Date:               September 14, 2022

Time:               6:00 p.m.

Location:         Syme Family Farm, 72 Windsorville Road, Broad Brook

Speaker:         Jen and Bill Syme

Topic Title:       A Walking Tour of Syme Family Farm

Summary:       Jen and Bill Syme own and operate a diverse farm that grows greenhouse crops in spring, watermelon and specialty    flowers in summer and fall, and Christmas trees in winter. Their two daughters raise dairy and beef cows. The tour will take us through their fields and greenhouses and to view their chickens, dairy, and beef cattle. 

Date:                  October 12, 2022

Time:                  7:00 p.m.

Location:            South Windsor Public Library

Speaker:            Karen Bussolini

Topic Title:          Designing with Plenty for Pollinators

Summary:          Gardeners are uniquely able to support the entire life cycle of beneficial insects and other pollinators. They are not just cultivating flowers; they are cultivating habitat. From Karen Bussolini of Garden Arts, LLC, learn how to design wildlife friendly pollinator habitats disguised as gorgeous gardens, with inspiring examples and maintenance strategies.

Date:                  November 9, 2022

Time:                  7:00 p.m.

Location:            Avery Street Christian Reformed Church

Speaker:            Carolyn Callahan

Topic Title:          Holiday Craft Night

Summary:          Our very own Carolyn Callahan will design a seasonal project that we can all enjoy making. Come have fun in the company of other club members. Then take your holiday creation home for the season.

Date:                 January 11, 2023

Time:                 7:00 p.m.

Location:           Avery Street Christian Reformed Church

Speaker:           Jeff the Plant Guy

Topic Title:         The Joys of African Violets

Summary:         They have been called charming and intriguing plants of character and beauty.

They flower prolifically with single or double flowers. Meet or revisit African Violets with Jeff the Plant Guy and learn guidelines on the cultivation of these multicolored beauties.

Date:                 February 8, 2023

Time:                 7:00 p.m.

Location:           Avery Street Christian Reformed Church

Speaker:           Victor Eng

Topic Title:        The Ancient Art of Bonsai Trees

Summary:         Victor Eng of Bonsai Gardens of CT will introduce the art of Bonsai, dwarf potted trees from China and Japan. The presentation will define and exhibit various genuine Bonsai. Trees will be offered for sale at the meeting.

Date:                 March 8, 2023

Time:                 7:00 p.m.

Location:           South Windsor Public Library

Speaker:            Kim Hargrave

Topic Title:         Bats of Connecticut

Summary:          Bats are critical animals of local ecosystems worldwide. One little brown bat can eat 60 medium-sized moths or over 1000 mosquito-sized insects in one night! From Kim Hargrave, Education Director for the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic, learn all about our nocturnal neighbors and which species are native to Connecticut.

Date:                 April 12, 2023

Time:                7:00 p.m.

Location:          Wood Memorial Library

Speaker:           Dr. Rebecca French

Topic Title:        Planning for Climate Change in Connecticut

Summary:        Within Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is the Office of Climate Planning. Meet Dr. Rebecca French, Director, and learn how this office works on the goals of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to climate change in our State. Find out how you can support these goals at the municipal level.

Date:               May 10, 2023

Time:               7:00 p.m.

Location:         Avery Street Christian Reformed Church

Speaker:         Marci Martin

Topic Title:       Easy Care Roses for the Home Garden

Summary:        From Marci Martin, Master Consulting Rosarian, learn the secrets for planting happy roses that will last in the garden for years. Then, meet several types of roses you can choose to plant in your gardens that are more carefree than roses of the past. 

Members Only - Proposed Field Trips – Exact Dates TBA

June 2023 – Marci Martin House and Garden Tour, Suffield

A free tour of Marci Martin’s new rose gardens. We could do this during the day after 11 am and bring a brown bag lunch, or in the evening with wine and munchies. Marci moved from her home in Windsor to Suffield a few years ago and re-established her rose gardens there.

July 2023 – Chrissie D’Esopo Flower House, Avon

A free 3-hour day tour led by Chrissie herself of her gardens and first floor of her house. We could bring a brown bag lunch. To view, go to desopogardens.squarespace.com. Click the frog for the garden tour, or the house for the home tour. Click the first photo twice to enlarge and then click arrow to advance.

Come grow with us!