Pat Morse to speak at Franklin Garden Club Meeting

Pat Morse, who operated Wadsworth Farm in Franklin for 26 years, will provide tips for successful vegetable and flower gardening at the Tuesday, May 3 meeting of the Franklin Garden Club that will take place from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street. The program is open to all residents.

Morse’s sister, Sue Hehn, a lifelong gardener and partner with her in operating the Wadsworth Farm greenhouses, will join her in offering suggestions for growing bountiful vegetable and beautiful flower gardens, including timing of planting, fertilizing, and dealing with gardening challenges. The sisters will also answer gardening questions.

Morse worked with her parents in cultivating vegetables before starting her own greenhouses in 1972. In 1986 she opened Wadsworth Farm, which she operated until 2012, establishing an excellent reputation for the quality of her vegetable and flower plants. The farm is now operated by her son, who raises blueberries and raspberries.

The Franklin Garden Club was founded in 1987 and became a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. in 2015. The Club sponsors a variety of educational programs. Members volunteer to plant and maintain the Veteran’s Memorial Garden at the Town Common, distribute pine tree seedlings to all first graders in Franklin schools, and provide a scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing an education in environmental or horticultural studies. Membership is open to all area residents. 

For further information, visit the Club website at: http://gcfm.org/franklingc/Home or email franklingardenclubma@gmail.com

Franklin Senior Center

In the News: Dean commencement, Garden Club, Fitness fund raising

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Franklin resident Allison Clarke will speak on behalf of the School of Continuing Studies students at Dean College’s 150th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. May 14 at Dean College, 99 Main St. Clarke is a business major who will receive her associate degree at Dean College. She has appeared on the dean’s list and will graduate magna cum laude. 

“I am grateful for Dean’s School of Continuing Studies,” said Clarke. “Without this program, I would not have been able to achieve getting a degree. Going back to school showed me that I can juggle working two to three jobs, a family and school effectively. Dean has extraordinary professors who made a huge impact on me through their personal stories and lessons. I am very lucky to have had the best professors throughout my college journey.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160428/franklin-resident-to-speak-at-dean-college-commencement

"Pat Morse, who operated Wadsworth Farm in Franklin for 26 years, will provide tips for successful vegetable and flower gardening 7-9 p.m. May 3 at the Franklin Senior Center, 26 Daniel McCahill St. 

Morse will speak during the Franklin Garden Club’s meeting. Morse’s sister, Sue Hehn, a lifelong gardener and partner operating the Wadsworth Farm greenhouses, will join her in offering suggestions for growing bountiful vegetable and beautiful flower gardens, including timing of planting, fertilizing and dealing with gardening challenges."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160429/franklin-garden-club-to-host-pat-morse

Lauren Tweed, of Franklin, will participate in a day of fitness at the inaugural Jimmy Fund Fit Fest on May 14 at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade at 47 David G. Mugar Way, Boston. She will learn from trainers while raising funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. 

The event will feature fitness classes including:—CrossFit with Austin Malleolo at 8:30 a.m.—Bootcamp with Derek Durkin at 9:15 a.m.—Combat with Tyler King at 10 a.m.—Sh’Bam with Carmen Rojas at 10:45 a.m.—Reebok Spartan with Cara Bednar at 12:15 p.m.—Yoga with Elizabeth Ekborg King at 1 p.m.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160428/franklin-resident-to-participate-in-jimmy-fund-fit-event

"Iris, the Greek Word for Rainbow" - Mar 1

Stephanie Markham, a noted iris cultivator, will be the featured speaker at the Tuesday, March 1 meeting of the Franklin Garden Club that will take place from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street. The program is open to all residents.

Markham’s talk, entitled “Iris, the Greek Word for Rainbow,” will provide information on growing and maintaining a colorful iris garden. She will show pictures of the many varieties of irises that she grows and breeds. For many years, she and her mother, Lynn Markham, have introduced new breeds of irises that are sold through Aitken’s Salmon Creek Garden. 

Franklin Garden Club

 Her three-acre Toadland Gardens in Norfolk, MA display a colorful array of irises, particularly in early June when irises are at their peak. An active member of the Iris Society of Massachusetts, she will also discuss the resources available through that organization. 

