Gardening

04/18/2013

Weekend Outdoor Events: April 19-21

On Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., head over to the Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth for a day of gardening workshops and demonstrations. Spend Saturday brushing up on your gardening skills to get yourself ready for the gardening season ahead, whether growing plants in containers outside the classroom, in a school garden or in your own backyard. Workshops will cover digging in-ground garden beds, building raised beds, gardening in containers, seeding and seed saving, skills for planting a tree, pruning and more.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom in collaboration with Tranquil Lake Nursery, Rehoboth, this event is free and open to educators, school gardeners and the public. Bring your own lunch. For more information visit www.aginclassroom.org or call (508) 336-4426.

Also on Saturday, Noticing Nature: A Guided Nature Program for Families is taking place at Mount Tom State Reservation; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. See, smell, touch and hear what Mother Nature is up to in the woods and along the edges of fields. Suitable for families and curious adults, the tour will take place over short distances on gentle terrain. Meeting will take place at the Stone House Visitor Center, 77 Christopher Clark Road, at its junction with Reservation Road. Please dress for the outdoors – and possibly wet or muddy conditions. Heavy rain will cancel the event. For more information call (413) 584-6788.

On Sunday, April 21, Find Inspiration Through Nature at Miles Standish State Forest; 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Are you suffering from nature-deficit disorder? Would you like to slow down, observe the world around you, and feel a connection to the natural landscape that surrounds you? Come along on a silent walk through the woods to experience nature in a new way – through thoughtful prose and reflection.

Meet at Headquarters parking lot at 194 Cranberry Road in South Carver. This is best for adults. Dress for the weather. Call (508) 866-2580 x162 for more information and weather cancellation.

For those who live near Breakheart Reservation, one of Ranger Dan’s Nature Walks is also happening on Sunday. From 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. explore the reservation at a family friendly pace. Meet at the Dunne Visitors Center, located off Lynn Fells Parkway near Route 1 at 177 Forest Street in Saugus. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Please call DCR staff at (781) 233-0834 or email lynn.hildenbrand@state.ma.us for additional information.

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02/13/2013

Visit Your Local Winter Farmers’ Market for Taste, Convenience and Community!

Editorial Contribution by Division of Agricultural Markets Staff Julia Grimaldi and Bonita Oehlke

I don’t know about you, but the fact that there are now so many opportunities to savor the bounty of MassGrown products during the winter months is, well, just awesome!  There are 40 winter farmers’ markets to choose from across the state that offer an extensive selection of seasonally unique produce and products. Farms are selling storage crops such as crisp apples, several varieties of winter squash, onions, purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, candy cane beets, yellow carrots, and watermelon radishes, as well as a variety of greens such as salad greens, spinach, kale and collard greens grown in a ‘hoop house’ (a structure used as a greenhouse to extend the growing season).

And that’s not all. More and more local businesses are adding to the variety including fresh seafood and shellfish, farm wineries, farmstead cheese makers, pastured raised meat, poultry and egg producers, bakers, honey and maple products, hand crafted pastas, sauces, prepared foods, dry goods, and even fibers.

Dave from Inman Square shops at the Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market because farmers’ market carrots and radishes “taste better”. One of the new vendors at the farmers' market is Green River Ambrosia from Western Massachusetts who hand crafts unusual mead products made with local honey, ginger, and fruit from Valley farms.

Like the bees that bring us honey, our winter farmers’ markets are cross-pollinators themselves.

Many not only sell their own products, but also sell products from neighboring farms. Misty Brook Farm in Barre sells organic meats and vegetables, grains and Robinson’s Farm cheese located in Hardwick.  Red Fire Farm in Montague & Granby sells all of their own produce as well as maple syrup from Williams Farm Sugarhouse in Deerfield and yogurt from Side Hill Farm in Ashfield. Silverbrook Farm in Dartmouth, like many of the growers selling at winter farmers’ market, is growing a nutritious assortment of greens grown and micro-greens.

“We really enjoy this market every weekend, the Cambridge community is very supportive of our work and I like seeing repeat customers,” said owner/grower Andy Pollock.

