| NATIVES & POLLINATORS | DIVERSITY | SOIL RESTORATION | | PARTNERING WITH NATURE | COMMUNITY OUTREACH |
Carlisle woodland garden in summer
Photo by Elizabeth Acquaviva |
Trees in winter, mackerel sky, Great Brook State Park
Photo by Kay Hurley |
Autumn color, Great Brook State Park
Photo by Debbie Bentley |
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Friday, December 3, 10-30 to 11:30 AMSENIOR/COMMUNITY WREATHMAKING - A JOINT PROJECT WITH CARLISLE COA
Let the festivities begin as we work with friends to celebrate the holiday season! Volunteers are being recruited by SignUp Genius to make advance preparations for the 10:30 a.m. event, assist seniors who want advice or instructions, and prepare wreaths for Carlisle's public buildings. Snow date, if required, is Monday, December 6.
Where: St. Irene's Church Basement, 181 East Street Questions? Contact Gio DiNicola |
GALA HOLIDAY POTLUCK
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AND TO START THE NEW YEAR . . .
For our Monday, January 10, 2022 meeting at 7 PM, we are planning a Zoom discussion of the selected book: Nature's Best Hope by renowned behavioral ecologist Douglas Tallamy. It covers all the climate bases: Starting with a brief history of conservation efforts and the critical importance of biodiversity (amply illustrated with examples and illustrations), it points out that plants have built our biosphere in an intricate dance with millions of insect species. After an inspiring chapter that describes how organizations and small groups have made a difference, Tallamy lists 10 specific steps each of us can take to address the climate crisis. By providing neighborhood wildlife havens, we can connect green corridors to create what he calls "homegrown national parks." There are 15 pages of FAQs and a lengthy bibliography for further reading. Gleason Library is obtaining copies of the book for those who would like to borrow it. We look forward to a spirited discussion.
Membership Notes
Almost all members have now renewed and we look forward to reconnecting in a blend of live and Zoom events. You can mail a $50 check, payable to Carlisle Garden Club, to PO Box 231, Carlisle, MA 01741. Or use PayPal to renew online. Not sure if you've renewed? Want the latest list that includes new member contact info? Download our latest member list.
PUMPKIN PATCH RECAP
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Photos by Karen Root Watkins
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WE'RE GRATEFUL TO ALL who visited the Carlisle Garden Club’s 2021 pumpkin patch earlier this month. Thanks to your generous support, we sold out down to the last pumpkin at 2 PM! It was a great day, and wonderful for us to see your beautiful harvest of smiles! Proceeds from the sale will help fund the club's community projects, such as public beautification and college scholarships for Carlisle graduates.
STILL AVAILABLE: CHATTING WITH OUR 2021 TOUR GARDENERS
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The 2021 Carlisle Country Gardens chat video is now available on demand Click here to see our video conversations with the five gardeners on the Tour. If you visited the garden in person, you can now hear how the garden came to be. You can click Show More beneath the video to see a list of gardens that match their number in the program booklet. The videos were shot during the week preceding the Tour.
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THANKS TO OUR 2021
COUNTRY GARDEN TOUR SPONSORS
Our deepest thanks to the sponsors who so generously supported the 2021 tour. It is the Club's major fundraiser, which supports our community outreach and educational events such as college scholarships for Carlisle students, civic beautification, the spring seed swap/share, Old Home Day appearances, and other special activities.
Please patronize our sponsors whenever possible and spread the word among your friends. Click any sponsor's logo to visit their website.
Please patronize our sponsors whenever possible and spread the word among your friends. Click any sponsor's logo to visit their website.
Community Garden Sponsors
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Wildflower Garden Sponsor
Herb Garden Sponsors
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CGC EVENT SCHEDULE 2021-2022
OUR PROGRAM AND HOSPITALITY COMMITTEES ARE STILL arranging events for our members and the Carlisle community for spring of 2022. Check out our current listing, and return later for updated info.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
OUR 2021 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER, PIPER HARRING, was announced at the Club's annual meeting on June 7. Follow this link for details.
PERENNIAL HIBISCUS, GROWN FROM SEED IN CARLISLE, BLOOMS IN LATE SUMMER ON THE ROTARYThe Garden Club's Rotary renovation is underway, with plans to include native shrubs and pollinator plants in one of the sunniest spots in town. This glorious plant, which blooms in late July and August, is just one more thing to check out as you negotiate the roundabout. Look for it behind the lush bloom of the colorful, annual cosmos and the dramatic, low giant-blooming hibiscus.
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SOWING THE SEEDS OF CLIMATE ACTION IN YOUR GARDEN |
A RECENT PIECE IN THE BOSTON GLOBE contained valuable information about how your garden projects can help combat carbon pollution. Click here to access this interesting and useful article.
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LOVE TO GARDEN? JOIN THE CLUB. If you'd like to be part of the Carlisle Garden Club or if you'd like to attend a meeting as our guest, click the button below to contact our member chair.