Markham is also a member of the Norfolk MA Garden Club and manages the Butterfly Garden at Stonybrook, the Audubon Nature Center in Norfolk.

The Franklin Garden Club was founded in 1987 and became a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. in 2015. The Club sponsors a variety of educational programs. Members volunteer to plant and maintain the Veteran’s Memorial Garden at the Town Common, distribute pine tree seedlings to all first graders in Franklin schools, and provide a scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing an education in environmental or horticultural studies. Membership is open to all area residents. 

For further information, visit the Club website at: http://gcfm.org/franklingc/Home or email franklingardenclubma@gmail.com

Franklin Garden Club to hear about multi-season shade gardens

The February meeting of the Franklin Garden Club will feature a program on creating multi-season shade gardens on Tuesday, February 2 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street. The program is open to all residents.

Paul Steen, a certified master gardener, will discuss the variety of plants that can be used to create an interesting and diverse shade garden, as well as various garden designs. A retired physician, he has been gardening for more than 50 years and manages a one-acre shade garden. 

Steen has served as an instructor at Tower Hills Botanic Garden, where he has taught courses on shade gardening, home greenhouse management, and tropical plants. He is a member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, where he is an Overseer and Past President of the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association.

Franklin Garden Club

The Franklin Garden Club was founded in 1987 and became a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. in 2015. The Club sponsors a variety of educational programs. Members volunteer to plant and maintain the Veteran’s Memorial Garden at the Town Common, distribute pine tree seedlings to all first graders in Franklin schools, and provide a scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing an education in environmental or horticultural studies. Membership is open to all area residents. For further information, visit the Club website at: http://gcfm.org/franklingc/Home or email franklingardenclubma@gmail.com

Downtown Partnership, Garden Club to Decorate for Holidays - Sunday Nov 22nd

The Franklin Downtown Partnership will team up with the Franklin Garden Club to decorate the downtown on Sunday, November 22. Volunteers and helpers are welcome to help install wreaths, bows and greenery.

Holiday wreath from December 2014

Interested volunteers will meet Beautification Chairperson Eileen Mason at 9 a.m. on the center island. Community service hours are available for students; groups and teams are encouraged to participate. Help is also needed on Saturday, November 21, at Hillside Nurseries to sort greens.

 

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to this event can contact Mason at emason4234@gmail.com. Sponsorship information is also available on the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.

Franklin Garden Club Meeting on Creating Rain Gardens

The Franklin Garden Club will co-sponsor with the Town of Franklin Department of Public Works a program on creating a rain garden on Tuesday, October 6 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street. 

The program is open to all residents free of charge. 

Shawn Mayers of groundSwell Designs will provide an overview of rain garden designs, installation, maintenance and costs. The presentation will include pictures of existing residential gardens. Mayers has conducted several workshops on rain garden designs and maintenance, including a highly successful one for the Town of Franklin in June. 

A graduate of the Landscape Institute of Harvard University and the Boston Architectural College, Mayers has more than 10 years of experience in landscape design. She holds several certifications, including those related to rain gardens and bioretention. 

“The Town of Franklin is taking a variety of steps to protect water quality by reducing the amount of pollutants in the stormwater generated from runoff from paved surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, and rooftops,” stated Robert Cantoreggi, Director of the DPW. 

“This includes partnering with the Charles River Watershed Association to implement a residential rain garden program in Franklin that involved two trainings for Franklin residents during which two demonstration rain gardens were constructed. These demonstration gardens can be seen at the Remington/Jefferson School and at the DPW Administrative Building and are part of the DPWs outreach program to highlight the benefits of capturing and recharging stormwater.“

“Creating rain gardens has proven to be a very cost-effective way to reduce stormwater pollutants going into lakes and rivers. The Garden Club is offering this program in collaboration with the Franklin DPW to inform residents of how they can easily establish rain gardens to support the Town’s stormwater management program, “commented Susan Childers and Mary Anne Dean, Garden Club co-presidents.

rain garden at the Parmenter School

-------------------------------

Date:     October 6, 2015

What:   Franklin Garden Club Meeting on Creating Rain Gardens; co-sponsored by Town of Franklin, Department of Public Works

When:  7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038, United States

Franklin Garden Club

Franklin Garden Club Meeting on Creating Rain Gardens

Date:     October 6, 2015

What:   Franklin Garden Club Meeting on Creating Rain Gardens; co-sponsored by Town of Franklin, Department of Public Works

When:  7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038, United States

Franklin Garden Club

Franklin Garden Club Welcomes New Members - Sep 1 - 7:00 PM

The Franklin Garden Club, which is now affiliated with the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, will hold its first meeting of the 2015-16 season on Tuesday, September 1 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center, located at 26 Daniel McCahill Street. 

