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Seedfolks

by | | Garden Programs • Growing the Community • Library Gardens • TPL Gardens

Lately we have been reading lots of garden-related stories: Seedfolks, Rose’s Garden, Plant a Kiss, and more.

But these stories are not just about planting gardens.  They are about so much more, like planting seeds of hope for a future filled with beauty.  About the power of nature.  About how simple gestures bloom into something so much bigger with faith and perseverance.  About a sense of community. 

The messages found in these pages are being realized right here at our library.  


 Join us on the 27th of this month from 10am to 12pm to celebrate the library gardens at our spring Gardens Open-house.  See what our community has nurtured from those very first seeds of hope and be a part of its blooming.

WANTED: MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS

by | | TPL Gardens


The library is looking for Master Gardener Volunteers to take on discrete projects and assist in the maintenance of others. Several Master Gardener volunteers have already contributed to the project and two MGVs maintain a continuing relationship with the project.
Volunteers are needed to


  • Design and/or build of raised or vertical beds appropriate for Universal Access Garden, for gardeners of all abilities, including those with physical limitations
  • Design and /or build of garden shade structures appropriate for Children’s Garden
  • Modify or design/build of composting system
  • Create of interpretive signage for Children’s, Butterfly, and Universal Access Garden and composting area
  • Assist in continuing  maintenance of Rainbow and Butterfly Gardens
  • Assist in recruiting and  managing garden volunteers.

  

If you are interested in this project contact Bernardo Feliciano (Master Gardener) at bfelicia2@gmail.com  or Susan Preece Director of the Library at 725-1727 or director@topshamlibrary.org.

Happy Spring!

by | | TPL Gardens

Looking out the window you might not know that spring is officially here.  Yes, Mother Nature seems to be at her spring cleaning and is sweeping out all the remaining snow from every nook and cranny but we are Mainers and have come to expect a good spring snow storm.  We are not about to let it stop us from celebrating!

There is much to look forward to at the library and some great events that will take place in the library’s lovely gardens.  Be sure to keep an eye out for details so you can join the fun…

Until then, here are some inspirations for spring activities that you and your children can enjoy no matter what the weather conditions:


DIY Terrariums
Forcing Forsythia
Sprout Egg-Heads
DIY Seed Tape


Happy Spring!

A Snowy Bird Feeder

by | | TPL Gardens

Our next bird feeder has been inspired by one of our favorite books: 
Stranger in the Woods.

With our current weather, I’d say it’s perfect timing.  Here’s how to do it: Build a snow man, woman, dog, elephant… whatever you like.  Add a carrot or orange nose; some nut eyes, mouth and buttons; and sprinkle with bird seed.  Get creative and have fun.  


So get outside and play in the snow.  The birds will thank you!


Here’s a little inspiration to get you going:


1.   2.  3.  4.

For the Birds

by | | Garden Programs • Library Gardens • TPL Gardens


Did you know that February is National Bird-Feeding Month?

It was established in 1994 as way to publicize the importance and benefits of helping out our feathered friends.

Why February?  This is traditionally the hardest month for wild birds to find food sources as well as water and shelter. 

I can’t think of a better month to show our love for the birds that are so important to our gardens and environment!  If you would like to celebrate with us and help keep our little friends fed throughout the month, we will be posting a simple DIY bird feeder each week that you can do with your children and hang outside.

To kick it off, here’s a simple hanging feeder:

birdseed favors

Ingredients:
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 Tbsp corn syrup
4 cups bird seed
Combine flour, water, gelatin, and corn syrup in a large bowl.  
Add bird seed and mix well.
Spray the inside of a cookie cutter with cooking spray  (we found a 2-4″ size worked best)
Fill the cookie cutter with the bird seed mixture and press down firmly (the firmer it is, the better it will stay together)
Make a hole near the top (but not too close)
Carefully remove cookie cutter 
Let dry for 6-8 hours
Loop a 10″ length of jute through the hole and hang outside for birds to enjoy!



Let us know how yours turned out…

Nature Crafts

by | | Crafts • Garden Programs • Library Gardens • TPL Gardens

As I look at the calendar and think about the upcoming holidays, I’m also starting to think of snow.  It’ll be here soon.  But I still want to hold on to the beauty that the fall season has to offer.  I’m not quite ready to slip into winter.

If you are feeling the same, here are some wonderful nature crafts that would put all those pressed leaves, collected acorns and pinecones, and miscellaneous treasures from nature to creative use:


Fall Leaves Window Display

Wild Kingdom
Magical Nature Creatures


Fairy Tea


Playfullearningleafpeople
Leaf People

CirclesOfLife3

Nature Mandalas


Be sure to also check out the fall leaf and seed activities in the children’s area during your next visit to the library.

ENJOY!!!

Seeds of Fall

by | | TPL Gardens

Autumn is such a beautiful season here in New England and a great time to enjoy nature’s wonders.  

Upon first glance, our gardens may already seem to be starting their winter slumber.  There just doesn’t seem to be much going on.  But, take a closer look…

Plants are hoping to send off their seeds before their long rest.  Explore the library garden and you’ll find all sorts of interesting seeds: parachutes, exploders, hitchhikers, and winged-seeds.  There are even seed pods that sound like a rattle!

Here are some great books about seeds that you and your child can read together:  

A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston
Seeds, by Ken Robbins
Flip, float, fly : seeds on the move, by JoAnn Early Macken

And The Field Studies Council has a simple and informative page with a helpful graphic.  


If you would like to do a study of seeds with your children, here are some activity printables:

seed dispersal
animals & seeds
types of seeds


Now get outside and explore!  



We’d love to hear about your experience exploring our garden and learning about fall’s seeds.

Did you miss it?

by | | TPL Gardens

If you weren’t able to join us for the Nature Journaling workshop for adults or if you are interested in learning more about nature journaling, check out the slide presentation from the workshop.  And you’ll definitely want to also check out these great resources:






Nature Journaling Resources

Books:

  • Keeping a Nature Journal, Clare Walker Leslie
  • The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook …, Clare Walker Leslie
  • Nature Journaling: Learning to Observe and Connect With the World Around You,  Charles E. Roth
  • Hands-On Nature, Jenepher Lingelbach



Websites/Blogs:



Drawing Resources

Books:

  • Illustrating Nature: Right-Brain Art in a Left-Brain World, Irene Brady
  • (The New) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, Betty Edwards
  • The Zen of Seeing, Frederick Franck




Happy journaling!













Anyone can…

by | | Garden Programs • TPL Gardens

If you enjoy being outside, if you appreciate the beauty of nature, if you would like to gain a deeper understanding of the natural world, then please join us at the Topsham Public Library for our very first Nature Journaling workshop for adults.


If you would like to make time to slow down; if you want to enjoy the present moment; if you would like to explore an outlet to fulfill your creative energies, you will want to come to the library Saturday the 29th at 1:00pm.


There are no prerequisites for attending.  There are no special talents or skills needed.  You are only asked to come with an open mind and the desire to see the wonder.