Tuesday, September 29, 2026 · 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Local History Room — 40 Main St., Charlton, MA
Companion planting is planting two different plants together to help at least one of them with nutrients, pollinators, support, and/or pest deterrence. Does it really work? Sometimes. This lecture goes into the science behind companion planting, and discusses a number of pairings that are known to work, some that don't, and some where the evidence isn't clear. The focus is on vegetable and herb gardens. Presenter Gretel Anspach is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and a recently-retired systems engineer for Raytheon. She won the MMGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Gretel established and maintains a 20,000 square foot food production garden that has provided fresh produce to the Marlboro and Maynard Food Pantries for the last ten years. Her primary interest and focus is always in the science behind horticulture. This program is funded by a grant from the Charlton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.