Author: Jane Seymour

Member Amy Tyson (at left) and Sarah Balsley (right) recently celebrated an impressive showing for Sarah’s The Flower Project at the Greenwich Dahlia Society’s Dazzling Dahlia Show. Eleven dahlias grown at The Millstone Farm earned five first-place honors, two second-place honors and a coveted Tri Award, with “Gitts Attention” recognized as …

Rowayton Gardeners’ Carvathon & Pumpkin Stroll are back! Join us at the Potting Shed for two days of Halloween fun, beginning with a Carvathon on Thursday, October 22 from 3:45–5:30 pm. Kids of all ages carve their own pumpkins and get creative with this favorite Rowayton fall tradition. Then bring …

Come explore the magic of fall at the Potting Shed! Through hands-on activities, crafts, science, and a little cooking, we’ll discover how plants and animals prepare for the changing season. October 14 (4-5:15 pm)  – Fall Abundance! Plants spend the summer creating an amazing abundance of food for people and …

The Rowayton Gardeners hosted their annual meeting with a festive brunch on June 10. Two new Co-Presidents, Sarah Boles and Robyn Kammerer, were voted into office for their two year term beginning July 1. Bridget Bennett, who served two terms as President, was presented with gifts during a lovely presentation …

HOW LUCKY ARE WE! The rain held off for all the shoppers at our annual Spring Market sale Saturday, May 9 – thanks to all who came and shopped at our annual fundraiser. The event benefits our club’s mission of conservation, sharing gardening knowledge and civic beautification through the maintenance …

The Rowayton Gardeners’ after-school nature program is back for a second session! Join us at the Potting Shed to explore nature’s wonders. Guided by instructors, children ages 7 – 10 years will learn about the interdependence between people, animals and plants. Our second spring series will include two programs: May …

The Rowayton Gardeners ushered in the month of April with a presentation by Laura Green, Research and Extension Forester for the Yale Forests at the Yale School of the Environment. Her program “Our Changing Forests: Past, Present, and Future in Connecticut’s Woods” gave great insights on the state of our …

THANKS TO ALL who donated food and funds to buy more breakfast goodies for Person to Person plus the hardworking Rowayton Gardeners who worked hard on Friday and Saturday during the Rowayton Civic Association Egg Hunt. Here’s a photo recap – taking donations and loading up the van with food. …

The Rowayton Gardeners’ after-school nature program is back in action! Join us at the Potting Shed to explore nature’s wonders. Guided by instructors, children will learn about the interdependence between people, animals and plants. Our spring series will kick off on Earth Day and focus on: April 22 – Seasons, Seeds & the Water Cycle …

The Rowayton Gardeners March General Meeting was well attended despite the rainy weather! Members and guests were enthralled with Debra Kaye’s program “The TLC Approach to Gardening: There’s Always a Fix” and story of her life from business executive to one of the country’s top dahlia growers. Debra’s talk with …

Joy Dibiase’s presentation, “Houseplant Care: the Winter Edition” hit all the right notes on a sunny but cold morning, for the Rowayton Gardeners’ February program. Houseplant guru and Greenhouse Manager at The Gardener’s Center in Darien, Joy shared great tips on caring for our houseplants during the colder months of …

Happy New Year! 55 members turned out for our January New Year Kick-off Brunch with delicious savory and sweet offerings as well as good company. The group watched an inspiring retrospective video featuring RG highlights of 2025 (see link below) and debuted the “Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow” initiative for 2026.

The Rowayton Gardeners annual Christmas Market was the place to be on Saturday, December 6! Thanks to all who came and shopped our festive decor in Pinkney Park plus sponsor Fairfield County Bank and supporting sponsors Howard & Gay Insurance, Tammy Langalis & Katie Sparkman with William Raveis. Happy Holidays!! …

It was standing room only for the Rowayton Gardeners’ November General Meeting and Program. Trish O’Sullivan, Master Floral Designer, delighted our members and guests with a beautiful array of floral materials and tips of the trade during her presentation on how to create a “Thanksgiving Modern Centerpiece.” Jean Lippincott was …

WINTER IS COMING… Leaves are on the ground Nights are long, days are cool For some animals, it’s time to GO! For others, it’s time to get ready to stay! Join us for two hands-on, nature-filled sessions where we explore how animals and plants prepare for winter — right here at the Potting Shed.   …

Under a perfect blue sky, the Rowayton Gardeners were out in force at the Rowayton Community Association Fall Fest with games, arts and crafts including pine cone bird feeders and terrariums, as well as a big favorite, the gnome hunt. We ended the day with a butterfly release (nurtured and …

