Garden Club Hosts Foodscape Program

Tuesday, May 9, 6 PM

By Christine Dixon

 

The Ando

Willamina T. Coroka of The Magpie’s Apprentice appreciating sage that grows in her garden. Photo: Meryl Gillen.

ver NH Garden Club hosts Willa Coroka of The Magpie’s Apprentice at 6 PM on Tuesday, May 9, when she presents Foodscaping 101 at The Andover Community Hub. What is foodscaping? Foodscaping, also referred to as edible landscaping, is a cross between landscaping and farming – integrating edible plants into ornamental gardens and landscapes. Rather than growing your vegetable gardens in separate enclosed areas, foodscaping combines edible plants into an existing landscape space.

A foodscape planter with lavender, thyme, basil, sage, and the annual plant, oxalis, a favorite of Willa Coroka. Photo: Willamina T. Coroka

Willa opines “there’s no rule saying you can’t grow your carrots next to your cosmos or tuck peppers amongst poppies or peonies, creating an eye-catching garden that not only feeds your soul but your belly as well.” During Willa’s one-hour presentation, she will show a variety of ways in which you can incorporate edible crops into your present or future gardens. You will leave feeling energized and invigorated to make foodscaping a realty in your landscape this growing season, making your garden both pretty and purposeful!

Willa is a self-described “nature gal.” Her heart is at its fullest engaging with the natural world, while flitting through the New England forests amidst the hemlocks, birches and pines. She graduated with her MS in Environmental Studies and has held seasonal jobs that took her from the coast of Chile to the mountains of Andalucia, and to a myriad of locations in between. She has a deep commitment for preserving wild spaces and a knack for evoking excitement in people’s perception of the natural world, which led her to form The Magpie’s Apprentice – a learning platform that offers eco-centered lectures, presentations, and workshops. In her spare time, you can find Willa propagating plants, designing course curriculum, hiking, traveling, reading, and spying on birds.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us on Tuesday, May 9, at 6 PM at The Andover Community Hub. RSVP to sight.unseenfarm@nullgmail.com on or before Friday, May 5. Come early to mingle and greet your gardening friends and to enjoy delicious refreshments courtesy of the Hospitality Committee. Announcements and programs begin at 6 PM. Program admission is $10 for members, $15 for guests and non-members. Pay at the door.