Spring Ledge Farm’s Allison Doboroski will give tips and talk about favorite cut flower varieties, planning a garden plot and answer those perennial questions about cut flower growing at home. Plan your cut flower garden to give you blooms for the whole summer long! Meets in the Gatehouse. Members: FREE, Non-members $15. Advance registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome.

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Learn practical, do-it-yourself approaches to organic lawncare that help homeowners build healthier, more sustainable lawns. Topics will include how and why to conduct soil testing, how to interpret basic results, simple practices such as proper mowing, compost use, overseeding, and natural fertilization methods that support long-term turf health. The lecture will also explore the importance of soil health, and soil structure and how these factors contribute to creating a more resilient, low-input lawn and soil system. 

Meets in the Pavilion. Members: $10, Non-members $15. Advance registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome. 

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Like any other cultivated garden plant, weeds have preferred growing conditions, some of which are better for certain species than others. Although some weeds will grow across several different soil and light conditions, if you look at the overall species composition, you can gain a pretty good understanding of the growing environment in a lawn or garden. Join Emma Erler, Lead Horticulturist at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, to learn about weeds, know more about your garden soil, understand the amendments to add, and how to select which plants to grow. 

Emma Erler received a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture and a Med in Educational Studies from the University of New Hampshire. Her expertise is in ecological landscaping and native plants, and she loves providing education on topics such as gardening for wildlife and beneficial insects. Emma’s past professional experience includes being a horticultural field specialist for UNH Extension, and horticulturist positions at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and Heritage Museums and Gardens, both in Massachusetts. She is also co-host of the NHPR program “Homegrown NH”. 

Meets in the Pavilion.  Members: $10, Non-members $15. Advance registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome.   

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Join landscape historian Lucinda (Cindy) Brockway as we explore the legacy of the Fells gardens and grounds in the context of their times.  In the shadow of Mount Sunapee, the Hay family created their own interpretation of the Rustic and the Refined in the rocky pastures and woodlands of former farmland. Here, nature and culture mixed a unique recipe of rare plants and native species within a framework of the Colonial Revival. In this journey we will witness together the unfolding of this very special genius of place. 

Lucinda Brockway is an award-winning expert in landscape preservation, planning, and design with thirty-eight years of experience.  She has served as a team member with archaeologists, preservation architects and planners across the country protecting and preserving cultural landscapes and helping non-profits envision innovative new directions for visitor engagement, programming, and interpretation. Past projects include Fort Ticonderoga (New York), Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage (Tennessee), Newport’s Bellevue Avenue estates (private and public), The Glass House (New Canaan CT) and Villa Finale (San Antonio TX).  Ms. Brockway’s projects have been the recipient of thirteen awards including recognition by the Garden Club of America, the Federated Garden Clubs of Maine, the Preservation League of New York State, the State of New Jersey, and the Massachusetts Historic Commission.  

Ms. Brockway is a past member of the Board of Governors for the Decorative Arts Trust where her role included leading two international study tours to Great Britain.  A popular speaker and facilitator, she is currently an instructor for the National Preservation Institute. She is the author of two books and seventeen published articles, and a contributor to the recent publication, Reimagining Historic House Museums (2019).   Her work has been featured in Old House Journal, Colonial Homes, Nineteenth Century, and Accent as well as innumerable professional and trade publications. For several years she has served as an expert consultant for USA Today’s 10 Best Public Gardens competitions. 

Meets in the Pavilion. Members: $10, Non-members: $15. Advance registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome. 

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Join local beekeepers Denise Wilde, Marla Miller and Patrice Fredette for a hands-on, family-friendly class celebrating the vital role bees and blooming plants play in our ecosystem. Learn how pollination works, see bees up close in an observation hive, and pick up simple tips to attract and protect pollinators at home. If you’re interested in becoming a beekeeping yourself, we will also have information for you on how to get started. Perfect for curious kids and adults—leave inspired and ready to help your backyard buzz. 

Meets on the Veranda. Members: $10, Non-members: $15. Advance registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome. 

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Explore the history of Hop cultivation and how it shaped agriculture, medicine, and beer culture for centuries. Learn the many traditional and unexpected uses of hops beyond the pint glass. With practical tips for growing your own at home, choosing the right varieties, location and harvesting techniques. Then sample brewing’s most essential ingredient with a tasting of different beer with a variety of hops flavor profiles.   

Rik Marley has been Head Brewer at The Flying Goose Brewpub for 17 years and worked in the beer industry for 27 years. He has received a Master Brewer’s certification at the American Brewers Guild in Middlebury, VT and has taught Brewing Science at Colby Sawyer. Rik’s beer has won many awards. 

Meets in the Pavilion. Members: $10, Non-members: $15. Advance registration is requested but walk-ins are welcome. 

REGISTER HERE