A growing number of markets also accept EBT-SNAP coupons (formally called food stamps) to help families stretch their food dollars and provide nutritious foods to them all year long. The Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender Street) which hosts the winter market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through April also has a Food Scrap program where you can drop of compostable materials for repurposing.

Oh, and did I mention venues for celebration? The Wayland Winter Farmers’ Market which runs on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March , hosts over 40 vendors in an airy, open greenhouse at Russell’s Garden Center, surrounded by luxuriantly growing plants. The market recently hosted the 3rd Annual Massachusetts Farm Wineries Day which featured nine Bay State wineries made from honey, grapes and other local fruits and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Wine and Cheese Trail brochure. Peg Mallet, the enthusiastic and effervescent market manager, welcomes visitors and encourages more to join the ranks of dedicated customers!

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11/09/2012

Farmers’ Markets – Not Just for Summer Anymore!

Thanks to David Webber, DAR staffer, for his contributions to this blog about winter farmers' markets! Enjoy!

Wayland Winter Farmers' Market 003

Traditionally thought of as a summertime activity, shopping at the local farmers’ market is becoming more of a year-round activity in Massachusetts, thanks to the burgeoning number of communities hosting winter farmers’ markets across the state.  With consumer demand increasing, local farmers are extending their seasons to meet the growing demand for local food, year round!

Root vegetables and storage crops such as apples, carrots, potatoes and turnips abound at the markets, along with a wide variety of other locally grown and produced foods, including, meats, cheeses, wine, poultry, fish, honey, maple products, baked goods and specialty items.

And if you are looking to create a locally grown holiday meal or find a unique gift for that someone special, several festivals and one day holiday markets are being held in addition to the 36 on-going winter farmers’ markets across the state. Here are a few:

10th Annual Thanksgiving Festival -- Bring Thanksgiving to your home from the North Quabbin Region. November 17 – 18, Red Apple Farm, Phillipston.

Berkshire Grown Holiday Markets -- Visit these holiday markets filled with local food producers and vendors of other agricultural products including locally-grown plants, bee-related products and yarns. December markets will also feature local artisans. November 17 – 18 and December 15 – 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Cape Ann Thanksgiving Harvest Market -- You’ll find more than 20 local vendors selling produce, jams, baked goods, meats, cheeses, maple syrup, crafts and more. EBT/SNAP/WIC & Senior FM coupons accepted. November 17, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church Street, Gloucester. 

4th Annual Harvest Festival & Market -- As part of Americas Hometown Thanksgiving Festival, Edible South Shore Magazine & Plymouth Farmers' Market bring you this holiday event where you can shop for holiday meals from a selection of locally grown produce and specialty foods, as well as locally made desserts, and buy holiday gifts from local artisans and crafters. November 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Water Street, Plymouth.

Lexington Farmers’ Market FESTival -- This community tradition offers locally grown and produced items for your Thanksgiving table from some of your favorite farms and local vendors. November 20, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Seasons Four, 1265 Mass Avenue, Lexington.

Carlisle Winter Faire -- This one day farmers’ market will host local and organic vegetables growers and specialty food producer. You will also find farm fresh eggs, cheese, meat, breads, baked good, fibers and more.  December 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 27 School Street, Unitarian Universalist Church, Union Hall, Carlisle.

For a complete list of winter farmers’ markets and a holiday food buying guide go to www.mass.gov/massgrown.

Wayland Winter Farmers' Market 018

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09/27/2012

Massachusetts Apple Picking Season is On!

Sarah apple picking2What do Governor Deval Patrick, Sarah (pictured in the blue shorts) and little Aaliyah have in common? All love locally grown Massachusetts apples! This year’s apple crop yield is a good one  with popular varieties such as the Macintosh, Honey Crisp, and Golden Delicious in crisp-and-sweet abundance!

Governor Patrick recently joined Secretary Rick Sullivan and Representative Harold Naughton for a visit to Northborough’s Tougas Farm to voice support for local agriculture in the Commonwealth. Owner Maurice Tougas was on hand to talk about the importance of preserving working landscapes and how new technology efficiencies are helping to keep Massachusetts farmers competitive. But in between “business discussions”, there was also opportunity for the Governor to take a ride around the farm for a tractor ride and then to take a walk through the apple orchard to pick his own bag of juicy, sweet apples. “There’s not a bad apple out there,” he smiled.

