WINTER HIATUS

Looking for "The Corliss Garden Show" on local, terrestrial radio or on the web? We're off for the winter, but watch for announcements and updates on upcoming shows or events. Meanwhile, have fun, get garden info, a little inspiration or even a giggle at one of the other GardenAuthor blogs listed in our sidebar.

Your Host,
Deb Lambert

P.S. Have a glorious, productive fall/winter season... go to Corliss Clips for your fall garden agenda... and do indulge in a bit of armchair gardening this winter ~ after all, the 2010 garden season starts now!

Newburyport FALL Farmers' Market

If strolling around town, enjoying the river walk and taking in the Newburyport Farmers' Market was all part of your summer Sunday ritual... sampling and purchasing local, in-season produce and other wares... be of good cheer!

From Shari Wilkinson and the folks at the very popular Farmers' Market comes this timely and most welcome announcement...

The farmers’ market has been open every Sunday, since early spring, and continues through October 25th ~ from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine ~ at the Tannery Marketplace.

Now, here's the season-extending news.....The farmers’ market will extend into a Fall Farmers’ Market open every Sunday, November 1st through December 20th, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ~ rain or shine!

The fall market will include:
•Indoor/Outdoor Market
•Seasonal veggies, farmed locally
•Savories and sweet goodies to eat
•Artisanal handmade crafts
•Samples of tasty dishes made with locally grown produce

The Market Lounge inside the Tannery... a pace to relax, warm up and listen to live music.

Come experience how to eat seasonally!

Click here to visit The Newburyport Farmers' Market web site.

Corliss Prepares for the Parade!

Last Saturday found Corliss Bros. Garden Center & Nursery a beehive of activity, as preparations were underway for their participation in the parade, celebrating Ipswich's 375 year history.

As Lucy & I went 'round back to start our working day, this is what we found... the little Chevy apparently about to go off on a journey. This all made sense, when I learned it was entered in the parade as a float.

With its original engine still undergoing repairs, this gleaming, refurbished 1928 Chevrolet 'Huckster' will be even more noticeable as a float... pulled by a Corliss Landscape & Irrigation truck.

Who doesn't love old cars & trucks?

Love this shot!

By the time I sneaked out again with my camera,

preparations were nearing the conclusion.

The well-landscaped truck and float remained on display

all day Saturday, in the front parking lot, for all to enjoy!

"Since 1905" proclaims the tailgate, hidden a bit behind the floral display. Truly a fitting piece of Ipswich, MA history... as Ipswich continues to celebrate its 375 year history, right through the end of '09. And, although I was unable to attend the parade, reviewing all these photos was the next best thing to standing on the parade route. Hope you enjoyed our parade!

Photos & Text ©Deb Lambert '09

Welcome Listeners! Enter our Summertime Water Conservation Contest!

“What I did on Summer Vacation...
to Conserve Water”

A contest for our listeners... Water conservation is its own reward for ecologically minded, environmentally aware backyard gardeners everywhere. But this summer, water conservation is just a little more rewarding than usual!

Do you enjoy The Corliss Garden Show with Deb Lambert every Sunday from 8-10:00a on WNBP 1450 AM / live streamed at www.wnbp.com? This contest is open to all of our valued listeners, however you join us each Sunday. You'll need to listen to the show for details on submitting your one entry.

Corliss Bros. Garden Center & Nursery and Corliss Landscape & Irrigation have teamed up to offer some truly great prizes for winners of this Water Conservation Contest. So, here are the "rules of the road," along with the impetus behind this contest and the exceptional prize list.

Did you know? July is "Smart Irrigation Month." And August is National Water Quality Month!

Our little contest was first mentioned on July 12, just before the Ipswich Goes Green Festival... nice tie-in to water conservation, in general, and backyard conservation and recycling, in particular... the roles we can all play in “going green” all over the North Shore and beyond! Let’s share the water conservation measures we’re employing and the results! Each Sunday I’ll share with you the ideas submitted by listeners during the week.

The official contest kick-off was on 7/19/09 at 8:00a. Jim Rolfe of Corliss Landscape & Irrigation was an in-studio guest, shared conservation techniques and stressed the importance of new technologies, as we hone and improve upon irrigation practices.

1.) Contest title: "What I did on Summer Vacation... to Conserve Water" (sort of a play on the old school assignment given to students every September).

2.) Contest runs from 8:00a 7/19/09 - midnight of 8/31/09 - winners to be drawn on Sunday September 6th, during The Corliss Garden Show.

3.) Listeners to outline what they are doing to conserve water in the home landscape ~ which can include Aqua Save, smart irrigation systems, soaker hoses, mulches, rain gauges, rain barrels, gray water, xeriscaping, water erosion controls, reducing lawn areas, better choices in grass seed (drought-resistant/tall fescues), etc. One entry per backyard gardener... please!