Membership is open to all members of the community. Those interested in joining the club are invited to attend this meeting to learn more about the club’s activities and services. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to bring a perennial to swap with others. 

Franklin Garden Club

The Franklin Garden Club was founded in 1987 and became a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. in 2015. Activities include a combination of education and service. Speakers provide information on different garden related topics. 

Members volunteer to plant and maintain the Veteran’s Memorial Garden at the Town Common, distribute pine tree seedlings to all first graders in Franklin schools, and provide a scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing an education in horticulture or environmental studies. Members also participate in a yearly fundraiser, enjoy field trips to area gardens, plan a holiday dinner and auction and provide support to each other with gardening challenges. 

“A varied program has been planned for the coming year,” noted Susan Childers, club co-president. Monthly programs include presentations by experts on: Developing a Rain Garden (October), Creating Holiday Arrangements (December), Designing a Multi-Season Shade Garden (February), Planting and Maintaining Iris (March), Cooking with Kim and Fresh Vegetables (April), and The Wadsworth Farm in Franklin (May). Other activities include field trips to Spooktacular and the Boston Flower Show, cleaning of the Common in the fall and spring, the annual holiday auction, and tours of member gardens (June).

You can follow the Garden Club on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Garden-Club-Massachusetts/305256026231649

Reminder: Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

Franklin Residential Rain Garden Project

Learn to design, build and maintain a home rain garden to treat polluted rainwater from your driveway and roof while adding beauty and visual interest to your property.

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

When:

Saturday, June 13, 2015 

10:30 am - 2:30 pm 

Lunch Provided

Where:

Remington/Jefferson School 

628 Washington Street, Franklin

Register at www.soakitupfranklinma.org



Questions? 
Contact Alexandra Ash aash@crwa.org or 781-788-0007 x 200


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C5211-000F8513

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

Franklin Residential Rain Garden Project

Learn to design, build and maintain a home rain garden to treat polluted rainwater from your driveway and roof while adding beauty and visual interest to your property.

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

When:

Saturday, June 13, 2015 

10:30 am - 2:30 pm 

Lunch Provided

Where:

Remington/Jefferson School 

628 Washington Street, Franklin

Register at www.soakitupfranklinma.org



Questions? 
Contact Alexandra Ash aash@crwa.org or 781-788-0007 x 200


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C5211-000F8513

Community Garden: Official Opening & Plant Sale - May 23rd & 24th

Hello Gardeners!

The 2015 growing season is well under way, and many of the plots in the garden are already taking shape so great work! Even if you're a little behind there is plenty of time to catch up, and if you need a little help...

Event: King St. Memorial Garden Official Opening & Plant Sale - Saturday/Sunday May 23rd & 24th - 9AM to Noon 

We will be celebrating the official opening of the gardening season on May 23rd and 24th in the community garden from 9am to Noon. We will have organic seedlings available for sale, and will have committee members on hand to answer any questions you may have. If you have any specific requests let us know and we'll see if we can get them there. Please join us!

Open Plots

We still have a few open plots, so if you know anyone that is interested please direct them to the recreation department. They can sign-up, pay, and be assigned a bed immediately.

Shed Keys

Over the years we've lost a large number of shed keys to gardeners who have left and not returned them.  One of the solutions we're considering is switching the lock to a combination lock, as this would be far less expensive them duplicating additional keys and easier to distribute changes to.  If you have any concerns please let us know, if we do make the switch I will be e-mailing out the combination to all current gardeners.

Where and When for Pests & Diseases

This winter was longer and stronger than anything I've experienced in New England and it has also shifted the arrival times of some of the pests I would have expected to see already. If you spot anything in the garden please let me know so I can inform you of organic ways to deal with the pests.

