The Boscawen Agricultural Commission will hold its 2014 First Monday Workshop Series starting on January 6 at the Boscawen Municipal Complex, 116 North Main Street, 4th Floor, in Boscawen. The free lectures start at 6:30 PM; pre-registration is required (for seating and handouts) at 753-9188 ext. 301 or Agriculture03303@nullgmail.com.
January 6: Old Rules, New Goals: Eco-Friendly Gardening. Ruth Axelrod, UNHCE Master Gardener. Re-think our traditional gardening principles and practices, and consider alternatives that are based on the latest horticultural research and environmental science. This seminar presents a wide range of ideas for you to consider implementing in your own landscape this spring. Many of them will actually save you time and money! The seminar is popular with beginning and experienced gardeners alike.
February 3: From Garbage to Gardening: Black Gold. Ruth Axelrod, UNHCE Master Gardener. Recycle your botanical discards – plants, leaves, vegetable and fruit scraps from your kitchen and garden – by composting outdoors and vermi-composting indoors. All that it takes is some knowledge and a bin, which can be as cheap or fancy as you like. This seminar will show you exactly how to get started making your own free, high-grade fertilizer for your garden and reducing the trash in your local landfill into the bargain.
March 3: Geese & Ducks for Meat and Eggs. Dot Perkins, UNHCE Livestock Field Specialist. A very good choice for many backyard people, ducks and geese produce eggs and meat efficiently. They also thrive in inclement weather, help control insects and slug populations, and are entertaining. Dot Perkins will provide essential information and advice on breed selection, rearing, housing and care, so you too can integrate these personable creatures into your agricultural situation.
April 7: Native Wildflowers for Pollinators. Amy Papineau, UNHCE Field Specialist. Pollinators, including honeybees and native bees, are essential to the success of our agricultural crops and are vital to the maintenance of biodiversity in our natural ecosystems. Amy Papineau will discuss how to plan and plant wildflower meadows in the home or farm landscape to support local pollinator populations.
May 5: IPM for the Home Garden. Cindy Saka, UNHCE Master Gardener. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a comprehensive approach to using environmentally sound methods to keep pests at non-damaging levels in the garden or landscape. Cindy Saka will discuss how you can use IPM to keep common garden pests in check.