Franklin Garden Club Donates May Baskets to Nursing Home

Franklin Garden Club members created 40 silk flower May baskets for residents of the Franklin Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. 

Janice Cederquist, Co-President of the Franklin Garden Club, presented one of the arrangements to Maria Dascenzo, a resident at the nursing home.

Franklin Garden Club Donates May Baskets to Nursing Home

“The Garden Club, founded in 1987, offers members a wonderful opportunity to learn new information and tips from experts and fellow members related to many different aspects of gardening. Other Club activities include planting and maintenance of the Franklin Town Common gardens, sponsorship of an annual scholarship awarded to a high school graduate, and distribution of pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools,” noted Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean, co-presidents. “We welcome anyone who is interested to attend the first meeting to learn more about the Club and planned activities.”

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.  http://gcfm.org/franklingc/Home.aspx

Franklin Garden Club Member Honored as Unsung Hero

Debra DeGrazia of Franklin, MA, a longtime member of the Franklin Garden Club, was recently honored as the Club’s Unsung Hero at the Spring Meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of Garden Clubs Central South/Central North Spring Luncheon held at the Grange Hall in Sudbury, MA. DeGrazia received a special citation for her work on behalf of the Franklin Garden Club.

Over the years, DeGrazia has held several leadership positions, including that of president and vice president. She currently serves as treasurer. Her deep commitment to Club activities involves a wide range of services over the years. 

The citation presented at the luncheon stated: 

“Deb DeGrazia is very generous with her time and utilizes her creative, organizational and leadership skills to ensure club events are successful. Her contributions include: offering fun and interesting ideas for programs; setting up the annual holiday auction; ordering supplies for workshops and community projects, such as the annual Pine Tree Seedling Project; donating items for the monthly opportunity drawing, many handmade; and ensuring that the Franklin Town Common Garden, maintained by the Garden Club, receives special attention and care. These are only a few of the ways that Deb makes a difference every year. Whenever Deb sees a need, she finds a way to meet it – quietly and effectively! She truly makes a difference for the Franklin Garden Club.”

In addition to her involvement with the Garden Club, DeGrazia is Human Resources Director of her family’s business, Camger Chemical in Norfolk, MA, and a member of the Mass Paint Council. The mother of two children and two grandchildren, she enjoys working in her own garden in her spare time.

Deb DeGrazia, back row, left, was awarded the Franklin Garden Club’s Unsung Hero Award at the Spring Meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of Garden Clubs Central South/Central North Spring Luncheon.  Joining her at the meeting were the following Franklin Garden Club members: front row – Joanne Roche, Gail Matanes, and Carol Cowen; back row – Deb DeGrazia, Janice Cederquist, and Nancy Rappa.

Growing Herbs Inside All Year Round - May 10

May 10 Workshop - Register Today

Lifelong Community Learning presents Growing Herbs Inside All Year Round Download Flyer REGISTER $40 Thursday, May 10 6:30 to 8:30 pm Grateful Farm 49 Prospect Street, Franklin Let's grow herbs! Even if you don't have outdoor gardening space, there are plenty of herbs that you can grow indoors successfully on a sunny windowsill. Fresh herbs invigorate every meal and just make everything taste good.  www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com LCL@franklinps.net     508-613-1480

FPS- Lifelong Community Learning, 218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

Beautification Day in downtown Franklin - May 19

The Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club’s annual Beautification Day in downtown Franklin and the Town Common has been scheduled for Saturday, May 19. 

Dozens of volunteers are needed to help plant the flowers and greenery on the downtown bridge and in barrels in front of businesses. The event will go on rain or shine. 

Community service hours are available to high school sports teams, scout groups and students needing volunteer opportunities. 

A new feature this year is that residents who volunteer for Beautification Day can obtain a free, one-year, resident membership ($25 value) to the Franklin Downtown Partnership. Membership offers discounts to a variety of businesses and a subscription to the Partnership’s newsletter. 

Volunteers with trucks are also needed to help pick up a few trays of flowers at 7 AM at Fairmount Fruit Farm, 887 Lincoln St. 

Contact Beautification Day Chairperson Eileen Mason (emason11@verizon.net) to sign up to volunteer.

Volunteers plant flowers on the Main Street bridge in May 2015

For additional information on the Franklin Downtown Partnership  http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

This was shared from the Downtown Partnership page

http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2018/04/beautification-day-may-19.html

“Tools for the Aging (or Just Smart) Gardeners" - Garden Club Meeting - May 1

“Tools for the Aging (or Just Smart) Gardeners" will be the focus of the Tuesday, May 1, 2017, meeting of the Franklin Garden Club. The meeting will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club.

