(by Willa Coroka)

With the lengthening days of spring inviting us to linger longer in our yards and gardens, it’s hard to resist diving headfirst into spring cleanup. Before picking up the pruners or reaching for the rake, however, consider for a moment the slumbering wildlife still hunkered down amid these sometimes unsightly but always essential overwintering sites. Many bees, butterflies, and other insects overwinter in garden debris and will emerge once the temperatures reach a consistent 50 degrees near mid-April/early-May.

So, what is a gardener to do while holding off on pruning and raking? Attend a garden workshop over at the Massabesic Center, of course! Brought to you through a partnership between NH Audubon and UNH Extension, these presentations introduce beginner and advanced gardeners alike to a wide variety of home garden topics. From planting for pollinators or landscaping for wildlife, to tool maintenance and seed sowing and so much more, these engaging programs are a great way to learn a lot while making connections and creating community. Our next presentation, Climate-Resilient Gardens: Gardening for Extreme Weather Conditions, will be on Wednesday, April 10 from 6-7:30pm.

For more information about our upcoming lectures and workshops, please visit our Event Calendar.