Spring Splash at Old Frog Pond Farm

Buds appear on the apple trees in mid-April

One of our favorite spots, any time of year, is Old Frog Pond Farm in Harvard, Mass. Families can visit, volunteer, and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from the organic farm stand. Adding to the experience are outdoor sculptures by Farmer Linda Hoffman and her colleagues, which surprise the visitor around every turn, and perfectly complement the farmscape.

Right now, the buds on the apple trees are beginning to open (see photo). First, a bit of green peeks out, then the bud-leaves start to unfold. Orchardists have names for every stage of the bud opening. This one is called 1/2 in green or mouse ears, an apt description for the tender leaves. The amazing small signs of life in the orchard affirm the mystery of growth about to burst forth. We're clearing out all of last year's canes, fertilizing the young plants, and beginning the spring weeding. Volunteers are always welcome, please send an email if you have a few hours to share. It's lovely out in the fields with the plants.

In Linda Hoffman's sculpture studio, "3D Play" sculpture workshops are led by Linda and

Applying bio-fertilizer.

Margot Stage. In the first class, participants made sculpture with wire, wood, apple branches, and found objects, learning to attach disparate materials and ground their project with a solid base. The next two classes will be sculpture that hangs in the air and sculpture that floats on water. To be on the list for future classes, email farmer/sculptor Linda Hoffman.

"Right now, there is a spreading carpet of greens growing - salads, kale, spinach, mesclun, and more. We will be selling greens directly from the farm. The first planting will be ready in two weeks," Linda told the Dispatches. To be to be notified, send an email to vegetables@oldfrogpondfarm.com.

The Trees of Harvard Yard

Harvard University turns out to be a great place to take out-of-town guests - and take in some natural splendor at the same time (see map). As the center of Harvard University since its founding in 1636, Harvard Yard has always been a popular tourist attraction. Each year, countless faculty, students, locals, and tourists from every corner of the globe pass through the green oasis in the middle of the urban jungle. Even with outrageous real estate costs, Harvard has chosen to expand its space in the Allston area of Boston rather than sacrifice its priceless green space. The diverse green canopy that extends over the campus each summer only adds to the reputation and tradition that surround Harvard. "The [trees of the] Yard exude a sense of security and stability in a dynamic and ephemeral society," muses Harvard grad Ryan Lynch, creator of a fabulous interactive map to the arboreal splendor of this icon of American acadaemia.