Breakfast Food Drive 2025 Recap

THANKS TO ALL who donated food and funds to buy more breakfast goodies for Person to Person, plus all the hardworking Rowayton Gardeners who planned and staffed the event. Here’s the Person to Person van filled with donations – top photo is RG President Bridget Bennett (left) with Food Drive Chair Julie Griffiths and bottom photo (left to right) is Ellen Bobka, Ellen Duggins, Mariann Covello, Bridget Bennett, Julie Griffiths, Sarah Boles and Lisa Lahaussois.

Everyone can still give at this link here to make a donation. Please join in this effort to provide nourishing meals for individuals and families who are food insecure in lower Fairfield County!

April 2025 Meeting Program

“Top Five Garden Problems and How to Solve Them” by Karla Dalley

If you’d like some ‘no frills,’ common sense advice from a Garden Guru, this talk is for YOU! Karla Dalley has been gardening since she was a youngster. A former lawyer, Karla is an avid gardener, lecturer, garden columnist and author of a popular gardening blog, Gardendaze.

Ms. Dalley will discuss some of the frustrating issues we deal with in our gardens including contentious critters, plant placement, dreaded diseases and simple ways to practice sustainability. Bring your questions and settle in for an hour of useful information and great conversation.

Spring After-School Nature Explorers Series April 23, 30 & May 14, 21

Join us at the Potting Shed at the Rowayton Community Center where, guided by teachers, children will explore nature’s wonders and expand their love of science.

Our spring series will include four programs:

• April 23 – The Wonders of Soil
• April 30 – The Majesty of Trees
• May 14 – The Beauty and Bounty of Flowers
• May 21 – The Ingenuity of Pollinators

Each program will be held after school Wednesdays from 4:00–5:00 pm.

• The programs will be offered as a series (4 classes) or as individual classes.
• Individual classes cost $35 with a discounted fee of $120 for the full series.
• Scholarships to support students are available upon request.

We can only accommodate 15 children (7-10 year olds), so please register as soon as possible. Hope to see you there!

Register and pay online. There are no refunds for classes missed by the students. Should a class be cancelled by the Rowayton Gardeners, there will be a make-up class or refund offered.

Click HERE to sign up!

Questions or need further info? Contact: Elizabeth Harleman (eharleman@gmail.com)

March 2025 Meeting Recap

“Around the World in 80 Gardens” by Dr. Richard Benfield

The March Rowayton Gardeners’ Program was just the antidote after a cold winter season for the appreciative members and guests who were mesmerized by Dr. Richard Benfield’s presentation “Around the World in 80 Gardens.” (Shown in the first image below with Rowayton Gardeners President Bridget Bennett and Vice President Kevin Tepas at right). The magnificent and colorful photos along with Dr. Benfield’s vast knowledge and repartee, took us on a global sojourn to Singapore, Australia, the Seychelles, the Canary Islands, Europe and the English gardens of Richard’s home country, as well as to unique gardens in Canada and the United States. Dr. Benfield generously brought seed packets for members to take home. It was a memorable morning, to be sure!

Dr. Benfield is the former Chair and Professor of Geography at Central Connecticut State University. His current research interests include biogeography, garden tourism and the use of tourism as a conservation tool through the great botanic gardens of the world.

February Meeting Recap

Thanks to all who joined us to ‘Think Spring’ with a mini escape from those midwinter doldrums for a program called “Design a Sunny Perennial Border” on ZOOM February 6 with Jana Millbocker, lecturer, author and owner of Enchanted Gardens. Her lectures combine horticulture, design and travel tips to educate, inspire and delight new as well as seasoned gardeners.

Jana explained how to create garden borders that will delight us with colorful blooms and flowers for cutting from spring to fall. We learned about plant layering, new and reliable perennials, companion plants and design techniques that will make your garden POP.

During the program we also had Kelle Ruden, the 2nd VP & Membership chair from The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. attend to present three awards we received in 2024: the Luckner Youth Award for our after school educational program (ages 6-10); the Youth Award Club Citation for educational puppet shows (Kindergarteners) and the very prestigious Tribute Award to Amy Tyson for the outstanding work she does for our club.

It was a proud moment for all.