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Great work at the Jay Gardens last month! The Jay Estate Gardens open to the public this Sunday, April 7th from 10am – 5pm!
First of all, thank you SO much for your work volunteering this past month in the gardens. A lot was accomplished and we are ready to greet everyone. Special thanks to many eager volunteers: Ai, Amy, Andrea, Anna and her mom Dannielle, Anne G., Anthony, Ardyce, Carolina and her mom, Cat, Caitlin, Charlie, Emma, Ezio and his parents, Fleur and Presto, Gael, Glenna, Jackson, Jake, Jennifer, Jenny, Jim B., Jim F., Jim K., Joseph, June, Karen, Katharine, Linda, Meera, Mitchell, Pat, Sara and her son Miles, Sue, Winnie, Zach, and Zonnia, for their enthusiasm, hard work and continued support.
It looks like the rain forecast may persist through the early morning of Thursday, April 4 so stay tuned in case our workday is cancelled. Sunday will be sunny, so come join us then as we keep pruning our roses and other perennials, including our native species. Weeding is also on the books as the rain and warm weather favor spring growth.
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Cold resistant greens, such as collards ‘Champion’ have been cozy at the Manhattanville greenhouse and just recently, they have started a process called “hardening-off” that will allow them to get planted early in the season, to add a splash of green color in the veggie beds.
Just in case you missed us… a lot of happenings and events last month, to prepare for this growing season: thinking of strategic planting plans for the raised veggie beds in Garden Room One, pruning in Rooms Two and Three, strengthening our networks with other gardens and organizations, establishing new partnerships, and focusing on the upcoming Higan cherry blossom tree planting plans.
And now, a word on friends and foes in the garden…this will be the first insect offered in this series. Several species identified at the Jay Estate will be discussed, as part of a sustainable management effort. We hope you enjoy learning about these species while helping us spread the word.
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While you prune in early Spring, watch out for signs of life on your plants and learn how to properly identify native and non-native praying mantis egg masses. Left: Native Carolina mantis ootheca; Right: Chinese praying mantis ootheca in Room 1. More information and recommendations here.
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Upcoming Events/ Workshops
Sunday 4/7 Opening Gardens 10a.m.- 5.00p.m. Gardens open to the public, from April thru November.
Thursdays 10a.m.-2p.m. & Sundays 10a.m.-5p.m. Weather dependent.
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Sunday 4/14 Planting Native Trees Symposium with keynote speaker Doug Tallamy 10.30a.m.-3.30p.m. Click here to register.
Sunday 4/28 Celebrate Earth Day: Zero Plastic at the Gardens workshop 1-2p.m. All audiences
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April 2024 Volunteer Schedule
The complete list of garden volunteer days for April are:
Thursdays, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18 and 4/25
from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sundays, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21 and 4/28
from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
We meet directly in the gardens. Please bring your own gloves and personal gardening tools (pruners, etc.). And do not forget your water bottle, hat or sunscreen for those warmer days!
Feel free to invite a gardening buddy too – the more the merrier. And share this information with others!
No previous experience is needed. This volunteer opportunity is also open to high school students 14 and older interested in earning community service hours. Children 13 or younger must be accompanied and supervised by an adult to participate.
There is no need to commit to every date – come when your schedule permits.
Please note : Volunteer sessions may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
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