Wildness in Our Midst: The Middlesex Fells

Bryan Hamlin, Botanist and Chairman, Friends of the Fells
Tuesday, February 18 at 7 PM
Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway
Grow Native Massachusetts: Every Garden Matters---Every Landscape Counts

The Middlesex Fells Reservation has an impressive diversity of 30 different habitat types that spring from its unique geology, topography, hydrology, soil, and climate. These habitats support a rich diversity of flora and fauna that is unusual for a metropolitan setting. Come learn about the exceptional biodiversity of this urban forest, first set aside as a reservation in 1894. We will then consider how these local plant communities can enlighten the design of our own gardens. Dr. Bryan Hamlin is the lead author of a nine-year study of the Fells’ flora published in 2012, and is the President of the New England Botanical Club. Check out this link for their calendar: http://www.grownativemass.org/programs/eveningswithexperts

CORRECTION: FEDCO SEED ORDER DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 12

Don’t forget to place your FEDCO GROUP SEED ORDER. The more who participate, the greater the discount!

Sorry folks, Enid is not heading up the order this year. Would someone from Cousins Garden like to take charge of this? Please let Ted Guertin at ted.guertin@comcast.net or Donna DeAngelis at donnaldeangelis@gmail.com know if you are interested.

- Apologies, things changed - Dave

Concord Seed Lending Library presents, "What's the Fuss about Heirloom Seeds?" by Dr. Deborah Bier

What's the Fuss about Heirloom Seeds? during Seed Lending Library Reopening Day
Saturday, 2/1, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm @Fowler Library
Dr. Deborah Bier [register here]

To celebrate the reopening we are proud to present, “What’s the Fuss about Heirloom Seeds?” with keynote speaker, Dr. Deborah Bier from 2:00-4:00pm in the lower level conference room at Fowler. Reopening is at 9:00am and other exciting events will be happening this day as well. See here for more info.

Grow Your Food 101 - talk by Meighan Matthews and Linda Ugelow, Wed. 1/29, 7:30 - 9:30.

Hello Gardeners,

If you'd like to listen to a great talk on growing food, check out this event at the Fowler Library, Wed. at 7:30pm. Registration is at the concordlibrary.org site here. 

GARDENING FOR LIFE 

Gardening for Life and the Concord Seed Lending Library are pleased to present---

Grow Your Food 101 

Meighan Matthews, Growing for Good founder and Linda Ugelow, Dancing Tomato Farmer

Wednesday, January 29, 7:30 to 9:30 PM @ Fowler Library, West Concord.

Discover the joy of growing and eating from your own food garden! Meighan Matthews and Linda Ugelow will help bring your garden dreams to reality! last year their presentation was a crowd pleaser with information and handouts to inform and inspire …and it was filled to capacity. Back by popular demand in a two hour format, they will help you begin planning your food garden before the growing season has begun. Learn what to plant and when, soil health and management, composting, building the garden site, season extenders, seed saving and starting, and lots more. -- Details to follow at www.concordfood.ning.com. The program is free, though donations to cover costs are welcomed.

Hello Cousins Field Community Gardeners, 
Here is some info. I thought I'd pass along from our friends at Gardening for Life. 

See everyone at the Garden cleanup on the Oct. 19/20th weekend.Kitty

According to the Farmers Almanac, we can expect a first frost by October 14 (Columbus Day!). There is lots going on this month. Here is a sampling of programs to consider! If you know of similar events open to the public, please forward to me deb01742@comcast.net (Debbie Barr) to alert our gardening friends. Join the Farm and Garden planning team, come hear about carbon sequestration at a local organic farm, and learn why and how to identify the Asian Long-horned Beetle at a program offered by our friends at the Walden Woods project. 

Coming Up:

Food, Farm and Garden Fair Planning Meeting

Meeting TBD the week of October 21

Based on the success of the Farm and Garden Fair, you are invited to share your expertise and time in creating a new and improved Food, Farm and Garden Fair. Join our well organized and enthusiastic team at a time to be determined the Week of October 21. What programs will we offer? What is our timetable? Where can we find funding?  Complete the doodle scheduler and let us know what works best for you.  Go to: http://doodle.com/73utat5974eaz23v

Tour of Meadow Mist Farm

Sunday, October 20, 2-4 pm.

