What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Poinsettia Sale and Exhibit ~ December 2009

Reminder that the URI Master Gardener Poinsettia Sale of experimental fabulous, unusual experimental varieties is at East Farm on Saturday at $12 each including tax, December 5 from 9 am to 12 Noon at East Farm, Route 108 (1 mile form the intersection with route 138) Kingston, RI.

AND ~ Through the month of December see the poinsettia exhibit at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence. When it's cold outside and snowy the Botanical Center is THE place to be ~ among palms, orchids, banana trees.... Every time I go it's different, as plants take turns showing off their colors. One of my favorites is the Bismarck Palm in the background of this photo. Lots of social events and weddings are held here, but the public hasn't yet discovered this welcoming, warm place within the city's premier park. Only $3 ~ so much less than even a Southwest ticket to Florida!

See What Grows On in RI Calendar for this and other upcoming sales and holiday celebrations.

 

Providence Recycling Bin Sales ~ November 21, 2009

Bins will be sold to the public from 9am – 10am on Saturday, November 21

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PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced that residents will be able to purchase recycling bins from the Department of Public Works at five satellite locations throughout the city on Saturday, November 21 from 9am until 10am.   Residents still have the option of using any waterproof container from home for recycling, as long as label the container and separate the paper products from the plastic items.  For those who would like to purchase bins from the City, the limited number of blue and green containers may be purchased at the follow locations on Saturday for $5 each:   §         Joslin Recreation Center 17 Hyat Street   §         Selim Rogers Recreation Center 60 Camden Avenue Phone: 455-8854   §         Vincent Brown Recreation Center 438 Hope Street Phone: 273-2390   §         West End Recreation Center 109 Bucklin Street Phone: 461-4570   §         Department of Recreation One Recreation Way, Providence, 02904 Phone: (401) 421-7740 extension 323

RI Now Has 3 Winter Farmers' Markets ~ North & South Kingstown, & Pawtucket ~ November 21, 2009

DEM ANNOUNCES OPENING OF INDOOR WINTER FARMERS’ MARKETS IN NORTH KINGSTOWN AND SOUTH KINGSTOWN

Both Markets, Which will Feature a Large Variety of Local Products, Are Set to Open on Saturday, November 21

[Ed. note: Pawtucket Winter Farmers' Market started November 7 at Hope Artiste Village, Main St, Pawtucket. - sk]

PROVIDENCE – Starting this Saturday, November 21, shoppers in South County will have two new winter farmers’ markets available where they can purchase a wide variety of locally grown and produced products. 

Wintertime Farmers' Markets Begin ~ November 7, 2009

It's sad to see the 40-some-odd Summertime Farmers' Markets fade away, but not to worry, Rhode Island ~ there are now at least 3 markets that continue throughout the winter!


SATURDAY MARKETS: In Pawtucket the Farm Fresh RI market at Hope Artiste Village opens for its second season tomorrow, November. The Coastal Growers Market moves inside to Lafayette Mill in North Kingstown beginning on November21.

ED NOTE: This isn't going to happen this year because of permitting problems, but maybe next year! -- SK (11/10/09) SUNDAY MARKET: Nearby in North Attleboro, MA, another winter market will open this Sunday, November 8, at the Masonic Lodge. This market includes artisan producers as well as farmers.

A couple of summertime markets are braving the elements and continue until the week before Thanksgiving. See the Calendar for details.

Weekend Environmental Update ~ September 19-20, 2009

From Little Rhody's Biggest Environmental Calendar:

SATURDAY's (September 19th) menu includes:

• International Coastal Cleanup in more than 80 locations
• 3 other afternoon cleanups
• Open Garden Day in Providence (the poster has the wrong date because this event was postponded from last week)
• United Plant Savers Conference in Coventry
• 36th Harvest Fair at Coggeshall Farm in Bristol
• Waterfire

SUNDAY (20th) choices include::

• Coggeshall Farm's Harvest Fair continues
• Buffer Planting & Restoration Project
• Bird Banding (Audubon, Bristol)
• Blackstone River Wilderness Tour
• Autumn Advent at Kettle Pond Visitor Center
• Fish Ladder Groundbreaking Ceremony at Slater Mill Park, Pawtucket
• Wild Mushroom Walk at Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary
• The Impact of a Green Municipal Building in Tiverton

You can also keep up with news through the RI Feeds website which retweets on the ProvGardener's  Twitter. For more environmental news see:

