The Friends of the Horticulture Farm (FHF) is a nonprofit organization that aims to protect, enhance and promote the significant plant collections and natural areas of the University of Vermont Horticulture Research and Education Center (HREC).
Each year they offer monthly education programs on various topics and the 2024 schedule is below. Register for a program on the FHF website and consider becoming a member.
2024 FHF Programs Schedule
February 11, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. – The Wisdom of House Plant Care
Location: Online Zoom meeting.
Will Creed, author of “Don’t Repot That Plant! And Other Indoor Plant Care Mistakes” will offer up wisdom on house plant care learned from his 40-some years of caring for indoor plants in the metro-NYC area. From what plants to buy for what household areas, light, watering, diseases, repotting (okay, sometimes!), and a myriad other care questions and answers, Will has met them all. Members FREE, non-members $10.
February 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Growing and Enjoying Lilacs
Location: Online Zoom meeting.
Dr. Mark DeBard of the International Lilac Society will cover the key facts of growing lilacs. From types of lilacs, flower forms and colors, growing conditions and maintenance, to making more lilacs. He will talk about pruning, well-known lilacs, the history of the International Lilac Society and why lilacs are listed in the Register of Cultivar Names and photo database. You will leave wanting to plant a lilac garden with every color and fragrance of lilacs you can find. Members FREE, non-members $10.
March 23, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Pruning Basics for Trees and Shrubs
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Proper pruning of trees and shrubs not only adds to their aesthetic value in the landscape but can also help to ensure their overall health and structural integrity for the future. Join City of Burlington Arborist V.J. Comai to learn the basics of proper pruning including tools, techniques, timing, and common mistakes. This workshop will increase your basic understanding of plant growth and responses to pruning and will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to properly care for the plants in your home landscape.
March 30, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – All About Crabapples
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Learn the best pruning techniques and test your skills in our crabapple collection with our Crabapple Curator “Coyote” Mark Biercevicz. Bring loppers and any other pruners you may have. There will be Q&A on growing crabapples and apples for yourself and wildlife, and information on heirloom varieties of crabapples.
April 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Soil 101
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Did you ever wonder how the soil beneath our feet became what it is? Or how we can manage it so we can grow good food to eat and protect the environment at the same time? In this presentation, Lindsey Rhul will explain the inherent and dynamic properties of soil and the principles of soil health. After the presentation, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience taking soil samples for routine soil health analysis. You’ll be prepared for your gardens in spring.
May 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – All About Lilacs
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Tour the lilacs with curator Kitty Werner as she tells you about lilac care, their needs and which varieties bloom when, from the earliest to several that bloom in October. Lilacs have a fascinating history. Although, they are not native to the Americas, they’ve been here since Europeans brought a bit of home with them centuries ago. Hybridizing has created lilacs with 11 different color groupings, multiple shades of all these colors, and florets that are “single,” or “double.” The Hort Farm has samples of many of these stunning plants.
May 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Bloom Time Festival and Open House
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
We invite you to join us for a celebration of spring! Tour our flowering lilacs, magnolias, and azaleas. Bring your lunch and have a picnic under the fragrant crabapples. Our plant curators will talk about our special collections. Our annual festival will feature hayride tours, face painting, Plein Air Painters, programs about gardening, music, food, and much more.
June 1, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Rhododendron Walk and Talk
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Rhododendron Curator Paul Wieczoreck invites you to a delightful walk around our beautiful rhododendron collection in full bloom. In this collection, most plants are more than 35 years old and are some of the largest specimens growing in northern Vermont. They represent a part of our historical past and are much like what would have been seen in estates of the early 20th century. Bring your questions and your camera and enjoy this spectacular display of blooms with refreshments after the tour. Class limit is 25.
June 22, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Growing Fruit Trees In Vermont
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Fruit trees bring sweetness, beauty, and joy to our homes. Join Nicko Rubin of East Hill Tree Farm nursery to learn all about growing fruit trees. Nicko will share as much as his knowledge about variety and rootstock selection, soil and site considerations, and planting and long term care. Discussion will cover apples, pears, plums, cherries and peaches. Plenty of time will be given for your questions. Members FREE, non-members $10.
June 30, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. – Water-Wise Perennials and Gardening
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
In the recent past, the Northeast experienced some summers more like southern California. Water for gardening became scarce or very expensive. As we gardeners are used to letting Mother Nature do the watering for us, many of our gardens suffered with the dire lack of rain. As our climate changes, summers will be hotter and drier. If it rains, it falls way too quickly, causing damaging runoff rather than gently soaking into the soil. Join Sarah Salatino of Full Circle Gardens and explore ways to rethink how we garden to prepare for when drought happens again. This presentation will give you water-wise ideas, practices, and perennial varieties to help keep your gardens gorgeous during droughts.
July 7, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. – Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Gardens
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Did you know there’s a way to control many common garden insect pests without spraying? And it’s much less expensive and safer than pesticides! Sarah Salatino of Full Circle Gardens will show you who the beneficial insects are, what pests they control and how, and how to attract them to your garden by planting the flowers whose nectar and pollen bring them in.
July 13, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Annual Plant Sale
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
Do you have empty spaces in your garden? Here’s the perfect opportunity to find the plants for your garden. Bring your list to our annual plant sale to find a plant for your front or back garden, small or big garden, shade or sun garden. From coneflowers and lady’s mantle to lilacs and more, our annual plant sale has a wide variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials generously donated by over 40 Vermont nurseries, whose contributions have supported the Friends of the Horticulture Farm over the years.
October 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Conifer Walk
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
What is a conifer? Are all conifers evergreen? How do we use these plants in our landscapes? Join Horticulturist and Hort Farm Conifer Curator Paul Wieczoreck to discuss these and other questions on a tour of the conifer collection. You’ll spend the morning looking at the variety of colors, textures and architectural forms this diverse group of plants has to offer, especially during the long winter months. Dress for the weather. Members FREE, non-members $10.
December 7, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. – Create a Winter Centerpiece
Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, S. Burlington.
The holidays are here and it’s time to create a fresh holiday arrangement with greens and cuttings of wine-red dogwoods, fir, pine, cedar, and more. Materials and instructions will be provided. Bring your own arrangement container, pruners, even your own garden cuttings if you choose. Class limit is 12, materials cost included in fee. Members $40, non-members $45.