Meadow Mist is a small organic farm and a site for the Carbon Sequestration Project, otherwise known as carbon capture and storage. How does this affect you?? When you know how much carbon your landscape generates, then you can begin to create a 'carbon budget' and ways to reduce the overall emission of greenhouse gases. The carbon sequestration project aims to measure the amount of carbon the Farm sequesters annually. Limited space. Please RSVP by October 18 to deb01742@comcast.net

Talking about Invasives: MOST WANTED LIST--- Invasive Forest Beetles

October 17, 7 pm at the Thoreau Institute, Lincoln

Presented by the Walden Woods Project and SuAsCo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and featuring Jennifer Forman-Orth, PhD, State Plant Pest Survey Coordinator.

According to Columbia University, the Asian Longhorned Beetle  "has the potential to cause more damage than Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, and gypsy moths combined, destroying millions of acres of America’s treasured hardwoods, including national forests and backyard trees. The beetle has the potential to damage such industries as lumber, maple syrup, nursery, commercial fruit, and tourism accumulating over $41 billion in losses. This is the highest priority to control, as ALB has the potential to alter North American Ecosystems."   Come learn what WE can do to identify this pest. See invitation below: 

The Walden Woods Project October 7, 2013

 

Come to Cousin's Garden on Saturday, Sept. 7th for a 30 min. tour starting at 2pm and running on the hour at 3 & 4pm. See how tiny seeds turn into large vegetables, as well as opportunities to pick a few veggies and take home some seeds for next year.

A map and brochure and light refreshments will be available, as will plenty of gardeners on this day at the front of the garden. Hope to see many of you there!

Growing Your Own- Part 2: Herb Cultivation and Uses - Tues. April 9th, 7:30 at Harvey Wheeler

Hello Gardeners,

 Just a note to let you know about another garden-related event about herbs. Hope you might consider attending...

 Thanks,

Kitty

   

Growing Your Own- Part 2: Herb Cultivation and Uses

Cathy Hansgate, Ladybug Farm Produce

Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 PM at Harvey Wheeler Community Center, West Concord

What are the top 10 herbs you like to grow? Can you grow herbs in the shade? Which ones are good companion plants for vegetables? How can I grow herbs in containers?? Find answers to these and other questions, as we take a closer look at herb cultivation and uses with small farm owner Cathy Hansgate, Ladybug Farm.  Cathy specializes in cut herbs, vinegars and other herbal products. She now uses organic, nutrient-dense, sustainable practices to grow veggies, herbs and fruit, and is a member of NOFA-Mass., NOFA-NY, New England Hops Alliance, and the Mass. Farm Bureau. 

The program is free though donations are welcomed. Please help spread the word by sending this message to your friends...or members! You are our best ambassadors to gardeners of all skill levels. THANK YOU!  

RSVP to ensure your seat at the table. RSVP by April 7 to  deb01742@comcast.net For details, go to. www.concordfood.ning.com

Request for gardeners to work with the next generation!

From our friends at Gardens for Life. Hope you'll consider this nice opportunity!

Kitty

 

Volunteers are needed to help second grade students plant 'the three sisters' garden: (corn, squash and beans) and much more at Battle Road Farms.  

Here are the dates: Alcott on May 18, Thoreau on June 1, and Willard on June 8.  Each of those three days will host 2 classes in the morning, 9:30-12, then 2 classes in the afternoon 12-2:30.

Here is a chance to work with the next generation of "food and garden enthusiasts" in a terrific program between the Concord Public Schools, The Farm School, the Farm-Based Education Association and the Minuteman National Historical Park!

Volunteers help with about 15 kids at a time, with their teacher, a parent chaperone and the farm educator. It is all very well organized, and a fun way to share the most basic information on gardening.  Sign up ASAP with Brooke Redmond, at brooke@farmbasededucation.org

The  farm visits are structured so all students move through a 'round-robin' experience through 3 stations.

After the welcome and introduction:
Station A  2 groups (~20 students)  1 hour of 'field management' with Farmer Dave from the Farm School
Station B  1 group (~10 students)  30 min. vegi farming with Laura of First Root Farm
Station C  1 group (~10 students) 30 min. Three Sisters garden with Park Ranger Judith

There are NO rain dates.  Punctuality and proper dress / footwear are paramount.

Volunteering with the Concord 2nd Grade program at Battle Road Farms is a great way to spend a spring day!

Visit FOOD FOR THOUGHT at: http://concordfood.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Happy Gardening!
Debbie Barr

Red Wiggler Kits and Open Discussion 4/12 from 7:30-9pm at HWCC

Hello Cousins Field Community Gardeners,


Please consider yourself a friend of the Garden for Life group below and see Debbie's invite below. Hope you can make it!


