Annual Luncheon
On June 14 we will hold our annual luncheon at Agora Restaurant in Brookfield. We will also have an installation of new officers.
Plant Sale
At the general meeting on May 10 members will prepare for our annual plant sale. This will take place on New Milford's green on May 21 and will include annuals, perennials, herbs and shrubs as well as a garden-themed Tag Sale.
Critters
On April 12 Margery Winters from Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, CT will present a Powerpoint on "Critters in the Garden." On April 30 member Bob Gambino will hold an Open House at his greenhouse on 4 Old Mill Road.
Invasive Plants
On March 8 former mayor of New Milford and GC member Bob Gambino presented a Powerpoint show on "Invasive Plants." He correlated his talk on thirteen commonly found invasive plants with a small informative booklet, which he gave to each member.
Birdfeeders and CT Flower Show
Garden Club members resumed meeting in person at Trinity Lutheran Church on February 8. Member Elizabeth O'Connor presented a program entitled "Birds at Winter Feeders." She showed us how to identify birds through color, shapes of beaks and tails, and behavior. Her presentation included colorful slides of many common birds. Member Kathy Elmore told us about the Bird Count we would have in New Milford. On February 22 Elizabeth presented a Zoom meeting on vegetable gardening. On February 26 several members served as host and hostesses at the Federated Garden Clubs of CT Flower Show in Hartford.
Holiday Luncheon
On December 14, 2021, the Garden Club held their annual Holiday Luncheon at Italia Mia Restaurant at 12:00.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
On November 9 Krista Swanson Fiorini presented an informative talk on the Blue Star Memorial Highway Program. It is a program that honors all men and women who serve in the US Armed Services.
Bulb Planting
On October 12 Garden Club members learned about "Fall Bulb Planting", presented by Master Gardener, Michele MacKinnon. Held at Trinity Lutheran Church, the program followed refreshments and a business meeting beginning at 1:00.
Sustainable Connecticut
On September 14 members enjoyed a PowerPoint presentation given by Julianne Bailey and associate titled "Sustainable Connecticut 2021". Members learned how they can help prevent declines and problems in biodiversity. On September 25 members will take part in the 1st Annual New Milford Apple Festival on the Green.
Handheld Bouquets
Members met at Trinity Lutheran Church on August 10 for a business meeting followed by a program led by Garden Club member Kathy Elmore. Each member chose a few flowers from a variety supplied by the club and made a small hand-held bouquet. Each one was unique.
Environment
On July 13 members will meet at Trinity Lutheran Church at 1:00. Our featured speakers will be Peter and Barbara Rzasa, who will talk to us about "Beetles, Beech, Bogs and Belly Buttons." These topics relate to interesting, unique plants and current environmental concerns.
Plant Sale
On June 5 our annual Plant Sale and Fundraiser was held on the town green. It was well attended by members of the community who were able to purchase annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, house plants and items from the tag sale. An indoor "picnic", hosted by member Jan Parsons, was held at Trinity Lutheran Church on June 8.
Planting & Preparing
On May 11 a "Plant Sale Readiness" meeting was held at the home of Jeff and Sandy Gammons. Throughout the month Garden Club members planted flowers beside monuments and in containers on New Milford's town green and at town hall. A Garden Club Scholarship was awarded to Carissa Titus, who attended Nonnewaug High School and plans to pursue higher education in environmental conservation.
The Living Yard
Members met at Pettibone Community Center on April 13 to listen to member Elizabeth O'Connor speak on "The Living Yard." She stressed the importance of planting native plants, which have a better chance of survival in the environment. Native plants are less invasive and are friendly pollinators for birds and butterflies.
Back to What Counts
After a long hiatus due to Covid the Garden Club resumed meetings at Pettibone Community Center on March 9. We celebrated member Sally Milligan's award of becoming a Connecticut Life Member in the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut. Gifts were awarded to members who had counted large numbers of birds in our "Great Backyard Bird Count."
Service Project
Garden Club members decorated the Bandstand on the Green with a fall theme. Members planted fall flowers at the New Milford sign near the intersection of Bridge Street and Route 7.
Special Event
In early fall a successful plant sale was held and container plantings on the Green continued to flourish. An outdoor Garden Club meeting took place at a member’s home and new officers were installed.
