Norfolk ‘Aggie’ Senior receives
2025 Fairbanks Garden Club Scholarship
2025 Fairbanks Garden Club Scholarship
Aleena Zaferacopoulos, of Dedham, received the 2025 Holly Dixon Memorial Scholarship from the Fairbanks Garden Club (FGC) at their Board Meeting held on June 3rd at the Endicott Estate.
Aleena is a member of the Class of 2025 at the Norfolk County Agricultural School (Norfolk Aggie). She was an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) during her high school years. In May 2024, she completed an internship with the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, through the Aggie’s cooperative educational program. Aleena volunteered at the Endicott Greenhouse in Dedham from 2017 through 2025 and at the 2025 FGC Plant Sale. Aleena will be attending the University of New England (UNE) in Maine, pursuing a degree in Environmental Science.
The FGC Educational Grant is awarded annually to a graduating senior from Dedham who plans to study plant science, horticulture, environmental science, agriculture, or biology.
Aleena is a member of the Class of 2025 at the Norfolk County Agricultural School (Norfolk Aggie). She was an active member of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) during her high school years. In May 2024, she completed an internship with the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, through the Aggie’s cooperative educational program. Aleena volunteered at the Endicott Greenhouse in Dedham from 2017 through 2025 and at the 2025 FGC Plant Sale. Aleena will be attending the University of New England (UNE) in Maine, pursuing a degree in Environmental Science.
The FGC Educational Grant is awarded annually to a graduating senior from Dedham who plans to study plant science, horticulture, environmental science, agriculture, or biology.
Butterfly Weed seeds photo by Loretta Larraga
NOVEMBER GARDENING TIPS:
from the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association Nov 2018 newsletter, The Dirt
Looking to collect and save monarch-friendly milkweed seeds Asclepias spp.? Check plants now for long, narrow seed pods. Unopened pods can be tested for maturity by gently pressing on the seam; if the pod opens, you're in luck! Remove the central rib, then gently separate the seeds from the fluff.
Pods already popped? Gather the seeds (floss attached) in a paper sack, add a few pennies and shake to separate. Cut a slit in the bottom of the bag, and the seeds should fall free.
ALSO
Keep watering perennials, trees and shrubs until the ground freezes. Plants spent the growing season putting out leaves and flowers. Now they've turned their attention to building strong root systems to get them through the winter; and that takes water! Newly-installed plants are especially water-dependent. UMass Extension counsels that if we hit a 5-7 day period without at least 1" of rainfall, everything (except established lawns) should get a healthy drink.
from the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association Nov 2018 newsletter, The Dirt
Looking to collect and save monarch-friendly milkweed seeds Asclepias spp.? Check plants now for long, narrow seed pods. Unopened pods can be tested for maturity by gently pressing on the seam; if the pod opens, you're in luck! Remove the central rib, then gently separate the seeds from the fluff.
Pods already popped? Gather the seeds (floss attached) in a paper sack, add a few pennies and shake to separate. Cut a slit in the bottom of the bag, and the seeds should fall free.
ALSO
Keep watering perennials, trees and shrubs until the ground freezes. Plants spent the growing season putting out leaves and flowers. Now they've turned their attention to building strong root systems to get them through the winter; and that takes water! Newly-installed plants are especially water-dependent. UMass Extension counsels that if we hit a 5-7 day period without at least 1" of rainfall, everything (except established lawns) should get a healthy drink.