On Thursday, March 19, a large group – including 5 guests and a new member – enjoyed John Forti’s presentation on “Heirlooms and Natives; A Living History”. John’s focus was on the importance of preserving heirlooms, not only for their historical value, but also for future food security. He also spoke about the value of planting native and offered suggestions of natives that do well in our local climate. Photos will be included in the April Happenings.
Our March general meeting featured Martha Chiarcharo, who gave a lively and inspiring talk on Claude Monet and His Gardens at Giverny. Everyone came away with a new respect for Monet’s work and the desire to immediately schedule a trip to France to tour the gardens in person.
Committee News
Betsy, co-chair of Environment & Conservation reports, “We got a very nice thank you for the EAGC grant we gave the Stratham Community Garden. You’ll remember we decided to give out one grant of $1000. Here it is:
‘The Stratham Community Garden sends an enormous thanks to each of you not only for your very generous grant award but for your time and consideration in offering us this opportunity. Your notification of the award came in just minutes before our own first meeting of 2026 and created quite a “buzz” ( sorry couldn’t help myself there, pun intended) . Most of us came carrying our native pollinator catalogs and now we are not only dreaming of what’s possible, but we can actually get to work!
The Stratham web page is currently being re-designed but once it is up and running, I’ll make sure the website has all the plans posted. I will also do my best to provide photos as the work progresses. Anyone is free to come check on our progress at any time.
Thank you again. We are truly thankful for the opportunity you’ve handed to us!
Ellen,
On behalf of the Stratham Community Garden ‘”
Ways & Means is busy organizing our May 9 Indoor Yard Sale. A sign-up sheet is available for volunteers to help with set-up on May 8 and sales on May 9. If you would like to sign up, contact Linda S to select a time slot.
Ginelle H, of the Awards committee, reminds members that it’s time to start thinking about Ourstanding Garden nominations. Although it’s too early in the season to spot special gardens, keep an eye out for residential and commercial gardens that are developing into possible nominations. If you saw a garden last season that stood out, it can be nominated this year. Awards committee garden tours will start in June.
A field trip to view the beautiful gardens of Cynthia Hosmer at Brave Boat Farms in York, Maine, is being arranged for this June by the Design & Horticulture committees. Watch your Happenings for more information about this special opportunity.
Other Garden Happenings
- March 24 – 6 PM. “Big Yields on Small Plots: Maximizing Your Garden’s Footprint”. University of Maine Cooperative Extension gardening webinar series. One-hour and 15-minute webinar will include a 1-hour presentation, followed by Q&A and discussion. $15 registration. Register here.
- March 26 | 5:30 – 6:30 PM. “Foodscaping 101 – Growing Flowers and Food Together”. Join Willa Coroka of The Magpie’s Apprentice to discuss the variety of ways you can incorporate edible crops amongst your pre-existing or future flower gardens. NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH. Cost: $10 for NH Audubon members and UNH Extension Master Gardeners; $15 for non-members. Registration required by March 24th. Info and sign up here.
- March 28 – 10:00-11:00AM “Wildlife Friendly Gardening” Join NH Audubon Senior Biologist Diane DeLuca as she guides us through the steps for creating a wildlife friendly sanctuary in our own backyards. NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH. Cost: $10 for NH Audubon members and UNH Extension Master Gardeners; $15 for non-members. Registration required by March 24th. Sign up here.
- March 31 – 6 PM. “Helping Food Security from Your Backyard: Simple Ways to Grow for Good”. University of Maine Cooperative Extension gardening webinar series. One-hour and 15-minute webinar will include a 1-hour presentation, followed by Q&A and discussion. $15 registration. Register here.
- April 2 – 5 PM. “Nibbling on Native Plants in Your BackYard (and Beyond)”. Part of the Wiggin Memorial Library’s spring gardening series. More info and sign up here.
- April 6 – 5:00PM. • Pollinator Pathways with Kathy Youzwak. Part of the Wiggin Memorial Library’s spring gardening series. More info and sign up here.
- April 13 – 5:00PM. John Forti, “The Heirloom Gardener”. More info and sign up here.
The UNH Extension is building a list of local sources of native plants. Help us find those nurseries, garden centers, and other sources that we might not have yet found ourselves. Where do you get native plants? Tell us here.
Edited by LuAnn F
Photos by Ann H
