JANUARY-FEBRUARY

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Pub Sing (Music)

First & Third Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm

A pub-style sing along. Anyone can lead a song, but no-one is obliged to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated! Covid precautions: Because singing is a relatively high-risk activity, please attend only if fully vaccinated, boosted, and symptom-free.

Contact: Jeff at jeff.keller@gmail.com 

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Visit the Growing Center table at the Winter Farmers Market

(Outreach)

Saturday, January 13, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville

Come by our table at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market. We’ll be hosting a Seed Swap and sharing info about the Seed Sale! Dig through your seeds and see what you might spare to share. Come see what new varieties you might find & meet other growers–or try growing for the first time. We will have a limited supply of free native flower seeds to give away, harvested from the Growing Center and some donated by Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways, to help increase pollinator habitats in Somerville and beyond.

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Friends of the Growing Center Annual Meeting (Educational)

Sunday, January 28, 3:00-4:30 pm     

Join us at Upstairs at Bow inside Bow Market, where the Friends will share our accomplishments and challenges from the 2023 calendar year, including visitor and volunteer numbers and statistics & fundraising and financial data; present the budget for the year ahead; and approve the proposed slate of Board Members and Officers. We will also share special opportunities as we are in the midst of our 30th year and related reflection/planning activities in the near future. All are invited! More info and to see the recorded presentation visit our Annual Meeting page.

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Winter in the Garden: Winter Sowing Workshop (Winter Series)

Sunday, February 4

12:00-1:00 pm English

1:00-2:00 pm Spanish & Portuguese

This event is offered in English, then in Spanish and Portuguese. Get some cold hardy plants started for spring. Please bring a clear plastic milk jug, but we will have some extras. Soil and seeds available. Dress for the weather, this workshop will be held all outdoors. 

 

Siembra de Invierno

Domingo, 4 de Febrero 13:00-14:00 pm

Empieza a plantar plantas resistentes al frío para la primavera. Por favor, traiga una jarra de leche de plástico transparente, pero tendremos algunos extras. Dispondremos de tierra y semillas. Vístase para el clima, este taller se llevará a cabo al aire libre. 

 

Winter Play and Wellness Workshop: a K-12 Family Event

(Winter Series)

Wednesday, Feb 7, 2-3:30 pm

Come outside and play! Activities will include mindful movement and community-building exercises, freezing nature mandalas and more! Dress to be outdoors in the weather of the day. Bring a yoga mat or blanket.

Email Natalia to register: natalia.bayona@mysticriver.org 

 

Introduction to Plant and Wildlife Monitoring (Educational)

for Conservation with Earthwise Aware

Saturday, February 10, 2:00-3:30 pm

Join Claire and Earthwise Aware (EwA) citizen scientists and learn how to observe and record the plants, insects, and animals of the Somerville Growing Center. With these observation events and through the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform, we contribute to biodiversity science while enjoying the outdoors together in this beautiful little garden. Also learn about EwA’s arthropod (insect and spider) and phenology studies at the Growing Center.

Contact: Claire O’Neill at claire.oneill@earthwiseaware.org 

 

Winter Tree Identification (Winter Series)

Sunday, February 11, 11:00 am

This event is full. But please email to be put on a waiting list or to be notified of another date this will be offered. Reach out to jennifer.clifford@earthwiseaware.org. 

 

Winter Foraging (Winter Series)

Sunday, February 25, 12:00-2:00 pm

Sage McTaggart will teach us how to identify some edible and medicinal plants on winter walks. Come prepared with a mug to enjoy some tasty teas during an often overlooked season!  All are welcome! Don't forget to dress for the weather.

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Winter Sowing: DIY Milk Jug Greenhouses (Winter Series)

Sunday, February 25, 4:00 pm

Off-site, indoors @ CultureHouse Union Square

64 Union Square, Somerville

Get some cold hardy plants started for spring. Please bring a clear plastic milk jug, but we will have some extras. Soil and seeds available. Limited to 10, so please RSVP here.

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MARCH

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Pub Sing (Music)

First & Third Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm

A pub-style sing along. Anyone can lead a song, but no-one is obliged to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated! Covid precautions: Because singing is a relatively high-risk activity, please attend only if fully vaccinated, boosted, and symptom-free.

Contact: Jeff at jeff.keller@gmail.com 

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Visit Growing Center Table at the Summer Camp & Activities Fair

@ East Somerville Community School (Outreach)

Thursday, March 7, 5:00-7:00 pm

50 Cross Street, Somerville 

Representatives from more than 20 summer programs in Somerville and the region will be on-hand to talk to families. Also enjoy free pizza and fun activities. The 2024 Summer Guide will be available to take home.

