The Providential Gardener

2007 Conference for the Home Gardener

On Friday, March 9, a day-long Conference for the Home Gardener at the University of Connecticut has a great program that includes presentations on the "site-challenged garden," herbs, "More than a Pretty Face: Native Alternatives to Invasive Exotic Plants," and container plants. Cost is $80 if you register before March 2.

Two Herbal Workshops at Briggs-Boesch Farm, July 15 & 16

Just received this Press Release:

East Greenwich, RI ~ The farmers of Ledge Ends Produce are offering a series of educational programs this summer, and so far, the classes are off to a great start. Erik Eacker and his wife Trish Garland run their 12-acre organic operation on the lovely Briggs-Boesch Farm, a 90-acre property purchased by the East Greenwich Land Trust in 2001. If you haven’t made it over to the farm yet, take advantage of the two upcoming workshops on culinary and medicinal herbs.

On Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, Garland will lead a workshop entitled Growing and Using Culinary Herbs. She will teach interested participants how to grow their own culinary herbs and use them to spice up their cooking. Participants will tour the farm’s herb garden; learn how to start, grow, and dry herbs; and learn how to prepare herb pestos, vinegars, teas, dips, and more. Participants will sample foods mentioned above and will take home a potted herb plant.

On Sunday, July 16 at 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, Garland will lead a second workshop entitled Herbal Salves and Teas. In this workshop, participants will learn more about the medicinal properties of herbs. Participants will tour the herb garden; learn how start, grow, and dry herbs; and learn how to prepare herbal salves, lip balms, and teas. They will take home samples of the products that are created and information that will help them to continue creating at home.

These educational programs will be wonderful for home gardeners, amateur herbalists, and children alike. Members of the public are invited to attend one or both workshops. There is a fee of $10 per person for each workshop. Pre-registration is required. Call (401) 884-5118 or email LedgeEnds@cox.net to register. More information is available at LedgeEndsProduce.com. For more information contact Trish Garland or Erik Eacker: 401-884-5118.