july 'moth night,' august open day with thomas rainer, september 'open day-plus'

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SPRING MAY HAVE FADED but there is still a long season ahead—including several big events I have in the works. Hope to see you at one or all of three very different offerings:

july 23: 3d annual moth night

THIS EVENT takes place down the road from me, in the dynamic and gorgeous Taconic State Park that my place is surrounded by. It’s led by two charming visiting entomologists from UConn-Storrs, and benefits Friends of Taconic State Park. We start at 7 with a Moth 101 talk, then open live light traps of the previous night’s catch, then as darkness falls head into the woods to “blacklight stations” set up to attract the creatures of the night. You won’t believe your eyes.

Read about the event, and reserve a spot. Space very limited.

august 20: open day, and thomas rainer events

JOIN US from 10-4 for a Garden Conservancy Open Day, plus plant sale by Broken Arrow, plus morning lecture and afternoon workshop by the revolutionary-thinking superstar landscape designer Thomas Rainer, author of the hit book “Planting in a Post-Wild World.” Rainer marries ecology and horticulture and it’s an exciting new way to think. All part of my town’s annual Copake Falls Day celebrations. Whew!

Read all about the event, and reserve a spot. Afternoon workshop space very limited.
Want to just come see the garden? Details about Open Day, from the Conservancy website.

september 17: ‘open day-plus,’ with andy brand

‘OPEN DAY-PLUS’ is a workshop-style, half-day event for those who want to dig deeper than we can at a bigger Open Day, this time co-hosted with Andy Brand of Broken Arrow Nursery. Explore the garden with us, including the seasonal meadow, water gardens, fruiting plants and other features that encourage birds, butterflies, pollinators and more. Andy, a native plant expert, is founder of the Connecticut state butterfly society, a keen birder, and understands the intricate relationships between plants and other garden residents. He’s also got an eye for improved versions of great natives, and we’ll learn the features, use, and tips for successful culture of his favorites. Two sessions to choose from, AM or PM.

Read about the event, and reserve a spot. Space very limited; the May event sold out in four days!

rethinking the lawn, with dan wilder

THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”