The Garden Club of New Milford is sponsoring the "Poppy Project"—a tribute to all those that have served in the armed forces.
Our goal is to display 1000 poppies in front of the All-Veterans Memorial on New Milford Green, Memorial Day 2023 through the following week.
We are asking volunteers to knit or crochet poppies—download a pattern file:
• Knit Poppy - PDF or Word
• Crochet Poppy - PDF or Word
The collection spots will be the mayor's office, Library, Senior Center, and John Pettibone Community Center (Parks & Rec office).
Please spread the word. If you know someone who knits or crochets, please let them know about the project.
The last day for collection has been extended to April 1, 2023.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please email info.nmgardenclub@gmail.com or call/text Kathi Barringer at 203-770-9542.
Growing Dahlias
On May 9 Michele MacKinnon will advise us on "Growing Dahlias." She is passionate about Dahlias and will provide beautiful pictures.
Composting & Natural Gardening
On April 11 Monique Bosch will present a talk on "Composting and other Natural Gardening Methods." She will assist us in preparing our gardens for planting in the spring.
Spring's Bounty
At our Garden Club meeting on March 14 Carol King Platt will present a program "Celebrating Spring's Bounty." This dynamic speaker will be creating five floral arrangements.
Starting Seeds
On February 14 Garden Club member Bob Gambino will present a talk on "Starting Seeds at Home." He will show various containers with potting soil and hand out a chart showing germination times and tips like temperature and watering.
Holiday Happenings
On December 13 the Garden Club will hold their annual Holiday Luncheon at Italia Mia Restaurant, 12:00. Coming in 2023 the Blue Star Memorial Marker, which honors all veterans, will be placed near the town hall in New Milford.
Service Project
At our Garden Club meeting on November 8 members will make crafts and/or favors for area nursing homes. The workshop will be led by club members Kathi Barringer, Kathy Elmore and Jan Parsons.
Shrub Talk
On October 11, 2022, Richard Rosiello, from Meadowbrook Gardens, will present a talk on the "Best Shrubs for the Landscape."
Garden Club members will decorate the Town Green and surrounding areas for fall.
Fall Events
On September 13, Karla Dalley, who is a freelance garden writer and lecturer, garden designer and consultant, will speak on "Putting the Garden to Bed for the Winter." On September 24 the Garden Club will take part in the local Apple Fest on New Milford's Town Green.
Succulents
On August 19 Garden Club President Kathi Barringer will conduct a workshop on succulents as part of the General Membership Meeting. Members will put together an arrangement which they will take home.
Brush Hill
On June 25, 2022 several Garden Club members took a field trip to Brush Hill Gardens in Washington, CT as part of Garden Conservancy Open House. At the General Membership Meeting on July 12 member Sally Milligan will present a workshop on "Flower Arranging—A Bouquet from the Grocery Store."
Annual Luncheon
On June 14 we held our annual luncheon at Agora Restaurant in Brookfield along with the 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."
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!
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
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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