SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 12, at the Devens Common Center in Devens, Massachusetts, for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Nashua River Watershed Association, Paddle Forward. The Nashua River Watershed Association protects the rivers and streams that are the lifeline of our communities, connecting rural and urban, aquatic and terrestrial, wildlife and human. For registration, visit https://www.nashuariverwatershed.org/
Whether edible or not, flashy or tiny, on trees or in the soil, mushrooms come in so many fascinating varieties—more than you might realize. Take a walk through the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary on October 31 from ten to noon with an experienced mycologist in search of local fungi, from polypores and gilled mushrooms to species that defy easy categorization.
Learn about where different fungi grow, what ecological roles they play, and how to begin identifying them in the field using key distinguishing features. You’ll leave the walk with a permanent shift in how you view the forest floor. Mass Audubon members $25, nonmembers $30. Registration is required at https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/drumlin-farm/103392-fungi-field-walk
Dr. David Marsh and The Gardens Trust present some thoughts on the origins of the English obsession with gardening, online, on October 20.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the English are obsessed with gardening. Much less clear is when this obsession started. Was it with Gertrude Jekyll, Capability Brown, or William Kent? This talk argues that it much earlier than you probably think and for reasons that you probably haven’t considered. And what’s it all got to do with Katherine of Aragon, Dr Faustus and mass immigration? There’s only one way of finding out!
This ticket is for this individual session and costs £8 (Gardens Trust members £6 ) Register through Eventbrite UK HERE.
Ticket holders can join the session live and/or view the recording until 3 November .
Attendees will be sent a Zoom link 2 days prior to the start of the talk, and again a few hours before the talk. A link to the recorded session (available until 3 November) will be sent shortly afterwards.
Dr David Marsh was awarded his PhD in 2005 for a study of the ‘Gardens and Gardeners of Later-Stuart London’ and has been lecturing and supervising research in Garden History ever since. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Buckingham and was co-course director for their MA in Garden History. A trustee of the Gardens Trust from 2016-2023, he helped set up and run the Trust’s online lecture programme and is the author of a weekly blog about garden history. Illustration courtesy of The Nature of Shakespeare.
The Native Plant Trust’s annual fall event, exclusively for members, is right around the corner. On Thursday, October 22, Garden in the Woods will be lit by more than 1,000 luminaria and delightful displays. Tickets are on sale at https://nativeplanttrust.org/event/night-of-illumination/ Remember, this special evening is just for members, so join or renew now to enjoy intriguing sights on this “one night only” nocturnal stroll. See you on October 22!
Learn how to make unique craft cocktails with a botanical twist. Join the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill on October 29 from 6 – 8 to practice new skills, try new recipes and spirits, and learn fun plant facts. The session features two unique botanical cocktails: a signature drink highlighting the session’s featured spirit and a vodka-based creation with a dedicated mocktail variation. Beyond the recipes, every class introduces a new mixology technique to help you build your craft, one skill at a time.
Recipes will be provided for you to take home.
All cocktails will feature nut-free ingredients.
All attendees must be 21 and provide ID.
Featured spirit: Mezcal
$66 for NEBG members, $78 nonmembers. Register HERE.