• Feed of What Grows On in RI News Blog 
• Feeds of other RI environment-related feeds available for

• FOOD
• GARDENING, FARMING, LANDSCAPING
• NATURE/OUTDOORS
• GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Begonia Show and Sale ~ September 20-21, 2008

From the RI Begonia Society:

Hey there begonia lovers!
We have a special treat this month... a road trip! The weekend of September 20th and 21st is the annual combined show and sale of the Buxton Branch of the American Begonia Society and the Gesneriad Society. It will be held at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA. No official meeting and the only agenda is to have a good time and maybe pick up a cool new begonia.   Please consider entering a begonia or three; it's a great way to learn about showing your plants. I hope to see lots of our members there... this is the place and the show you will remember with pleasure through the coming winter. As always, feel free to call or email Linda Kammerer with questions or comments.

Fresh asparagus at Downtown Providence Farmers' Market ~ April 26, 2008

From Farm Fresh RI:

Only a few more chances to join us at the Downtown Providence Wintertime Farmers' Market! If you haven't come down to shop for the best of Rhode Island's fruits, veggies, and more, don't miss these next two weeks.

This week: Rejoice! Rhode Island's asparagus crop has been harvested! Hand-picked at 4 Town Farm in Seekonk, MA. Plus tons of greens from Simmons Farm and Red Planet Vegetables.

Time is running out to sign up for a CSA! *
Don't miss out on your chance to reserve weekly pick-ups
of Rhode Island's best in-season fruits and veggies!
There are tons of options, including Farm Fresh RI's first ever
"Market CSA" at the Armory Park or Downtown Providence Farmers' Market.
Visit our website for more info.

*CSA ~ Community Supported Agriculture

Free Green Landscaping Workshop & Buy Rain Barrels ~ April 26, 2008

From Save the Bay:

Green Landscaping Workshop
Save The Bay Center
100 Save The Bay Dr.
Providence, RI

Date: Saturday, April 26th
Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm

Come join us for this free event sponsored by Wal-Mart!

Topics to be discussed:
    Environmentally friendly landscape practices
    How to design and construct a rain garden
    Composting 101
    Backyard storm water control options
    Organic pest control

Bring your checkbook to buy rain barrels (pre-order at
www.riwaterlady.com), compost bins, environmentally friendly yard care
products, and even native plants.

Everything you'll need to start your gardening season off to a green
start!

More info at www.savebay.org

Questions? Please contact Marci Cole Ekberg by email or call
401-272-3540 ext. 113.

Rain Barrels for Sale ~ Ongoing

From a post on the Summit Neighborhood (Providence) Association Email List:

[Ed. note: This year there are more sources of rain barrels in Rhode Island than ever before, giving us choices of size, color, style, etc.

Also see the Rhode Island Water Lady's website.

If you know of other local sources of rain barrels, add a comment to this post. SK]

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Narragansett Bay Commission is offering rain barrels for $68, 
which is about half of what other rain barrels go for. The barrels 
need to be ordered in advance, and can be picked up (in Providence) 
at the end of April. If you're interested, you can order one here: 
<http://www.nerainbarrel.com/Narragansett.html>

And here's a brief FAQ if you have no idea what I'm talking about:

What's a rain barrel?
It attaches to a downspout, and saves the rain water that falls on 
your roof. You can attach a hose, and use the water in your yard.

Can I drink or bathe in the water I collect?
No. Safe for plants, not for you.

Are these the pretty green ones I've seen in catalogues?
Nope, they're recycled blue ones, but you could paint them any color 
you want.

I have more questions! Where are you going?
Check the website for more information: <http://www.nerainbarrel.com/FAQ.html>

Winter Farmers' Market Providence ~ March 8, 2008

From Farm Fresh RI:

The warm temperatures of spring are upon, but it's not too soon to get Rhode Island's best fruits, veggies, and more.

Come to the Wintertime Farmers' Market in Downtown Providence for good food and fun.

Bread, cheese, apples, chocolate, coffee, spinach, Maine-grown heirloom beans, eggs, and more! Every week at the Wintertime Farmers' Market.

Every Saturday
AS220, 115 Empire St.
Downtown Providence
12-3 pm

Our friends at Johnson & Wales will be joining us this week, cooking up delicious recipes made with food you can buy at the market.

You can also enjoy the sounds of Old Time String Band as you peruse the tables for delicious treats.

We'll see you at the market!

Cheers,

Noah, Sheri, Jessica, and Sundeep