Some additional club highlights
Download the most recent member list (password required)
2021-22 Officers and Committees
Alison Saylor's Template for land stewardship
Judy Blaikie Lane's Flower arranging demo
2021-22 Officers and Committees
Alison Saylor's Template for land stewardship
Judy Blaikie Lane's Flower arranging demo
Add habitat for native bumblebees to your landscape
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At a fascinating April, 2019 lecture sponsored by Grow Native Massachusetts in Cambridge, biologist Rob Gegear of Worcester Polytechnic Institute shared his research on the ecology of native bumblebees, and offered many evidence-based actions to help conserve these vital pollinators. A key component of Rob's guidelines for creating high-quality bumblebee habitat was plant selection, described later in this article.
His guidelines: first and foremost, avoid using non-native plants as much as possible. Exotic species disrupt the ecological systems within which bumblebees and native plants have evolved, and may actually contribute to bumblebee declines. Of the eleven bumblebee species native to Massachusetts, only a few have stable or expanding populations. Many of the species that are now rare have declined significantly from their historical abundance. Some non-native perennials might buzz with bees when in bloom, but they are often attracting only the most common, least threatened bumblebees. The true indicator of valuable habitat is seeing a diversity of bee species. |
Bombus impatiens on New England aster. © Janet Wilder
TO VIEW OTHER VIDEOS IN THE EVENINGS WITH EXPERTS SERIES VISIT THE GROW NATIVE WEBSITE . |
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Native Plant Trust: a new name for a beloved New England institutionYou need an appointment these Covid days to visit or shop at Native Plant Trust in Framingham. Don't recognize the name? It's the organization formerly known as NEWFS -- the New England Wild Flower Society, still headquartered at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham. It's been renamed to reflect their important work in protecting native species. Take a look at the website, then plan a visit (or several) to watch the wondrous parade of NE native plants in bloom. You can even purchase natives, grown locally from seed, to grace your own property. Call 1-508-877-7630 for info.
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RETHINKING YOUR GARDEN:
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OVER THE MOON ABOUT THE MOON?
If you're one of those wonderful "lunatic" gardeners who believes in planting or harvesting by the phases of the moon, you can click this link for a chart of the moon phases this month. |
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PLEASE SHARE THE RECIPE FOR YOUR FABULOUS DISH |
OUR POTLUCK PARTIES LEAVE US YEARNING FOR ONE MORE TASTE of that amazing salad or casserole, dessert or other special treat you brought to a party this year -- or any year. Though our version won't match your artful preparation, we'd love to share those tasty delights at our own family gatherings. And those who couldn't make it to the event will appreciate a vicarious bite, we're sure.
Pinterest graphic from http://www.jeanettelynton.com
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THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
CHECK OUT THIS PAGE TO SEE A LIST OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT OUR WORK. Many thanks to all our sponsors, donors and supporters. Please patronize them in return, whenever possible, and mention them to your friends.
What else is new?
PREVIOUS SEED SWAP/SHARE EXPOS HAVE FEATURED SEED BOMBS, PEA SHOOTS, MILK-JUG MINI-GREENHOUSES, ORIGAMI ENVELOPES FROM RECYCLED PAPER, MASON BEE HOMES AND NEW COMPOSTING IDEAS for gardeners of all ages. Click here to visit archived Seed Swap documents.
KEEP MOVING, GARDENERS: TRY THE EGOSCUE STRETCHES FOR HEALTH AND REJUVENATION, available for all to download here.
A WORKOUT ROUTINE FOR GARDENERS WHO WANT TO GET IN SHAPE. Available to all site visitors.
MORE PUBLIC LINKS HAVE BEEN ADDED: Check out some exciting new addresses on our favorite links page describing permaculture resources, over-wintering tender fig trees, and new sources for obtaining native New England shrubs and perennials. These links are available to all site visitors.
MEMBER DOCUMENTS NOW AVAILABLE: Get a copy of our downloadable current member list, as well as recent newsletters, and meeting minutes here. Get archived documents and member reimbursement form here. You'll be asked for the site password.
A WORKOUT ROUTINE FOR GARDENERS WHO WANT TO GET IN SHAPE. Available to all site visitors.
MORE PUBLIC LINKS HAVE BEEN ADDED: Check out some exciting new addresses on our favorite links page describing permaculture resources, over-wintering tender fig trees, and new sources for obtaining native New England shrubs and perennials. These links are available to all site visitors.
MEMBER DOCUMENTS NOW AVAILABLE: Get a copy of our downloadable current member list, as well as recent newsletters, and meeting minutes here. Get archived documents and member reimbursement form here. You'll be asked for the site password.
HAVE A QUESTION OR SUGGESTION FOR THE CLUB?
OPEN OUR RESOURCES PAGE TO SEE WHAT'S NEW, ASK A QUESTION, OR SUGGEST A TOPIC. . .