Calendar of Events

"Two Sculptors  

and a Collector"

Sunday, March 20

1:00 - 3:00 PM 

Plan to join us at Bridge Gardens for the last presentation in our second annual Winter Lecture Series in cooperation with Madoo Conservancy.  Two local sculptors, James Demartis and Carol Ross, will be joined by Arlene Bujese, Curator in Residence of Southampton Cultural Center's Levitas Art Gallery, for what promises to be an interesting and engaging panel discussion on the creation, acquisition, and placement of sculpture in the garden.  The panelists will discuss their work and the finer points of collecting and enjoying sculpture in the landscape.

$15/person, free to members of either garden.  Space is limited.  Refreshments provided.  RSVP to Robin Harris at 631-283-3195 or email her.

Annual Volunteer Orientation and Training

Sunday, March 27

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Join your friends and neighbors to learn how you can make a difference by volunteering with the Peconic Land Trust.  Learn more about the Trust and why so many others have enjoyed their experiences working with staff, friends, and supporters to further conservation in our communities!   

Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 23 to Kathy Kennedy, Outreach Manager at 631-283-3195 or email her.  Refreshments will be provided. 

Opening Day at  

Bridge Gardens

Friday, April 15

It's spring and the Gardens are awake!  Garden Manager Rick Bogusch has made some changes with the addition of new and interesting plant material and a redesign of some of the garden beds.  Please stop by for a visit and be inspired!    

Vegetable Gardening 101

Saturday, April 16

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Join the "locavore" movement and grow your own vegetables!  We're offering a two-part course to show you how.  Part I will begin with the first steps of the home gardening process: breaking ground, preparing and amending the soil, and planning and planting the first early spring crops.  Learn which crops are most productive for the home gardener, the best seed and plant varieties to grow on Eastern Long Island, where to buy them, and how to grow them.  In June, we'll continue with Part II with an emphasis on summer crops, crop rotation, and ways of keeping the garden productive through October and beyond.

$5/person, rain or shine.   

RSVP to Robin Harris at 631-283-3195 or email her. 

Quick Links

Peconic Land Trust

Bridge Gardens

Gift Shop

A Note From Rick . . . 

The snow has melted, the sun is shining brighter, and the days are longer.  Spring is in the air!  My plans for March include cleaning up the property garden by garden, uncovering boxwoods and roses, chipping brush from last year, and having a couple of trees removed.  Once the ground has thawed, I will start transplanting roses.  Repairing the bamboo trellis attached to our post-and-wire perimeter fence is a top priority too, as well as pruning and edging.  If you can have your clean-up done by the end of March and your gardens looking immaculate, then you are well-poised for the rush of April activities.

Right now, most of my gardening is done indoors.  Besides amaryllis and bird of paradise, the standard bloomer of the moment is the flowering onion, also known as Bowiea volubilis.  A South African vine and member of the lily family, the flowering onion is an undemanding house plant that thrives on drought and neglect.

My flowering onion complements a nearby pot of variegated Crinum Lily with its large green and white striped, strap-like leaves.  I put the Crinum outside every summer as it needs lots of room and bright light.  I also planted two begonias at the Crinum's base.  One
 has medium dark bronze leaves, pale green veins,
 true pink flowers, and
 ironclad stature.  The
 other hails pink flowers,
 as well as small apple
 green leaves on
 gracefully arching
 branches.

There is so much to see at Bridge Gardens, which will be open on weekends starting April 15.  Come visit and see what's blooming!

Sincerely,

Rick Bogusch  

Flower of the Month: Witch Hazel

While you're out picking up sticks, look for snowdrops, of course, and the first signs of life from Hellebores.  Fragrant witch hazel blooms have been unfurling on warm days for a couple of weeks now, and will continue to do so well into March.  At Bridge Gardens, we have a vernal witch hazel with short red-orange petals and an "Arnold Promise," the most commonly sold variety.  We plan to add at least one "Jelena," a vigorous variety with large orange flowers, and others in the future.  If you don't already have a witch hazel, consider planting one to announce the end of winter and welcome the beginning of a new gardening season. 

Bridge Gardens Hours and Admissions

New to the Peconic Land Trust gift shop is a boxed set of 12 note cards, featuring four seasonal photos of the Gardens.   

A membership to Bridge Gardens and these note cards make a great gift!   

Available at our online store today.  

Or call 631.283.3195.