Happy holidays from us to you!

Reflections at the Nesmith House

The "after" photos of the Music Room we decorated at the historic John Nesmith House in Lowell-- for Middlesex Community College's 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser, December 5-7, 2014.

Planning for the holidays...

The holiday season seems to start earlier & earlier each year, and the Dracut Garden Club is already making plans. Once again, we'll be volunteering our time and talent as we help decorate the historic John Nesmith House in Lowell. "The John Nesmith House reflects the splendor of an era when Lowell, Massachusetts was home to some of America's first captains of industry. Built in 1843 for John and Harriet Nesmith, the 22-room Greek Revival/Regency mansion was a center for social and cultural affairs in the area for decades. Nesmith descendants continued to live in the house until 1939. Today, Nesmith House is owned by the Middlesex Community College Foundation. In 1994, the residence was restored to its former grandeur, when more than 30 interior and landscape designers refurbished the building and it was opened as a Designer Showhouse." (MCC website).

The house will be decorated for the holidays and open to the public for "Reflections, a 20th anniversary celebration", to be held:

Friday, Dec. 5 from 4 - 7 p.m. and

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

A donation of $20 will be asked at the door to benefit the MCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Light refreshments will be served.  For more information about Reflections at Nesmith House, please contact Maureen Spinney at 978-458-3722 or spinneym@middlesex.mass.edu

Stay tuned to see how the DGC transforms the Nesmith House Music Room for the holiday season...

Autumn Leaf Bouquets -- November Meeting

At our November meeting, one of our very talented members taught us how to make beautiful autumn leaf bouquets from leaves we collected in our yards.  By folding leaves, adding layer upon layer, then wrapping with florist tape, you can make many different designs.  They can look like rosebuds or your own unique "flower" or bouquet.  Check out this tutorial from Design*Sponge, and have fun creating your own before the beautiful fall colors fade!

Photos & designs by Leigh Cameron

Photos & designs by Leigh Cameron

Building a Terrarium

At our October meeting, we learned how to make our own terrariums with expert, Art Scarpa.  It was a fun activity and we're looking forward to enjoying our little container gardens throughout the winter!

New Recycling Program in Dracut

In case you haven't heard or missed last week's info session, the Town of Dracut will be implementing a new recycling program starting the week of October 6th. It will be a bi-weekly automated cart pickup of recyclables-- still single-stream. New wheeled carts will be delivered starting the week of September 22nd. More information is available on the town's website.

Dracut Old Home Day 2014

Don't forget to stop by our table at Dracut's Old Home Day today! We'll be there until 4pm. Here are some of our famous raffle baskets from last year's event... what will we have in store this year? Come down to find out!

Dracut Old Home Day

@ the School Complex on Lakeview Ave.

9 AM - 5 PM (but we'll be there until 4)

Provide a Bird Haven

If you'd like to attract birds to your yard, there are 3 main things you need to provide: 

food, shelter and water. 

A mix of trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses will insure fruits, berries and seeds for birds to eat.  Native species are best.  If you add a feeder or two, birds will flock to your garden.  Offering suet will attract several species of woodpeckers.  Provide some evergreen trees and shrubs for nesting sites and wind screens.  A variety of trees will offer nest and rest spots for different birds. 

Place a shallow birdbath near a small tree or some bushes so that birds have cover nearby when they visit the birdbath to drink or bathe.  Birds will be happy to visit your garden if you give them various kinds of food and shelter plus a source of fresh water.

-MJ

Three E's to Consider...

As summer winds down and plants go on sale, here are 3 perennials you might want to purchase and add to your garden: echinacea (purple coneflower), eryngium (Sea holly), and eupatorium (Joe-Pye weed). Most of you are probably familiar with coneflowers as they are easy to grow and attract butterflies. They do well in full sun to light shade. Dividing them is not necessary or recommended because they have deep taproots. 

Eryngium, better known as sea holly, has bluish-purple global heads surrounded by stiff bracts, which make them an unusual addition to flower arrangements.  They command attention and add interest to your garden.  I saw them planted next to rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan's) at Fuller Gardens and it made a spectacular display. 

Another lesser known perennial is eupatorium.  Joe Pye weed grows to 3-4 feet tall in full sun and bloom with clusters of white flowers in late summer or early fall.  I have the "Chocolate" variety which has deep purple-brown leaves-- a great contrast to all the green in your garden. 

If you don't already grow these three E's, I encourage you to give them a try.

-MJ

Blue Star Memorial in Dracut

Last night the Dracut Garden Club dedicated a Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker in honor of Air Force Sergeant Daniel Robert Turner. The sun came out just in time for the beautiful ceremony. The new marker, garden, and flag pole were installed at Turner Square; junction of Hildreth St. & New Boston Rd. in Dracut, Massachusetts. A little background on this special program can be found on the National Garden Club's webpage.

Check out our Facebook page for more photos & info.

Committee members planted Tide Hill Korean Boxwood, Snow in the Summer, Veronica Tidal Pool, and Red Drift- Summer Rose

Enjoy your garden...

During the month of July try to sit back, relax and just enjoy your garden.  Of course you'll need to water some and maybe deadhead spent blooms, but it's too hot to do anymore planting.  If you have some white flowers blooming bring them in with lots of foliage and enjoy their cooling effect.

-MJ

June gardening tips

If you have recently planted annuals or perennials, remember to keep them watered.  Soak the soil, but let it dry out before you water again.  Morning is the best time to water. 

If you have weeds growing in cracks of your driveway, sidewalk, or patio, you can get rid of them by spraying them with a mixture of white vinegar and dish soap.  Avoiding commercial weed killers is better for the environment.

-MJ

4th Annual Plant Sale

Our 4th annual Plant Sale will be on Sat. June 7th from 9 -12 at the Dracut Historical Society.  We'll be featuring your local garden favorites, vegetable seedlings, and planters all at great prices!  Beautify your home & garden, so that we may do the same for our Dracut community.

Attention all yard sale lovers!

Don't forget our annual yard sale fundraiser is this Saturday, May 24th from 9 AM - 3 PM at 390 Arlington St. in Dracut. Have fun shopping while you support our non-profit club-- all proceeds go back into our community for beautification & education.

Save the Date for our Annual Plant Sale!

June 7, 2014 from 9 - 12 @ The Dracut Historical Society

Curious about GMO's & how they affect you? We are.

NOFA/Mass Policy Director, Jack Kittredge, will be giving us some "food for thought" at our May meeting.  If you've ever asked "what are GMO's and how do they affect me?", then come join our discussion following the screening of Genetic Roulette:  The Gamble of Our Lives.  Open to the public for a $5 donation.  Refreshments will be served.

Celebrating the earth & a successful event...

The Celebrate the Earth Committee standing in front of the newly planted Littleleaf Linden tree, along with State Rep. Colleen Garry, & DGC President, Donna Vallois

Free compost samples-- if you need more, visit the DPW yard on most Saturdays!

Residents working towards the Green Communities Act share information

The event was held outside Harmony Hall this year which attracted more participants

Composting 101

Raffles!

Crafts using recyclable materials

Natural Home Cleaning 101

Waste-Free Lunch information & examples

Arbor Day information & free saplings

Tuliptree saplings donated by the Dracut DPW

Info & updates regarding Dracut's new recycling & trash programs - it's going well!

Next Step Living/ MassSave offers free home energy assessments