Friends of the Horticulture Farm

All activities are held at the Hort Farm unless stated otherwise on event listing.
Email info@friendsofthehortfarm.org for reservations. Please note that we request an RSVP for speakers and events, due to limited capacity in the Blasberg Building.

FHF Event Fees:
$10 for FHF Members & Current Master Gardeners (bring ID)
$20 for Non-Members unless otherwise specified

MASTER GARDENER HOURS:
MG-E = These events have been approved for EDUCATIONAL hours
MG-V = These events have been approved for VOLUNTEER hours

January 9, Wednesday | 6pm - 8pm
Making Indoor Herb Garden Boxes
Sarah Salatino of Full Circle Gardens is back with ideas and supplies to help plan your winter indoor herb box garden. Sarah will share her season-extending cultural practices. Bring your indoor container or use one from Sarah for hands on planting to take home.
Limited to 20 people. $15/$25 includes materials.

February 2, Saturday | 10 - 11:30am
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Home Gardens MG-E
Colleen Armstrong, Director of the UVM Greenhouses, will add more tools to your pest control tool box. She will explain how to identify pests and use control methods that are practical for small scale vegetable and flower gardens. She will also talk about bio-rational pesticides, attracting natural enemies to your site, and even touch on house plants.

February 9, Saturday | 1 - 4pm
Create a Cozy Cavity for Kestrels MG-E
Build a nest box for Vermont's smallest member of the falcon family. These beneficial predators are a welcome addition to any open habitat with places to perch and cavities to nest in. We'll learn about the natural history of these amazing birds and meet a live American Kestrel.
$25/$35 includes all materials

February 13, Wednesday | 6 - 8pm
Fences, Walls and Hedges
A whimsical photographic presentation by Emeritus Professor Larry Hamilton who is also a tree Warden in Charlotte. From a collection of over a 1000 photos, Larry will present some of his favorites, and guarantees that you will never look at a fence, wall or hedge the same way, ever.

February 20, Wednesday | 6 - 8pm
UVM Farmer Training Program MG-E
Just completing a 2nd successful season at the Hort Farm, Susie Walsh Daloz, Program Director, and Laura Williams, Farm Coordinator, will discuss the achievements and struggles involved in starting this dynamic and innovative new program at UVM. With focus on a hands-on, skill-based education in sustainable agriculture, aspiring farmers cultivate 3½ acres of vegetables, market produce to community outlets, and donate to the food shelf.

March 1-3, Friday-Sunday
2013 VT Flower Show
The Road Not Taken
Stop by the FHF booth during the show!

March 16, Saturday 11am - 12:30pm
UVM Greenhouse Facilities Tour
CANCELLED
David Heleba takes you on a guided tour of the campus Greenhouse. Divided into 11 adjoining compartments, the greenhouses cover 8,000 square feet. They are for the use of faculty, staff, and students in teaching, research, and extension. Students will be on hand to discuss their current projects.
Limit: 15 attendees. Located on the Main Campus; adjoining Jeffords Hall.

March 20, Wednesday 6 - 8pm
Turning Lawn into Eden MG-E
David Fried, owner of Elmore Roots Nursery, has been testing and propagating fruits and nuts that are best for our Northern Vermont climate. He will speak about growing common and unusual fruit and nut trees on your property.

March 23, Saturday 9am Noon
Crab Apple Pruning Workday MG-V
Mark Biercevicz, Crab Apple Curator, will explain and demonstrate proper pruning techniques. Bring pruners, gloves, and loppers if you have them. We'll provide some tools too.
Free

March 30, Saturday | 1 - 4pm
Create a Cozy Cavity for Kestrels
Craig Newman, of Outreach for Earth Stewardship, will teach us how to build a nest box for Vermont's smallest member of the falcon family. These beneficial predators are a welcome addition to any open habitat with places to perch and cavities to nest in. We'll learn about the natural history of these amazing birds and meet a live American Kestrel.
$25/$35 includes all materials

April 13, Saturday 9am - 2pm
New England Wildflower Symposium MG-E
Vermont Technical College, Randolph
FHF co-sponsors this event