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25th Annual Maple Boil Down (Educational)

Saturday, March 2, 2024 ~ 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Rain/Weather Date: Saturday, March 9, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

All are invited! Join in the fun. As part of this project, a team of volunteers tapped a swath of maple trees on the Tufts campus beginning in late January, collecting dozens of gallons of sap over a number of weeks. At the Maple Boil Down, coordinated by the Somerville Community Growing Center, we'll boil it all down into real, true 100% hyper-local maple syrup. At this event, youth and adults alike will have a chance to learn about tree anatomy and physiology and experience the process of making fresh maple syrup first-hand. Read more about the Somerville Maple Syrup Project here.  

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The Trustees' 48th Annual Gardeners’ Gathering (Outreach)

Saturday, March 16, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Shillman Hall, Northeastern University (115 Forsyth Street)

https://thetrustees.org/program/gardeners-gathering/

Celebrate the start of the gardening season! The 48th Annual Gardeners’ Gathering brings Boston-area gardeners together for a free day full of informative workshops, engaging exhibitors, networking, and inspiration. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Mel King’s Massachusetts Gardening and Farm Act, the Gathering will focus on celebrating our invaluable legacy gardeners, taking a look back on the incredible community growing work in Boston over the last half a century. Look for the Growing Center's table at this great event!

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Yoga Practice with Jenn (Zoom) (Health/Wellness)

Sunday, March 24, 9:30-10:30 am

Join for yoga over Zoom for an hour of saluting the Sun, finding stillness in between movements, and embracing the winter season! Practice with local instructor, Jenn Falk with a requested donation to the Growing Center. 

Contact for link: Jenn at jennpfalk@gmail.com

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Visit the Growing Center table at the Winter Farmers Market

(Outreach)

Saturday, March 30, 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville

Come by our table at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market, where we’ll be hosting a Seed Swap! Dig through your seeds and see what you might spare to share. Come see what new varieties you might find and meet other growers–or try growing for the first time. We will have a limited supply of free native flower seeds to give away, harvested from the Growing Center.

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APRIL

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Pub Sing (Music)

First & Third Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm

A pub-style sing along. Anyone can lead a song, but no-one is obliged to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated! Covid precautions: Because singing is a relatively high-risk activity, please attend only if fully vaccinated, boosted, and symptom-free.

Contact: Jeff at jeff.keller@gmail.com 

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Yoga Practice with Jenn (Zoom) (Health/Wellness)

Sunday, April 14, 9:30-10:30 am

Join for yoga over Zoom for an hour of saluting the Sun, finding stillness in between movements, and embracing the winter season! Practice with local instructor, Jenn Falk with a requested donation to the Growing Center. 

Contact for link: Jenn at jennpfalk@gmail.com

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Earth Day Celebration: Pollinators, Planting & Possibilities

(Seasonal)

Saturday, April 20, 2:00-4:00 pm

Join us as we partner with the City of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment, Somerville Garden Club, Groundwork Somerville and others for an Earth Day celebration.  Get your hands and heart into participatory planting with free seeds/seedlings and nature based art. Make your own pollinator button while learning about biodiversity and the Somerville Pollinator Action Plan. Musical background provided by local duo Green Peppercorn.
Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org 

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Connecting and Co-planning Gathering (Volunteer)

Sunday, April 21, 4:30-6:00 pm

at Connexion, 149 Broadway, East Somerville

As part of our Strategic Planning initiative, we invite all past, present and future Growing Center volunteers to gather for a late afternoon of socializing. In addition to meeting each other, we would be grateful for your assistance in strategizing ways that we can best meet the needs of our volunteers and the greater community.  

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This is also an opportunity to meet Bethany Burke, who recently joined us as Operations Manager. This position was developed as part of earlier strategic planning, which identified the need to increase capacity to improve the impact of the Center's role in the lives of the city's residents. Light refreshments and chances to win some of the very precious 2024 Somerville Maple Syrup or seed packets from the Center!

RSVP to Bethany: bethany@thegrowingcenter.org.

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Plant Walk (Educational)

Wednesday, April 24, 5:30-6:30 pm

Come for an exploratory walk around the Center to observe and learn about the plants with host Mo Katz-Christy. What is growing now, what are some of the names and stories of some of the plants in this urban greenspace? Monthly walks will also be moving around the city and nearby towns, then circling back to the Center in the fall.

Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org

Flyer here

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Yoga in the Garden (Health/Wellness)

Sunday, April 28, 9:30-10:30 am

An hour of mindful movement practice to turn off from obligations and connect to the body and mind. Offered by Jenn Pici Falk. 

Contact: Jenn at jennpfalk@gmail.com

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Herb of the Month: Violet (Educational)

Sunday, April 28, 4:00-5:30 pm

Spend some afternoon time with clinical herbalist Mo Katz-Christy getting deeply acquainted with one medicinal plant each month! Learn through drawing, tasting, science and storytelling. Bring your journal and leave with an in-depth account of botany, history, clinical use and more.

Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org 

Flyer here

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MAY

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Spring Garden Day (Seasonal)

Saturday, May 4, 12:00-2:00 pm, Rain Date May 5

Celebrate spring with the annual Morris Dancing and participatory Maypole dance. Take home native seeds harvested at the Center. Bring and/ or take seeds or seedlings from a Seed Exchange Table.  Learn about local pollinators and the related City Action Plan.

Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org 

 

Foraging with Sage (Educational)

Sunday, May 5, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sage McTaggart will teach us how to identify some edible and medicinal plants on walks in the Center and nearby.

Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org 

 

Pub Sing (Music)

First & Third Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm

A pub-style sing along. Anyone can lead a song, but no-one is obliged to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated! Covid precautions: Because singing is a relatively high-risk activity, please attend only if fully vaccinated, boosted, and symptom-free.

Contact: Jeff at jeff.keller@gmail.com 

 

Community Read Aloud (Children)

Wednesday, May 8, 3:00-4:00 pm

Bring a blanket and join our Community Read Aloud series in the garden with community guest readers. Readers will read in the language they prefer. All are welcome.  All are welcome, books will be suited to 2-7 year-olds. 

Contact: Paula, paula@thegrowingcenter.org

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Introduction to Plant and Wildlife Monitoring for Conservation with Earthwise Aware (Educational)

Saturday, May 11, 2:00-3:30 pm

Join Claire and Earthwise Aware (EwA) citizen scientists and learn how to observe and record the plants, insects, and animals of the Somerville Growing Center. Register here!

Contact: Claire O’Neill at claire.oneill@earthwiseaware.org 

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Yoga with Jenn (Health/Wellness) CANCELLED - Moved to 6/2

Sunday, May 12, 9:30-10:30 am

An hour of mindful movement practice to turn off from obligations and connect to the body and mind. Offered by Jenn Pici Falk, who also offers some online sessions here. 

Contact: Jen at jennpfalk@gmail.com. 

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Community Read Aloud (Children)

Wednesday, May 15, 3:00-4:00 pm

Bring a blanket and join our Community Read Aloud series in the garden with community guest readers. Readers will read in the language they prefer. All are welcome.  All are welcome, books will be suited to 2-7 year-olds. 

Contact: Paula, paula@thegrowingcenter.org

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Festa Junina Prep @ CultureHouse (Volunteer)

Sunday, May 19, 4:00-6:00 pm

For all ages! This crafting session will take place at the CultureHouse pop-up in Union Square, at 64 Union Square. Help prepare materials for the June 15 Festa Junina at the Growing Center. Just show up and have fun. Portuguese language-friendly activity.

Contact: Yumi at yumiisu65@gmail.com

 

Anthotypes Workshop (Educational)

Saturday, May 25, 1:00-3:00 pm, Rain Date June 1

Join local artist, photographer and gardener Mary Kocol for an anthotype demo showing how to extract color from plants to make images. Anthotype (flower print) is an eco-friendly photo-based process that uses colorful flowers and plant emulsion to create ephemeral images and photograms, using the sun to make exposures. For all ages and experience levels. Supported in part by funding from the Somerville Arts Council, a local commission supported by the City of Somerville and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org

Flyer here

 

Music by Greg Lawrence of Wayward Vine (Music)

Saturday, May 25, 4:00-6:00 pm

Wayward Vine is a Boston-based Americana and indie-folk band performing harmony-based originals, including their song “End of May.” Come join Greg and perhaps some other musical friends! Bring a chair or blanket, maybe a picnic with non-alcohol beverages or food from a Union Square business and enjoy music in a garden setting. In honor of the end of May, plant seedlings grown by Growing Center volunteers will be available to take home.

Contact: Liza at lpkitchell@gmail.com 

 

Community Read Aloud (Children)*

Sunday, May 26, 12:00-1:00 pm

Bring a blanket and join our Community Read Aloud series in the garden with community guest readers. Readers will read in the language they prefer. All are welcome.  All are welcome, books will be suited to 2-7 year-olds. 

Contact: Paula, paula@thegrowingcenter.org

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Herb of the Month: Lemon Balm (Educational)

Sunday, May 26, 4:00-5:30 pm

Spend some afternoon time with clinical herbalist Mo Katz-Christy getting deeply acquainted with one medicinal plant each month! Learn through drawing, tasting, science and storytelling. Bring your journal and leave with an in-depth account of botany, history, clinical use and more.

Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org 

Flyer here

 

Plant Walk with Mo (Educational)

Wednesday, May 29, 5:30-6:30 pm

Come for an exploratory walk around the Center to observe and learn about the plants with host Mo Katz-Christy. What is growing now, what are some of the names and stories of some of the plants in this urban greenspace? Monthly walks will also be moving around the city and nearby towns, then circling back to the Center in the fall.

Contact: Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org

Flyer here