URGENT UPDATE: Clinton residents are invited to a hands-on workshop focused on growing native plants that support at-risk pollinators. Scheduled for January 24, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bigelow Free Public Library, this event is critical for those looking to enhance their gardening skills while helping the environment.
Led by seasoned garden installers Freddie Gillespie and Giancarla Kalpas from Rauscher Farm, the workshop titled “Native Plants: A Winter Sow Workshop” will teach participants how to use recycled milk jugs for winter planting. This innovative method allows seeds to undergo natural winter conditions, promoting germination in spring and ensuring vibrant native plants by summer.
“Most native plant seeds have co-evolved with New England weather patterns and require winter conditions to grow,” Gillespie stated. This workshop presents an accessible way for community members to create beautiful gardens while supporting vulnerable pollinators.
The seeds provided at the workshop are sourced from research conducted by Dr. Robert Gegear, a recognized expert at UMass Dartmouth, who focuses on the relationship between native plants and pollinators. He advises the Rauscher Farm Pollinator Meadow Nursery Garden, ensuring that participants are working with scientifically selected seeds.
No prior gardening experience is necessary. Participants will receive seeds along with step-by-step instructions, often leaving with extra seedlings to share. Kalpas emphasized,
“Participants will receive hands-on guidance and can help our local ecosystem thrive.”
Attendees are asked to bring 2 to 4 clean, translucent gallon milk jugs (with caps removed), scissors or a box cutter, and small towels for cleanup. Optional items include an apron and a cordless drill with a 1/4-inch bit.
Space is limited to just 20 participants, and registration is required to secure a spot. Volunteers to assist with cleanup are also welcome.
Rauscher Farm, a sprawling 62-acre area with open fields and woodlands located at 29 Clamshell Road, has been a community gem since its purchase by the town of Clinton in June 2008. The farm preserves nearly 60 acres of scenic open space, allowing visitors to explore diverse landscapes, including grasslands, wetlands, and shoreline access to Clamshell Pond.
For registration details and more information, visit the library’s website at bigelowlibrary.org or call 978-365-4160. For direct links to workshop registration, check out rauscherfarm.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to local biodiversity while enhancing your gardening skills!