Watering

One of the advantages of the deep raised beds in the community garden is they help reduce the number of times a week you need to water your bed. Once your plants are established a single deep watering each week with about an inch of water should keep your bed in great shape. At the beginning, however, and especially when the weather is very hot young seedlings need to be looked after daily until their roots establish. If you have any specific watering questions let us know!

With the weather as hot and dry as it has been make sure when you water that it is saturating the layers underneath the first half inch. It is very easy this time of year to just wet the surface and then have most of it evaporate before penetrating to the layers below.

What's Landed in the Garden?

Toddler for Scale

With the help of the Franklin Charter School and gardeners we've kept the weeds in the garden under control for the most part, but we do still have a few trouble areas. I have some Solar Cones that I've used to warm up the soil in my own garden, but what I've found they're really great at is solarizing a section of the garden that I want to kill all the weeds in. I'm going to be placing the cones in some of the trouble spots and moving them around to hopefully clear them of weeds. As a fun experiment stick your hand down the top of one on a hot day just to see how much they concentrate heat! I'll be setting these up during the Opening this coming weekend.

As always if you have any questions let us know!

Sincerely,

Chris Clay & The Franklin Community Garden Committee

--

http://franklincommunitygardens.com/

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - June 13

Franklin Residential Rain Garden Project

Learn to design, build and maintain a home rain garden to treat polluted rainwater from your driveway and roof while adding beauty and visual interest to your property.

Rain Garden Training and Demonstration - Jun 13

When:

Saturday, June 13, 201510:30 am - 2:30 pmLunch Provided

Where:

Remington/Jefferson School628 Washington Street, Franklin

Register at www.soakitupfranklinma.org



Questions? 
Contact Alexandra Ash aash@crwa.org or 781-788-0007 x 200


This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/020C5211-000F8513

Spring means it's time to start pruning

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to open in a browser. A gardening newsletter featuring Ask & Share and our friends at HGTV Gardens SPONSORED BY March Ask & Share Highlights How to Prune Shrubs Choosing the Right Pruning Tools Tips on Pruning Timing and Techniques Tips & Tricks By early spring we're all itching to get outside in the garden for some green thumb time. While it may still be too early for digging and planting in many parts of the country, it's not too soon to start in on pruning chores. So check out our tips on pruning tools, timing and techniques in this month's newsletter. Then sharpen those pruners and get out in the garden! Ask & Share Community Highlights Jemer asked: I pruned my hydrangea tree, and it's not blooming yet. Did I ruin the tree for good? NGA answered: Hydrangeas pruned to a tree form are usually panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata). This type of hydrangea sets flower buds and blooms on wood that grows in the current season, so the time to prune so as not to remove flower buds is in early spring, before new growth begins. If you pruned later, don't worry ... MORE Anonymous asked: When will I need to prune my persimmon tree? NGA answered: If you are just starting out with a young tree, you'll want to prune it to help it develop a strong central leader and well-placed scaffold branches. A mild day in late winter while the tree is still dormant is a good time for pruning. Once the framework of the tree is in place, a persimmon needs little pruning other than removing dead or diseased branches and suckers. ... MORE Choosing the Right Pruning Tools I love garden tools. When I have the right tool in my hand I feel like I can do anything. Without the right tool, working in the garden is a struggle. Back when I took my first horticulture class my teacher stressed the importance of careful tool choice and I thought he was nuts. Surely a pruner is a pruner? Not so. There is a wide variety of pruning tools for different kinds of pruning work, and choosing the right one makes all the difference in the world, for both you and your plants. Here's what you need to know. Read the full article From our friends at HGTV Gardens How to Prune Shrubs The best time to prune deciduous climbers and shrubs depends on whether they bloom on growth produced in the same or previous years. Generally, those that flower after midsummer are pruned hard in spring. Those that bloom in winter, spring and early summer are pruned soon after flowering. Read the full article from HGTV Gardens Tips on Pruning Timing and Techniques Early spring is a great time to prune many trees and shrubs. Start by making sure your pruning tools are nice and sharp. Then check out the following pruning tips for successful snipping this spring. Read the full article  NGA's Tips &Tricks Prune Winter-Damaged Evergreens Evergreens like arborvitae, boxwood, rhododendron and yew are especially vulnerable to broken branches over the winter because their foliage catches the snow, weighing them down. When pruning out broken or winter-killed branches, try to cut back to the next lower branch junction within the plant to avoid leaving an unsightly stub. Junipers, arborvitae, false cypress, hemlocks, pines, spruces and firs don't have live buds on old wood, meaning cuts made back into leafless portions of a stem won't resprout. If a branch of one of these evergreens is broken back into a leafless section, it's best to remove the entire branch. Train Young Trees Encourage young trees to develop strong branch angles on their major limbs and symmetrical branch placement that keeps the center of gravity over the trunk. Narrow branch angles are inherently weak and more apt to break off in strong winds or under a load of snow and ice. When you are selecting trees at the nursery, look for ones with their main branches attached at wide angles (think 10:00 or 2:00) and symmetrically placed around the trunk. Prune judiciously to encourage this branching habit as the tree grows. Use 3 Cuts to Remove Large Branches When you're pruning out a branch larger than a couple of inches in diameter, keep it from breaking off prematurely and ripping the bark below by use a three-cut system. Make the first cut upward from the branch underside about a third of the way through the branch you're removing. Make this cut several inches out from the trunk (or lower branch). Next, make a second cut down from the top completely through the branch a few inches farther out on the branch from the first cut. This will allow the branch to fall without harming the tree. Finish by removing the stub just outside the branch collar. Mantis Tiller Makes Gardening Easier Buy Direct and Save $40, NO-RISK TRIAL, Easy 4 Pay Option. FREE Planter Furrower for Limited Time! Join Ask & Share for more great information from the experts at NGA, our friends at HGTV Gardens, and real gardeners just like you! National Gardening Association 237 Commerce St., Suite 101 Williston, VT 05495 Visit us online: Garden.org  |  KidsGardening.org Manage My Subscription Download Media Kit Do you have a question or concern about this newsletter? Email the Editor

