March Happenings
With the official start of spring in our sights, we’re seeing encouraging signs of leafing out and greening up. A walk around the garden reacquaints us with our stalwart perennials even if we’re not sure who’s who!
Our program on March 20th is, fittingly, spring flowers. Local florist and event planner Marianne Velardoccia of Marianne’s Flowers of Hampton Falls will give a talk entitled “Spring Fling with Flowers.” Marianne will create several bouquets for our enjoyment and will discuss design. We’ll also have a silent auction to raise money for the club’s activities. So bring along some cash or your checkbook if you think you may want to take a bouquet home!
Remember that the Hort Table is open year round. Bring in a specimen from your winter garden or your favorite houseplant.
It’s time to consider how you can contribute to our May fundraiser which takes place in about 8 weeks! “Bargains, Bake and Plant Sale” is coming up on May 10 (set up on May 9) at the Stratham Municipal Center. What’s needed? Helping hands to set up, and sell; second-hand goods, home baked goodies, and of course, potted plants from your garden. Johann S., Ways and Means chair, will be stationed in her usual spot at our next meeting. Please be sure to stop by to find out how you can help. If you can’t take part, your personal check is acceptable! Also, the Promise Tree tradition is making a comeback after the days of the pandemic. Have you given any thought to hosting a fun gathering with some club members? There is a wonderful description of this tradition in the yearbook with lots of ideas.
Our program in February was an important review of how to manage insects in the garden. Julie Coleman has made a study of it. The key is vigilance: check your plants for interlopers, remembering that some are beneficial. Prevention, like giving plants proper space and sufficient water, will help minimize insect damage.
The Civic Beautification Committee took a well-deserved break after its holiday decorating spree and is now focused on garden cleanup and summer maintenance schedules. Plans include adding plants at the Stratham Veterans Memorial and a new planting area around the flagpole at the Stratham Fire Department.
Other Events of Gardening Interest
The Rye Driftwood Garden Club is hosting Laura Brown of Fox Point Oysters, “From the Bay to Your Belly … and Beyond.” March 18. https://www.ryenhgardenclub.org/programs
The Portsmouth Garden Club will present Elizabeth Brown on March 19, “Secrets to a Successful Cutting Garden.” https://www.portsmouthnhgardenclub.com/programs
March 15, Hampton Garden Club. “Green Thumbs in the White House” presented by Kevin Bragg of the Canterbury NH Plantation. 6:00 PM Hampton Parks & Recreation Building.
Atkinson Conservation Commission has their 5th Annual Pollinator Event on Saturday, April 12th from 10:00am – 2:00pm at Freshwater Farms (1 Kipkam Rd, Atkinson.) They will be handing out FREE Milkweed Seeds and Native Wildflower Seeds to help save Monarchs and other pollinators. Check here for details.
Pollinator Help – “Six Ways to Help Bees and Beesponsible” is a short article with some practical suggestions. Find it here.
Online: The New UMass Extension Pollinator Program: An Introduction, Nicole Bell, UMass Amherst Extension, March 25, 7:00 – 8:15pm. Free. Info here.
Online: Grow Native Mass is offering “Evenings with the Experts”, a free program open to all and features some of the nation’s best experts on the ecology of native plant landscaping. Upcoming is “What We Sow in Cultivated Places” by Jennifer Jewell, Creator & Host of “Cultivating Place”. April 9, 7:00 – 8:30pm. More info here.
The 2025 Master Gardener Demonstration Garden Workshop series is offering classes monthly at NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn. Upcoming classes include: March 18, 6-7:30PM: “Beginning Gardener Series: Site Assessment, Plant Selection and Record Keeping for your Garden” and April 10, 6-7:30PM: “Beginning Gardener Series: Easy to Grow Vegetables”. More info here.