FARM PROFILE Fassett Farm Nursery • Jaffrey, NH 10 Acres of Native Plants and Quiet Trails

Aaron Abitz, co-founder of Fassett Farm Nursery, describes the place as a retreat where you can relax and hear a symphony of birds. &emsp;"It's a peaceful place in a not-so-peaceful world," he says, encouraging people to visit the 10-acre property with its trails and nursery of native plants. &emsp;The landowner and fellow collaborator on the farm is Doug Clayton, who, along with his wife, served as caretakers of the property for many years before it was passed down to them. He currently oversees the farm's infrastructure, Abitz explains. &emsp;A 2020 Conservation Opportunity Fund Grant awarded to Clayton helped increase native pollinator and wildlife planting on the property. &emsp;The farm's objective, as described in its brochure, is "Restoring healthy ecosystems and building resilient communities through the use of native plants." &emsp;The farm and nursery have undergone significant growth and evolution since their opening in 2021. Elderberry, beach plum, Carolina rose, and chokeberries are among the bushes planted early on that have grown into hedgerows. Abitz's nine-year-old son, Cedar, says of the sour chokeberries, "They call them chokeberries for a reason." &emsp;Additionally, a variety of native plants are organized into categories such as sun, shade (including woodland) and wet thriving. &emsp;"We primarily grow herbaceous perennials," Abitz points out, showing tables holding foxgloves, beardtongue, wild bergamot, New England asters and more beneath a high tunnel, with edible plants nearby. They have tripled their inventory since opening, and they now have protective fencing to keep hungry animals, such as deer, out. &emsp;A few types of young trees are available for sale, including black walnuts, tulip poplars, redbuds, hawthorns, serviceberries and American hazelnuts, &emsp;"Most other nurseries don't have native species; we wanted to provide that," Abitz says. Fassett Farm Nursery has an educational component, he adds. Staff members take the time to talk with people, answer questions, and offer tips. &emsp;The nursery has customers who have been coming since day one, along with new ones who discover them, he notes. &emsp;New Hampshire flora are planted near other native species that thrive when they grow in the same area, Abitz explains. They would grow this way if left to nature's wisdom. This is evident when walking the trails across the land. Cedar is an enthusiastic guide. &emsp;In addition, Abitz says they have demonstration gardens so people can see what they look like at different times. They appear very green early in the season before blossoming begins and between the times when various flowers are in bloom. &emsp;Their nursery's native species are primarily New England ones, but they also bring in native species from other parts of North America, such as the mid-Atlantic and the Midwest, he explains. &emsp;"Our bird and caterpillar population is great now just by what we've planted," he says. This assists in natural seed dispersal and pollination. &emsp;The consulting, garden design, installation and land care they do at clients' homes has increased over time. He says they now do two to five consultations a week. &emsp;Abitz, who has a horticultural and permaculture background, gained his experience during 15 years of running his business, Katsura Landcare, which served the Monadnock Region. He brings a holistic approach to gardening that minimizes maintenance by allowing the natural ecosystem to take its course. &emsp;Brittany Kavanagh joined the team two years ago and, along with Abitz, does much of the consulting work. She brings a professional background in fine gardening and a degree in fisheries and wildlife management. &emsp;"She's been wonderful. Thank goodness she's here, Abitz notes. &emsp;Kavanagh orders plant selections for the nursery and client's homes and advocates for working with native species. &emsp;She believes that every backyard can become a functioning ecosystem that supports the wildlife and insect populations of the region. &emsp;Abitz says they have a great team who "all have skill sets that complement each other." Betsy Marshall from Fitzwilliam works Fridays and Saturdays and knows her plants, he says. His son, Cedar, charms customers, offering samples from his own "mystical magical mints" business. &emsp;Community events welcomed visitors to the nursery during this year's opening weekend this past May. Activities such as yoga and sound healing, musical performances, plant identification and foraging walks, and a talk on designing gardens for resilience were among the offerings. Numerous artists and craft vendors were on site for the weekend. &emsp;In August, Project Shakespeare will perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" there. &emsp;Abitz says they hope to model and enable positive adaptation to the environmental disruptions caused by climate change. BOX with logo: Fassett Farm Nursery 822 Mountain Road, Jaffrey, NH 603-593-8719 Fassettfarmnursery.com (see website for hours)