Franklin Annual Report 2014: Community Garden

It’s hard to believe that we are already into our fourth season at the King Street Community Garden! We are continuing to succeed in our mission to provide Franklin residents with a place to meet, learn, and grow, by providing a healthy space in which we can share the joy of growing organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

In partnership with the Town of Franklin, the Recreation Department and the nonprofit Friends of Franklin Community Gardens,

Your Community Garden Committee:

• Identifies appropriate locations
• Coordinates design and construction of new gardens
• Develops and enforces rules and regulations for the gardens
• Oversees the plot lottery, gardener registration and plot distribution

We pledge to continue:

• Supporting our community in growing local food
• Providing locally harvested food to those in need
• Promoting increased social interaction through gardening within our community
• Developing an educational garden for all ages

We are proud to report that in 2014, for the first time since the garden began, every single one of our 50 garden beds is occupied and growing and our waitlist for beds is empty. Five of those beds are producing fresh food for the Franklin Food Pantry and the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, allowing us to share the harvest with everyone.

Our work is paying off in more than just produce. Recently, we learned from a past-season gardener that with the knowledge she gained from participating in the Community Garden last year, she was able to build and maintain a raised-bed garden this year at her own home.

Our system of biweekly work days, in which gardeners help out with general garden maintenance, is continuing to prove effective. Our gardeners’ dedicated efforts to mulch and weed early in the season have resulted in the clearest paths we’ve ever seen. Thanks are also due to the Franklin DPW for their regular donations of wood chips.

We look forward to many more harvests to come! If you would like to join us for the 2015 season, please visit the Franklin Recreation Department in person or online. For more information about the Community Garden, contact us at franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com or visit our website at www.franklincommunitygardens.com.

*******

The Community Garden Committee meets the First Monday of the month at Town Hall. Check the Town of Franklin Meeting Calendar for details.

If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact any committee member or visit the Town Clerk’s office.

Christopher Clay, Chair
Bonnie Kaiden, Vice-Chair
Kiernan Reed, Secretary
Amy Acevedo, Member
Rich Clauser, Member

Respectfully Submitted,
Kiernan Reed

one of the raised beds in June 2014

The full annual report can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office (hard copy) or viewed and/or downloaded from the Franklin website here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2014report.pdf

Annual reports of prior years can also be found online at
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/

