2018 Continuing Education Workshops

Members of the Joint Continuing Education Committee have put together a fantastic line-up of educational opportunities for Master Gardeners and Natural Resources Stewards.  Most workshops have a small fee. All proceeds are used to pay for current and future workshops, speakers, and events for volunteers.  Participants will receive an email a few days prior to each workshop with directions and relevant details.

Bedrock Gardens Day Date & Time: Wednesday, June 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 45 High Road, Lee, NH Cost: Free CEUs: 2 Website: https://www.bedrockgardens.org/

For the first time ever, Bedrock Gardens is exclusively open for Master Gardeners and Natural Resources Stewards. Come spend the day at this unique public garden which features unusual plant specimens, architecturally interesting rocks, pergolas, various fountains and water features, and garden art. Learn about the history and vision of Bedrock Gardens from Executive Director, John Forti. Tour the gardens, visit with docents, and learn how you can you can become a part of this magical garden. Bring a lunch and picnic in the gardens. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Tour and enjoy the gardens at your own pace. Register: http://signup.com/go/tBjaKwE

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center & Kirkwood Gardens Date & Time: Tuesday, June 19, 10 a.m. to noon Location: 23 Science Center Rd, Holderness, NH Cost: $20 CEUs: 3 Website: https://www.nhnature.org/

This visit to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and Kirkwood Gardens includes two private tours. At 10am Master Gardener Liz Stevens will lead us on a short walk to point out invasive plants and describe the Science Center’s control program. This walk will end at the Kirkwood Gardens, where we will meet Brenda Erler, the Kirkwood Gardens Coordinator, who has been an integral part of the construction, maintenance and design of the gardens since 1995. She will give a tour of this very special ornamental space, designed by renowned landscape architect "Sunny" Grace Kirkwood. Bring lunch with you to enjoy on the garden terrace, then spend the rest of the day enjoying the interpretive trails, visiting the native animal exhibits, or hiking to the top of Mt. Fayal. Interested participants can also make their own arrangements to cruise on Squam Lake for an additional charge of $27. Level of Difficulty: Easy. All of the buildings, exhibit trails, gardens are accessible. Participants should be prepared to walk around one mile during the guided tours. Registration closes on June 12. Non-refundable after registration ends. Register online: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2028914 Register by mail: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007216_Rep10422.pdf

Shopping trip to Van Berkum Nursery Date and time: Thursday, June 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Deerfield Cost: $10 CEUs: 0 Website: http://www.vanberkumnursery.com/

Van Berkum is a family-run wholesale nursery offering over 800 varieties of plants including natives, ground covers, meadow plants and unusual selections. You are invited to come and purchase plants at wholesale prices. Charge and debit cards are accepted. Plant information is available online: http://www.vanberkumnursery.com/database/database.html You may arrive anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 PM, but must complete shopping by 4:00 pm. Bring a wagon if you plan on buying several plants. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Although the nursery covers a large area, VB staff offer transportation via golf carts for you and your plants. Register online: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2067929 Register by mail: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007218_Rep10424.pdf

Rhododendron State Park and Widow Gage Town Forest Nature Walk Date & time: Tuesday, July 17 (Rain date July 18), 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: 424 Rockwood Pond Road. Fitzwilliam, NH Cost: $10 CEUs: 3

Come see the largest rhododendron grove in northern on a guided walk through Rhododendron State Park. Participants will get to observe, close up, the fragrant clusters of pink blossoms at the height of the flowering season. After a break for lunch (bring your own!) we’ll head over to the Widow Gage Town Forest, where you’ll see historic stone walls, learn about native plants, and enjoy scenic overlooks. If you’ve never seen native rosebay rhododendrons at peak bloom in their natural habitat, this trip is a must! Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Wear sturdy hiking boots, bring walking sticks if you normally do, pack a lunch and, of course, bring bug repellent. This trip will involve some uneven terrain and moderately strenuous hiking. Register online: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2085079 Register by mail: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007219_Rep10425.pdf

Appledore Island Walking Tour Date and time: Monday, July 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: UNH Pier Sullivan Lane, New Castle NH Cost: $50 CEUs: 4

Spend the day on Appledore Island, one of the nine beautiful Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and , and visit the Shoals Marine Lab. Travel out to Appledore on the University of New Hampshire research vessel, the R/V Gulf Challenger, with UNH Marine Docent tour guides. Investigate the intriguing intertidal creatures and zooplankton collected from the ocean at informal science stations on the boat.

On Appledore, explore the natural history of the island with the Docents. Look down to magnificent rock formations of eons past and up to a sky filled with birds that live on the island today. Learn about the plants that withstood the salty sea air to provide colonial settlers with remedies and today supply nutrition for the long voyages of migrating birds.

Discover the important role the Shoals played in the fishing economy of the 17th century. Find out about the amazing resort hotels on the Shoals in the 19th century and the people who flocked to the Isles for the healthy sea air. Visit the recreated garden of famous poet and essayist Celia Thaxter, who once lived on Appledore, and learn of her family's life on the Shoals.