On Wednesday, October 8 from 4 to 6 pm, celebrate the last breath of summer with parents, kids, and friends… outdoors with flowers, art, and a little garden magic. For parents: discover the beauty of dahlias with Sarah Balsley and take home your own stunning bouquet. For kids: dive into …

The Rowayton Gardeners are hosting a fabulous Fall Field Trip to Prospect Gardens in Westport. Club members last visited these magnificent gardens in the Fall of 2020 and there have been many wonderful additions since then. The property dates to the 1812 original Victorian farmhouse and surrounding acres of the …

Join the Rowayton Civic Association (RCA) at Pinkney Park to help with this year’s River Ramble, our coastal town fair for all ages! It’s the RCA’s biggest event of the summer – a 50+ year tradition with tons to offer residents and it takes a village to bring it to life. …

SUMMER TABLETOP PLANTER WORKSHOP Tuesday, June 10 from 6:30-8:00pm Summer has begun and what better way to enjoy your outdoor dining or lounging space than with a beautiful handmade living arrangement! Our workshop presenter, Lauren Mirabile of Lauren’s Gardens, will guide us through creating beautiful, organically inspired arrangements. Each creation …

You are invited to join the Rowayton Gardeners for a truly special private visit to the historic Greens Ledge Lighthouse, an iconic symbol of Rowayton and surrounding communities. The Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society (GLLP Society) is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization which acquired the Lighthouse in 2016 to spearhead …

WHAT A DAY! The sun came out for everyone at our Spring Market sale Saturday, May 10 – thanks to all who came and shopped at our annual fundraiser. Also a special thanks to our sponsor drbank and supporting sponsor Davey Tree Expert Company for their support!    

The Spotted Lantern Flies eggs are hatching into nymphs in late April, so it’s getting to be too late to control them by scraping eggs off trees. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has posted information here. A QR code on the first page takes you to the form that …

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 …

“Top Five Garden Problems and How to Solve Them” by Karla Dalley The Rowayton Gardeners and guests turned out on a cold and damp April morning for speaker Karla Dalley’s presentation “Top Five Garden Problems and How to Solve Them” on Thursday, April 3. Karla shared tips and her expertise …

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 …

“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 …

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, …

The 2025 season of Rowayton Gardeners Programs and Field Trips kicked off at our perennial favorite New Year Brunch on Thursday, January 9 at the Community Center. RG members braved the cold, blustery winter weather for the January Kick-Off Brunch and meeting! Attendees were treated to great food plus an …

The Rowayton Gardeners annual Christmas Market was the place to be on Saturday morning December 7! Thanks to all who came and shopped our festive decor plus sponsor The Fairfield County Bank as well as supporting sponsors Cross Private Client Insurance (Rand), Tammy Langalis & Katie Sparkman with William Raveis. …

  Rowayton Gardeners’ Program Chair, Amy Tyson, presented “Seasons of Change at Egret Landing”  on Thursday, November 7 at 10:30 am in the Moose Room at the Rowayton Community Center. Tim and Amy Tyson have owned ‘Egret Landing,’ located in the private community of Wilson Point, since 2009. The presentation …

Trees in Our City: Why They Matter and How You Can Get Involved An In-Person Talk by Arborist Sarah Cruz  at Norwalk Library Thursday, November 7, 6:30-7:30pm – Register by email HERE Join in a discussion on the importance of trees and how Norwalk is working to grow and maintain …

Thanks to all who came to our Carvathon 2024 – here are photos of the festive fun around our potting shed at the Rowayton Community Center. Then it was a perfect evening for the Rowayton Gardeners’ Pumpkin Stroll which showcased dozens of artfully carved pumpkins by the kids of Rowayton …

There’s a new tick in town! According to the Norwalk Hour, “a tick-borne disease previously seen in the southeastern part of the country had a human case in Connecticut, marking the first report of this disease in the Northeast, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The disease — Rickettsia …

What a picture perfect day for our September General Meeting and Luncheon at Bailey Beach Pavilion to kick off the year!  Thanks to all who attended and especially to new RG Hospitality Chairs Sally Walker and Sarah Messmore for putting everything together for our lovely lunch. Here’s a link to …

Members are invited to join us for a private tour of the Seven Bridges Foundation on Thursday, September 26 to view their special collection of fine art as well as the extensive outdoor collection of sculptures located throughout the beautiful 80-acre property. To start our excursion, we’ll meet at the …

Please note that the new rules for leaf blowers in Norwalk start on Labor Day! See below for details. Fall and Spring clean up October 15 – December 15 and April 1 – June 1: Gas and electric powered blowers may be used between October 15 and December 15 and …

The Rowayton Gardeners are happy to announce their children’s after-school nature program is back in action this fall! Join us at the Potting Shed to explore autumn’s wonders and support your child in developing a love of science. Guided by instructors, children will learn about the interdependence between people, animals …

