by Chris Shaw Sanford
October is here, and while most people may be done thinking about their garden for the year, at Helping Nature Heal we are busy again after the late summer lull. Curious about what we are up to? Check out my fall course offerings- they all relate to the fall garden activities that we are immersed in at Helping Nature Heal.
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| Design your ideal outdoor space |
During the fall we get many requests for landscape design services and consultations. Of course, anytime of the year is the right time to get to know your property and how to work with your site conditions to create the landscape you’ve always wanted. But the fall can be the best time to get out in the crisp air and explore your landscape, and to start planning for the spring! Our popular 5-week Sustainable Landscape Design Course helps homeowners connect with their land, and shares the philosophy behind the work we do at Helping Nature Heal. The next session runs on Monday evenings October 29th-November 26th, 6:30-9pm at Helping Nature Heal in Bridgewater.
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| Healthy and decorative garlic |
We are also busy planting again! Surprised? Fall is a great time for dividing perennials, and planting bulbs and tubers. Join me for The Art of Fall Planting: Garlic, Bulbs, and Tubers on Saturday, November 3rd 1-4pm at Helping Nature Heal in Bridgewater. Garlic is a great addition to any garden because of its decorative and pest repellent qualities, not to mention its flavour! I will cover everything you need to know about growing garlic and other garden bulbs and tubers, then we will go out into the garden to dig and plant. I will send you home with some bulbs and tubers to plant in your garden, too.
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| Wreathmaking |
At harvest time we bring some of the flower garden indoors to decorate for family gatherings and holidays. We are teaming up with the Makery in Lunenburg to offer a Wreathmaking With Natural Materials workshop on Wednesday, November 7th from 4-6:30pm. We have been gathering beautiful wreath materials from the gardens and nature that I will bring in to share, and walk you through the craft of herbal wreath-making. All ages are welcome!
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| HNH Wildflower Meadows |
Over the years, Helping Nature Heal has garnered a reputation for our stunning wildflower meadows, and fall is the best time to get one started. If you’d like to learn our secrets, come to our classroom in Bridgewater on Saturday, November 10th from 1-4pm for Building a Wildflower Meadow that Lasts. Wildflower meadows are a great way to reduce your lawn, especially for septic sites, and are much lower maintenance than a formal garden.
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| Almost time to put the garden to rest |
In November, we are busy winterizing and putting gardens to rest until the spring. I will walk you through our best tips and tricks for getting all of your garden plants through the freeze/thaw cycles and wildlife pressures of the winter, as well how you can help your future self be more ready in the spring! Putting your Garden to Rest: Winterizing and Getting a Head Start on the Spring will be at the Makery in Lunenburg on Wednesday, November 14th 4-6:30pm.
It is an important part of our philosophy to share our experiences through the seasons, and to educate interested gardeners in how to live and garden closer with nature. Teaching has become a passion of mine, and I have been teaching gardening skills, primarily hands-on in the garden, since I managed an educational farm during graduate school 5 years ago. My classes are full of practical information that can save you money and help you become a more effective gardener, and you are always welcome to bring all of your gardening questions with you!
Full Descriptions of Our Fall Classes:
Sustainable Landscape Design for Homeowners
Monday evenings, October 29th- November 26th, 6:30-9pm
@ The Helping Nature Heal Classroom
671 LaHave Street, Bridgewater
This popular 5 week course walks you through the landscape design process, from site analysis to conceptual drawings. Bring ideas for your property to life or just come to learn more about sustainable landscapes. Course includes hands-on activities; the fee covers in-class materials and consultations.
$125+HST
Preregistration required: (902)543-7416 or chris@helpingnatureheal.com
Did you know that late fall is another planting season? Garlic is a rewarding and highly decorative crop to include in any garden. Learn to grow garlic in this workshop and you’ll never need to buy it again. Many of our favourite perennials also produce bulbs or tubers, which should be divided and planted now. We will dig around in the gardens, do some planting, and send you home with some to try in your own garden.
$30+HST
Preregistration required: (902)543-7416 or chris@helpingnatureheal.com
Wreathmaking With Natural Materials
Wednesday, November 7th, 4-6:30pm
@ The Makery
228 Lincoln Street, Lunenburg
Making wreaths is a fun, seasonal activity for the whole family– all ages are welcome in this hands-on workshop. We’ll provide you with all the materials, collected from the gardens and nature, and teach you how to create beautiful decorations to grace your living space.
$35+HST
Preregistration required: (902)543-7416 or chris@helpingnatureheal.com
Are you looking for an attractive alternative to lawns or a garden solution for your septic site? Have you had trouble growing meadow flowers from pre-mixed wildflower seeds? We have over 10 years of experience growing abundant and gorgeous wildflower meadows. This course will teach you how to build one from scratch and maintain it from year to year. Course fee includes starter seed kit.
$30+HST
Preregistration required: (902)543-7416 or chris@helpingnatureheal.com
Putting Your Garden to Rest: Winterizing and Getting a Head Start on Spring
Wednesday, November 14th, 4-6:30pm
@ The Makery
228 Lincoln Street, Lunenburg
Whatever kind of garden you have, we have tips and tricks for getting it through our challenging winter freeze/thaw cycles and wildlife pressures. Late fall is also the perfect time to get a jump start on the next growing season. Come and learn how from an expert maritime gardener.
$35+HST
Preregistration required: (902)543-7416 or chris@helpingnatureheal.com