Don Haynie, co-owner of Buffalo
Springs Herb Farm
Program Offerings
Background:
A native of the Northern Neck of Virginia, Don had a
successful floral business for 25 years in Warsaw, VA and also taught floral
arts at Rappahanock Community College for 13 years.
A mid-age interest in herbs developed into the creation of Buffalo
Springs Herb Farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1991.
Don lectures nationally on many herb related topics.
He is a member of The Herb Society of America and a past board member of
the International Herb Association and recipient of their 1999 Service Award.
In 2000, he self-published “The Season of Advent, Herbal
Symbolism, Projects and Garden Designs.”
Don made regular appearances on the Home and Garden TV
network, Willard Scott’s Home and Garden Almanac show, sharing ideas to make
one’s home and garden more beautiful.
The gardens at Buffalo Springs have been featured in Country
Living Magazine, Southern Living Magazine, Easy Gardening, Family Circle,
Country Almanac, The Herb Companion, Victoria, Fine Gardening, Virginia
Gardener, Virginia Living and The Washington Post Newspaper.
Topics Available:
Below is a list of topics offered by Don Haynie. If you
don’t find what you’re looking for here, just contact
him and he may be able to tailor a presentation to match your specific needs. Contact us for
information on program and
travel fees.
The Joy of Container Herb Gardening
Lecture/Demo/PowerPoint Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal - Spring
Herbs make the perfect plant for containers. They love good drainage, air
circulation, and take more neglect than many other ornamentals. Containers are
attractive and perfect for small space garden areas. When planted with herbs
they add fragrance, interest and usefulness to our daily living.
The Medieval Garden
Lecture/Slide Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
Travel back to the 12th century and visit
the medieval garden with all of its special herbs. The garden design and herbs
were an important part of everyday living. Herbs of worship, healing and cooking
had their place in the garden. Many herbs had special symbolism and were used on
feast days and holidays.
Herbs Add Quality to Life
Lecture - 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal – Spring
In this program we will review herb garden design,
planting and harvesting. We will talk about soils, choosing plants and their
uses, plant placement, when to harvest, how to process the harvest, pruning, and
year round care of the herb garden.
Theme Gardening with Herbs
Lecture/Slide Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
Herbs have special meanings, uses and historical
associations. Creating theme gardens using these special herbs and related
design elements is both enjoyable and educational. We will visit several of the
theme gardens at Buffalo Springs and enjoy their beauty and symbolism.
Herbs for the Holidays
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal
The use of herbs in holiday decorating adds symbolism,
fragrance, and beautiful textures to wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces. This
program demonstrates the making of these wonderful creations and explains the
symbolism of herbs and the holidays.
The Season of Advent
Lecture/Demonstration - 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal – Holiday
**This program references The Season of Advent
by Don Haynie.
Using the herbs associated with Advent we will weave
history and customs in creating decorations for your home and church. The Advent
wreath, table and mantle designs all will take on a special meaning and beauty
as we celebrate the four weeks of Advent.
Twelve Herbs Everyone Should Know, Grow and Use
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal – Spring & Summer
The quality of life can be much improved with just a
few special herbs. There are herbs that make food taste delicious, herbs for
landscape enchantment, and decorative and medicinal herbs. Of this large
selection of herb plants we will talk about a small group of select herbs that
everyone can grow and simple ways to use them to add quality to life.
Herbs for the Hot, Dry Garden
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal – Spring & Summer
Many herbs prefer hot and dry growing conditions. These
drought tolerant herbs are the answer to many problem areas in the landscape.
Our program will give you information on plant selection, growing habits and how
to have a low maintenance garden and landscape.
Texture: Fabric of the Garden
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
Like woven fabric there is, or should be, a blend of
interesting texture in the landscape and garden. Explore the wonderful world of
plant texture in this slide/lecture program. You will forever be looking at your
garden with a different eye.
Herb Garden Design, Construction & Planting
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
Program: Seasonal – Spring & Summer
In pots, hanging baskets, and in the ground, we will
review all the necessary steps from garden design, soil preparation, plant
selection and planting to ensure a beautiful and useful garden project.
Building a Garden: Focal Points, Structures and Anchors
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
Explore the importance of the three key elements in
establishing a beautiful garden space. We will work through building a garden
from idea, construction and completion in four simple steps.
The Magic of the Labyrinth
Lecture/Demonstration – 1 hour 15 minutes
This program outlines the history, meaning and
construction ideas for a personal labyrinth. This presentation is audiovisual
and individual participation is incorporated by walking a finger labyrinth. The
three steps of walking the labyrinth are explained.
Infusions, Decoctions & Tisanes
Lecture/Demonstration - 1 hour 15 minutes
Herbal infusions are easy to make and can be used in flavoring food and beverage
or act as a home remedy for minor ailments. We will begin with the medieval
period and the history of infusions and decoctions. Basic steps on preparing,
using, and storing your infusions will be demonstrated.
Christmas at Buffalo Springs
Lecture/Slide Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
Come visit our 18th century Shenandoah Valley farmhouse decorated for the
holidays. The slide presentation will show the best of 16 years of decorating
from outside wreaths, swags and garlands to mantle, table, and tree decorating
ideas. All decorations are using natural greens, fruits, cones, dried and fresh
herbs and everlastings to inspire everyone to enjoy decorating.
Floratherapy
Lecture/Demonstration - 1 hour 15 minutes
Floratherapy is the art of arranging your garden harvest in a relaxing and
therapeutic way that will bring enjoyment and satisfaction into your life.
Elements in Floratherpy include music, natural fragrance, lighting, and a quiet
peaceful space. This program will explore the steps that stimulate the creative
mind to make use of the assortment of materials found in the garden and the
natural world.
The Five Seasons at Buffalo Springs
Herb Farm
Lecture/Slide or PowerPoint Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
Come take a tour of the herbal year at Buffalo Springs Herb Farm . . . walk the
theme gardens during the different seasons, tour the farm house during a
Christmas open house, sit down to an herbal luncheon in the homesteaders cabin,
join the fun of May Day or a workshop, walk the nature trail to the water falls,
and refresh yourself at the labyrinth.
Entertaining in the Garden - Let the
Garden Set the Stage
Lecture/Demonstration - 1 hour 15 minutes
Our garden reflects our lifestyle and what better way to use and enjoy it than
entertaining in the garden. What ever the occasion, try to weave the design
theme elements of the garden into the tablescape and food. In this presentation
we will create three themed related tables that reflect three different garden
styles - formal, country, and special occasion. Food suggestions and menus will
be included.
Designing and Planting Garden Rooms
Lecture/Slide Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
The concept of gardening in room style goes back many centuries. How to design,
adapt, construct and plant for today's life style can be a very enjoyable
project. We will walk through the steps of creating that special theme garden,
choosing focal points, furnishings and plants that will make it a special place.
Herbs in the Landscape to Add Texture,
Interest and Magic
Lecture/PowerPoint Presentation - 1 hour 15 minutes
Herbs can make areas of the landscape more attractive and do not need to be
confined to a special garden area. Let's take a walk in the garden and landscape
and experience the interesting textures that herbs can bring to your garden. A
plant list of outstanding herbs will be reviewed.