Sarah had more or less the same idea on a spectacularly clear, first-fall weekend day spent at Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro. Joined by her family, not only did Sarah help pick apples, she also enjoyed a hayride into the orchard. She and her brother then tried  the hay maze and checked out tractor training school. And what would a day at a pick-your-own farm be without some savory local apple cider and apple cider doughnuts at the end? Find delicious apples at a Pick-Your-Own Farm near you!

Gov at Tougas Farm apple picking

Apple Fun Facts: The pilgrims planted the first US apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1623, William Blackstone planted seeds from Europe on Beacon Hill, Boston. Apples are the second most valuable fruit grown in the US behind oranges.

 

Aaliyah eating an apple at Parlee Farm



 

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05/04/2012

Video of the Week

In the spirit of spring our Video of the Week this week features Governor Patrick’s visit to an elementary school where he encourages the children to Plant Something!  As he fills small flower pots with soil, the governor discusses where his love of gardening stems from and the deep importance this type of community activity can have on the young generation. The governor is excited to take part in Plant Something, a collection of Massachusetts’ professional environmental horticulturists who are responsible for growing, installing, and caring for natural landscapes in our communities.

 

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03/29/2012

The spirit of spring

Although it has been a relatively mild winter, signs of spring still ignite positive energies and excitement within the Commonwealth.  Lunch breaks take a little longer and the walk to your T stop is a bit more relaxed.  To many people, springtime is about more than just an escape from the bonds of cold weather.  Springtime is the start of the birds’ mating season and the farmers’ planting season; the activities we do in our free time change and we can spend more of our day outside interacting with the nature around us.   

Today I spoke with members of the various environmental agencies to find out what they love about spring.  For Marion Larson with MassWildlife, the mating call of the American Woodcocks “peent….peent…peent,” is a clear sign of the new season.  Although SJ Port, who works with the Department of Conservation Resources (DCR), is reluctant to put her hockey gear away, she is excited to replace her skates with sneakers and take a walk along DCR's Charles River Reservation's Esplanade and hike through some of the DCR state parks.  Anna Waclawiczek, in the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), looks forward to the busy planting season at our local farms.  Now is the time, she says, whether you are a farmer or a green thumb hobbyist to visit a garden center or nursery and get your fingers dirty with fresh planting soil.  To find local nurseries, garden centers, farmers’ markets and much more go to the MassGrown & Fresher Agri-Google map.   

What do you love about the transition into spring?  What smell, sight, or sound is most indicative to you that springtime is here?  For me it is the smell of hyacinths when I am out on a jog or walking my dogs.  Use the comment space below to share with us your thoughts.     

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09/02/2011

Take your Food Shopping Outside!

Gloucester Farmers' Market 032 With the local harvest season well underway, now is the perfect time to take your shopping to the great outdoors and enjoy the bounty of Massachusetts farmers’ hard work.

A recent trip to Gloucester revealed a large and festive farmers’ market in Stage Fort Park overlooking Gloucester Harbor. 

With lots of room and over two dozen vendors or more setting up each week, the market offers a wide variety of farm and food products, including produce, fresh fish (right off the boat), two wineries, baked goods, honey, maple products, and mushrooms. Market vendors also include a wide variety of locally made specialty foods including pasta, soups, tarts, dips, prepared foods and more. Several artists from the Gloucester art community show their wares as well.

With weekly music, children’s activities, and community booths, one could easily spend an hour or more to take it all in. Bring a blanket and take your goodies down to the beach for an impromptu picnic after you shop. The park even has a small beach! The Cape Ann Farmers’ Market is located in Gloucester’s State Fort Park every Thursday, from 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm through October 13th.

The Cape Ann Farmers’ Market is one of 245 markets up and running across the state this summer and fall.  Find a local market near you!

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Gloucester Farmers' Market 017


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07/29/2011

Local wood for good

CQP stamped wood You don’t have to live in the country to be a farmer - you can grow crops outside in the city too.

