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Category: Home & Garden

  • New England Wildflower Society Photo Contest

    New England Wildflower Society Photo Contest

    Wildflowers book by William Cullina, (New England Wildflower Society)
    N.E.W.F.S. Photo Contest – Prize for adult winners will include signed copy of the book ''Wildflowers'' by William Cullina

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Do you enjoy taking photos of plants and flowers in their natural habitat?

    The New England Wildflower Society, (“NEWFS”), which operates the “Garden in the Woods“ on Hemenway Road is sponsoring a photo contest!

    The photograph may be from any season, but the photo must have been shot between April 15, 2011 and October 31, 2011, (October 31st is the deadline for submissions).

    Prizes will be awarded for photos in several categories including:

    • single plants
    • groups of plants
    • polinators
    • “scenes“ – did you capture a breath-taking scene in the Garden? Submit it! (Note: photos may not have any people in them.)
    • artistic merit – photos in this category may be a (more…)
  • Framingham Farmer’s Market at Centre Common

    Framingham Farmer’s Market at Centre Common

    Framingham Farmers Market
    Fresh produce from local family farms can be found at the Framingham Farmer's Market on the Village Green in Framingham Centre each Thursday from noon 'til 5:30pm throughout the summer and fall.

    Framingham, MA – With a nationwide effort to eat healthier and to support local business and family farms, shopping at the Framingham Farmer’s Market helps locals meet these goals.

    The market, located on the Framingham Centre Common, (also known as “The Village Green”), will be open each Thursday afternoons from 12:00 noon until 5:30PM from June 9th through October 27th, 2011.

    With fruits and vegetables, (some picked just hours before the market opens), local residents and Framingham visitors have a chance to (more…)

  • Farmstand at Framingham MassPike Service Area

    Farmstand at Framingham MassPike Service Area

    photo - local produce at MA Farmers Market
    Massachusetts grown… and fresher!

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Pick up some fresh fruit, veggies and other farm fresh local produce on the Pike!

    Starting this weekend commuters traveling the MassPike, (I-90), will be able to purchase farm fresh fruits, vegetables and other products grown or made locally in Massachusetts at the Framingham MassPike Service Plaza from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.

    The plaza is located westbound on I-90 between exits 12 and 13.

    Items for sale may included anything from farm fresh strawberries to baked goods, cheeses, jams and jellies, maple syrup, honey, eggs, flowers and more.  (The vendors are permitted to sell anything that does not compete with items sold in the service plaza restaurants and store).

    Aside from the Framingham location, travelers will (more…)

  • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

    Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Town of Framingham will be holding its spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 9:00AM to 1:00PM in the parking lot of the McCarthy Elementary School, 8 Flagg Drive, Framingham, MA.

     

    Please bring:
    • pesticides / herbicides
    • bug sprays
    • rodent poisons
    • cleaning solvents
    • caustic cleaners / degreaser
    • concentrated fertilizers
    • photo chemicals
    • pool & spa chemicals

    		  

    • aerosol cans containing paint
    • oil based or enamel paint
    • lead based paint
    • urethanes
    • paint thinner
    • diesel oil
    • old gasoline / kerosene
    • Mercury-containing devices

     

    Do NOT Bring:
    • Radioactive waste including radioactive type smoke detectors (batteries can be removed, and the smoke detector can be thrown out in the regular trash)
    • explosives / gunpowder / flares / ammunition
    • PCB oils / bulk chemicals / oil
    • asbestos
    • medical / biological waste including sharps
    • Items that are collected regularly as part of the normal weekly operations of the Town of Framingham Recycling Drop-off Center are NOT collected as part of the Household Hazardous Waste Event.
    • NO LATEX PAINT – Latex paint can be safely disposed of at curbside by following these steps. Remove the lid from each can. Dry up any liquid paint by stirring in an absorbent material. Allow to dry. Place open can next to trash at curbside on your regular trash day.

    Open to Framingham residents only.

    Proof of residency and photo ID will be required.

    No commercial waste.

    Reduce long waits — combine your waste with your neighbors and car-pool!

    For more information contact the Framingham Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division at: (508) 532-6001 or the Recycling Coordinator by email at: recycling@FraminghamMA.gov

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  • ”Water Whimsy” at Garden in the Woods

    ”Water Whimsy” at Garden in the Woods

    Water Whimsey - Fountain at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA, Aug 17 to Sept 7, 2010
    Granite bowl (hand-carved by a local craftsman) with bamboo pump is one of the nine garden water features on exhibit at Garden in the Woods.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – “Water Whimsy”, an installation of large and small water features is now on display at the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA.