April 13, Saturday 9am - Noon
Perennial Garden Wake Up MG-V
Master Gardeners and volunteers needed to help Brian Vaughan, Perennial Garden Curator, wake-up the Perennial Garden. Come take part in spring cleanup of this fabulous collection in time for our May 11th Bloomtime Festival. Bring pruning shears/weeding tools.
Free

April 17, Wednesday 6 - 8pm
Spring Planning and Home Garden Design MG-E
We will help gardeners plan and design their home garden. Ron Krupp, author of The Woodchuck's Guide to Gardening, will talk about such factors as light and shade, warmth and cold, micro-climates, the use of windbreaks, raised beds and cold-frames as well as plants flowers, herbs, vegetables, shrubs - appropriate for your garden site. Bring garden ideas and a sketch of your garden to work on as we come up with design plans.

April 20, Saturday 9am - 4pm
Lilacs 101 MG-E/V
Jeff Young, Lilac Collection Curator reviews how to properly choose, plant, grow and prune this sweet smelling spring shrub. 9 am - Noon is for pruning instruction, 12:30-4 pm will be for handson pruning practice.
$10

April 27, Saturday 8am 4pm
Rustic Cedar Workshop
Rescheduled for Saturday, June 22
Brian Gluck of Vermont Rustic Cedar returns for an all-day hands-on workshop. Build a 6 foot rustic cedar obelisk to take home.
$70/$80 includes all materials. Pre-registration required by email or phone. Full payment must be received by April 15th. Limited to 16 attendees

May 4, Saturday 9am Noon
Perennial Garden Workday MG-V
Master Gardeners and volunteers needed to help Brian Vaughan, Perennial Garden Curator, tidy up this fabulous garden in time for our May 11th Bloom-Time Festival. Come learn proper techniques for dividing perennials. Bring pruning shears and weeding tools if you have them.
Take home a free perennial plant! Free

May 11, Saturday 10am 3pm
19th Annual Bloomtime Festival
Come awaken your senses to the scents of lilacs, flowering crabapples, magnolias and more! Perennials, lilacs and gardening books will be on sale. UVM Greenhouse and Common Ground will be on hand selling indoor and veggie starter plants.

Lectures:
10 am Growing Hops in the Northeast
11 am Vermont Pests
Noon How 'bout Them Apples?
1 pm Eeicoid Mycorrhizae
Also This Year:
Hay Ride Tours of the Hort Farm
On The Border Morris Dancing
Plein Air Artists

For all ages and FREE to the public Bloomtime Poster

May 22, Wednesday 6 8pm
Rhododendron Walk and Talk MG-E
Hal Bill/Ron Krupp offers a tour of the Hort. Farm's Rhododendrons and Eastern U.S. Native Azalea collections in bloom. These "Jewels in the Crown" are one of the best collections in New England. Event is rain or shine.
$5/$10

May 25, Saturday 8 11am
Bird Walk with Bridget Butler: The Bird Diva
You have probably heard her Bird Show on VPR. Now, take a guided bird walk at the Hort. Farm with Bridget! Find out what bird species reside in our fields and woods. Find out what plants can draw certain species of birds to your yard. RSVP and pre-pay your fee early to secure a spot. Space is limited. Bring binoculars.
$20/$30

June 1, Saturday 10am - Noon
Rhododendron Walk and Talk MG-E
FHF offers a tour of the Hort. Farm's Rhododendrons and Eastern U.S. Native Azalea collections in bloom. These "Jewels in the Crown" are one of the best collections in New England. Event is rain or shine.
$5/$10

June 2, Sunday 9am - 3pm
Lilacs 101 MG-E/V
Jeff Young, Lilac Collection Curator reviews how to properly choose, plant, grow and prune this sweet smelling spring shrub. 9 am 11 am is for pruning instruction & 11:30 -3 pm will be for hands-on pruning practice.
$10

June 8, Saturday 9am - Noon
Birch Bark Creations

Alison Forrest and Bart Howe of Huntington, VT have been making birch bark canoes and other containers for more than twenty years. They will demonstrate the elements of their craft using locally gathered bark, roots, and white cedar. Each participant will make a small birch bark vessel.
$25/$35

