[SEMCO] Growing Green -- backyard landscaping workshops

[Melissa Lowe]

Growing Green: The Sustainable Backyard

Fridays, March 12, 19, and 26, 1 pm

 

Sponsored by the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Learn how to "green" your backyard landscape this spring with a series
of workshops focusing on organic and natural approaches to gardening and
lawn care. Develop knowledge and skills in selecting and planting native
and drought-tolerant plants, composting, soil testing, irrigation,
natural pest management and more. Garden club members, homeowners and
anyone interested in learning about creating a beautiful backyard
landscaped that is healthy for the environment should attend. 

 

March 12             Why Go Native? Choosing the Right Plants 

Get the most out of your backyard by landscaping with native plants.
Native plants are beautiful, interesting, and varied. They evoke a sense
of place and are essential for creating garden habitat for wildlife and
promoting biodiversity. Landscaping with native wildflowers, shrubs, and
trees also save you time and money! These plants are adapted to live in
the soils of Cape Cod, which means less watering and less fertilizing-so
maintenance time and costs are reduced. This workshop will introduce you
to the native shrubs and trees that benefit wildlife, as well as those
naturalized species that do well on Cape Cod. Information on invasive
species to avoid will also be provided.

Instructor:  Dennis Murley, Naturalist and Botanist at Wellfleet Bay
Wildlife Sanctuary

 

March 19             The Real Dirt: Understanding Soil and Composting

Get the real dirt on Cape Cod soils! Your gardens are only as good as
the soil in which they grow. A soil test identifies the nutrients
already present in your soil, so you only apply the right amounts of
what your soil needs eliminating over-fertilizing or unnecessary
applications of lime. This workshop will introduce the benefits and
steps of soil testing. Based upon the size of the group, individual
samples of soil may be tested-so bring a sample of soil from your garden
for possible testing. Information on amending soils and the basics of
composting will also be included. 

Instructor:  Pat Amos, Barnstable County Cooperative Extension Master
Naturalist

 

March 26             Pesticide & Synthetic Fertilizer Free-Organic Lawn
Care

For those who want a lawn, learn how to maintain and keep it healthy
using organic care. Starting with an overview of conventional vs.
organic land care methods and impacts, this workshop will provide
information on how to make the transition and what to expect when you
"go organic." Mowing and watering practices and the economics, health
and wellness benefits of organic lawn care will also be covered.

Instructor:  Finbarr Phelan, Owner of Cape Cod Safe Lawns 

 

 

Pre-registration is required. The cost per workshop is $6 for Mass
Audubon members and $8 for non-members. Call 508-349-2615 for more
information or to register.

 

All workshops are held at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291
State Highway Route 6, South Wellfleet. 

www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay 

 

 

 

**********************************************
Melissa Lowe, Education Coordinator 
Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary 
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663 
mlowe at massaudubon.org 
508-349-2615, ext 107 

Protecting the Nature of Massachusetts 
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay 

 

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