Workshops
Landscape designer, certified horticulturalist and arborist Jim McSweeney is on the faculty at the New England Wildflower Society, teaching courses on a diverse range of topics: Natural Pest Control, Pruning, Landscape Design with Natives, among other helpful classes for both professional and amateur gardeners. Click here for a complete New England Wildflower Society course listing.
He also does workshops for the Franklin Land Trust, the Goshen Open Space Committee, the Hilltown Community Development Corporation (CDC), various garden centers in Western Massachusetts, and a myriad of other non-profit organizations.
Workshops
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April 4th Hawks~Hayden Community Room at Meekins Library Cost- Free Instructor: Jim McSweeney, |
Natural Pest Control “1st in a series” of the “Meekins & Hilltown Tree & Garden Horticultural Workshops Series”Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Jim McSweeney is a Certified arborist, horticulturist and a licensed pesticide applicator by the state of MA. He uses at home and for his business the least environmental caustic control technique that work. Feel free to bring sample weeds & insect pests and lots of questions. |
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March 28th Holyoke High Instructor: Jim McSweeney, |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. |
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Saturday, July 12, |
Natural Pest Control
Join certified arborist and horticulturist Jim McSweeney to learn how to apply natural or “organic” techniques to control a variety of pests of edible and ornamental plants, including diseases, insects, rodents, deer, and weeds. Find out which methods do and don’t work in the home orchard, and ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information on how to protect your landscape from unwanted herbivores, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available. This hands-on workshop will take place at Jim’s home/office where he has many edible and ornamental plants to evaluate. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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Saturday, May 10, |
Tree Care Basics
Certified arborist & horticulturist, Jim McSweeney, will demonstrate arboricultural basics based on two decades of working with trees. Separating the fluff from the facts, he will cover site evaluation, plant selection, planting techniques, watering, mulching, pruning, natural pest control and more. This workshop will take place at Jim’s home/office where he has dozens of edible and ornamental trees that have been planted in the last ten years. All participants will receive a copy of the guide “Tree Owner’s Manual” by the USDA, which covers all the topics we will talk about and more. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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July 13th Instructor: |
One Acre in the Woods
Join certified arborist and landscape designer Jim McSweeney for an in-depth look at his own landscape. Implementation of the landscape design began in 2003 after construction of an off-the-grid solar-powered house. The major goal was to preserve the integrity of the existing forested landscape, while providing for vegetable gardens, fruit trees, perennial beds, goats, horses and wombats. Choosing predominantly native plants, Jim and his wife Lisa created a landscape that features low maintenance and four seasons of interest. In this on-site seminar, Jim will discuss several components of the design, including plants, hardscaping, siting of structures, cultural conditions, and the balance between form and function. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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April 6th Instructor: |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. |
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April 14th Instructor: |
Pruning Fundamentals
Join certified arborist and horticulturist Jim McSweeney to learn pruning basics that will benefit both the novice and advanced gardener. Proper pruning improves both the health and structure of woody plants, and allows the gardener to influence the aesthetic qualities of trees and shrubs. This workshop covers pruning methods for new and established plantings in the home landscape. Learn how to select basic tools, make a proper cut, determine which branches to cut, and the correct time to prune for different species. Bring hand pruners and a saw and leave the workshop with skills to take on most basic pruning issues in the home landscape. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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March 31st Instructor: |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. |
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Sep 3rd The Trustees of Reservations 332 Bullitt Rd, Ashfield MA 01330 Instructor: |
Designing, installing and maintaining a sustainable landscape
Come see the newly installed landscape at the Trustees office in Conway. Join Jim McSweeney, certified arborist and certified horticulturist of Hilltown Tree and Garden, for and in-depth look at the design, installation and maintenance issues of the new landscape. They will be talking about plant selection and what makes a “sustainable” plant. They will cover the most efficient ways to install a landscape around a house and soil related issues. And finally they will talk about different maintenance issues relating to this landscape and yours. |
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July 17th Instructor: |
One Acre in the Woods
Join certified arborist and landscape designer Jim McSweeney for an in-depth look at his own landscape. Implementation of the landscape design began in 2003 after construction of an off-the-grid solar-powered house. The major goal was to preserve the integrity of the existing forested landscape, while providing for vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and perennial beds. Choosing predominantly native plants, Jim and his wife Lisa created a landscape that features low maintenance and four seasons of interest. In this on-site seminar, Jim will discuss several components of the design, including plants, hardscaping, siting of structures, cultural conditions, and the balance between form and function. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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June 4th The Trustees of Reservations 332 Bullitt Rd, Ashfield MA 01330 Instructor: |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. |
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May 28th & 29th The Trustees of Reservations 332 Bullitt Rd, Ashfield MA 01330 Instructor: |
Installation of Sustainable Landscape
Volunteers needed for the installation of a sustainable landscape at the trustees new property. |
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May 21st Nasami Farm, Whatley, MA Instructor: |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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May 14th Northampton Community Gardens Burts Pitt Road Instructor: |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. |
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June 19th Worthington, MA Instructor: |
Hilltown Landscapes in Western Ma