Gardener to Gardener: Growing houseplants this winter

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to open in a browser. A gardening newsletter featuring Ask & Share and our friends at HGTV Gardens December Ask & Share Highlights Unusual but Foolproof — Houseplants Peace Lily Care Tips: Give Peace a Chance The Freshest Herbs Tips & Tricks During the dark and dreary days of winter, you'll be glad of the life and color that houseplants add to your indoor landscape. And if you're missing the bounty of the summer's outdoor food garden, continue to reap a fresh harvest with some herbs on your windowsill. Get ideas for selecting and caring for easy-to–grow houseplants and tasty herbs in this month's newsletter. Ask & Share Community Highlights Anonymous asked: My rosemary has survived the first snow of the year. Will it survive the winter in New Hampshire? What next? NGA answered: Unfortunately, your rosemary plant will not survive outdoors through the winter in New Hampshire. Most rosemary varieties are winter hardy outside only to about Zone 7. To keep your rosemary over the winter, give it the coolest, sunniest spot you have indoors. Make sure not to overwater; let the top inch or so of soil dry out before rewatering, but don't let it dry out completely. MORE Anonymous asked: Help! My potted Meyer lemon tree was happy outside, not so much inside. Since bringing it indoors (about a month ago at first frost) the leaves are browning and curling slightly at the ends, and seemingly perfect leaves are falling. But it is producing buds and appears to have new growth. NGA answered: It's not uncommon for a plant like your lemon tree to drop leaves when it's moved abruptly from the high light intensity of outdoor sunlight to the less intense light environment indoors. Eventually your lemon tree will adjust and put out new leaves that are better adapted to lower indoor light levels. MORE Unusual but Foolproof — Houseplants I can't tell you how many times people have come up to me with a look of embarrassed apology and asked, "Can you recommend a foolproof houseplant for me? I seem to kill everything I try to grow indoors." Well sure, I can! And to make it a little more interesting, here are a few of my favorites you may not have seen before; plants that are a little more unusual than the familiar peace lily, pothos, or African violet, but just as easy to grow. Read the full article From our friends at HGTV Gardens Peace Lily Care Tips: Give Peace a Chance Peace lilies — which are not true lilies, but a member of the Araceae family of flowering plants — are renowned for their easy care. The peace lily is hardy and forgiving, and will even let you know when it is thirsty — look for the telltale droop. The shade-loving tropical plant is also known for its air-purifying abilities — it's great at breaking down and neutralizing toxic gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Read the full article from HGTV Gardens The Freshest Herbs As with vegetables fresh from the garden, it's hard to beat homegrown herbs for your culinary delight. However, for most of us winter cold puts an end to the outdoor harvest season. Fortunately, if you've got a sunny window it's not hard to grow your own fresh herbs indoors in winter. You won't be harvesting on the same scale as you might from an outdoor garden, but it's still delightful to be able to pick a few sprigs of fresh herbs to liven up your dishes this winter. Read the full article  NGA's Tips & Tricks Dust Your Houseplants Just like your furniture, the leaves of indoor plants get dusty, which can interfere with photosynthesis and transpiration and provide insects a place to hide. Give smaller plants a rinse with the sprayer at the kitchen sink. Be sure to wash off both sides of the leaves. Larger plants can be set in the shower. The leaves of large-foliaged plants can be wiped off individually with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of a few drops of mild dish detergent in a quart of tepid water, then rinsed with clear water. Neglect with Respect Simply put, most houseplants don't need as much water during the winter season as at other times of the year because they aren't growing as actively. Check the moisture level in the soil by sticking your finger in down to the second knuckle; if the soil is still moist hold off on watering. When you do water, do it thoroughly enough that some water comes out the drainage holes. Then allow the water to drain completely. If the plant has a saucer, dump any excess water after an hour or so. Don't leave your plant sitting in water. Raise Humidity Levels Heated indoor air in winter feels desert dry to many plants. An easy way to raise humidity around your plant is to fill a large, waterproof saucer or tray with gravel or pebbles; then add water to half the depth of the stone. Set the plant pot on the stones or pebbles, making sure the bottom of the pot is not sitting in water. As the water around the pebbles evaporates, it raises the humidity level around the plant. Join Ask & Share for more great information from the experts at NGA, our friends at HGTV Gardens, and real gardeners just like you! National Gardening Association 237 Commerce St., Suite 101 Williston, VT 05495 Visit us online: Garden.org  |  KidsGardening.org Download Media Kit Do you have a question or concern about this newsletter? Email the Editor