Mary Arnberg, a Massachusetts Lifetime Master Gardener, will show and discuss 15 actual tools that she uses to make gardening easier, enjoyable, and effective. The tools range in price from very inexpensive to more costly types. Most can be purchased at nurseries or stores.

Arnberg cares for more than 600 hostas and 60 trees and shrubs on a half-acre in Bridgewater, MA, where she resides. She has spoken at Elm Bank, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society site, as well as at Tower Hill Botanic Garden and at garden clubs throughout New England.

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

“Tools for the Aging (or Just Smart) Gardeners"  -  Garden Club Meeting - May 1

Franklin Garden Club: “House Plant Success” - Mar 6

“House Plant Success” will be the focus of the Tuesday, March 6 meeting of the Franklin Garden Club. The meeting will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club.

Franklin Garden Club: “House Plant Success” - Mar 6

Dr. Paul Steen, a Master Gardener certified by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, will discuss common mistakes that cause failure in caring for house plants and how to avoid them. He will provide practical tips and easy solutions to avoid failures. Steen will also discuss 12 common house plants and how to make them bloom and thrive. The program will include an opportunity to ask question and for participants to bring in a few of their house plants for Steen to diagnose problems and make suggestions regarding care.

Steen is a retired physician who has been gardening for more than 50 years. He owns a home greenhouse and manages a one-acre shade garden. He has served as an instructor at Tower Hills Botanic Garden where he taught courses in tropical plants, shade gardening, and home greenhouse management. An Overseer for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Steen is Past President of the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association.

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.  Visit them on the web at http://gcfm.org/franklingc/Home.aspx

Franklin Garden Club: “House Plant Success” - Mar 6

“House Plant Success” will be the focus of the Tuesday, March 6 meeting of the Franklin Garden Club. The meeting will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club.

Dr. Paul Steen, a Master Gardener certified by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, will discuss common mistakes that cause failure in caring for house plants and how to avoid them. He will provide practical tips and easy solutions to avoid failures. Steen will also discuss 12 common house plants and how to make them bloom and thrive. The program will include an opportunity to ask question and for participants to bring in a few of their house plants for Steen to diagnose problems and make suggestions regarding care.

Steen is a retired physician who has been gardening for more than 50 years. He owns a home greenhouse and manages a one-acre shade garden. He has served as an instructor at Tower Hills Botanic Garden where he taught courses in tropical plants, shade gardening, and home greenhouse management. An Overseer for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Steen is Past President of the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association.

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.  Visit them on the web at http://gcfm.org/franklingc/Home.aspx

Franklin Garden Club: “House Plant Success” - Mar 6

Franklin Garden Club: “Attracting Birds - Winter and Summer”

“Attracting Birds - Winter and Summer” will be the focus of the Tuesday, February 6 meeting of the Franklin Garden Club. The meeting will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club.

Ellen Davis, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Franklin, MA, will be the featured speaker. She will highlight the types of feeders, food and locations that can support a wide variety of birds coming to a yard or garden in every season. Store manager Haley Perry will assist with the presentation.

Davis, an avid birder, opened her store in 1996 in Medway, MA and then moved it to Franklin in 2011. Her interests in birds, as well as more than 28 years experience as a buyer for Jordan Marsh and the New England Aquarium has enabled her to establish a successful retail operation that is a well known resource for those interested in attracting and enjoying birds. 

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

Franklin Garden Club: “Attracting Birds - Winter and Summer”

“It’s part of the rhythm of what I do”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"At Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm, it’s already summer. 

Well, on paper, anyway. Or “in” paper, to be more accurate. 

Thousands of summer flower seeds in paper packets and plastic vials arrived at the farm a few days ago, and grower Laura Tangerini is fully immersed in thinking about the cheerful sunflowers, black eyed Susans, marigolds, cosmos, globe amaranth, and foxgloves -- among many others -- that will fill the pick-your-own flower beds come July. 

When the snow is deep and the air is icy, Tangerini says, “I prefer to think about flowers,” and every year when the seeds arrive she can’t help but think about them as she begins planning the summer wildflower garden in anticipation of another busy season."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180108/summer-takes-seed-at-tangerinis

Painted Lady Flower CSA shares are available, follow the link for details
https://squareup.com/market/painted-lady-flower-farm

Painted Lady flower shares will be offered for the 5th year in 2018

Franklin Garden Club - Annual Holiday Auction - Dec 5

For the first time, the Franklin Garden Club will open its annual Holiday Auction to the public. The event will take place on Tuesday, December 5, beginning at 6:00 PM. at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin. 

