Category: Gardens

Virtual sustainability talk: Restoring the Little Things That Run the World

Posted on by Sue

We are pleased to find out about this virtual program, offered by the Randall Library in Stow, in time! It’s this week, Wednesday Oct. 25 at 7:00pm. While it’s part of a monthly series in Stow, this information applies to people everywhere! Click here to register on their site, and receive the Zoom link.

A recent UN report predicts that as many as 1 million species will disappear from planet earth because of human activities. Many of these are insects and nearly all species at risk rely on insects. Insects have already declined 45% since 1974. The most alarming part of this statistic is that we don’t seem to care, despite the fact that a world without insects is a world without humans! So how do we create beautiful landscapes brimming with life; landscapes that support the pollinators, herbivores, detritivores, predators and parasitoids that run the ecosystems we depend on? Author/professor Doug Tallamy will remind us of the many essential roles insects play, and describe the simple changes we must make in our landscapes and our attitudes to keep insects on the ground, in the air and yes, on our plants. 

This series occurs every month, discussing contemporary topics about sustainability. Topics are announced as they become available.

The Garden Tourist, Florida: a Zoom Presentation

Posted on by Sue

A trip to Florida is definitely sounding good right now! We are delighted to welcome garden designer and author Jana Milbocker back for a Zoom presentation on Tuesday afternoon, January 10th at 3 pm, by the Falmouth Public Library. Click here to register and get the Zoom link, or contact the reference department at 508-457-2555 x 7! 

Enjoy a virtual trip to the Sunshine State with a tour of exquisite gardens in Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Naples and Miami. Learn about the palms, bromeliads, hibiscus and other gorgeous plants that thrive in this tropical climate. Please note that we are unable to record this event. 

Jana combines horticulture, design, and travel tips to educate, inspire and delight both new and seasoned gardeners. She loves to visit gardens and historic sites in the U.S. and abroad, and share her trips through her books, photos and blog. Her previous books are The Garden Tourist: 120 Destination Gardens and Nurseries in the Northeast in 2018, and The Garden Tourist’s New England: all are available at the library and at Eight Cousins Books.

She has lectured at flower shows in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New York and New Jersey, as well as a multitude of horticultural societies, garden clubs, and libraries in the Northeast. She is the owner of Enchanted Gardens, a landscape design firm in the Boston area. She is the past president of the Holliston Garden Club, and she is active in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and GardenComm International.

This event is free and appropriate for adults and teens, and is sponsored by the Board of Library Trustees.

Raising Monarch Butterflies Indoors: The Magic of Milkweed, Metamorphosis, and Migration

Posted on by Sue

Join us on Thursday, July 21st from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM when Mary Barry will provide an overview of how to raise your own Monarch butterflies.  Registration required, click here to register, or call, email or stop by (see phone and email at the bottom)! Monarch butterflies and their habitats have declined in recent years.  We can all help ensure we continue to see Monarchs in our town.  Join Mary in learning how you can be part of the solution by raising your own Monarch butterflies.

The following topics will be covered: the importance of milkweed, the supplies needed to raise butterflies, what to expect, and how to tag butterflies.

Mary Pat Barry’s Monarch journey started with the purchase of 3 tiny milkweed plugs at a Master Gardener plant sale 7 years ago.  Since then she has raised monarchs from eggs gathered from a variety of milkweed plants in her yard.  After the caterpillars go to chrysalis and emerge as butterflies, they are all released for their migration to Mexico.  Mary has raised thousands of Monarchs, tagged hundreds and even performed surgery on butterfly wings. Mary is also a Master Gardener.

You can also contact the reference department at info@falmouthpublicilbrary.org, 508-457-2555 x 7 or drop by the reference desk.  

Attracting Birds, Butterflies, Bees and Other Beneficials

Posted on by Sue

We are delighted to welcome naturalist and landscaper John root for a Zoom presentation on Tuesday evening, May 25th at 7 pm, by the Falmouth Public Library!

John will describe the essential roles played by birds, pollinators, and other beneficial wildlife, and provide guidance on meeting their needs for food, cover, and water. He will discuss a variety of plants that nourish these organisms throughout their lifecycles, and explain some organic methods for establishing wildlife habitat.

John is a landscaper in the Amherst, Ma area, and he has studied botany at a graduate level.  He has given numerous presentations on gardening and nature interpretation at libraries, senior centers and many other venues, and has previously led edible wild plant walks, taught science at a high school, and owned a daycare featuring arts and nature exploration. He is currently an organizer with Western Mass Pollinator Networks, promoting the establishment of pollinator habitat on public and private land.

This event is free and appropriate for adults and teens, and is sponsored by both the Trustees of the Falmouth Public Library and the Falmouth Cultural Council.  Registration is required before the event, to receive the link. Please register online at falmouthpubliclibrary.org/events, or contact the reference department at 508-457-2555 x 7.

Missed this event?  You can now watch the recording of it anytime from our YouTube page!  Just click here.

The Garden Tourist returns!

Posted on by Sue

By popular demand, we are delighted to welcome garden designer and author Jana Milbocker back for an encore Zoom  presentation on Wednesday evening, May 12th at 7 pm!

Do you enjoy beautiful gardens? In this armchair tour of some of the best public gardens and hidden gems of New England, you will learn about each garden’s history, horticultural highlights and special events that will inspire you to plan your own visit!

Jana combines horticulture, design, and travel tips to educate, inspire and delight both new and seasoned gardeners. She loves to visit gardens and historic sites in the U.S. and abroad, and share her trips through her books, photos and blog. She published The Garden Tourist: 120 Destination Gardens and Nurseries in the Northeast in 2018, and The Garden Tourist’s New England in 2020, both available at the library.

She has lectured at flower shows in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New York and New Jersey, as well as a multitude of horticultural societies, garden clubs, and libraries in the Northeast. She is the owner of Enchanted Gardens, a landscape design firm in the Boston area. She is the past president of the Holliston Garden Club, and she is active in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and GardenComm International.

This event is free and appropriate for adults and teens, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Falmouth Public Library.  Registration is required before the event. Please register online by clicking here for the form, or contact the reference department at 508-457-2555 x 7.