Millbrook Library kicks off ‘Garden Matters’ series with soil health

Millbrook Library kicks off ‘Garden Matters’ series with soil health

Alex Kohler, left, and Maggie Thomas of Stonewood Farm in Millbrook lead a talk on soil health at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Feb. 21. The talk was the first in a series of lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Garden Club that is set to continue monthly through July.

Photo By Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — An ambitious series of gardening talks under the umbrella title “Garden Matters” kicked off at the Millbrook Library with its first program, “Building Healthy Soil,” on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Gardeners of varied experience turned out for the opening session of what organizers describe as a year-long exploration of healthy, sustainable gardening practices.

The library’s adult program coordinator, Jen McCreery, introduced the event and said monthly talks are already planned through February 2027. The extended schedule, she noted, reflects strong community interest in topics ranging from soil health to practical techniques for home gardeners.

Among those attending was Denise Bauer, immediate past chair of the library’s Friends organization, who said the library’s pollinator garden project would not feel complete without a series on healthy gardening. Bauer added that Emma Sweeney, past president of the Millbrook Garden Club, was instrumental in planning the series alongside McCreery.

The program was presented by Stonewood Farm co-managers Alex Kohler and Maggie Thomas. They began with a brief history of the farm that has evolved since its founders Ken Holzberg and Tom Kopfensteiner first purchased the property. Over 13 years, the founders engaged in selective clearing, working carefully with the land’s topography and preserving natural features.

Today, a 1.5-acre plot holds the fruit and vegetable gardens.

Operating as a nonprofit since 2021, Stonewood Farm supports local food distribution programs, including the food pantry at Lyall Community Church and Meals on Wheels.

The talk covered a wide range of soil-related topics, including understanding soil health, managing fertility, pest and disease management, tillage, tool care, bed preparation and the importance of “closing the loop” to keep gardening local.

Successful gardening is rooted in science, Thomas explained.

“Farmers are scientists; everyone interested in growing things is a scientist,” Thomas said, noting that growing things involves relationship.

“Relationship is probably what matters,” Kohler agreed. “Soil, air and water co-exist; they can’t exist in isolation.”

Proponents of minimal soil disruption, both Thomas and Kohler emphasized that organic matter is the gardener’s best friend. For example, earthworms exist in a certain stratum within the soil layers, inhabiting and benefitting the top ten inches.

“The deeper you dig, the more disruptive you are,” Kohler said, recommending four inches or less.

“Avoid deep tillage,” Thomas said.

Compost provides vital nutrients to soil, so much so that it is termed “black gold” by gardeners, Kohler said. A thick layer of compost does wonders, but refrain from adding anything citrus to your compost.

Companion plantings are helpful in warding off insects and disease in plants. For example, Kohler said, team basil with tomatoes, Marigolds with peppers, Nasturtiums with squash and plant a few alliums. Beneficial insects should be encouraged, including green lacewing flies, lady bugs, and all manner of predator bugs.

“Most big bugs you want to encourage,” Kohler said, but acknowledged that some big bugs are bad.

“Soil is alive; bring nutrients together for a healthy garden,” both advised, while cautioning that the nutrients are finite. “Choose to replenish the soil.”

The Garden Matters series is presented by the Millbrook Garden Club in partnership with Stonewood Farm and the Friends of the Millbrook Library. The next library event in the series is “Grocery to Garden,” to be taught by Jessica Williams of Odd Duck Farm, Highland, New York, on Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. For more information on the Millbrook Library series, go to www.millbrooklibrary.org.

Latest News

New climbing gym planned for Great Barrington

Photo by Alec Linden

A climber explores Great Barrington’s renowned bouldering areas, reflecting the growing local interest in the sport ahead of the planned opening of Berkshire Boulders.

Alec Linden

Berkshire Boulders, a rock climbing gym, is set to open in the Berkshires later this year, aiming to do more than fill a gap in indoor recreation — it could help bring climbing further into the region’s mainstream.

Its co-founders already have their sights set beyond the roughly 2,000 square feet of climbable wall planned for a site off Route 7, just north of downtown Great Barrington.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wind, tarps and trail wisdom: a day learning how to camp smarter

Mat Jobin teaches the group how to use a permanent platform to rig a tent. The privy and lean-to of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Limestone Spring Shelter are visible in the background.

Alec Linden

A happy day on the trail all starts with a good night’s sleep the night before. That’s local trekking guide Mat Jobin’s mantra, and he affirms that a good night’s sleep is possible even if it has to be on the trail itself – with the right preparation, that is.

Jobin, of Simsbury, Connecticut, is a 16-year professional guide and the founder and owner of Reach Your Summit, an outdoor experiences company that promotes self-confidence and leadership skills through a variety of excursions and educational workshops in the forests of New England. On Saturday, April 11, Jobin hosted the inaugural Campsite Selection & Skills workshop just off the Falls Village section of the Appalachian Trail.

Keep ReadingShow less
Grandmother Moon: Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason book talk in Torrington

The story comes full circle when educator, traditional storyteller and author Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/Ho-Chunk) comes to Litchfield County to read from her new book, Grandmother Moon, inspired by her grandmother, Indigenous educator Trudie Lamb Richmond, who lived on Schaghticoke land along the Housatonic River in Kent.

On Saturday, April 18, from 2-4 p.m., the Torrington Historical Society at 192 Main St. will host the book talk and sharing of traditional stories.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Photographer David Ricci’s New Book at Five Points Art Center

“Everything Everywhere All At Once,” a photo from David Ricci’s book Hunter Gatherer.

Photo by David Ricci - Hunter/Gatherer

David Ricci will bring his exploration of American materialism to the Five Points Arts Center in Torrington on Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., where he will discuss his new book, Hunter Gatherer.

Ricci is fascinated by America’s obsession with objects. In Hunter Gatherer, he examines a distinct strain of materialism—one rooted not in the new, but in the items that endure.

Keep ReadingShow less

NEAR and FAR

NEAR and FAR

“WHATSTOCOMEHASALREADYBEEN” by Richard Marr 40x30 (2021)

Photo Provided

Tyte Gallery, located on the 2nd floor at 3280 Franklin Ave. in Millbrook, presents NEAR and FAR, a solo exhibition of new work by Richard Marr, opening with a reception April 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. Marr’s immersive landscape paintings explore the movement and force of water—from ocean waves to the Hudson River—while reflecting on nature’s interconnected rhythms and humanity’s place within them. On view through June 7.

Students get a taste of the real world during Career Day

Ella Emberlin, an eighth grader at Salisbury Central School, meets alum Colby Hickey, owner of Colby’s Tree Service, on Career Day.

Madi Long

SHARON – Sharon Center School students got a firsthand look at potential career paths on Friday, April 10, during their annual Career Day, where guest speakers from a range of fields spoke with students in fourth through eighth grade.

The annual event is organized by school counselor Liz Foster, who aims to showcase the positions held by local community members. Presenters included a meteorologist, scuba diving instructor, mechanic and attorney.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.