Monday, June 15th, 2026
9am-5pm
Includes treats, tea, and lunch at Thimble Cottage
O’Brien Farm, 150 Oxen Pond Rd, St. John's, NL A1B 3J8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eCh76YR5dQwszip58
English Ivy (Hedera helix) was introduced to Newfoundland as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. It can act as a groundcover and climb nearby structures or trees using aerial roots. Ivy thrives by smothering native plants and damaging trees, requiring persistent, long-term removal efforts. Luckily for us, ivy is also an excellent material for weaving simple baskets!
Join Lori McCarthy (Food Culture Place) and Dale Jarvis (Heritage NL) at O’Brien Farm for an invasive ivy pull to make way for indigenous plants. Then, we’ll show you how to make a hoop-style hen basket with the ivy you’ve collected - a sustainable way to repurpose a harmful plant. All participants will go home with a rustic ivy basket of their own making.
NOTE: About 1 in a 100 people may have a skin reaction to English ivy sap or leaves - if you are uncertain about how you will react, wear gloves while handling it. Pulling ivy can be hard work on your arms and back, so go easy!
What to bring:
Gardening or work gloves are recommended for working with ivy.
Bring secateurs or small garden pruners if you have them. If not, no worries, we have spare pairs for you!
Be sure to wear rubber boots or waterproof footwear good for stomping around in ditches, and a jacket for the rain and/or a hat for the sun (we know what Newfoundland weather is like).
Your favourite sunscreen and insect repellent.
Bring a kneeling pad or folding chair if you need one.
Our ivy workshop will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis. Lori is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker.
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