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Let us answer your questions about gardening issues and plant problems. |
Call the Master Gardener Hotline at 1-800-448-1011 (only calls from RI, from March 1 to October 31) if you have gardening questions |
To find out what events and activities are taking place in your community, click here. |
The purpose of this website is to educate the public by providing useful information about sustainable gardening and also to provide news and information to our Rhode Island Master Gardeners.
The information keeps changing, so visit us often and contact us if you have any questions or need some specific information.
The East Providence’s Beautification Commission presented its 2008 Community Service Recognition Award to honor the Heritage Gardens at the Hunt House Museum, a URI Master Gardener Community Project. The project leaders are URI Master Gardeners Jeff and Cheryl Faria of Seekonk, MA both of whom are also members of the East Providence Historical Society
Since the Farias have been involved with the project, volunteers have made a list of the heritage plants currently in the gardens with common and botanical names, purchased some new plants and made a preliminary garden schematic. They have also cleaned out, transplanted, and planted new plants in Lura’s Garden, the 18th Century Kitchen Garden, with plantings typical of the 1750s. The garden to the right of the house has been reestablished, and the volunteers have begun working towards creating it as a 19th Century Victorian Garden. Going forward, this area will be planted with 20th and 21st Century plants.
“The Museum is located on 14 acres of land maintained by the City of East Providence. The City maintains gardens at the entrance to the long drive and in a park across from the Museum. They do a beautiful job,” said Faria. “The Master Gardener project is responsible for the three gardens that immediately surround the museum.”
In addition, the Heritage Gardens at the Hunt House Museum have been selected to be included in the July of 2009 Master Gardener “Gardening With The Masters” Tour.
January Garden Chores and Tips
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January is the perfect time to think about last year’s garden so you can look ahead to the new season. One of the things you will want to do is collect those beautiful seed catalogs, sit down with a cup of tea, and browse…find those “must have” annuals and select some unusual varieties of veggies. It is the perfect time to plan a garden and order your seeds. Not only will it brighten your winter days but you can plan the garden at a leisurely pace.
January is a good time to look around at other people's landscapes and at nature, in search of features that successfully bring visual interest to the winter landscape.
If you keep a garden journal check it to see what failed and what thrived; knowing this will help you make better choices. Or, maybe you have a collection of newspaper and magazine clippings that you want to review. Armed with this information you can sit down and map out a plan for your plantings to reflect your passions and showcase your successes.
Next, check your seeds from last year and discard any in bad condition. From what is left you can determine what you need to order, and remember, some seed companies offer discounts or free seeds for early-bird orders. Order only what you need.
Another thing to do is check your tools inventory to see if you need any new ones. It is worth spending a few months talking to other gardeners, checking catalogs, and surfing the Internet before buying so you will know exactly what you want. Then, you should start thinking about the other plants you would like to plant in your garden and draw some plans. After doing this, send for some plant catalogs and start browsing. It is a good idea to order early because nursery inventories are usually in limited supply.
Having garden problems? Call the Master Gardener Hotline Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at 1-800-448-1011 (only in Rhode Island)...March through October.
In a POISON EMERGENCY call 1-800-222-1222. For more information visit the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention, serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
RI DEM Emergency Response 24-hour number for spills or emergengies:
401-222-3070
