Owl Nesting Boxes

Hoot Hoot!

That’s the sound Litchfield Garden Club (LGC) members hope to hear as owls find their way into their brand new nesting boxes. The Conservation Committee, chaired by Grace Yagtug, commissioned the Washington Supply Company in Washington Depot CT to supply homes for the Eastern Screech-Owl. To date, fifteen boxes have been purchased by members with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Conservation budget.

The new owl boxes will be installed at various locations in Litchfield and the surrounding area. While the dimensions of the boxes are preferred by Eastern Screech-Owls, other birds, particularly kestrels, can create nests as well.

The implications of this small conservation step are significant. Each owl pair produces approximately five or six babies. LGC efforts have the potential to create homes for up to ninety new baby owlets. Small steps can make a big difference.

Pollinator and Rain Gardens

During the last two years, the Litchfield Garden Club Conservation Committee created both a Pollinator Garden and Rain Garden nestled under wild black cherry trees at the 4000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield. The group “broke ground” just before the pandemic. The gardens became a haven where one or two socially-distanced members, working in shifts, could spend time together. Once Covid restrictions were eased, small groups gathered to continue the project.

To date, over 100 pollinator species have been planted. While working at the site, members share the company of beavers, turtles, herons and bluebirds in addition to a myriad nature’s creatures. During the unseasonable heat wave during June 2021, an 18-inch painted turtle crawled into the fields searching for a suitable location to lay her eggs.

The Litchfield Garden Club Teams with The Litchfield Historical Society

On a glorious day to soak up the sunshine and relish the cool breezes, the Litchfield Garden Club (LGC) in collaboration with The Litchfield Historical Society (LHS) held their June meeting under a tent in the Tapping Reeve Meadow on South Street in the Litchfield Historic District.

Following opening remarks by Annie Borzilleri, LGC President and Cathy Fields, LHS Executive Director, attendees viewed a presentation by Matthew Benson of Stonegate Farm. Matthew is a photographer, writer, organic farmer and Garden Club of America (GCA) speaker. After the lecture, Matthew signed copies of his latest book Growing Beautiful Food.

A Horticulture Sweeps organized by Kate Jamison, Horticulture Committee Chair and a Photography Sweeps organized by Cathy Oneglia, Photography Chair, were held. All entries were displayed under tents. The Hospitality Committee, co-Chaired by Emily Dalton and Frank Fontana, coordinated hostesses to provide cold drinks and sweet and savory treats for attendees to enjoy after the presentation.