Benefits of Membership

The benefits of membership in the Colonial Garden Club of Marlborough are wide, deep and varied to appeal to the interests of anyone interested in gardening. Because of the club’s long history in the community, the organization has evolved with the city community and strives to meet the needs of the community and the club’s members. Below is a detailed listing of how members learn, grow and develop as gardeners; but also, as team members and leaders.

City Garden Planning, Planting and Maintenance

Members participate in the planning, planting and maintenance of the city’s primary gardens. Members learn the basics of garden planning, plant selection, plant ordering and garden/plant maintenance as part of a city garden team. Each team oversees its garden for the calendar year. All materials, supplies and plant material are provided by the club and each team is lead by an experienced member gardener.

Gardening Education

Members have access to the club’s wide range of educational opportunities, held at and outside the club’s regular meeting times:

• Lectures, presentations and demonstrations on currently relevant topics such as flower and vegetable gardening, native plants/trees/shrubs, pollinator plants, landscaping and conservation. The club’s Program Committee continuously seeks member feedback, researches the current gardening “hot topics” and strives to provide a well-rounded, dynamic offering of educational opportunities every year.
• Field trips to enjoy garden beauty, gain knowledge and appreciate various gardening styles such as a visit to a large-scale organic vegetable or flower garden; visiting local gardens on a Garden Tour; a guided tour at a botanical garden or attending an offsite lecture on a current gardening topic.
• Annual Pear Tree Boutique Workshops: the free week-long member all-day workshops, highlighted with refreshments, are held the week before the Annual Pear Tree Boutique fundraiser, and the workshops provide members with hands on opportunities to learn. The focus is creating items to sell at the Boutique, one of the club’s two fundraising events which support the club’s community work. Members learn about types of greenery; tabletop/mantel/door/mailbox/wreath composition and assembly; construction and decoration of mini boxwood trees; and more. All materials are provided by the club, onsite guidance, coaching and instruction is provided by club members and all members create many items for the sale which is the first Saturday in December each year.
• Artisan Workshops: held at various times each year, these are hands-on opportunities for members to learn the planning, design and construction of garden related items such as a trellis, cement art, hypertufa and repurposed-recycled garden art.
• Master Gardener and other courses and certifications: as a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. and the National Garden Cubs, Inc., the Colonial Garden Club has access to an extensive network of educational opportunities available to club members. The fees, rules and content of these programs are created by the state and national organizations, and all fees are paid by individual members. The club channels information about all these programs, courses, certifications and conferences to the Colonial Garden Club Members.
• Plant Identification: Through the Annual Plant Sale, members learn how to identify and label their plants from their own gardens which they pot and donate to the Annual Plant Sale, the other annual fundraiser that funds the club’s community involvement.

Club Operations: Committees and Leadership

Members participate in running the club via the various club committees that oversee different aspects of the club, such as Educational Programs, Beautification, Special Events, Annual Pear Tree Boutique, Annual Plant Sale, Garden Therapy and Media. The committees plan and manage each of these components of the club and each is vital to the continuing success of the club. These provide an excellent opportunity to work as part of a small team within the club, meet other members and forge new friendships. Members usually pick a committee whose focus matches member’s interests. Growing into a leadership/chairperson role on committees is always another great way to learn and contribute more to the club’s successes and develop leadership skills.

Nursery and Botanical Garden Discounts

Many New England nurseries and botanical gardens offer a garden club member discount on admission/programs held at their locations; and the Colonial Garden Club often supports these local organizations by funding a membership which community members and club members can utilize. The Garden in the Woods and Tower Hill Botanic Garden are two examples.

Networking

As a member of the Colonial Garden Club of Marlborough, you have access to hundreds of years of gardening expertise, all within the club’s member group. If you need help with a gardening question, challenge or concern; or you have a solution, new product or idea to share, you have an attentive audience ready to help or try out something new. Gardeners think methodically like scientists but also like to take chances on something new; they like the beauty of a well-planned garden but might lack the time (and interest) in doing all the leg work to plan it out; and as we all get busier, older, change careers and add other interests, we are all looking for ways to make life easier without giving up our passions. Tapping into the resources and expertise in this member group is simple!

Social Interest Groups

Members can create and join informal social/interest groups within the club and organize gatherings/events for the members of each interest group. Interest groups such as a Dinner, Book, Bocce or Vegetable Gardening have been created by members, and the groups’ members decide what they will do for fun focused on the “theme” of each group. The Dinner Group members might love hosting dinners, cooking, trying out new cooking techniques, etc. and each of its members might host a themed dinner over a period of 6-12 months. Creating a new interest group or joining an existing one is a great way to meet members with a shared interest and learn at the same time.

To apply for membership in the Colonial Garden Club of Marlborough, please contact us at gardenclub01752@gmail.com or Colonial Garden Club of Marlborough, P.O. Box 1032, Marlborough, MA 01752.