4.) All email submissions must be date-stamped by midnight of August 31st and all postcard entries must be postmarked by midnight August 31st. Tune in to The Corliss Garden Show for complete entry instructions. (Please do not send or email entries to the station... they’re busy enough! This is a Corliss Garden Show Contest.)

5.) We will do a live drawing, during the show - from all entries - on September 6th.

Prizes:

1.) Grand Prize Winner may choose from one of these three items, donated by Corliss Landscape & Irrigation (depending on their current irrigation needs) ~

A.) Site evaluation for Irrigation to include system overview, clock programming, and recommendations.
B.) Wireless Rain Sensor installed on existing irrigation system
C.) Free Activation and 1 year signal provider fee with the purchase of a Rain Bird Et Manager, from Corliss Landscape and Irrigation or any other irrigation Contractor. ($134.00 value)
•Or, a more low-tech, but very practical option (from Corliss Bros. Garden Center)...
D.) A Jacks Rain Barrel as the optional grand prize (their choice black or blue).

2.) Second Prize Winner will receive 100' of soaker hose.

3.) Third Prize Winner receives a $25.00 Corliss Bros. gift certificate towards water conservation supplies.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue our regular garden chats with interesting guests, many of whom will be highlighting water conservation for home gardeners. The sun is shining! Summer seems to have finally arrived! We’re going to learn about water conservation from each other for the rest of the summer... and have fun while doing so. Join in by entering our little contest, sharing your best ideas with the other members of our garden community.


All Text: ©Deb Lambert 2009

“IPSWICH GOES GREEN” FESTIVAL SET FOR JULY 12th

“IPSWICH GOES GREEN” FESTIVAL SET FOR JULY 12^th

Ipswich is Going Green! Visit downtown Ipswich on Sunday, July 12^th, between 1 and 5pm and you’ll experience a host of demonstrations focused on the environment. Locavores take note – the best of Ipswich’s food producers will be onsite, with two of the Town’s favorite chefs competing in an ultimate Seafood Throwdown. Local artists will add their flair by designing an eco-themed mini-golf course, made completely from recycled and natural materials. Come see the art and play in it too! Or, browse through exhibits of organic products, green architecture, and native landscapes, while live music sets the beat. Ipswich Goes Green is a free public event...in the rain or shine. Learn more at www.IpswichGoesGreen.org.

“IPSWICH GOES GREEN” FESTIVAL JULY 12^th – EVENT DETAILS

Ipswich will celebrate its commitment to environmental sustainability on Sunday, July 12^th by showcasing the "green" activities of local people, businesses and municipal departments. From 1 to 5 pm, downtown Ipswich will be filled with demonstrations and exhibits focused on local farms and fishers, organic products, composting techniques, green architecture, native landscaping, and eco-themed art.

Localvores will appreciate a Seafood Throwdown – Ipswich chef Chris DeStefano of Christopher’s Table will face off against Ray Morley of Ipswich Inn Bed & Breakfast. Competing in an ultimate seafood cookoff, they’ll prepare fish from Cape Ann Fresh Catch and accent the dishes with picked-the-same-day produce. A winner will be chosen by expert judges and local celebrities. The seafood throwdown is sponsored by Cape Ann Fresh Catch and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance.

Cape Ann Food Pantry/The Open Door will bring The Good Food Farm, an interactive exhibit that encourages children to learn where their food is grown. The Good Food Farm is part of the

Mobile Market that brings fresh food and produce to families in need on the North Shore.

Local artists will add their flair in a thought-provoking, eco-themed 9+ hole mini-golf course, made completely from recycled and natural materials. Visitors can appreciate the art and play in it at the same time! Contributing artists include Cynthia August, Alexis Lyon, Charles Trainer, George Sherwood, Barbara DiLorenzo, Nancy Gallant, Alex Wilcox, and John Strohmeier. The artists will compete against each other for “best design;” the grand prize is a 1-month CSA share from Appleton Farms. Judging is by the Ipswich Recycling Committee. The course will wind from Memorial Green, across the Riverwalk, to the EBSCO parking lots.

On Memorial Green, visitors can view the “Community Building Community” project - a 21^st century shelter with renewable energy systems and reclaimed materials, beside a 17^th century settler’s home – an exhibit that illustrates the architectural, cultural and environmental changes that have spanned Ipswich’s 375-year history.

A panel discussion on the “Community Building Community” project will be led by Chris Doktor (Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects). Panelists include Geoff Blaisdale (Roger M. Burke & Associates), Robert Weatherall Jr. (Weatherall Design), Marc Simon (Azimuth Construction Inc.) and John Fiske (Fiske & Freeman Fine and Early Antiques). The Q&A will focus on the purpose of the “Community Building Community” project, what has been learned, and why the project is an important example of green building initiatives in the area.

Live music will play all afternoon, performed by Miranda Russell, Greenhead, and Chameleon.