Launched in 2007, Build-a-Garden teaches city residents square-foot growing methods so that urban gardeners can maximize space, create ideal growing conditions, and have a simple and structured forum for learning the basics. The Food Project provides participants with everything they need to get started – including multiple raised garden beds, soil, seeds, transplants, a growing guide, on-site workshops, and assistance throughout the planning and implementation stages of the project. Through this volunteer-fueled initiative, the organization hopes to create a thoughtful and productive community of people from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system.

In this instance, two local businesses came together to support each other and the community, and the positive effects promise to be long-lasting. Heyes provided product made from a natural, renewable resource that will be used to help residents of Boston and Lynn grow a variety of wholesome, fresh produce at a fraction of the cost. Likewise, The Food Project’s patronage of Heyes helps sustain local forest-based businesses that maintain healthy, working forests to create products that are important to us in everyday life. The end result is a mutually beneficial collaboration involving local products that will have a positive impact on local business, our community and the environment.

Fred Heyes, owner of Heyes Forest Products in Orange and DAR  Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP) ambassador, recently teamed up with Boston-based The Food Project to demonstrate how local wood products can be used to help build a stronger community.

In what has become an annual tradition, Heyes supplied  CQP-certified Massachusetts white pine lumber for The Food Project’s “Build-a-Garden” program, which provides Boston-area residents the opportunity to grow their own food successfully and safely in urban neighborhoods through raised bed and container gardening. The locally sourced and manufactured lumber will be used to construct garden beds for the community support program.

Heyes BAnsfield Botelho

The Food Project is currently accepting Build-a-Garden volunteer applications for the fall 2011 growing season. To learn more about this and other Food Project volunteer opportunities, please visit: http://thefoodproject.org/volunteer. 

Those interested in applying for Build-a-Garden support can contact the program coordinator, Kathleen Banfield, by calling (617) 442-1322 x12 or by sending an email to buildagarden@thefoodproject.org.

To learn more about DAR’s Commonwealth Quality Program, which promotes high-quality Massachusetts agricultural products that are responsibly produced, harvested and processed, or to locate a CQP business near you, please visit  http://www.mass.gov/cqp. 

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05/24/2011

Growing native?

When I think of spring, images of brightly colored tulips and buttercups instantly come to mind. I love looking out my window every day and watching color return to the landscape. It seems as if spring never comes fast enough to relieve my winter gloom.

Luckily, those of us living on the coast have a distinct advantage—a longer growing season! According to the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Coastal residents have a 40-day head start on the growing season compared to their inland counterparts.

A great way to enhance curb appeal, a garden provides a welcome burst of color, texture, and interest to the home. Gardening is also an activity suitable for everyone in the family..

If you live in a coastal region, such as the Cape, the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) has some tips on growing native—a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to bring color and life to your home. Selecting native plants for your garden has the added advantage of providing erosion control and habitats for native wildlife - not to mention that once these trees, s shrubs, and flowers are established, they require less maintenance and care.

First, look for plants that are well adapted to strong winds, salt spray, and a low diversity of nutrients in the soil. 

CZM's list of compatible flowers, trees, and shrubs

One of my favorites is the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) which thrives in full sun, and has the added benefit of attracting wildlife and producing delicious fruit for harvest in mid-late summer. Another is the Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana), the plant’s fragrant blossoms are 2-3 inches in diameter and bloom from June through August.

Why not plant some Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)? The vibrant golden-yellow flowers add a burst of color, while the plant’s fleshy, waxy leaves retain water, making the plant ideal for coastal landscaping. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod is not the culprit for seasonal allergy sufferers - the real bad guy is ragweed, which is part of the sunflower family.

Lowbush Blueberry
Lowbush Blueberry
Photo: University of Connecticut Plant Database

Rosvir00
Virginia Rose
Photo: University of Connecticut Plant Database

Nerr0245
Seaside Golendrod
Photo: NOAA Estuarine Research Reserve Collection, NOAA Photo Library

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04/21/2011

Earth Day 2011

Tomorrow commemorates the 41st anniversary of the first Earth Day and Massachusetts residents can take part in a myriad of activities that celebrate the environment! Join in a community-wide cleanup, party at a zoo, run a 5K race or just get outside and enjoy the outdoors with neighbors, friends and family. Events may differ in size and scope, but a common theme remains: environmental awareness and education.

Earth Day events start tomorrow and run through May. For more information go to http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/earthday.htm

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