Upcoming Events for 2010
Speaker's Series | Out and About
Our Speaker's Series
Join us at Sugarbush Nursery for workshops and talks all season long. All talks focus on sustainable gardening practices and related topics - and there's something for everyone! Please note: RSVP's are appreciated for all events to info@sugarbushnursery.com or 610-856-0998. All events will take place rain or shine, and there is a suggested donation of $3 per adult per event, unless otherwise specified.
April
Saturday, April 24th, 11 AM: Succession Planting in Your Vegetable Garden
Speaker Erica Bowers Lavdanski will discuss how to maximize your space and yields through succession planting - for harvests all season long! Learn which crops need to be planted more than once in a season. We will be talking about planting dates, harvesting techniques and tricks for getting the most out of your space.
Erica Bowers Lavdanski is the co-owner of B&H Organic Produce in Morgantown, specializing in a wide variety of organically-grown produce and fresh cut flowers. B&H sells its produce at the West Reading Farmer’s Market and Hartz Store.
May
Saturday, May 29th, 11 AM: Wild Edible and Medicinal Herb Walk
Our speaker, Rosanna King, will take participants on a short walking tour to identify and learn about a dozen species of wild, edible and/or medicinal herbs that are commonly found in meadows, woodlands, and yes - even backyards. These herbs include plantain, chickweed, amaranth, nettles, lamb's quarters, burdock, mallow, poke, chicory, dandelion, red clover, and purslane.
Rosanna, a 2006 Herbalist graduate of the School of Natural Healing, delights in introducing people to her wild herb friends. One of her favorite quotes is, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food." - Hippocrates. She believes everyone would do well to make wild foods a part of their diet because of their superb nutritional value.
Along with her family, Rosanna runs King's Herb Nook, near Honey Brook, in Chester County. Inside this unique herb shop you will find dried herbs, herbal extracts, soaps, salves, books on herbs and gardening, organic bulk foods, and more, and outside during the spring and summer, over 200 herb plants for you to plant in your garden.
Please note: There is a $12 fee per person for this herb walk (children are free).
June
Saturday, June 19th, 11 AM: Permaculture for Home Gardens
Permaculture is usually thought of as an approach to creating a sustainable farming system in which plants, animals, the land, and the seasons are all integral partners. Yet, these principles can also be applied to the home landscape. Mason Vollmer will share insights into how we can be a better partner with our environment that is always trying to heal itself.
Mason Vollmer studied Soil Science at California State Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo and Biodynamic Farming and Gardening at Emerson College in England. He worked in Rural Development in the Dominican Republic and has taught gardening for 20 years. He currently co-leads the Land Works crew at Camphill Soltane, focusing on the apple orchard and composting operations.
July
Saturday, July 3rd, 11 AM: Winter Keepers: Storing Root Vegetables in Your House
Eating more local, seasonal foods means that you have to learn a few tricks to storing your harvests – or your Farmer’s Market finds! Learn about the types of vegetable crops that can be stored in a basement, root cellar, or other suitable location at home through the fall and winter months. We’ll share tips on how you can create the right kinds of conditions for long-term storage - no refrigeration or canning required!
Anne-Marie McMahon, owner of Sugarbush Nursery, will lead this talk.
Saturday, July 24th, 11 AM: Butterfly Identification
Learn to identify 15-20 species of butterflies, which will be netted for this talk and then released! This is a family-friendly event that is great for kids and adults alike. This talk will also include a discussion of the major nectar and food sources for butterflies.
Speaker Harold Lebo maintains a large butterfly garden at his Robeson township home, which he opens for tours every year. In addition to being a butterfly enthusiast, Harold also maintains bluebird trails in Robeson Township, Oley, and Nolde Forest, and has birded around the world.
August
Saturday, August 7th: Natural Building with Cob
10 AM: Talk and Tour | 11 AM - 4 PM: Optional hands-on workshop
Learn about natural building with cob – a simple mixture of clay, sand, water and straw – to add beautiful, home-made walls and other structures to your garden. This event will be held at Tangled Wood Cottage, where owners Dorothy and John Daily have constructed a charming cob wall framing their cottage garden. Come and be inspired! Meet at Sugarbush at 9:45 AM to caravan to Tangled Wood, just a few minutes away.
A talk and tour will begin at 10 AM, and conclude by 11 AM; there is a $5 fee per adult for this portion. A hands-on workshop will follow from 11 AM – 4 PM for those who wish to work on an actual cob building project. This is highly recommended! Lunch is included, or bring your own. There is a $5 fee per person for this portion; dress to get messy!
RSPV’s are REQUIRED for this event. Participation limited to 12. Rain date: Saturday, August 14th.
Saturday, August 28th, 10 AM - 4 PM: Rt. 10 Organic Farm and Nursery Tour
Our event was a hit last year, so we're doing it again! Sugarbush Nursery teams up with other organic growers on Rt. 10 to bring you a full day of educational programs and discounts - and a chance to win a gift certificate for $25! Pick up a free ticket at any of the locations on the Tour, then get your ticket punched at each grower during the day to be entered in the drawing.
Plan your trip around educational talks at each grower at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Check this site soon for topics! Then, enjoy great discounts from each grower on this day only!
Each grower is approximately a 10-minute drive from the others - all located directly on Rt. 10! See details and map below; check back for other locations to be added for the 2010 Tour.
Sugarbush Nursery
4272 Morgantown Rd., Mohnton, PA 19540
(610) 856-0998 | www.sugarbushnursery.com
Specializing in: Over 200 varieties of perennials and shrubs that are native to PA, all organically grown and/or cared for. Also, organic and clean-air gardening productsB&H Organic Produce
211 Twin County Rd., Morgantown, PA 19
(610) 372-8318 | www.bhorganicproduce.com
Specializing in: Organically-grown produce including greens, beans, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and fresh cut flowers.King's Herb Nook
1060 Compass Rd., Honey Brook, PA
(610) 273-4583 | Website
Specializing in: Over 200 varieties of organically-grown culinary, medicinal, and ornamental herb plants, plus herbal crafts, herbal salves, soap, creams, lip balm, bath salts, & more.
September
Saturday, Sept. 25th, 11 AM: Native Plant Backyard Meadows
Native meadow plants are at their peak bloom in late summer and early autumn, when they attract many butterflies and other pollinators and provide shelter for larger wildlife. Native plants are preferred over European and Asian imports because they are more useful overall to our butterflies and other insects as larval food sources, as well as providing nectar and pollen for adults. Jan and Mike Slater will discuss and demonstrate how to establish a backyard meadow, including preparation of the area, recommended native plants, weed control, and long-term maintenance.
The Slaters have a front-yard meadow at their Mohnton home (right: the rain garden lining the Slater's driveway). They are avid seed collectors, and are coordinators of the Berks Native Plant Seed Bank project.