Advance registration and payment are required. This is a very popular event and will fill up quickly. Registrations are nonrefundable unless the cruise is cancelled. Cruises go rain or shine and will be cancelled only in cases of severe weather or inadequate reservations. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Uneven terrain of the island requires moderate hiking and exertion. Expect to walk several miles. Register online: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2259297

The Song Garden Flower Farm Date & time: Tuesday, August 7 (Rain date August 8), 10 a.m. to noon Location: St Gaudens Road, Cornish, NH Cost: $10 CEUs: 2 Website: http://www.thesonggarden.com/

The Song Garden Flower Farm, run by Peggy Ogilvy and Dan Hertzler, is a micro-farm featuring a sustainable ‘pick-your-own-flower’ garden and ‘pour-you-own-tea’ teahouse. Peggy will guide us through her garden beds where she grows over 60 varieties of flowers suitable for cutting. The flowers are grown in landscape fabric and also in plastic with a solar operated artesian well drip irrigation system throughout. Go back in time as you enter the charming Tea House where you can purchase a drink and snack, then sit out on the porch or the grounds and enjoy the peace, quiet and the distant views of the Vermont Green Mountains. We’ll finish the tour with a short drive up the road to see the logging work done this winter by a team of draft horses. Bring a vase or jar if you would like to purchase some flowers to take home with you. Level of Difficulty: Easy. This will be a relaxed walking tour with many opportunities to sit and enjoy the scenery. Register online: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2571168 Register by mail: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007398_Rep10653.pdf

If you’d like to make a day of it in the area, visit St. Gaudens Historic Site, just down the road from The Song Garden, or drive over to Windsor, Vermont to see the Path of Life Sculpture Garden.

Tour of Roger Swain’s Garden Date & Time: Tuesday, August 21 (Rain date August 22), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Greenfield NH Cost: $10 CEUs: 3 Graciously, Roger Swain "the man with the red suspenders" has agreed to give us a tour of his home gardens that he created with his wife Elisabeth of 31 years. Roger is best known for hosting the television show The Victory Garden on PBS for 15 years. He is the former science editor at Horticulture Magazine and the author of five books. Today his favorite credential is that of a gardener for more than 50 years. Roger began gardening as a teenager and graduated from Harvard University earning a Ph.D. in Biology. Roger’s extensive knowledge of plants and willingness to share, along with his gift of storytelling cannot be matched. Level of Difficulty: Easy. Anticipate uneven walking conditions in the garden on this relaxed pace tour. Register online at: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2573360 Register by mail at: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007399_Rep10654.pdf

Interested in helping Roger out in his garden? We’re looking for a few people to help Roger with some weeding in his garden prior to the August 21 tour. If you are willing to commit at least a half or full day volunteering in the gardens during the weeks of August 6 or August 13, please email [email protected].

Fall Fungi Foray for Beginners Date & Time: Wednesday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Historic Estate and Gardens, 456 Route 103A, Newbury, NH Cost: $15 CEUs: 3

Curious about mushrooms and their identification? On this much anticipated tour, Montshire Mushroom Club member, Maynard Wheeler, will present an introduction to fungi followed by a foray into the rich Fells woodlands and ending with a mushroom identification session. Bring a basket and knife for collecting and dress appropriately for a walk in the woods. Bring a lunch and enjoy the gardens at The Fells on your own in the afternoon. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. You must be comfortable standing and walking on uneven terrain for an extended period. Register online at: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2573402 Register by mail at: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007400_Rep10655.pdf

On The Wing Raptor Rehab Date & time: Monday, September 17, 10 a.m. to noon Location: , 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, NH Cost: $15 CEUs: 2

Birds of prey are some of the most fascinating and elusive animals in the wild. If you’re interested in learning more about raptors and seeing live birds up close, in person, join us for a presentation by wildlife rehabilitator, Jane Kelley. Jane will give a general presentation on raptors and then introduce four of her captive birds. Jane is an accomplished wildlife rehabilitator that works with NH Fish and Game and has been featured on Chronicle and North Woods Law. Register online at: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2573444 Register by mail at: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007401_Rep10656.pdf

Tour of Shin-Boku Nursery Date & time: Tuesday, October 16, 10 a.m. to noon Location: Beech Hill Road, Wentworth, NH Cost: $10 CEUs: 2 Website: http://shin-bokunursery.com/

If you appreciate Japanese Gardens or Japanese Garden Trees, Shin-Boku Nursery is definitely a place to visit. The trees of Shin-Boku Nursery are painstakingly trimmed to produce a shape and personality consistent with the finest trimmed trees found in Japanese gardens. Most of the larger trees at the Nursery are at least 25 years old. Every one of these trees is a true piece of art. Owner Palmer Koelb has invited us to tour the nursery, enjoy the Stroll Garden, and picnic on the grounds after the tour. This garden also serves as the site for multi-day pruning workshops given by Japanese trained masters. In 2017 WMUR featured Shin-Boku on NH Chronicle. Enjoy this NH treasure with us! Level of Difficulty: Easy. Register online at: https://learnforlife.unh.edu/portal/events/reg/participantTypeSelection.do?method=load& entityId=2573536 Register by mail at: https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource007402_Rep10657.pdf