This seven-part program, open to all, consists of hands-on gardening workshops presented by the Sullivan County Master Gardeners in conjunction with the UNH Extension Service to benefit The Fells.
Learn from the experts: (1) how to enhance your property; (2) to identify beneficial garden insects; (3) about the benefits of a rain garden and (4) environmental stewardship; (5) how to grow and use herbs; (6) all about fertilizers; and (7) how to create bird and butterfly habitats. Requested donation $10 per session, or $60 for the entire series. Advance registration required, see individual class descriptions for more information. To register call Louise at 603-763-4789 x3.
Henry Homeyer! Beyond Perennials
Saturday, March 16, 10-11am (session 1)
What better way to start the new growing season than a presentation by gardener extraordinaire Henry Homeyer—renowned horticultural expert, newspaper columnist, author and Vermont Public Radio commentator! Homeyer will talk about ways to enhance the beauty of your property using hardscape, whimsy and woody plants. He will accompany his talk with slides and will be available to answer questions afterwards. As always, he will have books and garden tools for sale following the presentation. (Homeyer is also a UNH Master Gardener.) Meets at the Lake Sunapee Protective Association’s Knowlton House, 63 Main Street. Sunapee. Advance registration required by March 8.
This class is postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Common Garden Pests & Friends: Identification & Control
Saturday, April 6, 10am-noon (session 2)
Former Fells Landscape Assistant, Tressa Gaffney, leads this workshop on how to distinguish between frequently encountered garden pests, such as moles and Japanese beetles, and the beneficial denizens of the garden like mud wasps and ladybugs (ladybird beetles). She will also discuss low-impact ways to keep the numbers of garden pests under control. Tressa’s energetic presentations are peppered with experiences and stories from her work as a landscape consultant. Advance registration required by March 29. Meets at the Gatehouse classroom.
Rain Gardens: Keepers of the Waters
Thursday, May 9, 1-3pm (session 3)
Master Gardener Kiki Schneider will talk about the installation and success of the rain garden at the Knowlton House, headquarters of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA). Kiki will also discuss how the rain garden protects Lake Sunapee from storm water runoff and pollution. Requested donation $10 to benefit The Fells. Advance registration required by May 2. Meets at the LSPA’s Knowlton House, 63 Main Street, Sunapee.
Community Gardens: A Resource for All
Thursday, June 6, 1-2pm (session 4)
A community garden is wherever “a community of people joins together to garden”—a shared green space planned and maintained by community members for the use and enjoyment of all. We will explore community garden designs and the creation of a few local community gardens. Master Gardener Kit Hawkins is joined by Jan Lambert, editor of The Valley Green Journal which fosters caring communities based on sustainable agriculture and wise environmental stewardship. Advance registration required by May 31. Meets at the Gatehouse classroom.
Indoor and Outdoor Herb Gardening
Thursday, June 20, 1-2pm (session 5)
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme are the lyrics of an herb garden. Master Gardener Marilyn Hill will share tips and techniques for growing herbs from windowsill herb gardens to expansive outdoor herb garden designs, as well as tips for using herbs for cooking, health, beauty and medicinal purposes. Get fresh ideas for layout and design, tips for planting and propagation and a brief history of herbs and spices. Advance registration required by June 14. Meets at the Gatehouse classroom.
Introduction to Fertilizers
Thursday, July 11, 1-3pm (session 6)
Few things are as basic and essential to successful gardening as the correct fertilizer and proper application. This class explores the different compositions and functions of the many fertilizers available. Led by Nancy Jachim, a gardening expert who has taught horticulture for over 20 years in a NYC high school (AAS, SUNY-Farmingdale, Ornamental Horticulture). Advance registration required by July 5. Meets at the Gatehouse classroom.
Creating Habitat for Birds and Butterflies
Thursday, August 8, 1-3pm (session 7)
Landscaping for birds begins with trees and thickets for food and cover. Planting a flower garden also attracts birds and butterflies and provides host food plants for butterflies and their caterpillars. Learn which plants are preferred by these beautiful winged creatures so you can create your own backyard paradise. Master Gardener Lynn Johnson—an amateur naturalist with a passion for birds—has coordinated and conducted many nature walk programs at The Fells and works with raptors at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science and NH Audubon. Co-leader Cheryl Grabe—herbalist at the Fort at No. 4 and volunteer gardener at St. Gaudens’ National Historic Site in Cornish—has studied the habitat needs of butterflies and photographed many flowers and the caterpillars that feed upon them. Advance registration required by August 2. Meets at the Gatehouse classroom.
