Save The Date!

Open Farm Day

Saturday, June 14

This year, Open Farm Day at Sanborn Mills Farm is making a special shift to Saturday, June 14th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, instead of the usual Sunday! Visitors can enjoy a day filled with engaging craft demonstrations, as well as fascinating sawmill and grist mill demonstrations, showcasing the farm’s rich history and traditional skills. With plenty more to see and do, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the farm, connect with artisans, and experience a day of hands-on learning and fun. Mark your calendar and join us for this exciting Saturday event!

Rug Braiding and Bobbin Lace!

While there is still a thin layer of snow on our gardens, things have been greening up in our 1919 Lord and Burnham Glasshouse as we jump-start our perennial plant production.

Perennials, plants that come back year after year, often have a different set of rules for germination and can require more patience than quick annuals. For example, we are growing a wide variety of Delphiniums this year which require a dark 50-degree place to germinate. After 2 weeks they start to poke up like little ghosts and we slowly bring them into a lighter space to develop their first set of leaves.

A great perk of learning to start perennials from seed is that many special and rare plants are only available this way. We are a member of the North American Rock Garden Society and received many unique seeds from their yearly seed exchange. Each has its own germination protocols and it has been an exciting experiment watching them come up, or not…

Not all of our perennial seeds enjoy the glasshouse environment. Each fall we wild-collect seeds like New England Aster and Milkweed from our meadow and sow them in an unheated cold frame. This exposes the seeds to a freeze-thaw cycle and wears down their hard seed coat. They’ll germinate outdoors once they’re ready, which is often earlier than our last frost date.

If you’re interested in learning more about perennial seed starting or integrating native plants into your garden we are offering a class this summer, Gardening with Native Plants that will go into great detail about this entire process as well as what to do after those tiny seedlings outgrow their tray!

Article and Photos by

Head Gardener Helen Westergren

Learn the timeless craft of rug braiding in this hands-on workshop, where you’ll explore both traditional and creative techniques to design a beautiful, durable rug. With expert guidance, you’ll master braiding, lacing, and finishing methods while creating a one-of-a-kind piece to bring warmth and style to your home.

Discover the art of bobbin lace in this beginner-friendly workshop, where you’ll learn the foundational techniques of twisting and crossing threads to create intricate designs. With hands-on instruction, you’ll gain the skills to start your lace-making journey and craft beautiful, heirloom-quality pieces.

Sanborn Mills Farm | www.sanbornmills.org

Sanborn Mills Farm | 7097 Sanborn Road | Loudon, NH 03307 US