What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

The Wonderful World of Poinsettias ~ November 21, 2009 - January 3, 2010

From the URI Master Gardeners:

Unique plants cultivated by URI Master Gardeners will be the centerpiece of a seasonal exhibit at the Botanical Center. 

Every year, the URI Master Gardeners participate in Poinsettia growing trials to aid plant breeders in determining the growth habits and the viability of newly hybridized Poinsettia varieties.  This year, as one of only 30 trial sites in the country, the Master Gardeners volunteered hundreds of hours of their time to plant and cultivate over 1200 Poinsettias in their Kingston, RI, greenhouse facility.  

Consisting of 65 different varieties, these are not your typical, everyday poinsettias!  Plants can have varying shades of red, white, pink and green; some have combinations of one or more of these colors giving them a  "paint-splashed" or "tie-dyed" appearance,  while others may feature curly leaves or other unusual textural features.

This exhibit, the result of a partnership between the City of Providence, the Master Gardeners and the URI Outreach Center, will also feature an educational poster presentation outlining details about the plants such as their history, the myths that surround them, their intricate growing process, and their botanical "peculiarities".  The posters will also highlight the Master Gardeners and their roles as horticultural and environmental educators, researchers and highly dedicated volunteers. 

**** Exhibit opens Saturday, November 21, 2009  ****    and runs through Sunday, January 3, 2010
   ************************************************
Botanical Center Hours: 
Tuesdays - Sundays, and Monday Holidays, 11:00AM - 4:00PM
LAST TICKET SOLD AT 3:30PM
The center is also open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Botanical Center Admission Fees:
Age 13+ - $3.00
Age 6-12 - $1.00
Age 5 & under - free

2009 Beautiful Landscape Award Recipients Announced ~ November 17, 2009

From The East Providence Beautification Commission:

The East Providence Beautification Commission has selected four City properties to receive the 2009 Beautiful Landscape Award.  This prestigious annual award recognizes organizations and businesses, which add to the aesthetic and environmental beauty of the City. Since 1967 the Beautification Commission has acknowledged those organizations, whose well-maintained properties exceptionally reflect pride of residence in East Providence. All neighborhood organizations are considered.

The 2009 Beautiful Landscape Award recipients are:

Open Garden Day Postponed to September 19, 2009

Just received from Southside Community Land Trust:

Rain is great for our gardens but not for our Open Garden Day & Potluck...
So we're rescheduling for next Saturday, September 19th.

GET THE WORD OUT!
Now we have an extra week to get the word out.  Let's take this time to encourage gardeners, friends & neighbors to join us on September 19th!

NEXT SATURDAY, SEPT 19TH!
On the 19th, we'll hold our Open Garden Day rain or shine. As long as the skies are clear, we'll gather at The Bridgham Community Garden for the Potluck as planned. If it rains, our Potluck will be indoors, nearby. We'll keep you posted!

--

OPEN GARDEN DAY, September 19th, 1-4 pm
A dozen community gardens open their gates! Take a self-guided tour! Step inside that garden you've always wondered about, or visit a few that you never knew existed. This year's OPEN GARDEN DAY includes all kinds of gardens- from newly built raised beds to gardens that have been growing strong for over 25 years. Take a look at our POSTER & pick a few gardens to visit. Rain or shine!

INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK, September 19th, 5-7 pm
After the tour, head over to BRIDGHAM COMMUNITY GARDEN (at the corner of Westminster St & Bridgham St). Bring a dish to share! You're encouraged to bring a family favorite, or include veggies from your garden. Join us for a joyful meal & meet community gardeners from all over the city! If it rains, we'll be indoors.

Open Garden Day ~ Providence, RI ~ September 12, 2009

From Southside Community Land Trust:

OPEN GARDEN DAY!

