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 …[read more]

FRAMINGHAM, 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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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. …[read more]

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.

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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