This newsletter is brought to you by the Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum and was delivered to your mailbox because you directly subscribe to it or gave your e-mail address as part of your membership registration. If you have changed your mind and wish to unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of this page.

While you may view our full program on the Events Page of our website, we are pleased to highlight these upcoming programs.

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11th ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARDEN CONFERENCE

Saturday, March 6 - 9:00 AM

VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING

The Friends of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County are teaming up to present their Annual Community Garden Conference for the eleventh year in a row. It's going to be virtual this year, but we have an impressive list of session speakers, all experts in their field who will cover topics relevant to community gardeners, garden managers, and those trying to establish a new community garden.

Some of the sessions will be recorded prior to the conference so you will be able to watch at your leisure and some will be live with a Q&A in real time on March 6.

The topics for the 2021 conference include:

• Keynote Speaker Ken Greene, founder of Hudson Valley Seed Company.
• Ask the Experts with County Agent and Rutgers Vegetable Expert Peter Nitzsche and Kris Holmstrom, Rutgers Vegetable IPM Expert on Understanding Disease Management in a Community Garden.
• Food Safety in Community Gardens by County Agent Meredith Melendez.
• Seed Starting by Rutgers Master Gardener Grace Tshanakas.
• The Pest Patrol: Discovering Pests and Diseases in Community Gardens by Rutgers Master Gardener Community Garden IPM Team.
• The Coordinator's Round Table moderated by Ned Gardner, Co-manager of the Ted Largman Community Garden.
• Vegetable Garden Planning for Community Gardens by Rutgers Master Gardener Brian Monaghan.

This program is eligible for 5.0 Rutgers Master Gardener CEUs.

Please click on the graphic for more information and to register online.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION: LENTIL SOUP

Anytime in February

A RECORDED PROGRAM

Chef Cynthia Triolo will show you how to make Lentil Soup, a healthy and comforting meal, especially in the dead of winter - Make a big batch and freeze some for later!

Register now and receive the access link when the recording is available.

Please click on the soup photo to register for this program online.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION: RISI E BISI (Rice and Peas)

Anytime in March

A RECORDED PROGRAM

Chef Cynthia Triolo will make Risi e Bisi (Rice and Peas) a traditional Italian dish similar to risotto. It is best made in early spring when fresh peas and their tendrils are available.

Register now and receive the access link when the recording is available.

Please click on the rice & peas to register for this program online.

SWEET PEAS HOW-TO TUTORIAL by FLORET

No cutting garden is complete without at least one row of fragrant, nostalgic Sweet Peas.

Learn how to grow them at: https://www.floretflowers.com/resources/how-to-grow-sweet-peas/

TWO VIRTUAL MORRIS COUNTY PARK COMMISSION PROGRAMS:

WINTER AT THE FRELINGHUYSEN ARBORETUM

As you all know, we had a serious winter storm this week that dumped 19" of snow in Morris Township.

The following photos were taken in previous years, but show the beauty of the Arboretum grounds under a mantle of snow.

Click an image to see them all in our website's picture gallery.

Photos by Margery Ennist

YOU CAN STILL REGISTER FOR PREVIOUS ZOOM PRESENTATIONS

Once you have registered for "Composting and Eco-friendly Yard Care" or "Dahlias", you will receive a link to watch the recorded version.

Go to our Events page to register and pay online.

Retail Partners

When shopping at our fine Retail Partners, please remember to present your Membership card at the beginning of your check out transaction. Our Retail Partners need to enter the discount at the beginning of that process.

If you have not yet used this wonderful Member Benefit, you can view our full list of Retail Partners by clicking here.

Amazon Smile

Don't forget to "SMILE!"Amazon Smile, that is!

Amazon, through the AmazonSmile Foundation will contribute 0.5% of your purchases on Amazon to a charitable organization you select. Please consider selecting The Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum as your designated recipient from this wonderful program.

Click here and log in to your amazon account to designate the Friends as your charity.

That's it for this time. Hope you enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. Tell your friends about this handy way to keep up with activities at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum (click here for complete directions for subscribing.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Friends Staff will be out of the office until Fall 2021, however we will continue working remotely. Please note our new Post Office Box number and staff emails.

SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENTS

PANDEMIC SCHEDULE

Morris County Park Commission has reopened the Frelinghuysen, Willowwood and Bamboo Brook Arboreta 7 days a week, from 8am to dusk.

• Parking is limited. Buildings remain closed. Portajohns are available.
• Please protect yourselves and fellow visitors by social distancing and by wearing masks.
• HUNTING IN THE PARKS - Be aware that deer hunting is permitted in many of the MCPC facilities, including the arboreta, during the fall and winter. The schedule and type (bow or firearm) is listed on the MCPC website here.

We will keep you posted as further updates become available.

Visit our website: https://www.arboretumfriends.org.
Email your comments or suggestions to webmaster@arboretumfriends.org.

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a facility of the Morris County Park Commission