Note from Rick . . .  

It looks like we are finally entering Spring -- a little late, but as always well worth the wait. We are finally starting to see the daffodils sprout, starting with Tete-a-Tete, followed shortly by Ice Follies and Camelot.

And just in time for our opening weekend -- April 5 & 6! We will be open weekends now through the end of October from 10 am to 5 pm. Stop by this weekend - we are offering free admission to welcome everyone back.
   

In May, we expect to get new varieties of daffodils popping up -- including Derringer,Thalia and Poet's Narcissus. Other spring bloomers to look for include snowdrops, tulips, witch hazels, Lenten roses, winter hazel and Siberian squill. 

This is also Irene Berkowitz' and Bill Conklin's first week  at Bridge Gardens -- please do stop by and say hello and welcome them both to our community -- Steve McCafferty, who's been with us for the past few years, will also be returning next week!

Over the past few weeks, Irene and I have also been busy helping our friends over at Wolffer Estate Vineyards get their greenhouse back up and  running. In turn, they've provided us with some bench space in the greenhouse to start seeds and get an early start on tomatoes, peppers and other warm-season crops. It's been a great partnership.    

Extending the Season
At the end of last season, we put in a few coldframes and hoop frames with frost blankets or double floating row covers as an experiment in the vegetable  garden, and they worked! For our early sessions of  "Conversations with . . . ", a few of the vegetables were harvested, including carrots, spinach and baby kale. Also, we planted with tulips for cut flowers, and they are just about ready. Stop by, take a look and ask questions.   

Speaking of our "Conversations with..." lecture series, a big thank you to our panelists in March -- Fred Lee, David Falkowski, Pete Ludlow, Miguel Martin, Kareem Massoud and Christopher Tracy -- we had lively discussions on the challenges and opportunities for local food growers and vineyards. Our moderators, Laura Donnelly and Eileen Duffy, were sensational in their interactions with the growers and the audience.  The series   continues this month with "Hops and Brews" on April 6 and "Fruits of the Sea" on April 27 (details below). 

  

Reminder: This is also a great time of year to renew your membership to Bridge Gardens! Membership support of the gardens is critical to keep us growing. To renew today, call Thomas Hobson at 631.283.3195 ext. 20.

It looks as if Spring has finally sprung (the daffodils are just about ready) -- now is the perfect time to make your first visit of the season.

-- Rick Bogusch, Garden Manager

Bridge Gardens is Open for Spring  

Saturdays & Sundays  

10 am to 5 pm  

Admission: $10/person or $20 for a party of 4  

Seasonal memberships: $50/individual or $75/family (up to 4 people per visit).  

Join today by calling Thomas Hobson at 631.283.3195 ext. 20
Summer hours begin on May 23!

Also,  for more pictures!

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Save the Date: Upcoming Programs 

"Conversations with . . . Long Island Grown: Food & Beverage Artisans at Work." Our fourth annual lecture series continues - join us and learn more about the men and women who are producing innovative and entrepreneurial agricultural products designed to meet changing consumer tastes.

This unique 4-part series is moderated by Laura Donnelly, local pastry chef, author, and food editor for the East Hampton Star.

Panel presentations are on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  

• Sunday, April 6, Hops and Brews: Featuring John Condzella of Condzella's Farm, Duffy Griffiths of Crooked Ladder Brewing Company, and Rich Stabile of Long Island Spirits.          
• Sunday, April 27, Fruits of the Sea: Featuring Sean Barrett of Dock to Dish CSA,  Karen Rivara of Noank Aquaculture Cooperative, and Joe Tremblay, S.P.A.T. grower.  

Media Sponsor: Edible East End 

*All programs are at Bridge Gardens, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Pre-paid reservations are required.  

Individual Ticket:  $25/person; Bridge Gardens Member Ticket:  $20/person

  

Please call Robin Harris at 631.283.3195 ext. 19 or email Robin at  RHarris@PeconicLandTrust.org to RSVP today! 

  

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Watercolor Classes with Lois Bender

April 12 and April 19
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Lois Bender returns for a series of inspiring watercolor classes at the Gardens.  Beginner and experienced artists learn to paint landscapes and floral bouquets in a "nature sketchbook-style," or bring your own project ideas for development. 

Join us this month and develop your artistic self!

  

Fee is $45/class, space is limited, prepaid registration required.  Please register in advance on Lois's website at  www.GardenSpiritsNY.com  

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April 26, 10am - 12pm
Volunteer Orientation at Bridge Gardens

 
 Plus: We'll be participating in the Great East End Clean Up. Stick around after the orientation and join us as we pitch in and help us clean up around the Gardens entrance!

Join our team of volunteers who help Rick keep the Gardens in top shape.
Come to our orientation and learn how you can get involved.
For more information and to RSVP, just call Kathy Kennedy, Outreach Manager, at 631.283.3195, ext. 29 or email to KKennedy@PeconicLandTrust.org.

 

Bridge Gardens is located at 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton.  

For more information, email us at BridgeGardens@PeconicLandTrust.org 

or call 631.283.3195.

About Bridge Gardens and the Peconic land Trust 

Bridge Gardens is a unique public garden in the heart of Bridgehampton, featuring an expansive herb garden, perennial, rose and vegetable beds, whimsical topiaries, an array of specimen trees and shrubs and much more. Managed by Rick Bogusch, Bridge Gardens is a stewardship project of the Peconic Land Trust, which conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands and heritage. Bridge Gardens supports the Trust's mission by serving as a multi-purpose, multi-disciplinary outdoor classroom, demonstration garden and community resource.