Saturday, September 12th
Open Garden Tours from 1-4pm

At a dozen gardens around Providence:

• Bridgham Community Garden on the Corner of Westminster and Bridgham Streets
• Sessions Street Community Garden, 160 Sessions St. on the East Side
• Fertile Undergrounds Community Garden, 236 Pearl St. on the Southside
• Somerset Community Garden, 85 Somerset St. on the Southside
• Prairie North Community Garden, 468 Prairie Ave. on the Southside
• Glenham Community Garden, 31 Glenham St. on the Southside
• Youth Gardens, 46 and 75 Laura St. on the Southside
• Peace and Plenty Community Garden, 89 Peace St. on the Southside
• Genesis Center Community Garden, 10 Madison St. on the Southside
• African Alliance Community Garden, 68 Diamond St. on the Southside
• Manton Community Garden, Manton Ave. and Pope St. in Olneyville
• Bridgham Community Garden, Westminster and Bridgham St. on the West Side
• Davis Park Community Garden, Next to Chalkstone Ave.

After the garden tour join us for an International Potluck Dinner, from 5-7pm at Bridgham Community Garden on Bridgham and Westminster St. on the West Side of Providence.

For more information, contact Erika

Mystic Seaport Presents First-Ever Garden Days ~ August 21 - 23

Mystic Seaport Presents First-Ever Garden Days
New Event Features Garden Tours, Hands-On Demonstrations, Children’s Activities and More

Mystic, Conn. ~ Horticulturalist, gardener, author and educational speaker Tovah Martin highlights the first-ever Garden Days at Mystic Seaport Friday through Sunday August 21 - 23.

            Martin, who regularly appears on the PBS gardening series Cultivating Life, will present “Houseplants, Terrariums and You” Saturday, August 22 at 1 p.m. Martin has written several gardening books including Tasha Tudor’s Garden, View from a Sketchbook: Nature through the Eyes of Marjolein Bastin and The New Terrarium. She will be available for book signings after her presentation.

Fall Gardener School

Fall Gardener School Flyer

Location: URI Outreach Center at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI

The University of Rhode Island will be offering a six-week evening class on Mondays, beginning September 22, 2008, and running through October 27. Classes will be held in Providence at the URI Outreach Center at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. Directions will be sent with the confirmation notice.
The course will be useful to both new and experienced gardeners. The class will be taught by URI Master Gardeners and staff from the CELS Outreach Center.

There are no prerequisites for this class other than the desire to become an environmentally aware gardener. The format will be lectures with a walking tour at the end. Come prepared with your problems and questions!

This course can be considered an introduction to the Master Gardener program administered by the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension.

Course fee: $120 per person (includes all reference materials).
Registration limited to a maximum of 40 people on a first come, first served basis.

All classes take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Sept 22 Soils and Fertilizer Basics – Learn about RI soils and how to amend them. David Hughes, URI Master Gardener

Sept. 29 Vegetable Garden Management – we’ll explore the basic methods to achieve an organic garden. We will also discuss the most common pests encountered. Rosanne Sherry, MG Coordinator

Oct 6 Perennials 101 – What you need to know about selection and maintenance to enjoy a successful garden. Jo-Ann Bouley, Education Coordinator RWP Botanical Center

Oct 20 Garden Skills –Common Pests and Organic Controls - What’s bugging you in the garden? Learn about the many organic products available and how and when to use them. Bring a sample or photo of a problem you had this season. Rosanne Sherry

Oct 27 How to be a “Greener” Gardener – Learn about composting, conserving and protecting water resources. – Kate Venturini, Coastal Landscape Program Coordinator and Sejal Lanterman, Master Composter Coordinator

Saturday Special October 18 10AM-12PM Houseplant Care and Botanical Center tour. Start with a talk on Houseplant Care and Selection and then stroll with URI Master Gardener docents through the lush tropical greenhouses at the Botanical Center. Bring one problem houseplant for ID and problem solving.

Home & Garden Competition ~ October 4-5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lesley Muir, Norman Bird Sanctuary Development Associate, lmuir@normanbirdsanctuary.org, 401-846-2577 ext.17

HOME & GARDEN COMPETITION At the NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY HARVEST FAIR
583 Third Beach Road
Middletown, RI 02842
Saturday, October 4th & Sunday, October 5th, 2008
Open to amateur gardeners, growers, canners, cooks, and bakers OF ALL AGES!