 A Silent Auction will run from 6:00 – 7:00 PM followed by a live auction beginning at 7:15 PM. Appetizers and desserts will be served throughout the evening.

The auction will feature a wide variety of holiday items made by Franklin Garden Club members, as well as other donated articles. Items will include beautiful live flower and evergreen arrangements, holiday decorations, baked goods, and other types of home and garden items.

“The auction is a wonderful way to jump start your holiday decorating and purchase gifts for friends and family,” noted Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean, co-presidents of the Garden Club.

All proceeds from the auction help to support the Club’s community activities, which include the awarding of a scholarship to a graduating high school student, the distribution of pine tree seedlings to Franklin first graders to mark Arbor Day, and maintenance of the Franklin Town Common Garden in partnership with the Town.

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

Franklin Garden Club - Annual Holiday Auction - Dec 5

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Creating Miniature Succulent Terrarium

Deb DeGrazia, treasurer of the Franklin Garden Club, will lead members in creating a small succulent terrarium at the Tuesday, November 7, Club meeting that will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00p.m. 

All plants and other required supplies will be provided. Members will leave with a complete terrarium and instructions on how they can replicate it for making additional terrariums that can be used in their homes or given as gifts to others. 

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. 

Franklin Garden Club

Community Garden - Build Day - Sunday, Oct 15

The pre-build day was successful last Saturday. All the lumber was cut to the lengths required for further assembly.

We need gardeners and volunteers to participate in Build Day, Sunday, October 15 from 9 to finish. 

If you have teens you want to bring along, who would benefit from Community Service, please bring them along! 

Again, please reply to bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com.

Please remember to bring battery power tools. A generator will be on-site for re-charging tools.

Remember to wear work clothes and work shoes, boots or similar footwear.

Morning Refreshments will be served!

Thank you! We look forward to a successful Build Day!

Your Franklin Community Gardens Committee

assembly of the new garden beds

assembly of the new garden beds 1

Community Garden: Wood Cutting Work Day - Saturday Oct. 7

Hello Gardeners,

SATURDAY, OCT. 7th 9:00 - 11:00 - WOOD CUTTING, PREP WORK

This Saturday, October 7th, we will be cutting and stacking wood for build day on the 15th. Gardens will be cleared as well. There will be a generator and chop saw on site. This is the last actual workday of the season so if you can lend a hand in this prep work please join us from 9-11 this Saturday. Rich Clauser will be on-site to direct work. Please email bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com if you can work this day.

ADDITIONAL GARDENERS NEEDED FOR BUILD DAY, SUNDAY, OCT. 15th

We need more gardeners to participate in Build Day, Sunday, October 15th from 9 to finish. If you have teens you want to bring along, who would benefit from Community Service, please bring them along! Again, please reply to bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com.

Please remember to bring battery power tools. A generator will be on-site for re-charging tools.

Remember to wear work clothes and work shoes, boots or similar footwear.

Morning Refreshments will be served!

Thank you! We look forward to a successful Build Day!

Your Franklin Community Gardens Committee

Community Garden: Wood Cutting Work Day - Saturday Oct. 7

Help the Community Garden rebuild their garden beds

Hello Gardeners, (and friends of gardening!)

ALL-HANDS BUILD DAY SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 9:00 AM TO FINISH.

ALL GARDENERS are needed for build day. Arrive before 9:00 AM on 10/15/17.

Sign-up: Respond directly to bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com or leave message at mobile 413-281-0487. I will contact you to confirm and answer questions.

OCTOBER 7: WORKDAY: WORKERS NEEDED TO PRE-CUT WOOD FOR BUILD DAY. CHOP SAW WILL BE ON-SITE. Respond to: bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com. Rich Clauser will be on-site to direct this work.

TEAM LEADERS NEEDED FOR BUILD DAY: Respond directly to bonnie.kaiden@gmail.com. Rich Clauser will contact you to coordinate and train team leaders.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Battery-powered power drill/screw driver (if you have) - bring drill bit kit
• Wrenches
• Screwdrivers, Hammer
• Shovels
• Gloves, hats
• *Wear enclosed shoes

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE!

We look forward to your responses and to working with you to re-build our garden on October 15. We also need people to cut wood on Saturday October 7 Workday.

On Behalf of your Committee,

Bonnie Kaiden
Chair, Franklin Community Gardens

a garden bed without the old falling apart wood frame

new wood delivered and ready for cutting building

what the new wood frames will look like

Note: after visiting and reporting on the Community Garden progress since the garden was born in 2011 I finally obtained a garden bed this year. It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to more growing seasons.