READY FOR THE RIVER RAMBLE THIS WEEKEND!!! We have offered up our Potting Shed for some lucky host to throw a fabulous cocktail party for up to 25 people – includes a server and a bartender for 4 hours, wine from The Town Cellar, a cheese board from Palmer’s Market …

Polinator Pathway Summer Webinar: “Goodbye Lawn!” on Thursday June 27, 6:30-8:00 pm  Register for Zoom link here!  Looking to get rid of your high-maintenance lawn? Replacing existing lawns with native plants is a great way to save water, time and energy PLUS provide much-needed habitat and food for local wildlife. …

Join new member Debby Boots and the environmental committee for an informal walk to learn about the wildflowers and worthy “weeds” growing along the railroad track in Selleck Woods. Meet at the Potting Shed at 8:45am to carpool or meet at 9:00 am at the end of Little Brook Road …

To All of the Rowayton Gardeners, Wow, now THAT was fun! Congratulations to everyone that participated in this year’s Spring Market & Plant Sale. Saturday’s event was a smashing success! A special thank you goes to the Committee heads and all of the Volunteers that made it possible. Here are …

Be part of a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s unbelievable. It’s unfamiliar. It’s the New York Botanical Gardens (NYBG) like never before! Head down the rabbit hole as “Wonderland Curious Nature” transforms 250 acres through the classic story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. An exhibition specialist will guide our group on a two-hour private tour …

The Rowayton Gardeners are happy to announce that the children’s after-school nature program is back in action this spring! Join us at the Potting Shed to explore nature’s wonders right outside our shed. Guided by instructors, children will learn about the interdependence between people, animals and plants. Our spring series …

Over 45 people braved the weather to attend the RG April Program at the Rowayton Community Center by Kim Eierman called “Gardening Strategies for the Climate Crisis.” She offered great tips on plant selection and planting for pollinators to improve the environment around you, by starting in your own yard …

The UConn Extension & Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division has published a Connecticut Native Perennial, Tree and Shrub Availability List online with links to resources including: Participating Nurseries Map, CT Native Tree and Shrub List, CT Native Perennial List, Nursery Address and Contact List, Native Trees, …

THANKS TO ALL who donated food and funds to buy more breakfast goodies for Person to Person plus the hardworking Rowayton Gardeners who planned and staffed the event. Pictured here left to right: first row Cathy Konstantin, Bridget Bennett, Julie Griffiths, Amy Tyson, Lisa Lahaussois, and in back Carol Giunta, …

Advanced Master Gardener Lorraine Ballato’s wealth of knowledge and love of teaching was on display at the Rowayton Gardeners general meeting on Thursday, March 7. An expert on horticulture and hydrangeas, Lorraine delivered an information-packed talk on “Success with Hydrangeas” to over 50 attendees! She is pictured here (at left) …

There is a strong coalition forming to press Connecticut’s legislature to follow New York State in banning pesticides commonly referred to as “Neonics” (neonicotinoids) for all but certain agricultural uses. The CT Audubon society is hosting an afternoon seminar March 11, available via Zoom (info here). You can learn more …

Did you know that gas-powered lawn equipment is endangering our air quality? With 2-stroke engines that do not have pollution controls, this equipment is contributing to air pollutants proven to be detrimental to human health: small particular matter, nitrogen oxides (ozone-forming), excess CO2 as well as toxins such as benzene, …

The January New Year’s Kick-off Brunch is one of the RGs favorite meetings. Homemade baked goods and savory dishes were contributed by our talented home cooks. Member John Nestro, who is a certified arborist for Davey Tree Company, presented an interesting and informative program on “Tree Preservation.” John is a …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ” plant hardiness zone map ” was updated Wednesday for the first time in a decade, and it shows the impact that climate change will have on gardens and yards across the country. Climate shifts aren’t even — the Midwest warmed more than the Southeast, for example. …

Forty members and guests attended this month’s general meeting and program at the Rowayton Community Center. The presentation by Jan Johnsen, principal of Johnsen’s Landscapes and Pools, “Learning from Before and After” was highly informative and inspiring. Jan Johnsen has been a principal in Johnsen Landscapes and Pools, a landscape …

Leaving leaves in your planting beds enriches your soil and gives shelter to overwintering insect larvae essential to birds arriving in Spring. More info found in this article from Treehugger.com sourced by RG Margot Epprecht at the link below.  So, “Leaf a Leaf, Plz!” Read the article at the link …

Thanks to everyone for making this year’s carvathon so special! Pumpkins will be available for pick up Sunday Oct 22nd after 10am outside in the Potting shed garden