As camp director for both Garden Camps at York Street and Farm Camps at Chatfield Farms, over the years I am constantly inspired by the creativity, compassion and sense of inquiry that children bring to our programs. </p> Camp is a place where children have brought up their questions and fears about global warming and extinction, leading to wonderful group brainstorming sessions of ways kids and adults can affect and inspire positive change. During camp we use plants to travel to regions around the globe, visiting Japan, South Africa or Patagonia for a day to learn about their unique ecosystems, flora and people. We dive into topics such as food systems and soil health, exploring all the ways that worms are important to people and even taste testing our knowledge of how our lives are connected to farms and agriculture around the world. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Garden Camp Potions and Plants</p> While your children may come home with armfuls of freshly harvested carrots or a container garden of veggie seedlings, we hope they also carry with them a sense of appreciation for nature and the ability to safely explore and benefit from all the outdoors have to offer.</p> Our camps, for children ages 6-12, combine science and art activities with daily opportunities to dig into gardening, use multiple senses to explore plants and incorporate mindfulness practices. Through guided activities and imaginative outdoor play, children are given time to hone their observational skills and cultivate a sense of wonder about the natural world.</p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Garden Camp Ready, Set, Grow</p> Spring and summer camp registration for Gardens members opens today, January 13, and remaining spots will open to the public on January 17. Weekly themes include Art, Potions & Plants and a week of Gardening 101 at York Street, as well as Life on the Farm, Global Gardens and a Pollinator week at Chatfield Farms. We will also offer a spring break camp at York Street focusing on signs of spring in nature. Get more information</a> or email gardencamp@botanicgardens.org</a> with questions. We cannot wait to welcome you and your children to camp this year!</p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Farm Camp</p>
At the Gardens, we constantly try to increase our sustainability efforts. The full scope of sustainable living is immense and making the right decisions can sometimes get overwhelming. Think of anything from food and clothing, to travel or personal care; there are countless options that are considered “cleaner and greener.”</p> But going completely zero-waste, car-free or fully vegan is not for everyone. That’s why we’re trying to help with a list of suggestions you can implement based on your personal starting point! </p> So, would you consider yourself a Sprout, a Leaf or Chlorophyll? Check out the three levels below and pick some options that suit your life, or come up with your own, based on your personal goals. </p> Sprout: You’re freshly emerging and willing to make some changes! </h4> Food:</strong> Implement Meatless Mondays/Fishy Fridays. Bring leftovers for lunch! </li> Travel:</strong> Weekly rideshare/carpool, walk and bike for shorter distances </li> Shopping:</strong> Buy No New challenge, for a timeframe of your choice (ex., 1 month) </li> Cleaning & cosmetics:</strong> Experiment with at least 1 package-free personal care product </li> Packaging/plastics: </strong>Say no to single-use plastics, minimize take-out food & drinks </li> </ul> Leaf: You’re already making sustainable choices and are looking to grow! </h4> Food: </strong>Vegetarian or vegan weekdays by default. Compost all your organic waste </li> Travel:</strong> Use public transport whenever possible, try Bike to Work days </li> Shopping: </strong>Buy No New challenge, for a timeframe of your choice (ex., 3 months) </li> Cleaning & cosmetics:</strong> Switch to 2+ package-free personal care or natural cleaning products </li> Packaging/plastics:</strong> Get reusable (glass or stainless steel) containers, for food storage </li> </ul> Chlorophyll: You’re ‘deep green’ by default, but always want to do more! </h4> Food:</strong> Plant-based diet as a norm, only buy local produce. Plan meals ahead, don’t waste food </li> Travel: </strong>Bike to work whenever possible, avoid flying. Electric vehicle (buy used, not new) </li> Shopping:</strong> Buy No New challenge, for a timeframe of your choice (ex., a year) </li> Cleaning & cosmetics:</strong> Switch to all package-free/natural cosmetics and cleaning products </li> Packaging/plastics:</strong> No plastic containers; reusable jars for all your cosmetics, storage etc. </li> </ul> You can pick one or two focus areas, it’s up to you, all depending on what room for adjustments you currently have. And of course, there’s many more ways to increase a sustainable lifestyle, this is just the tip of the iceberg! </p> Most importantly, choose adjustments that work for you, and keep in mind that every attempt is better than none! </p> And lastly, to create a “green snowball effect”: SHARE YOUR EFFORTS! It can be very effective to share sustainable steps, even small ones, with your social circle. By inspiring and motivating each other, exchanging suggestions, tips and tricks – every bit helps! </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article>
Greetings friends of the Gardens, I hope this article finds you well. I would like to formally invite you all to come experience the newly renovated Cactus and Succulent House located in the Rock Alpine Garden. Starting your step count from the edge of the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center and into the Gardens it will take about 575 steps to get to the front door of the Cactus and Succulent House. Assuming you like succulent plants as much as I do, I suggest you make no other stops on your way as you perform your own individual step counts while also anticipating the awaiting beauty. </p> I took over the care of this collection in October 2020 and began making preparations and plans to refresh excitement of this public display and put these plants in a more naturalistic setting. Most of the more than 215 species located here are frost tender and prefer high light. This collection highlights the range of sizes, shapes and colors available in succulent plants. One of the many reasons you should not wait to see this display is the fact that most of the species from Africa are much more active in growth and flowering during winter months while the outdoor gardens sleep.</p> A few of the more notable specimens include a large-branched Alluaudia procera</em>, endemic to south Madagascar. It is a member of family Didiereaceae. Researchers have yet to figure out where this plant family originated. Alluaudia’s</em> leaves are produced from brachyblasts, a specialized structure that mimics a cactus areole. </p> Another interesting specimen is the Tim Burton-like Ceropegia stapeliiformis</em>. Undoubtedly one of the coolest flowers in existence, this sprawling, cylindrical plant is native to South Africa. Guests of the Gardens can expect to be delighted with flowers from March – October.</p> A plant that was not collected for use in cultivation until the early 2000s is the miniature gem Crassula ausensis</em> ssp. titanopsis</em>. It is native to southern Namibia and has become a staple in succulent collections.</p> One of the most eye-catching plants in this display is the zany, wild and strange Albuca spiralis</em>. It is a bulb from South Africa and has many different forms in the plant trade. One can’t help but bask in the natural beauty of this species. It goes dormant in the summer months shortly after flowering, and the soil needs to be kept on the dry side.</p> I hope you enjoy the new cacti and succulent plant display when you visit us this year!</p>
