The highlight of our garden club meeting is a program or workshop led by a local expert. 

 

DECEMBER 2024

Longwood Gardens Tour and Lunch

Led by: Mary Branigan

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NOVEMBER 2024

Holiday Wreath Making

DFGC Basket

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OCTOBER 21, 2024

Delaware Botanic Gardens Tour

Led by: Mary Branagan

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SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

Educational Lecture: Backyard Birding in Southern Delaware

Led by: Mary Branigan

Educational Lecture: Bulb Exchange and Education

Led by: Michele Crane

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JUNE 17, 2024

Bay Forest Herb Garden Tour and Happy Hour

Led by: Bebe Reines

 

MAY 20, 2024

Educational Lecture: A Beekeepers Story

Led by: Linda Hendrickson

 

APRIL 15, 2024

Hands On Project

CG members will be doing a decoupage project using clam and oyster shells. The shells will be prepped and ready to go for application of images from napkins, tissue paper, or thin art papers. Members may bring their own choices of images and a variety of paper products will be provided with floral and beach themes. 

 

MARCH 18, 2024

Program Updates: Mary Branagan will review dates and information for upcoming club programs, all of which is on our club website. 

Website Updates: Jenn Martin and Sandy Fitt will review our website capabilities and newly added functions. Co-chairs and members of committees were confirmed, and the online calendar was adjusted accordingly 

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FEBRUARY 19, 2024

This will be an Executive Board and Committee Chair Meeting only. 

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JANUARY 29, 2024 (postponed from January 15) 

Program: Reestablishing Our Connection With Nature: A Case For Native Plants (Click to view or download presentation)

Speaker: Chantal Bouchard

Chantal will examine the ecological importance of using native plants in our landscaping and gardening. She will  take a look at some species that thrive at the beach including ones to attract pollinators and plants that are beneficial to wildlife. Attendees will learn which plants are invasive, how they negatively impact the environment, and be educated on some native alternatives.

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PAST PROGRAMS 2023

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JANUARY 16, 2023

Program: Ask the Arborist

Speaker: Jeremy Hager

Jeremy Hager is the founder of Coastal Plant Care in Ocean View, and has been an Arborist for 17 years. He is an ISA board certified Master Arborist and Tree Risk Assessor. He began his career in 2002 after graduating from Virginia Tech where he received his Master’s in horticulture and entomology. After working for a national tree care company, he envisioned a company that was rooted in the local community yet was able to provide the highest quality horticulture and arboriculture. Jeremy believes that every property deserves his time and attention and insists on providing recommendations and care plans that meet every client’s specific needs.

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FEBRUARY 2023

EB Meeting, NO PROGRAM OR MEETING.

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MARCH 20, 2023

Speaker: Stephen Pryce Lea, Director of Horticulture at the Delaware Botanic Gardens

Program Topic: Five Season Perennials

Stephen is a lifelong horticulturist with a passion for plants and travel. He has experienced gardening in many cultural environments and international climates. Stephen has a rich and diverse horticultural background with a love of nature and regional plants, which add increased value to wildlife habitats. Stephen now calls the Delmarva peninsula home and enjoys nothing better than sharing his extensive plant knowledge with fellow gardeners and nature lovers of all ages. His teaching passion continues to grow while directing the working alongside staff and volunteers.

 

APRIL 17, 2023

This will be a Coastal Gardeners Membership MEETING ONLY, no program.

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MAY 6, 2023

Field Trip: Bearhole Farms, Selbyville, DE

Cost: $30.00

"Fun with Container Gardens"  at Bearhole Farms.  You bring a container less than 16'' across, and they supply plants, soil and fertilizer.   Assorted snacks and beverages will be provided. We will receive a tour of the new Aquaponic Gardening area and the store where various vegetables, cheeses, eggs, and seafood may be purchased. For advance orders all year round, send email order in by Wednesday to Cindy at:  bearholefarms@gmail.com. The orders are available for pickup on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am.

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MAY 15, 2023

This will be a Coastal Gardeners Membership MEETING ONLY, no program.

 

JUNE 7, 2023 (CANCELLED)

Field Trip: Charter bus trip to East Laurel Hill Cemetery and Chanticleer.

Cost: $75.00

Transportation: JOR-LIN bus departs from Millville Giant parking lot on Route 26 at 7:00 am with expected return at 6:30pm. Please bring your lunch and drink.

Gregg Tepper, Horticulturist, will lead our tour of the pollinator gardens, the rock garden and the historic 1836 Medallion Garden at East Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia PA which sits on 74 acres and overlooks the Schuykill River.  After lunch on the grounds, we will travel to Chanticleer, a beautiful 35 acre colorful and contemporary garden within an historic setting in Wayne PA.  Sign-up is in progress. Please send your check (payable to Coastal Gardeners) to Linda Barbour, Treasurer by March 1.

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JUNE 17, 2023

This will be a Coastal Gardeners Membership MEETING ONLY, no program.

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AUGUST 14, 2023

EB Meeting, NO PROGRAM OR MEETING.

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

Speaker: Carol Kinsley, Sussex County Master Gardener

Program Topic: Composting- Cultivating  Black Gold

Carol Kinsley is a Sussex County Master Gardener, and new president of the Spade & Trowel Garden Club. She is former editor of the Mid-Atlantic Grower newspaper and still writes for The Delmarva Farmer newspaper after 43 years. She has been composting for more than 65 years. She will share components of a healthy compost pile and describe how to set up a variety of structures to contain your compost. Your reward: black gold!

 

OCTOBER 16, 2023 (to be confirmed)

Speaker: Luke Wingate, Millville Organic Center

Program Topic: Preparing Your Garden for Fall 

Luke Wingate is the Operations Manager, M.O.C for Millville Organic Center, LLC.  Luke holds a degree in Turf Management and a license in Nutrient Management. Luke will educate the group on the use of organic products in preparing Fall garden beds. 

 

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Speaker: Matthew Harhai

Program Topic: Mushroom Foraging 

In January 2020, Matthew and his wife, Anmei, moved to Bishopville, Maryland from China. Once they settled, they decided it was a great time to pursue their dream to start a small farm. Underfoot, there was a crop being raised that rekindled a familiar pastime- hunting wild mushrooms – which became the seed of an idea to lead mushroom foraging classes in Maryland! They teach safe methods for identifying delicious, gourmet, medicinal mushrooms that grow all around the shore, along with the latest research, health benefits, fascinating anatomy and evolution.

 

DECEMBER 3, 2023

The Coastal Gardeners will celebrate the holiday on December 3, 2023 at Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View Delaware. This year we decided on a Brunch from 11AM - 2PM.  The Country Farmhouse brunch includes scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, cinnamon French toast , fresh baked biscuits, crispy bacon and sausage, and many more treats too numerous to mention. This will be a fun way to celebrate the holiday season.  RSVP to Sally.  Make check payable to Coastal Gardeners. 

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DECEMBER 2, 2023

Field Trip: Bearhole Farms, Selbyville, DE

Topic: Holiday Wreath Making

Cost: $40.00.  Please bring your own gloves and clippers.

"Holiday Wreaths"  at Bearhole Farms at 2PM.  The cost includes all materials to create your holiday wreath  Light refreshments will be provided but BYOB.  Cindy makes her own Bloody Mary mix if anyone is interested.

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DECEMBER 11, 2023

Program Topic: Digging In! Getting to Know Coastal Gardeners

The meeting will feature presentations by the Membership and Awards Committees.