Whether gardening is a newly discovered or longtime passion, it can be a demanding labor of love for both planning and keeping the collection of plants alive and thriving. And those demands can change as you age, and certainly differ depending on what type of plants and gardening you hope to pursue now that the weather cooperates.
Here are some chances to get advice and talk with experts who could help guide you through. And then, if you’re ready by Saturday, some plant sales to get you started:
Plant talks
► Barnstable County Master Gardener Cheryl Bryan will talk about lessons learned toward “Lifelong Gardening” in a talk at 11 a.m. Friday at Osterville Village Library. Topics will include how life experiences or health limitations can diminish our ability to garden and ways to adapt skills and tasks. Bryan has been active in the Children’s Garden in Brewster, and has worked as both a speaker and mentor. Registration is required. Information: ostervillevillagelibrary.org or 508-428-5757.
► Deborah Trickett, owner of The Captured Garden, a garden design firm based in Massachusetts, will give a talk on “Container Gardens” from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at West Falmouth Library, 575 West Falmouth Highway. Cost is $10. Information: 508-548-4709. Tickets: westfalmouthlibrary.org, at the library, or at the event. Topics covered will include: “Containers 101,” selecting the right containers, soil mixes, and plants for different growing conditions. With the basics in hand, attendees then learn about new and unusual plant material and how to create one-of-a-kind combinations, including pairing annuals, perennials, and even vegetables.
► Jana Milbocker, an author and gardener connected to the Enchanted Gardens talk and tour service, will discuss “Artist Gardens of New England” from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Highfield Hall & Gardens, 56 Highfield Drive. The lecture will include popular painters, sculptors and authors who were inspired by the gardens they created, with a look at the private havens of Edith Wharton, Julian Alden Weir, Childe Hassam, Daniel Chester French, Emily Dickinson, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Celia Thaxter and others. Admission: $20, 410 for members. Registration: 508-495-1878 ext. 2. Information: https://highfieldhallandgardens.org/.
► Priscilla Husband will present a conversation/demonstration on how to currently plant and prune titled “Coffee and Mother Earth: Doing it Right! Planting and Pruning” from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 24 at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. The discussions will include winter fruit trees, hydrangea selections, roses, shrubs and perennials. Cost: $16, $14 for members. Registration: www.cultural-center.org or 508-394-7100.
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Plant sales
When you’re ready to buy, you can go plant-sale hopping around on Saturday:
► The Garden Club of Yarmouth Port will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a plant sale and raffle from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Masonic Lodge on Route 28 (next to Yarmouth Town Hall).
► The Village Garden Club of Dennis will hold its annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday on the Dennis Village Green on Route 6A. The sale will include a variety of flowering perennials, hostas, lilies and more, with proceeds benefiting community projects
► The West Dennis Garden Club will hold its Scholarship Plant and Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Dennis Senior Center and Council On Aging, 1045 Route 134. Rain date: Sunday. For sale will be perennials, geraniums, hanging baskets and herbs. Proceeds will provide scholarships and tool-ships for local high school seniors.
► Green Briar Nature Center will hold its annual Wildflower Garden Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the center, 6 Discovery Hill Road, East Sandwich. The limited number of true wildflowers will be dug from the center’s own wildflower garden, plus there will be perennials, annuals, small ornamental trees and shrubs for sale.