Kitty



GARDEN/LIFE friends and members:

LAST CALL for Red Wiggler kits and Open Discussion to share what we know about gardening basics on THURSDAY APRIL 12 from 7:30 -9 PM.  Enid Boasberg and Emily Wheeler will facilitate the meeting and Ray Pourali will be there to deliver red wiggler kits and talk about vermi-culture. For more info on related events and the Film Screening/Discussion of Greenhorns on Friday April 13, go to www.concordfood.ning.com.

Open Discussion: Share info about the Concord Food Assessment, Seed Library and other food initiatives. Bring your questions!...no matter how basic. Here are some member questions: I'm short on time: What are the easiest veggies to grow? How long does it take for seeds to germinate?  How close should rows be planted? What is square foot gardening? How do I build raised beds? Where do I get good compost? When should I prune?

Vermi-culture

Ray Pourali, Green Planet vermi-culture expert, will bring the kits (about 1/2 lb) and compost tea for pick up on April 12. Place your order: youwillrememberit@gmail.com directly or at the meeting. In order to judge how many kits you will need to create a working compost heap... let him know roughly how many lbs of material you expect to recycle (compost) and if you have an outdoor or indoor compost.

See you on Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 PM at Harvey Wheeler Community Center.

Happy gardening

Debbie Barr

HOW TO PLACE YOUR RED WIGGLER ORDER

What are red wigglers?? What can I compost? If compost smells...what am I doing wrong? By popular demand, join our group order for red wigglers from Ray Pourali, environmental engineer by day and Green Planet Vermi-culture guru all the time! (scroll down for ordering information). Red wigglers are great at making compost out of kitchen and garden scraps. I plan to get two kits (they last well into the fall outside but do not over winter). He also provides a handout on vermi-composting.

Ray will deliver the kits (about 1/2 lb) and compost tea for pick up on April 12. PLEASE EMAIL HIM DIRECTLY to place your order: youwillrememberit@gmail.com. In order to judge how many kits you will need to create a working compost heap... let him know roughly how many lbs of material you expect to recycle (compost) and if you have an outdoor or indoor compost.

Ray says: I have exactly what you need to start a new compost bin, or to boost an existing one.  The key is the micro-organisms that go along with the worms. I will increase the worm quantity based on the expected available "food" scraps for the worms.

By using a compost bin, you will have a great control over the population and general well being of the worms. Please let me know if you need any help with making your compost bin.  I have tried a few designs and can share the info with you.  The total cost for having a very good compost bin is $9, compost tea $5. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to provide all the information you may need. 

All packages include care instructions and I provide long term support to ensure you have a successful experience. Looking forward to hear back from you, 

Cheers,  Ray

April/Early May Garlic Mustard Pull

Hello Gardeners,

I forgot to mention that April/early May is the time that nasty Garlic Mustard comes out. The best defense against this invasive is to get rid of it when the soil is relatively moist - grasp low and firmly on the plant and tug it gently until the main root loosens from the soil and the entire plant pulls out. As long as there aren't any flowers you can just drop it where it is. If there are flowers already, get rid of it by disposing in the trash.

Please be on the lookout for it during our Clean Up Days and beyond, in the rear of the garden behind the raspberries as well as on the perimeter for this nasty stuff. Here's a link so you know what it looks like: Plant Conservation Alliance Fact Sheet.

Thanks!

Two Dates for Spring Garden Clean Up

Credit to FCIT for use of this image.

Hello Gardeners,

April has started out pretty much as we suspected, blustery and cool but there's some nice sun out during the day time hours. With this thought, its time to think about our Spring Cleanup! I had mentioned in our Feb. meeting that the clean up date would be: April 14th with the 15th as a rain date. It sounded good at the time, however, it's also the start of school vacation week and we're going away! So, in light of this, Tracy and I have decided to hold two cleanup dates:

Sat. April 7th (Kitty will be there from 2-4pm)

Sat. April 14th (Tracy will be there from 9-11am)

Rain date, April 15th

We hope you can make either one of these dates to clean up your garden plot and if you are in the berry co-ops, please ask the coordinators how you can help them (Margaret G. - Raspberries, Barbara P. - Blueberries).

Frank C. has not been able to do much clean up this year due to his knee operation, so if your plot is already quite clear of rocks and other debris (including black plastic and wood chips), please help others. This will help the Town employees when they come to do the rototilling (date TBD).

