NH Audubon

Massabesic Gardens Tour
2025-09-10 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-05 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH, United States
Join us for an intimate guided tour of the gardens at the Massabesic Center in Auburn. We will lead you on a fun ramble of the grounds, and dig into the history, upkeep, and future of each of our unique garden spaces.
You’ll learn about NH Audubon’s partnership with the University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program to create Demonstration Gardens that provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, for human health and well-being and wildlife habitat. These gardens include spaces for pollinators, birds, butterflies, veggies, rainwater, and an ornamental space that serves as the backdrop for wedding ceremonies.
You’ll also learn about our community partnership with the Massabesic Garden Club and their efforts to rehabilitate the space lovingly called the Barn Garden.
Last but not least, discover our plan for expanding the Garden for the Senses, and take a peaceful pause in the Cathy Small Memorial Garden.
You’ll leave with an appreciation for the hard work that goes into our spaces by the team of over 40 volunteers who maintain our grounds. We’ll provide information for upcoming educational workshops and ways you can get involved with volunteering in our gardens.
Dress for walking in short grass on flat but uneven terrain. Bring your camera, sunscreen, bug spray, and questions about creating pollinator habitat at your home.
This event is free to attend. Please RSVP to help us get a headcount of how many people to expect. This event will be cancelled if severe inclement weather is forecasted.
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie Whiteman.
Photo: Garden Room with a View by Walt Swist

Gifts of the Garden: Engaging with the Experts
2025-10-02 09:00 - 11:00
Visit the Massabesic Center to meet the team who are outstanding in their fields and know all the dirt. No need to herb your enthusiasm! Bring your pressing questions about plants, find your inner peas, discover inspiration for laying down roots at home, or just dig the blooms!
Our volunteer team of UNH Extension Master Gardeners like to have fun and teach others about what it takes to create and maintain the luscious, wildlife-friendly gardens on the grounds. These informal meet and greet events are the perfect way to learn about getting involved in volunteer gardening opportunities with NH Audubon, and about ways you can duplicate our gardens in your own backyard, whether you have an acre or a patio pot.
The beautiful gardens on site include pollinator and bird-friendly plants, a rain garden space, vegetable gardens, raised beds, and more. As an ongoing partnership between New Hampshire Audubon and University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program, Massabesic’s Demonstration Gardens provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, which enhance human health and well-being and wildlife habitat.
Dress for walking in short grass on flat but uneven terrain. Sunscreen and personal insect repellant are recommended. Building hours (and bathroom access) are 11am to 5pm, but come early before the heat of the day chases the gardeners away. Visit the gift shop and meet our animal ambassadors after you spend your morning exploring the gardens. Consider packing a lunch to enjoy at one of the picnic tables surrounding the gardens. Children are welcomed and encouraged!
Gardeners will not be on site during inclement weather, but visitors are still welcomed.
This event is free to attend. RSVP is recommended to let us know how many visitors to expect
Support our programs and join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie Whiteman.

Beginning Gardener Series: Gardens in the Fall: Season Extension and Fall Planting
2025-10-04 09:30 - 11:00
Description: Join us for the final workshop of the 2025 Beginning Gardener series to learn tips, tricks, and elements of fall gardening. We will discuss methods for extending the growing season to get the most out of your garden. Tasks include planting garlic and other vegetables that can be overwintered to get a head start on next year’s growing season. We’ll also discuss important actions to prepare your garden for the colder months.
Presenter: Sean O’Brien, UNH Extension Home Horticulture Program Manager
Cost: $10 for NH Audubon members/Extension Master Gardeners; $15 for non-members.
Registration suggested by: October 1. Register here.
For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact Massabesic Center Director, Kimmie Whiteman.
This program is brought to you through an on-going partnership between the University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program and New Hampshire Audubon. The Demonstration Gardens at NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, which enhance human health and well-being and wildlife habitat.