June 15, Saturday 9am - 11am
Edible & Medicinal Use of Non-native Invasive species

Join Melanie Brotz, a registered dietician with years of experience with herbs, for a walk through the Hort farm. Identify non-native invasives that have medicinal and edible benefits. You'll look at garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed differently after this exploration. This event will take place rain or shine, come prepared to enjoy this outing.
$10/$20

June 22, Saturday 8am 4pm
Rustic Cedar Workshop

Brian Gluck of Vermont Rustic Cedar returns for an all-day hands-on workshop. Build a 6 foot rustic cedar obelisk to take home.
$70/$80 includes all materials. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Limited to 16 attendees

Email info@friendsofthehortfarm.org or call (802) 864-3073

Click here for directions to the Hort Farm.

July 13, Saturday 9am - Noon
Perennial Garden Maintenance Day MG-V
with Brian Vaughan, Perennial Garden Curator. Volunteers needed to help weed, deadhead and stake perennials. Bring pruning shears and weeding tools if you have them. Brian will review specific perennials in the garden, their uses and their cultural needs.
Free

July 13, Saturday 9am - 2pm
Annual Plant Sale Set Up
Many volunteers are needed to help receive truckloads of donated plants, set up tents and organize and price plants for Sunday's huge plant sale. We need you! Please call/email us if you can help out.
Free

July 21, Sunday 10am - 3pm
Friends of Hort. Farm 19th Annual Plant Sale
Select from a wide variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials and other plants donated by gardens and nurseries throughout Vermont.
Don't miss the 9 -10 am Members-Only Preview Sale.
Join or renew your membership now!

August 3, Sat 11am- 1pm
Dragonflies & Damselflies
These mysterious masters of the air are
more popular now than ever. They rival
birds in diversity and pattern, and their
fascinating behavior are easily observable.
Come see what the buzz is about with
naturalist Wally Jenkins. $10/$20

August 17, Sat 9am - Noon
Leaf Casting workshop
Come create natural objects to show off
in your home or garden. Nancy Simson
will show you how to make leaf castings
using your favorite large-leaved plants.
$25/$35 Pre-registration required. Limit: 12.

September 11, Wed 6 – 8pm
4 Seasons on a Cut Flower Farm
Diana Doll, owner of StrayCat Flower
Farm, will present a slideshow about
operating a 2 acre urban cut flower farm
in Burlington's Intervale. Fancy your own
cutting garden? Touch on insect management,
efficiency, and bouquets. $10/$20

September 15, Sun 10am – 1pm
Mushroom Walk & Talk MG-E
Join Robert Resnik and Stephanie Miner
for a fun-filled walk and talk in the Hort.
Farm woods followed by a lively discussion
of your “finds”. Bring a basket or
a paper bag, no plastic please. $10/$20
Pre-registration required. Limit: 25 attendees

September 28, Sat 9am - Noon
Fairy House Creations
Join Nancy Simson to create a fairy
house with natural materials for all the
elves and fairies looking for a home to
nestle into before winter. We will gather
materials found on the Hort. Farm from
9 to 10 and construct the houses from 10
to noon. You are also welcome to bring
your own materials. Pre-registration and prepayment
required. Children age 8 and up may
attend, with an adult. $20/30

October 9, Wed 6 – 8pm
Native Nut Workshop MG-E
Participants will "go nuts" as they gain
information from Elmore Roots’ Tyler
Durkel about area trees that produce
hard-shelled plant fruits. $10/$20
October TBD 12 noon - 3pm
Annual Members Meeting

November 23, Sat 10am – 1pm
Herbal Stocking Stuffers
Many beauty products contain ingredients
that are not beneficial for your skin.
Join Denise Quick to learn how to make
lip balms and skin care products from
ingredients, including VT grown herbs,
which nourish the skin. Take home 3
items that we make during the workshop,
as well as their recipes. $20/30 includes
materials

2013 Calendar of Events