Please wear gloves and bring large plastic trash bags for debris.  If you cannot participate on these dates, please plan to visit your plot between now and then to clear it of any rocks and debris. Please dispose of all rocks in the back of the garden in the rock pile. Do not place in paths or in the perimeter as this will interfere with weed clearing and mowing later in the season. Anything not removed by April 14th will be disposed of that day.

If you are a new gardener, we'll be contacting you in a separate email about plot locations soon!

Thanks for every one's help and see you this weekend (or next)!

Kitty & Tracy

Cousins Field Community Garden Co-Coordinators 

Tomato Seedlings!

Spring can't be far now, Verrill Farm has posted their tomato seedling order form : http://www.verrillfarm.com/PDF/2012_tomatoorder.pdf

From Tracy S.

Gardens for Life Meeting on Ordering Seeds for Various Growing Conditions and Cold Frames

An invite from our friend Debbie Barr for a talk tonight, Feb. 9th at Harvey Wheeler Community Center at 7:30 PM.


Hope you can make it!
Kitty


Hello Fellow Gardeners, 

Come on your own, or bring a friend! Garden/Life program is today, FEBRUARY 9 AT 7:30 PM at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center. We will talk about ordering seeds for various growing conditions AND how to make (and use) a cold frame with experienced gardeners Debbie Bier (FEDCO and seeds) and David Bearg (cold frame construction). RSVP to deb01742@comcast.net

Speaker David Bearg, eco-design gardener and engineer will talk with powerpoint to illustrate Building and Use of Cold frames; Learn how to design, build and use coldframes to extend the growing season in early spring and late fall.

  

Debbie Bier, East Quarter Community Gardens, will talk about what to seeds to order online for our joint FEDCO order. Share info on your favorites and losers. The more people sign up, the bigger the discount. Save Money! Support this employee owned, seed company with a non-Monsanto/Genetically Modified policy. Bring past plant lists or your current seed order form...or paper/pen to take notes!

See you tonight!

Debbie Barr

Concord Community Food Report Information Sharing Session 2/2/12 at Harvey Wheeler Auditorium at 7pm

Hello Gardeners,

Please consider attending this event below to listen as well as share your ideas about farming, connections and growing food.

Kitty

Everyone eats! And, how and what we eat has a direct impact on our human and environmental health. You are invited to join the Concord Community Food Report Committee (CCFRC) on Thursday, February 2^ndfrom 7pm to 9pm at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center Auditorium for a lively discussion and information-sharing session about Concord's food system today and your visions for the future. The meeting will be facilitated by the Conway School graduate student team writing the report; with refreshments provided by Concord's own Trail's End Café.

The whole community is needed to contribute to the Food Story in Concord, so bring your ideas, work and projects to Thursday night’s discussion. Some of the questions we need to explore include: what to do to improve food and health awareness; how we can improve connections between local farmers and local buyers; can Concord better contribute to a regional food system; and can we leverage the data gathered about Concord’s food system to advance innovations in the food community. What questions do you want to ask and have answered?

The Concord Community Food Report Committee is a collaboration of people who live and/or work in Concord who are interested in food; everything from what food we like to how we procure, prepare, produce, and distribute it. All sectors of the community are represented – citizen groups, non-profit organizations, local businesses, schools, farmers and government. To learn more about the Food Report, visit the Food for Thought website: http://concordfood.ning.com/

Grow Your Food 101 on Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 pm @Harvey Wheeler Community Center

A reminder to sign up ASAP for our first of 2012 Garden/Life program Grow Your Food 101 on Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 pm with Hasso Ewing and Robin Wilkerson @ Harvey Wheeler Community Center in West Concord.  SPACE IS LIMITED TO ENSURE INTERACTION: WE HAVE ROOM FOR 6 MORE! Come on your own, or bring a friend! Please RSVP by Jan 10 to: deb01742@comcast.net.

This mid-winter workshop is designed to help you begin planning a small food garden before the growing season has begun. We will discuss compost, building the garden site, fencing, coldframes, seed ordering, starting seedlings at home, and lots more. Ideas - and handouts - presented to both inspire and educate.

Robin Wilkerson is a long time vegetable gardener in Lincoln, MA. She keeps a small flock of chickens that help her keep weeds at bay. Hasso Ewing, the primary vege grower at Black Brook Farm in Carlisle, wants everyone to experience the joy of growing, and eating, from your own food gardens.

You will enjoy this fast paced, practical presentation by a duo who have appeared with popular acclaim by CC Adult Education and the Concord Public Library.

See you on January 12!

Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy, happy new year.

Debbie Barr