    In addition to the Michael Mazur fountain in the entrance garden and the Nate McCullin bird baths in the wildlife garden, there are nine features which appear in Water Whimsy.

    They are located; at the entrance to the Curtis Path, in the Idea Garden and Edible Garden, adjacent to the Rain Garden, and opposite the Patio Garden.

    Included in the show are (more…)

  • Garden Clubs’ Annual Plant Sale Saturday

    Garden Clubs’ Annual Plant Sale Saturday

    hostasFRAMINGHAM, MA – On Saturday, May 22, 2010 the Pinefield Garden Club and the Simpson Park Garden Clubs are holding their Annual Perennial Plant Sale & Raffle on the Framingham Centre Common from from 9:00am until 12:00 noon.

    Perennials & herbs grown by members will be for sale. Each year the club brings beautiful plants — you will not be disappointed with the selection, (or the very reasonable prices).

    Come early for the best selection — rain or shine!

    In addition to the plant sale, the clubs are also raffling off many items including manicures, pedicures and gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants.

    Knowledgeable garden club members will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the plants and gardening.

    Framingham Centre Common is located on Edgell Rd. just north of Rt. 9, near the State College exit.  Parking may be available in the Village Hall parking lot, or in church parking lots next to the common.

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  • Litter Layer Fire Danger

    Litter Layer Fire Danger

    Framingham, MA - spring litter layer, trees
    The sun shines through the trees.

    Framingham, MA – The litter layer refers to the layer of dead leaves, twigs, and other organic material that litters the ground in wooded areas. Many people don’t realize just how much of a fire hazard this material poses in early spring.

    With no leaves on the trees, the full heat of the early spring sun makes it’s way through the trees.  Although the ground may still be wet from snow melt and spring rains, the topmost layer of organic material quickly dries posing a fire threat in and near wooded areas.

    Many residential neighborhoods in Framingham are heavily wooded.  Over the winter, leaves, twigs and other materials may have fallen from trees or been blown from the surrounding area and collected in corners of flower beds, along fences, or up against the side of a building.

    (more…)

  • Rainy Day Bird

    During the downpour today I was surprised to look out and see a bird, I think a finch, eagerly feeding at the feeder hanging on our crab apple tree. The bird clung to the feeder in the wind, looking around as it nibbled, but rarely looking toward our window.

    I was only about 6 feet away and tried not to move.

    The bird left and came back for more, then left.

    Sometime later a squirrel, the first I’ve seen near the feeder, ran up the tree and started toward the feeder. Maybe he spied me, or felt the slender branch that the feeder is on wasn’t up to his weight, but he backed down, and scampered off.

  • Bird Song

    photo by Deb Cleveland

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – We added a bird-feeder and suet to a crab apple tree near our window bird-feeder.

    But since the robins, we’ve only seen a chickadee or two intermittantly. Then this weekend, we had a grouping of Tufted Titmouse. One in particular kept coming to the windowsill and singing. I don’t remember hearing that particular birdcall. Not that I have paid close attention before. I know crows and jays, and mourning doves, but that is about my repetoire.

    There was once a very annoying bird that I could never see, that used to start chattering about 4:30 a.m. near my open window some summers ago. The Tufted Titmouse had a very pleasant chirp. I don’t know if I will remember it, but I like it.

    After the Titmouse left, a Junco with a very yellow beak showed up and perched on my neighbor’s stockade fence for a while. He didn’t sing, that I could hear.

    Please note that since my knowledge of birds doesn’t go much beyond robins, bluejays, crows, and pigeons, I use a two-sided guide, called the Audubon Alliance Bird Identifier, courtesy of my mother, to figure out my backyard visitors.

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  • Framingham Community Gardeners Meet

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Community Gardeners will be meeting on the 1st Monday of the month from 6 to 8 pm in the Costin Room of the Framingham Public Library.

    Our next gathering will be Monday, February 1st.

    Framingham community members and friends will gather to share recent progress toward having a community garden in Framingham in 2010, as well as projects for gardens in 2011.

    These different projects range from existing gardens to gardens which are still in the initial envisioning stages. They also vary in terms of location, size and participants. There will be the opportunity to make suggestions, and get involved. Because there are now multiple projects in the works, this monthly gathering will be for networking, coordinating and sharing. Everyone is welcome!

    We will also discuss wider initiatives such as the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN), which has a chapter in Sudbury and which has provided grant funding for projects like our community garden project.

    Feel free to bring children, share a potluck dinner and envision gardening in the Spring sunshine!