Join Jim McSweeney for a tour of three beautiful gardens he designed and installed two years ago. The gardens share basic design elements–hardscaping, herbaceous and woody plants, focal points, edibles, border gardens– but each one has its own unique focus and flavor. The first landscape features a native tall grass and wildflower meadow, stonewalls and a home apple orchard. The second is not your ordinary “foundation planting.” It is a haven for birds with its many native edibles. The third garden blends refinement and simplicity in one of the most beautiful settings in the hilltowns of western MA. This garden offers season-long color, and a variety of grasses for winter interest. See many design principles in action: site & soil analysis, use of drifts, bed proportions, plant selection, four seasons of interest, and learn tips for low maintenance. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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May 22nd Nasami Farm, Whatley, MA Instructor: |
Natural Pest Control
Learn how to apply natural or “organic” pest control techniques in this wide ranging workshop. The class provides information on a variety of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Find out what pest control methods work and do not work in the home orchard, ornamental and vegetable gardens. Feel free to bring sample pests and lots of questions. Leave the workshop with information to defend your landscape from unwanted pests, using the most environmentally sensitive and effective products available today. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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April 17th Instructor: |
Pruning Fundamentals
Join certified arborist and horticulturist Jim McSweeney to learn pruning basics that will benefit both the novice and advanced gardener. Proper pruning improves both the health and structure of woody plants, and allows the gardener to influence the aesthetic qualities of trees and shrubs. This workshop covers pruning methods for new and established plantings in the home landscape. Learn how to select basic tools, make a proper cut, determine which branches to cut, and the correct time to prune for different species. Bring hand pruners and a saw and leave the workshop with skills to take on most basic pruning issues in the home landscape. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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October 3rd |
Pruning Fundamentals
Proper pruning can improve both the health and structure of woody plants, and allows the gardener to influence the aesthetic qualities of trees and shrubs. This workshop covers pruning methods for established plantings in the home landscape. Learn how to select basic tools, make a proper cut, determine which branches to cut, and the correct time to prune for different species. Bring hand saw & pruners to try various cuts. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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July 19th
11:00am-2:00pm Sunday |
One Acre in the Woods Join certified arborist and landscape designer Jim McSweeney for an in-depth look at his own newly created landscape. Implementation of the landscape design began in 2003 after construction of an off-the-grid solar-powered house. The major goal was to preserve the integrity of the existing forested landscape, while providing for vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and perennial beds. Choosing predominantly native plants, Jim and his wife Lisa created a landscape that features low maintenance and four seasons of interest. In this on-site seminar, Jim will discuss several components of the design, including plants, hardscaping, siting of structures, cultural conditions, and the balance between form and function.For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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June 14th Nasami Farm, |
Natural Pest Control Join certified arborist and horticulturist Jim McSweeney for a look the “organic” or natural pest control products available today. This sixty minute talk is free and open to all.For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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May 7 Heath, MA |
Tree-Pruning Workshop
Join FLT and certified arborist and horticulturist Jim McSweeney of Hilltown Tree & Garden LLC, who has generously volunteered his time, for a workshop on the reconstructive pruning of shrubs and small and large trees, with an emphasis on addressing damage from the December ice storm. The workshop will answer such questions as: Do I need a plan? Is my tree a “hazard tree”? How and when should I prune? Will cables and braces help my tree? If I have to replace, what should I plant this time? Can this be avoided in the future? For more information visit the Franklin Land Trust website. |
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March 26th Goshen Town Hall |
Finding a Silver Lining
Dealing with Ice Storm Damage to Trees and Forests. |
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October 4th |
Pruning Fundamentals
This workshop is for beginners who have no experience or intermediates who want to refine their existing skills. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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September 14th |
Design and Plant a Native Perennial Garden in the Fall
Fall is a great time to prepair and plant a native perennial garden. Join Jim McSweeney for this informative workshop. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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July 26th
1:00pm-4:30pm Saturday Worthington, MA |
Farmhouse landscape design – refinement and simplicity Join certified arborist, horticulurist and landscape designer Jim McSweeney for an in-depth look at one of his clients landscapes.For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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June 1st Nasami Farm, |
Natural Pest Control: Insects, Weeds, Disease and DeerThis is a free worshop open to all who want to learn the basics of pest control without the use of chemicals. For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website.
For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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May 18th
1:00pm-2:00pm Sunday |
Landscape Design Consultations Join landscape designer and horticulurist Jim McSweeney for a free 15 minute consultation and analysis of your home landscape. Bring your questions, notes and sketches. Jim will be consulting along side with students from the Conway School of Landscape Architecture.For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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March 2nd
9:00am-10:30am Friday Mass Mutual Center |
Weed Management in Ornamental Gardens, an I.P.M. Approach Learn techniques for preventing and eradicating weeds in the landscape.For more information visit the Ecological Landscape Association website. |
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May 19th
1:00pm-4:30pm Saturday Nasami Farm, |
Design and Plant a Native Perennial Garden in the SpringFor more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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June 3rd
Time TBA Sunday Nasami Farm, |
Natural Pest Control: Insects, Weeds, Disease and Deer Learn the basics of pest control without the use of chemicals.For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |
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July 21st
1:00pm-4:00pm Saturday |
One Acre in the Woods Join Certified Arborist and Landscape Designer Jim McSweeney for an in-depth look at his own newly created landscape. Components to be examined include landscape design, plants, hardscaping, siting of structures, and cultural conditions.For more information visit the New England Wildflower Society website. |