“John’s communication talents are extensive. He is an engaging and informative public speaker, teacher and writer. His combination of talents ranks him among the top in his field. John’s capability to interpret garden history is inspiring in so many ways.”
—Holly Shimizu, Executive Director, United States Botanical Garden, Washington D.C.

For details on John’s lecture bookings, please click here.

• Garden Craft ~ Preserving and Enjoying the Artisanal Skills of Farm and Garden *(also offering a seasonally appropriate artisanal workshop component for an additional fee) Throughout history, farm and garden crafts have been seen as a natural outgrowth of the land, and an enrichment for our lives and local economies. When we revive artisanal practices from the past, we also help preserve and celebrate regional biodiversity, seasonal diet, personal health, festive holidays, and an artful life inspired by nature. Learn more about how to be a part of this emerging artisanal crafts movement, and how you can take inspiration from the herbal garden crafts of the past and play your part in creating a more sustainable and meaningful future. Crafts highlighted include: Heirloom seed saving, Herb butters, Bath salts, Cordials, Tinctures, Salves, Beers/gruits, Wine, Bitters, Vinegars, Oils, Pestos, Jams/jellies/preserves, Organic gardening, Herbal dyes, Seasonal holiday decorations, Woven wattle fences/arbors, Wreaths, Slow Food, Pickling, Distilling, Condiments, Soap, Lavender wands and herbal sachets.

• Edible Landscapes ~ For Health, Habitat, Families & the Future
  An illustrated lecture to help you explore how to eat locally and enjoy the fruits of your own labors. This new talk delves into planting edible gardens and landscapes that offer healthy alternatives to our lawns and hedges. Whether learning to explore our own back yards or the newest landscape style of the 21st century, this talk offers meaningful ways to engage ourselves, our kids and our community in cultivating a sense of place from seed to table.

• Historic Gardens ~ In Your Own Back Yard Can you see evidence of earlier gardens and landscapes where you live? Are you involved in preserving or teaching from a historic garden in your own community? Would you like to recreate, restore or rehabilitate elements of period gardens for your own historic home? In his newest talk, John will explore garden history in practical new ways that give gardeners the tools to select and source period plants, choose appropriate planting patterns, structures and furnishings that can help bring elements of the past to life in our 21st century gardens. No matter where you live, or what your level of experience, this talk will help you create an enduring sense of time and place in your own back yard.

• Slow Food ~ Sustainable Gardens Inspired by the past, this talk helps to foster a better understanding of environmental stewardship, organic gardening, and the sustainable practices that will help us to live more sustainably in the future. The artisanal crafts known to gardeners through the centuries are once again taking root in the farmers markets, back yards and kitchens of the 21st century, and this talk helps to lead the way. We will explore Slow Food, Renewing America’s Food Traditions (RAFT), and the rare heirloom produce that helped to feed and medicate us 12 months a year from our own back yards. So sit back around the table and enjoy this exploration of the new “democratization of American food” with the co-founder of Slow Food Seacoast.

• “The Herbalist’s Garden” An illustrated talk which brings history to life through the exploration of heirloom herbs. By “digging in” to our historic roots of herbalism, participants will come to understand traditional artisanal herbal crafts and perspectives on cultivating and preserving herbs. Historic garden design and ethnobotany will help shed new light on growing and using herbs that will inspire gardeners, cooks and herbalists of the 21st century.

• Four Centuries of New England Garden History An illustrated talk exploring trends and plant selections in garden design from Native Gardens to historically inspired gardens in America today.
  
  
• Heirloom and Native Plants ~ A Living History An illustrated talk that brings to life the unique and living history of plants that have a defining presence in our region. It explores the significance of heirloom/open-pollinated plants and gives voice to the history they keep alive. For those interested in gardens that inspire a sense of time and place...this talk will foster a better understanding of the most tried and true plants and our role in preservation.

• Historic Landscapes ~ Creating a Sense of Time and Place An illustrated talk that brings to life the unique and living history of plants that have a defining presence in our region. For those interested in gardens that inspire a sense of time and place...this talk will foster a better understanding of the most tried and true plants and our role in preservation.