Photos from 2011
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157627530923300/

Birthday party in 2012
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157629949244080/

Franklin Garden Club: “Growing Winter Hardy Cacti and Succulents in New England”

“Growing Winter Hardy Cacti and Succulents in New England” will be the focus of the Tuesday, October 3 meeting of the Franklin Garden Club. The meeting will take place at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00p.m. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club.

Lau Magner, past president of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts, will be the featured speaker. His presentation will include slides of cacti and succulent gardens, as well as information on how it is possible to create a “Little Arizona” garden in a New England backyard. He will share very easy and doable secrets for developing such gardens. 

As part of this illustrated presentation, attendees will learn how to design and build a cold hardy cactus garden, what desert plants will thrive in the garden, where to buy the plants, and what to expect as their garden passes through a typical New England year. Magner has explored the vast deserts of the American Southwest to develop his expertise in creating desert gardens and has created his own garden in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

Franklin Garden Club: “Growing Winter Hardy Cacti and Succulents in New England”

Franklin Garden Club: Perennial Plant Sale - Friday, Sep 29

The Franklin Garden Club will hold a perennial sale on Friday, September 29 at the Franklin Farmers Market, which takes place at the Town Common. The sale will include a variety of divided perennials from the gardens of members, as well as the Town Common. Plants will be sold for $3.00 and $5.00, a significant savings over the retail cost of perennial plants. Also available for sale will be some dried flowers and decorative moss balls.

“Fall is an excellent time to plant perennials,” noted Deb DeGrazia, Club Treasurer and one of the sale organizers. “The weather is cooler and plants have several weeks to acclimate in the garden before the winter.“

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Club’s community activities, which include an annual scholarship and the distribution of pine tree seedlings to all Franklin first graders to celebrate Arbor Day and promote environmental awareness.

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market in July

Attention Community Gardeners: Build Day Coming

The build day scheduled for October 22 is approaching. The beds from the water hoses to the fence away from the entrance are scheduled to be rebuilt first. The beds from the entrance to the water hoses will be built in the second phase. To help with the build please clear out the bed by October 1.

Attention Community Gardeners: Build Day Coming

The wood frame around the bed will be removed and rebuilt.

Franklin Garden Club - Monthly Meeting Schedule Set for Sep to May 2018

The Franklin Garden Club will offer an array of educational programs for the 2017-2018 season. The first meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, September 5 at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club.

The year’s programming schedule is: 

• September 5: Kick-off Meeting and Perennial Swap 
• October 3: Hydroponic Gardening
• November 7: New England Hardy Succulents 
• December 5: Holiday Auction
• February 6: Attracting Birds in both Winter and Summer
• March 6: Success with House Plants
• April 3: Perennial Care 101
• May 1: Hostas – the Best Perennial in Your Garden
• June 5: Garden Tour and Annual Meeting

The Club engages recognized gardening experts to present the programs. Two field trips are planned, one to Borderland State Park in October and another to Bedrock Gardens and Sculptures in Lee, NH in June.

“The Garden Club, founded in 1987, offers members a wonderful opportunity to learn new information and tips from experts and fellow members related to many different aspects of gardening. Other Club activities include planting and maintenance of the Franklin Town Common gardens, sponsorship of an annual scholarship awarded to a high school graduate, and distribution of pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools,” noted Janice Cederquist and Mary Anne Dean, co-presidents. “We welcome anyone who is interested to attend the first meeting to learn more about the Club and planned activities.”

The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

Franklin Garden Club

"commercial urban agriculture is a newer trend"

With an Agricultural Commission underway, a thriving Community Gardens, and several farms in the area Franklin is maintaining a link to farming. And apparently, we are not alone!

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Long the domain of rural areas, commercial farming operations are now starting to take root in urban neighborhoods. 

“Demand has been really strong for this,” said Rose Arruda, urban agriculture coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, which has awarded approximately $1.5 million in urban farming grants over the past five years. 

Perched up on rooftops, packed into greenhouses or spread across vacant lots, urban farmers grow a variety of crops to sell to customers in their communities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170623/farming-takes-root-in-city

Franklin's Community Gardens is located at the King St Memorial Fields

"we’re looking forward to beautifying downtown”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Volunteers worked in the downtown and town common areas Saturday morning as part of a “beautification day.” 

Participants planted a variety of flowers along the bridges and roads of downtown and in the common to ensure the areas remained bright and vibrant throughout the warmer months. The day is a joint effort between the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the Franklin Garden Club. 

Eileen Mason, who coordinates the event, said it had been going well through the early morning hours. 

“So far, so good,” she said. “It’s a great day.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170520/sprucing-up-downtown-franklin

Franklin Garden Club members were working on the flower beds
last week in prep for the mulch to be laid out today