Service Project
Beginning in the Spring of 2020, Garden Club meetings and the May Plant Sale were cancelled due to the CoronaVirus. However, beautification of New Milford’s town Green and maintenance of the Historical Garden, located behind the Historical Society, continued. Members planted, watered and weeded these areas the entire summer.
Luncheon
On Tuesday, June 9, the Garden Club held a members only luncheon at Lucia Ristorante, 51 Bank Street, at 12:00 noon.
Plant Sale
On Saturday, May 23, the Garden Club held its annual plant sale onf the New Milford town green from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Meeting
On Tuesday, May 12, the Garden Club met at Trinity Lutheran for refreshments and business meeting at 1:00 followed by preparation for the upcoming annual plant sale.
Presentation
On Tuesday, April 14, the Garden Club will meet at Trinity Lutheran for refreshments and business meeting at 1:00. Members will then enjoy a presention from member Jeanette Burgess entitled “Bears and Other Yard Visitors”.
Guest Speaker
On March 10, 2020 the Garden Club will meet at Trinity Lutheran for refreshments and business meeting at 1:00. Members will review revisions of the Constitution/Bylaws then enjoy a program entitled “Pruning Trees and Shrubs” given by a guest speaker from Meadowbrook Nursery.
Presentation
On February 11, 2020 the Garden Club will meet at Trinity Lutheran for refreshments and business meeting at 1:00. Members will enjoy a program entitled “Birds - How to ID and Attract” given by member Elizabeth O’Connor.
In 2018, we celebrated our 95th year with a community-wide event featuring displays, lectures, and activities for all ages on invasives, water conservation, design, and beekeeping.
Each month a Garden Club member makes an arrangement which is displayed at the New Milford Public Library.
Planting bulbs with students from Holy Infant Pre-School.
Making arrangements with seniors.
Garden Club members plant flowers in town gardens, in sidewalk tubs, in front of monuments, and at town hall.
To stimulate interest in gardens & gardening, encourage conservation of natural resources, promote civic improvement, and study & enjoy the artistic use of plants. Some of our affiliations include the National Garden Clubs Inc., New England Region of National Garden Clubs Inc., and the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Inc. Join us!
Garden Club of New Milford through the seasons:
Spring–planting
With workshops & events to kickstart each gardening season, it culminates with our annual Plant Sale where you can get beautiful, healthy plants for your garden that 0are perfect for our region.
Summer–growing
It’s time to show off! The gardens are growing quickly and our volunteers make sure they stay looking their very best. It’s time to show off the results of our efforts at garden tours & festivals.
Fall–harvest
With cooler weather and the changing colors of the season, we celebrate the abundance of our gardens and appreciation for our volunteers while we prepare our gardens for the coming winter.
Winter–gathering
Club members spread holiday cheer with festive arrangements and start planning for next year. The annual CT Flower & Garden Show is a place to share ideas, to inspire & be inspired!
We tend gardens at:
All-Wars and WWI monuments
Main & Church St planter boxes
Mayor’s Garden at Town Hall
Town Hall Church St. Garden
New Milford Historical Society Garden
Service projects include:
Garden Therapy for Seniors
Support for Local Fundraisers
CT Flower & Garden Show
Halloween Festival at Harrybrooke Park
Christmas decorations on the town green, at New Milford Hospital, and at local rehab centers
Projects are added throughout the year! Past projects include:
Festival of Trees - Ann’s Place
Flower arranging & garden designs
Horticultural Tips & Tricks
Informative visits to local businesses and organizations
Plus—multimedia presentations to document and inform
Since 1923, the Garden Club of New Milford has been an active, non-profit organization serving our town. From planting trees, landscaping public places, designing gardens, educating, exhibiting, and funding projects, the club has been influential in caring for the community in which we live.
Club meetings address a variety of topics related to gardening, conservation, and public service while providing fun and social interaction with friendly people from our town.
Anyone can attend a meeting to determine if they are interested in joining.
Meetings are every second Tuesday of the month from 1–3PM, location announced the prior month. Membership responsibilities include:
• Attend meetings regularly
• Take an active part in activities
• Support fundraising projects
• Host twice a year
• Pay annual dues
Interested in joining? Fill out the form below to apply:
(submit sends an email)
These links may also be of interest to New Milford gardeners:
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