Chapters in Massachusetts

Since his retirement in June 2015, while continuing to offer walks and talks on foraging for wild edibles, Russ is now playing the role of Johnny Appleseed for native edible species. He has set up a nursery (near his childhood home in Weston, MA) where he is growing over 1,000 plants, representing more than a third of the more than 190 species native to Northeast ecoregions that are edible by people. Many of these plants were propagated from seed Russ gathered himself. Russ is then collaborating with land trusts, municipalities, state and federal agencies, schools and colleges, tribal groups, organic farms and others, to plant plants from his nursery on appropriate places on their properties. You can learn more about this endeavor in the article Russ Cohen's Wild Edible Adventures, by Cathy Walthers, which ran in the Summer 2018 issue of Edible Boston Magazine; Meet the 'Johnny Appleseed' of Edible Native Plants, by Barbara A. Schmitz, which ran in the Spring 2019 issue of the Wild Ones Journal; a March 2020 video podcast interview with Kim Eierman of EcoBeneficial; or, most recently, the profile of Russ and his native edible plant propagation and planting that ran in the January 2024 edition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's The Leaflet newsletter.

 FYI: of the 190+ species of edible native -plants, I have figured out how to grow about 100 of them, and most of these species are currently in my nursery.

*Limited to 20 visitors - Address will be shared via email with those who Register.

We would like to car pool if possible considering the distance and to be environmentally conscious. 

Garden Description from Andrea:

Join us for a casual afternoon at my home and garden. We’ll enjoy a potluck lunch, explore the garden, and relax by the water.

At the end of a long dirt road, and on the shore of a serene 300-acre pond, this garden is my effort to create a habitat-friendly space that showcases the beauty of our native plants—proving that when you plant it, they really do come!   We are located in the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens, a rare ecosystem that stretches along southeastern Massachusetts and parts of New Jersey, and is known for its sandy soils and a surprising diversity of rare plants and animals, many of which can’t be found anywhere else. If we’re lucky, we may even see a Plymouth Gentian in bloom!

After a walk-about in the garden and a potluck lunch, feel free to take a kayak or canoe out for a bit on the pond. I have plenty of boats and life vests available, but you’re also welcome to bring your own—just give it a quick scrub beforehand to help protect the pond from bacteria or invasive species that can travel between bodies of water.

*Limit 40 people - Chapter Members are allowed to bring one guest

Address Will Be Emailed to Chapter Members Who Register.

**Rain Date is Sunday July 27

Garden Description from Rose:

Plant wise my motto has alway been everyone is welcome. You can imagine the problems that has created.  On the other hand, I have a lot of plants.  I have lived at my home for 20 years and have gardened heavily since day one.  I have learned from my mistakes as well as from the challenges the property presents.  I have several 

black Walnut trees.  They ooze juglone from the roots and prevent the growth of many plants. I spent years ripping out every ground cover known to man and of course a huge population of those God forsaken Jumping worms. 

My original design was rather formal.  It didn't suit the sun exposure (not much) nor my permissive/organic/spontaneous style.  Borders were erased, beds enlarged and raised.  I have scouted out many a construction site for rocks and shoveled many many yards of soil.  Pop a pond in here, a few trees there, lots of paths and I keep finding space for new beds. I am not afraid to change my mind.  Last year I moved a massive tree peony and it has buds!!  In my head I hear the phrase " voy a transplantar". I love an end of year sale, of course I race to get them planted and come spring I have lots of surprises. I was lucky to hit BlueStem on the last day of the season last fall.  I made a killing. 

These days I try to only plant Natives.  I don't rake or do any garden clean up until mid spring. I am rewarded with tons of fireflies. I have several Mason bee houses, they are fascinating.  I have an elaborate system for collecting every raindrop I possibly can. I am committed to the cause and feel lucky and proud that my current obsession will truly make a difference. in the world.

Plenty of street parking.

Address will be shared via email with those who Register.

This area of Pembroke was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag People, and in the1930s-50s, when the nearby streets of Wampatuck, Mattakeesett (“place of many fish”), Indian Trail, and Queensbrook were laid, they signified the previous inhabitants and the importance of the water here.  In the 1930s-40s, the neighborhood of Oldham Village was planned by Dana Pratt to be a summer community on Oldham Pond.  Many of the streets are named after his family members.  In 1938, this tiny cottage was built.  Patricia is the 7th resident to live here.  It was winterized in the 1970s, and in the 1980s expanded to 886 SqFt.  In 2005, Patricia moved in and named her home Comfort Cottage.  Immediately, Patricia began cleaning out the dumping ground (leaves, bricks, stone, junk) out back, saving the stones and bricks for future borders and hardscape.  Some brick hardscape was already here, but smaller.  Over time, five large Eastern White Pines, three Black Cherries, and three Pin Cherry trees were removed.  Then Rose of. Sharon, three wisteria (still battling one), Japanese honeysuckle, berberis, burning bush, ivy, lily-of-the-valley (still battling), and vinca were removed.  Little by little the lawn was removed to become paths and year-by-year, gardens were created and lined with the stone.  Compost from the dump was added to the beds, as well as sawdust and cow manure from nearby farms.  Since 2006, a lot has been learned about what works and doesn’t here, especially that native plants (in the right spot) do the best and attract the most pollinators.  So, a deliberate shift towards native plants began around 2018, and when Blue Stem Native Nursery was established, it has been easier to add.  Although this is a very small parcel of land (.10 acres), it has a positive impact on the environment.  No bird feeders will be found here, but over 100 varieties of birds visit, along with numerous pollinators, fireflies, bunnies, chipmunks, skunks, opossums, frogs, toads, and other magical things.  You will find some of Patricia’s favorite natives here, such as Clethra, with its “summersweet” fragrance, red columbine, with its nod to spring, boneset, with its appeal to many pollinators, and milkweeds, with their allure to butterflies.  In total, there are over 40 different native plants here.  Patricia hopes your visit to Comfort Cottage inspires you and provides you with a sense of peace and comfort.

*Space limited to 15 Chapter Members.

Parking for seven cars with additional three at the beach. People could carpool by parking at the Pembroke community center 128 Center St.

Address will be shared via email with those who Register.

Check back later for details.