MONTHLY PROGRAMS
Held on the second Monday of the month, the Club’s meetings include a lecture featuring a well-known personality from the horticultural world followed by Club business announcements and a delicious luncheon prepared by member volunteers. These meetings are held at the Wilton Congregational Church (Pilgrim Hall), 70 Ridgefield Rd, Wilton.
Please note that monthly programs are for members only. If you are interested in joining the club and/or attending one of our meetings, more information is available on the Join Us page or please contact our membership chair: Kathy Rosenbaum kmrosenbaum@icloud.com
2026/27 General Meeting Schedule:
DATE: September 14, 2026
TOPIC: “Grow and Tell”
SPEAKER: Club Members
The program will be a member-presented “Grow and Tell” during which members will give a 10-15 minute presentation of a favorite edible (fruit, vegetable, or herb) that they have grown over the summer- any special memories they have of it, how they grow it, how they use it, and why they love it and provide a small bite or drink to share
DATE: October 19, 2026
TOPIC: Liberty is a Tender Plant: Revolutionary Gardens in the Early Republic
SPEAKER: Professor Nancy Siegel, PhD
In celebration of America’s 250th, Professor Siegel will present a lecture focusing on American botany, horticulture, and still life imagery around the time of the American Revolution/Early Republic including recipes for some of the wonderful fruits and vegetables grown in kitchen gardens and orchards and native plants foraged at the time. The event will include cups of Liberty Tea and a tasting menu of cakes and jams, pickled vegetables and dried fruits from the bounty available from gardens at the time.
Professor Siegel is Professor of Art History & Culinary History, Towson University and author Political Appetites: The Power of Food in Revolutionary America. She specializes in American landscape studies, underrepresented women artists of the 19th century, print culture, and culinary history of the 18th and 19th centuries.
DATE: November 9, 2026
TOPIC: An Exploration in Floral and Botanical Photography
SPEAKER: Jeanne Newman
Jeanne will lead an exploration into the art of capturing the beauty of flowers through macrophotography. The program will cover some fundamental concepts of design and composition. The session will include some time for members to get to know their equipment, whether they are using a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, a point-and-shoot, or an iPhone, so that they can focus on what really matters: capturing the beauty around you. Jeanne will present a slide show of her captivating photos of flowers and plants from her garden and neighborhood.
Jeanne Newman has a degree from Moore College of Art. She has been a passionate photographer and teacher for over 30 years.
Workshop: Photo Critique and Sharing Session. Members will be invited to send Jeanne two of their best images and meet as a Zoom group for a critique and sharing session. Date to be scheduled.
DATE: December 7, 2026
ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
DATE: January 11, 2027
TOPIC: Bird-Friendly Gardening: How to Make Your Garden Attractive for Birds
SPEAKER: Jen McGuiness
Every backyard garden has the power to make a difference in face of declining bird populations. Jen will explain what birds need to thrive, how to use organic practices and native plants to provide birds with what they need to thrive, including which trees, shrubs, and flowers attract specific species. With inspiring ideas and easy actions, this session shows how helping birds helps create more balanced, life-filled gardens.
Jen McGuiness is the garden writer and photographer behind Frau Zinnie (FrauZinnie.com) where she shares personal gardening insights, expert interviews, and seasonal inspiration. She is the author of “Bird-Friendly Gardening”. Based in Connecticut, Jen champions organic and wild-life friendly gardening.
Workshop: Birding by Ear with Frank Gallo. Date to be scheduled
DATE: February 8, 2027
TOPIC: Improving Soil in the Home Garden
SPEAKER: Gregory J. Bugbee
Healthy plants require fertile soil. The basics of soil improvement for homeowners are discussed including, pH adjustment, organic matter additions, types of fertilizers and soil testing.
Gregory Bugbee has been a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) for 47 years and is an expert in invasive aquatic plants, soil fertility, turfgrass, potting media, composting, and utilization of composted biosolids in horticulture. He is in charge of the Station’s soil testing laboratory and principal investigator in the Invasive Aquatic Plant Program. He has lead research on soil fertility and uses of waste products as soil amendments.
Workshop: Practical Composting. Date to be Scheduled
DATE: March 8, 2027
TOPIC: Everything you need to know about the WGC Plant Sale
SPEAKER: Janer Danforth Belson, Courney Rothaus and Plant Sale Committee Chairs
DATE: April 12, 2027
TOPIC: How to Grow a Meadow
SPEAKER: Kathy Connelly
No one can grow an instant meadow. In this presentation, Kathy will explore the definition of a meadow, and how it differs from other “no-mow” and “low-mow” approaches to the landscape. Topics explored will include what makes a good meadow site, site preparation, how to select and to plant perennials, annuals, and grasses, and the best uses of seeds and landscape plugs. Kathy will also discuss what to expect from your meadow in years one, two, and three and common issues with established meadows.
Kathy Connolly is a landscape designer, writer, and speaker who emphasizes earth-friendly designs, native plants, and low-impact land care techniques, assisting assists customers as they start new meadow gardens or improve existing meadow areas.
Kathy has 20 years of personal experience as the caretaker of a meadow on her property.
Workshop: TBD
DATE: May 17, 2027
TOPIC: Japanese Aesthetics in Ikebana: A Demonstration of Japanese Flower Arranging
SPEAKER: Carol Baldwin
Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is one of the arts associated with Zen Buddhism. These arts were a form of meditation that centered the mind and prepared Samurai for battle. Originally, Ikebana was only done by men. Ikebana continues to be closely associated with tea ceremony.
In her demonstration, Ms. Baldwin will emphasize some of the artistic values that make the Japanese aesthetic unique. She will also share some anecdotes from her many happy years in Japan.
Our demonstrator will be Westonite, Carol Baldwin, who became a trained teacher of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana while she lived in Japan for nine years with her family. She continues her studies here in the US with her “sensei”, Judy Hata, who will turn 102 this year! She also serves as the President of Ikebana International New York and is actively involved in the Ikebana community.
Workshop: TBD