Local vendors in attendance will include Russell Orchards (with cider donuts!), Fellows Farm CSA, Appleton Farms CSA, Green Meadows Farm, Ipswich Natural Foods, Christopher’s Table, Cape Ann Fresh Catch CSA, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, The Open Door, the North Shore Food Project, Parker River Alpaca Farm (with live alpacas!), Shaklee, Time Well Spent, Cradles to Crayons, greenscapes.org, Corliss Bros. Nursery & Garden Center, Savoie Architecture, Olson Lewis Dioli & Doktor Architects, Azimuth Construction Inc., Penguin Windows, Zap World NE, A&A Services, New England Biolabs, and the Ipswich Utilities Department.

Sponsored by New England Biolabs, the event is free to the public – rain or shine.

For more information, visit www.IpswichGoesGreen.org.

Detailed Schedule:

1:00 pm: Event concourse opens; Mini-golf opens; Live music by Chameleon

1:30 pm: Compost demonstration by Greenscapes.org

2:00 pm: Seafood Throwdown!

2:15 pm: Live music by Greenhead

3:00 pm: Panel Discussion: Green Design and “Community Building Community”

3:30 pm: Live music by Miranda Russell; Compost demonstration by Greenscapes.org

SUMMER SCHOOL FOR GARDENERS!

During a recent in-studio interview at WNBP in Newburyport, MA with 'GardenPup', right after The Corliss Garden Show, 'GardenAuthor' posed the following questions, in behalf of local gardeners and gardeners everywhere...

"Tell us, Lucy-Maude, would you recommend that folks listen to WNBP on Sunday mornings, from 8-10:00a, for weekly garden updates and answers to all those knotty garden problems?"

"Do you think they know about live-streaming at wnbp.com? And that anyone, from any garden on earth, can now listen and join in the Sunday garden conversation?"

"Tell all the local gardeners that our ever-popular, Saturday morning garden workshops are about to recommence, with a four-week summer semester? OK! Let's do....."

Corliss Bros. “Saturday Sessions” Return!

SUMMER SCHOOL’S IN SESSION ~ STARTING SATURDAY, JULY 11th

FOUR WEEKS TO HONE THOSE GARDENING SKILLS!

7/11 ~ Your Ultimate Rose Primer... Rose culture from planting to winterizing
7/18 ~ Backyard Produce... Success with backyard fruits and vegetables
7/25 ~ Go Native!... Growing native plants and attracting native wildlife
8/1 ~ Outdoor Living Rooms... Container gardens, garden rooms and backyard spas
Sign up for all four and enjoy lively, interactive classes with fellow gardeners!

Classes are FREE and are held here, at the Corliss campus, from 9-10:00a each Saturday, but plan to stay a little longer to take advantage of personal conferences and “field trips” afterward... Deb Lambert, Instructor

[Note: Our 9-week fall semester will commence this September 12th... details and sign-up sheets coming in Aug.]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER? COME JOIN US IN THE GARDEN!

Just respond via my email address [gardenauthor1@verizon.net] and let me know how many spaces to save. I look forward to familiar faces, from semesters past, as well as the enthusiasm of new gardeners... what a great time to play in the garden!


Photos & Text: ©Deb Lambert 2009

Three Upcoming Events from The Friendly Garden Club of Beverly

Plant Sale and Potting Shed Sale
Saturday, June 13, 2009 @ 9 a.m. to Noon
The Friendly Garden Club of Beverly will hold its yearly Perennial Plant Sale on Saturday, June 13th from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cove Community Center located on East Corning Street in Beverly. In addition to numerous varieties of perennials from our members' gardens, the club will be holding a "Potting Shed" sale, where new and gently used gardening items will be available for purchase. A limited number of potted arrangements will also be available. The event is one of the club's annual fundraisers that supports the club's civic projects and scholarships. For additional information, please visit www.beverlygardenclub.org or call Rae Abell at 978-969-2665.

Best of Beverly Contest
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Friendly Garden Club of Beverly announces its annual "Best of Beverly" contest. Entry forms are available at various locations in Beverly. Please nominate your friends, neighbors, or self; all gardens, window boxes, and traffic islands must be located in Beverly to be considered. All entries must be received by June 19th; judging will take place on June 22nd and 23rd. Winners will be announced at Cove Community Center on June 27th between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For additional information and an entry form, please visit www.beverlygardenclub.org or call Rae Abell at 978-969-2665.

Friendly Garden Tour
Featuring 10 Beverly Gardens
Saturday, June 27, 2009 @ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Friendly Garden Club of Beverly is hosting a Friendly Garden Tour on June 27th, Rain or Shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour features a variety of garden styles, both new and older plantings, and features a number of past "Best of Beverly" winners. The event is one of the club's major fundraisers to support its civic projects and scholarships. Tickets are now on sale at Sweeney's, Rose Hip, and through garden club members at an advanced purchase price of $15. Tickets will also be available for $20 at two gardens on the day of the tour. For additional information, please visit www.beverlygardenclub.org or call Rae Abell at 978-969-2665.


Just click here, for transport to The Friendly Garden Club of Beverly!