Step into the often-complex history of Thomas Jefferson’s landscapes and gardens at Monticello. The heirlooms of the garden, like priceless antiques, can tell us important and fascinating stories about our past. Unlike fragile relics kept in museums, living antiques depend upon us for survival and are best preserved and enjoyed by growing them. Peggy Cornett, Monticello’s Curator of Plants, will discuss Jefferson’s lifelong passion for the natural world, landscape design, and horticulture and the many plant varieties—from historic tulips and ancient roses to heirloom fruits and vegetables—that have been collected, propagated, and preserved through the Center for Historic Plants for over forty years. This American Horticultural Society online program will take place October 29 at 2 pm Eastern, and is $15 for AHS members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at https://ahsgardening.org/ahs-live-thomas-jeffersons-gardening-legacy/
Peggy Cornett, curator of plants, has worked at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello since 1983, beginning as the associate director of gardens and grounds. She earned degrees in English and Botany from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Prior to Monticello, Peggy worked in the restored gardens at Old Salem Museum and Gardens (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) and Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana. She served as director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants for seventeen years. Peggy often lectures on garden history topics, writes articles for gardening magazines, professional journals and books, and gives radio and television interviews including PBS programs. Peggy serves on the garden advisory panel for Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest and edits Magnolia, the publication of the Southern Garden History Society (SGHS). In 2008, she received the SGHS “Flora Ann Bynum Medal” for exemplary service in the garden history field. In 2016 she received the Garden Club of America’s Zone VII Horticultural Commendation for her horticultural expertise, generosity in sharing knowledge, and dedication to preserving Thomas Jefferson’s botanical legacy. More recently Peggy received Honorary Memberships in the Garden Club of Virginia and the Garden Club of America. Peggy’s book, Thomas Jefferson’s Flowers, Historic Gardens at Monticello, was published by the University of Virginia Press and released May 2026.
This Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts flower show is scheduled for Friday, October 23, Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. This event is included with General Admission to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your preferred date. You can also buy tickets in person at the Garden.
General Admission tickets for October are on sale now iand they can be reserved through our Plan Your Visit page.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Show: 10AM-5PM
Lecture: “I Was Given This Plant: Now What!” | 11AM-12PM
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Show: 10AM-5PM
Lecture: “Behind the Blooms: Bringing Flower Shows to Life” | 11AM-12PM
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Show: 10AM-4PM
The Central North and Central South Districts of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts will be hosting this National Garden Club Standard Flower Show at the Garden. The show offers members of Garden Clubs in the New England Region and beyond an opportunity to exhibit floral designs, horticultural specimens, and educational exhibits with the intent to educate club members and the viewing public and stimulate interest in horticulture and floral design. The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts offers many opportunities for education in the gardening world, and the show provides insight into just some of the interests and talents nurtured by the state and individual clubs.
Join the Women’s Lunch Place and the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay on Thursday, November 12 at 6 pm for a festive benefit for Women’s Lunch Place and NABB. The event takes place at 67 Newbury Street in Boston. Mingle with your neighbors during this fun event while supporting two worthwhile causes! Enjoy a delicious harvest of culinary selections, wine, and craft beers.
Get some early holiday shopping done during our Silent Auction, which features sports tickets, restaurant gift cards, and more. We will also have an art gallery full of beautiful creations from WLP guests, all available for purchase. Sponsorship opportunities may be found at https://womenslunchplace.org/nabb You will also find information on donating silent auction items and purchasing tickets.
London Parks & Gardens is delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for its 2026/27 Winter Lecture Series. Running for over 20 years from October to February, the series is one of the most exciting fixtures in the calendar.
The first lecture takes place on Tuesday, October 27, with Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture at The Royal Parks and late of RHS Wisley, speaking on The Royal Parks: Gardening for People and Planet. The changing climate isn’t kind to gardeners. As soon as you’ve mastered one weather extreme, along comes another. So how will we keep our parks, horticultural areas and green spaces flourishing in this changing world? And how do we do our part by doing it sustainably?
£5 – £10. Register on Eventbrite UK HERE
Have you been to a Sterling Garden Club holiday craft program at the Conant Public Library in Sterling? This year the Club will be making Picture Frame Door Wreaths similar to the one pictured below. They’ll have two sessions on Tuesday December 8th, an afternoon and an evening program.
Sign up is ONLY THROUGH THE LIBRARY, either online, calling or in person. Registration for this begins Tuesday October 13th at 9am. Slots fill up fast so mark your calendar to register. https://sterlinglibrary.org/
Please note that Sterling residents will get first priority and will open up to non residents after a week. Make sure to get on that waiting list.
