Members Win Awards at Greenwich Dahlia Society
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 the best informal decorative in its class.
The recognition is a wonderful testament to Sarah’s work and the beautiful dahlias nurtured at Millstone Farm in Wilton, CT without chemical fertilizers or insecticides. Congratulations, Sarah and The Flower Project!
Carvathon and Pumpkin Stroll 2026
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 the family on Friday, October 23 from 4:30–6:30 pm for the Pumpkin Stroll! All the carved creations will glow around the Potting Shed while the youngsters participate in fun and festive games and activities. Kids and adults are encouraged to come in costume!
The Pumpkin Stroll is free for all to attend. Please note, both dates are not drop-off event – parents or caregivers must supervise their child. More info and register at the link here.
October Meeting Program Recap
The Rowayton Gardeners were pleased to welcome Floral Designer Kyle Riccoboni for our October General Meeting and Program. Kyle created several arrangements while informing members and guests about color, mechanics, trends and elements of design.
At the conclusion of the program, a door prize drawing was held and four fortunate attendees took home beautiful seasonal pieces!
CT Residents Asked to Watch for Laurel Wilt
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) has confirmed laurel wilt in sassafras trees in Fairfield County. The fungal disease can kill sassafras and spicebush, and CAES is asking residents to watch for signs of infection.
Look for leaves that droop, wilt or turn brown; dark streaks in the wood beneath the bark; or thin, toothpick-like strands of sawdust on the tree. Laurel wilt does not affect mountain laurel.
If you see a wilting or dying sassafras or spicebush, report it to CAES.StateEntomologist@ct.gov or through the CAES online reporting tool. Do not move wood from an affected plant off your property.
After-School Nature Explorers Series
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 wildlife. We’ll go on a seed scavenger hunt, make nature crafts, and do some fall cooking!
October 28 (4-5:15 pm) – Preparing for Winter!
Where do Connecticut’s animals go when winter arrives? We’ll discover who migrates, hibernates, or adapts, explore animal winter homes, and create a life-size chipmunk burrow on paper.
The two sessions are offered as a series and cannot be booked individually. The $70 fee includes class materials and a snack for both sessions. Scholarships are available upon request. Refunds cannot be provided for classes missed by students. If a class is canceled by the Rowayton Gardeners, a make-up class or refund will be offered. Register your Explorer HERE!
September Kickoff Meeting and Lunch
Thursday, September 10 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM | Bayley Beach
Kicking off a new season with the Rowayton Gardeners! The Members Meeting & Lunch brought us together at Bayley Beach to reconnect, share what’s ahead and celebrate the start of another season of gardening and community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to a wonderful afternoon.
Interested in joining Rowayton Gardeners?
Learn more about membership and how to get involved in our programs, projects and community activities.
A Tale of Two Gardens Fall Field Trip
A Tale of Two Gardens
Hollister House Garden + Brush Hill Gardens
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Washington, Connecticut
This September, Rowayton Gardeners heads to the Litchfield Hills for a day devoted to two remarkable Connecticut landscapes, one celebrated and public, the other private and rarely experienced.
Our journey begins at Hollister House Garden, an English-inspired garden where formal structure gives way to abundant, romantic plantings and the changing rhythms of the season.
We’ll then continue to Brush Hill Gardens, a private 10-acre property cultivated by its owners over more than five decades. Formal gardens, woodland paths, water, sculpture and unexpected moments unfold throughout a landscape shaped slowly and personally over time.
Together, the two gardens offer distinctly different expressions of place, planting and garden-making, as well as an opportunity to experience both in one memorable day.
A Tale of Two Gardens is a limited-capacity Rowayton Gardeners field trip, with registration opportunities offered first to members.
Interested in joining us? A limited number of spaces may become available to non-members. Join our Mailing List to receive notice if registration opens beyond the membership.
Members Cocktail Party – July 2026
What a lovely evening at the Potting Shed!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Rowayton Gardeners Summer Cocktail Party last night. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather, a wonderful turnout and the opportunity to recognize our outgoing president while welcoming our new co-presidents, Sarah and Robyn. Members enjoyed cocktails, an incredible assortment of homemade appetizers and great conversation surrounded by the beautifully tended gardens. From croquet on the lawn to harvesting the season’s very first carrot, the event was perfect for celebrating friendship, gardening and community.
Thanks also to all of the volunteers who helped with setup, cleanup and bringing such delicious appetizers. We look forward to a wonderful season together!
June Annual Meeting Recap
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 by Lissa Short and Kathleen Raby, Co-Vice Presidents as well as Amy Tyson, Nominating Committee Chair, to thank her for her four years of inspiring leadership. Congratulations to all!
Annual Spring Market Saturday, May 9
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 of eight community gardens. Special thanks to sponsors Davey Tree Expert, drbank and Reynolds Farms Nursery for their support.