• Each entry must be grown or cooked from scratch, solely by the contestant.
• One entry per category per person.
• Entries must be registered at the Home & Garden Booth by 10 a.m. on the day of the judging, and must be removed between 5 & 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 5th.
• All entries should be labeled discreetly with the contestant’s name, address, phone number and competition category.
• Young grower or baker contestants must be 14 years old or younger.
• After judging, all food entries will be sold at the Country Store. Proceeds benefit the Sanctuary.

PRODUCE
Saturday Judging, 11:00 a.m.
Best Single Fruit
Best Single Vegetable
Best Collection
Biggest Pumpkin
Most Unusual Vegetable/Edible Plant
Young Grower-Best Produce
Jack-o’-lantern Contest (Judged on Sunday with Scarecrows)

FLOWERS
Saturday Judging, 11:00 a.m.
Best Single Rose
Best Single Dahlia
Best Fresh Arrangement
Best Dried Arrangement
Best Sunflower
Biggest Sunflower Face
Young Growers – Best Arrangement

SCARECROW CONTEST
Sunday Judging, 3:00 p.m.
Spook the crows with your original creation.  Bring your entry, or make one at the Fair.  Straw and a limited number of poles will be available at the Fair.  Great for a group, class or family activity.

FOOD
Saturday Judging, 11:00 a.m.
Best Apple Pie
Best Pesto
Best Salsa
Best Savory Relish/Preserves
Best Jam/Jelly
Best Quick Bread/Muffins
Best Cookies/Dessert Bars
Young Baker – Baked Goods

For more information, contact the Norman Bird Sanctuary office at 401-846-2577 or info@normanbirdsanctuary.org

Day trip to Garden in the Woods Botanical Garden

From RI Farmways:

Day trip to Garden in the Woods Botanical Garden in Framingham, MA.
Saturday, May 17, 2008.
Departs Peckham's Greenhouse 9:00 am.
Returns approx. 5:00 pm.
Lunch Provided

Enjoy a day trip to Garden in the Woods Botanical Garden of the New England Wild Flower Society in Framingham, MA. Saturday, May 17 will be during the peak of spring ephemeral season! We will leave from Peckham's Greenhouse at 9:00 am by coach, and return approx. 5:00 pm. Our group will have a tour at the Garden in the Woods, and a boxed lunch will be included, catered by Wilhelmina's Catering. There will be ample time to wander around at your own speed. The cost is $95.00 for the day. We need a minimum of 10 people in order for this trip to go.

Please call Peckham's Greenhouse (401-635-4775) or stop in to sign up.
Payment is due by april 30

Trip departs from Peckham's Greenhouse
200 West Main Road
Little Compton, RI  02837

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.

Roger Williams Park Botanical Center Educational Programs ~ March, April, May 2008

From URI Outreach Center at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center:

Orchids and Compost and Carnivorous Plants, Oh, My!

The URI College of the Environment & Life Sciences Outreach Center has outdone itself this spring with more than 25 classes for garden lovers, to be held in late March, April, and May at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence.  There is simply so much in the Spring Catalog that I cannot list them here ~ I'm putting all the events in the new What Grows On in Rhode Island Calendar, so go there and do a keyword search on Botanical Center. [The photo is of one of the carnivorous plants in bloom last week, the American Pitcher Plants.]

I can't find a copy of the Spring Catalog online tonight, so I scanned the program calendar pages and  I am linking to the REGISTRATION INFORMATION and the REGISTRATION FORM.

Look through the Calendar and register soon. Space is limited.

Many of the classes are presented by Botanical Center partner groups: Gardening for Good, RI Orchid Society, the New England Carnivorous Plant Society., the RI Rose Society.... Other classes are taught by experienced horticulturists, URI professors of plant sciences, and URI Master Gardeners. Check the Calendar! Topics include lawn care, rose gardening, vegetable gardening, container gardening, tree and shrub planting and pruning, and  perennials.