvard University, she conducts most of her historical research at the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe Institute, which specializes in the history of women in America.

    Founded in 1927, the Andover Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that encourages the study and practice of horticulture, landscape design, and floral design; aids in the beautification of the town of Andover; and helps protect and conserve natural resources. A member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc., the club provides both financial and hands-on support to a variety of municipal, educational, and environmental organizations throughout the region.  To reserve, please call 978-475-7119.

  • Mondays, March 12 – April 2, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Organic Vegetable Gardening

    Designed for those starting or caring for a vegetable garden, get all your questions answered in this Berkshire Botanical Garden practical class on growing food, to be held Monday evenings from March 12 – April 12, from 6 – 9. This course will include site selection, soil and nutrient management, seed selection, design, crop rotation schemes, seeding and planting, pest management, and specific plant cultivation. These topics will be discussed with an emphasis on building a healthy soil and careful management of moisture requirements. Each week students will investigate a different vegetable family (Melon family, Tomato family, Beet family, Cabbage Family, Legume family and the Greens family) to insure all questions are answered about cultivation of these important food groups.

    John Howell is the former Extension Vegetable Specialist, for the University of Massachusetts and currently lectures on vegetables, fruits and soil management Author of numerous newsletters for growers and is currently the editor for New England Vegetable Management Guide, published biennially by the University of Massachusetts. Course fee $185, and you may register on-line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

    2012-2013 New England Vegetable Management Guide

  • Tuesday, March 13, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – 2012 Community Tree Conference

    The University of Massachusetts Extension, Massachusetts Department of Conservation, and the USDA Forest Service, will sponsor the 2012 Community Tree Conference on Tuesday, March 13, from 9 – 4 at Stockbridge Hall, UMass Amherst, 80 Campus Center Way, Amherst, Massachusetts.  This Conference is for arborists, foresters, tree wardens, sugar bush owners, and anyone who loves trees.  The conference will cover topics such  as New Research, New Insects (newly discovered, at any rate) & Diseases, A New Safety Standard, and A Reality Check.  The cost is $65 per person for first registration and $40 per person for each additional registration from the same organization.  Coffee break and a parking pass are included in the registration fee, but lunch is on your own.  For a registration form, or to register online, go to http://umassgreeninfo.org/.

     

     

  • Saturday, January 14, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Where’s The Front Door? Designing the Front Yard Garden

    Join landscape architect David Dew Bruner at Berkshire Botanical Garden on Saturday, January 14, from 10 – 1, for a look at the front yard. Consider the history of the front yard and apply some basic principles to enhancing the use of this often ignored space. Learn how to reclaim the front yard as a viable/functional space to be used by the family. Issues covered will include front entrances, gardens, privacy, and what to do with that garage door!  Participants should bring a photograph of their front yards. Several will be selected to illustrate common design challenges and simple solutions.

    David Dew Bruner is an award winning landscape architect and fine artist with over 35 years of experience ranging from Deputy Administrator of Riverside Park, NYC, to amusement park design, historical restoration and all scales of residential design. Originally from New Orleans, he has a BLA and a BFA from LSU as well as a MLA form the University of Massachusetts.  BBG member price $37, non-member price $45, and you may register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Saturday, June 4, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Patriot Daylily Society Sale

    The Patriot Daylily Society Sale features a wide selection of colorful daylilies from members’ gardens, freshly dug and ready to plant in your garden. There will be many modest-priced daylily classics (many not available in garden centers) as well as more recent introductions. Members will be on hand to give instructions on daylily planting and care. Members will also bring a nice selection of perennial companion plants including hostas, phlox, Shasta daisies, monarda, and ferns. The sale is a fundraiser for the non-profit Patriot Daylily Society, which welcomes all New Englanders interested in daylilies. The sale location is at the Waltham Field Station of the University of Massachusetts, 240 Beaver Street in Waltham, on Saturday, June 4, from 9:30 – 3:30, and will be held rain or shine! Below is ‘Leebea Orange Crush.’

  • Saturday, May 7, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day

    Boston City Services has announced the spring Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day, which this year will be held Saturday, May 7, from 9 am – 2 pm at University of Massachusetts Harbor Campus, Morrissey Boulevard. For more information, call 617-635-4500, or www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recyclingandsanitation/hazardous.asp.

  • Thursday, August 4, 4:00 pm – The Role of the Landscape Architect

    On Thursday, August 4, beginning at 4 pm, come hear Stephen Stimson of Stephen Stimson Associates speak at Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth on The Role of the Landscape Architect and Ten Landcapes. Since founding his firm in 1992, Stephen has won over 30 national and regional awards for design excellence.  He has a degree in Environmental Design from University of  Massachusetts, a Masters Degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, and has been elected a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  His work ranges from a 300 acre park in San Antonio, Texas and a park at the St. Louis Arch, to numerous private gardens in the northeast.  Stephen focuses on creation of culturally and environmentally responsive modern designs.  His book, Ten Landscapes, is a classic in his field.  $5 suggested donation.  For information, log on to www.highfieldhall.org.

    http://www.bslaweb.org/webart/AwardWinners2008/01-TurkeyHillFarm_L%20crop%20lead.jpg

  • Wednesday, July 7, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Heritage Wheat Field Day

    After years of collecting heritage wheat seeds in villages in Europe and the Mideast,  the University of Massachusetts invites farmers and gardeners, chefs and researchers  to tour the UMass heritage wheat trials of rare grains, spanning little known ancient einkorn, emmer, and Transcaucasus wheat plants to delicious varieties beloved by French artisan bakers, and many more, on Wednesday, July 7, between 1 – 5 pm. Taste and bring home heritage wheat seeds that thrive in New England. Learn how to integrate small grains in a diversified rotation. Share practical experiences to build a local wheat-to-bread system. Taste high nutrition einkorn bread (pictured below)  that is safe for many people who suffer with gluten allergies. $10 donation for einkorn bread.  Contact Eli Rogosa to register: growseed@yahoo.com See: www.growseed.org for registration form. Funded by NESARE.  The address of the UMass Research Farm is 8991 River Road (off Rt. 116), Deerfield, Massachusetts.

    http://www.einkorn.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/WheatBreadVariety.jpg

  • Saturday, June 12 and Saturday, June 26, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Boston Hazardous Waste Drop Off Days

    The City of Boston holds Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days twice a year. As they are scheduled, the details are posted on the following website: www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recycling/hazardouswaste.asp.

    Drop Off Schedule & Locations

    Currently, the City of Boston’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days are scheduled for:

    June 12, 2010
    9am-2pm
    University of Massachusetts, Boston
    100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester

    June 26, 2010
    9am-2pm
    West Roxbury Public Works Yard
    315 Gardner St, West Roxbury

    Guidelines

    Put household poisons, insecticides, paint, tires, auto fluids, car batteries, wood preservatives, herbicides and pool supplies, propane tanks, motor oil , and products labeled corrosive, flammable or toxic in cardboard boxes for safe transport and bring them to the above locations.

    For Boston residents only. No commercial waste will be accepted. Proof of residency required. The City reserves the right to reject materials. For more information call 617-635-4959.

    TVs & Computer Monitors
    TVs & computer monitors are NOT accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days. Please call 617-635-7574 for home pickup of TVs and computer monitors.

    Web Link http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recycling/hazardouswaste.asp

    http://www.ci.redlands.ca.us/utilities/images/HHWPageGraphic.gif