It will be months before you can plant the enticing seeds showcased in gardening catalogs. But now is a good time to learn how to make them thrive.
“March is the time to start seeds, and you want to give them a chance to grow in a healthy way so they can fend off disease and pests,” said Jon Belber, education director at Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset. “You don’t need to get the seeds dependent on chemicals if you give them good compost and monitor them.”
Belber will give a workshop on organic gardening at the Spring Stirrings Flower Show at the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell. The show, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, also features workshops in bee keeping, water gardening and orchid care, as well as floral displays.
The show kicks off with a benefit party amidst the flowers from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday in the Science Center. The money raised will be used to support and expand education programs.
Like organic gardening, water elements in gardens are popular, said Doug Litchfield, owner of Hillbilly Acres in Scituate. He will give a workshop on their construction and maintenance.
“They give a bit of tranquility in the landscape,” said Litchfield, who installs water gardens and also consults for people who want to build their own. “But you can spend a lot of money for something that is a big disappointment if it’s not done properly.”
There will be nearly a dozen floral displays and arrangements by Cohasset Village Greenery, Kennedy’s Country Gardens, Gardeners Choice, A & P Orchids, Walpole Woodworkers, Village Gardens, Scituate Garden Club and others. Bulbs, seeds and gardening items, as well as lunch, will be sold.
Floral display admission alone is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Admission is included with workshops, which cost $12 each, or $10 each for two or more.
The weekend kicks off with a benefit party from 7-10 p.m. Friday, featuring a high school string quartet and jazz ensemble, catered fare from the Red Lion Inn and a dozen other restaurants and caterers, a cash bar, and silent and live auctions of catered dinners, cooking classes, trips and more. Tickets are $50. For more information, call 781-659-2559 or go to ssnsc.org.
Patriot Ledger writer Jody Feinberg may be reached at jfeinberg@ledger.com.
