
Christmas Tree Sale December 10
On Sunday December 10 at 9am, the Rowayton Gardeners join forces with the Rowayton Civic Association for the Annual Christmas Tree Sale at Pinkney Park. This sale is held every year the day after the Nativity Pageant to sell the trees that were the lovely set decor (the event is Saturday, December 9 at 6 pm).
The trees are fresh cut, 6 ft to 7ft quality Balsam. All trees are $45.
Make sure you mark your calendars, so you don’t miss this great sale!

Need to Know – New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
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. Read more about it via CT Insider here!

Need to Know – National Wildlife Federation Info for Feeding Birds
The National Wildlife Federation has created a cool new tool to help us feed the birds with our choice of plants. Put in your location and find plants. Next to each tree, flower or shrub photo is the number of butterfly and moth species that feed on the plant as caterpillars — yum. We have a lot of power in our own hands to stop the decline of the bird population and fill our yards with color and life. Good Luck!
Here is the link: www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder

November Meeting Program
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 design-and-build firm based in Westchester, NY, for more than thirty years. A favorite speaker of our club members, Jan used illustrative before and after photos of various projects which she has executed throughout her career. She shared specific tips, techniques and design possibilities to make-over or enhance your garden.
Attendees received a plant list and were able to participate in a drawing for a copy of one of Ms. Johnsen’s books: Gardentopia (2019) or Floratopia (2021). After an informative Q and A, her books will be available for purchase and signing. Jan is pictured here with RG Member Charlotte Gannon (left) and RG President Bridget Bennet (right).

Leave the Leaves Campaign
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 here.
“The Richness of Fall” Program Thursday, October 5
Kyle Riccoboni, floral designer extraordinaire and owner of his own business Modern Houseplant, encouraged members to think outside of the box when making seasonal arrangements during the “Richness of Fall” program October 5. Nature has so many wonderful textures during autumn and by foraging for materials from your garden, you can create some beautiful fall arrangements.
Photos below are the four arrangements that Kyle made for our group. They were donated for our door prize and four lucky winners went home with one of the pieces.
Continue reading““The Richness of Fall” Program Thursday, October 5″

Carvathon 2023
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

Need to Know – The Spotted Lanternfly
Here’s an article about the spotted lanternfly from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station that is filled with facts about this new plant pest. Thanks to Vice President Kevin Tepas for bringing this to our attention! Read the article here.
Also please not that between now and Spring, if people see these spotted lantern fly eggs on surfaces, they should try to remove them. This video shows how and the link has some other information on these invasives as well. Thanks to RG Margo Epprecht for sharing this link. Watch the video here!

Need to Know – Water Restrictions In Effect

Survey of Interest in Bug Control
Horticulture Magazine suggests 10 plants for bug control in your kitchen garden. Try them out, then tell us what you think! Keep those persistent bugs at bay! Click here for more information.