Sudbury Garden Club
PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS
PROGRAMS:
The Club's membership year runs from September to June. We are proud to offer to our members and guests an interesting and informative garden-related program each month, presented by an expert in the topic. We typically meets the second Wednesday of each month. Most meetings start at 9:30AM, with a brief business agenda, at the Memorial Congregational Church (MCC). Be sure to check each month’s listing since times and locations may vary. Typically, one meeting each year is held on Zoom. Each meeting begins with a social period and light refreshments, followed by a business meeting, and then our featured speaker and program. The public is invited to join us at 10:30AM to enjoy the programs. (We follow the Sudbury School System’s weather-related decisions. If school is delayed or cancelled, our meeting is cancelled. Members will receive notification by email, text or phone.)
​​
WORSHOPS:
In addition to the monthly programs, the Club also offers garden-related workshops. Workshops are fun, hands-on learning opportunities, led by expert guests. To maximize the experience, each workshop is typically limited to a small group. As such, members will receive priority and a discount in purchasing tickets. When tickets become available, look for and click on the "EVENTS" tab on the website menu to purchase.
​
BOARD MEETINGS:
​All members are invited to attend Board meetings which are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Welcome Back!
Art in Bloom, Begonias, and Social Media Quickie
September 10, 2025
9:30-11:30 AM
Memorial Congregational Church
Our members will have some extra time to socialize, catch up, and swap garden adventures after the summer. After the business meeting, the Floral Design Committee (Juju, Carol & Jo Ann) will present pictures and describe processes for their arrangements for Art in Bloom shows. Patty M. will make a presentation on what makes a Begonia a Begonia and lastly, Meredith will give us a quick lesson on SGC social media.
Workshop:
Creating & Drinking Vinegars, Shrubs, and Herbal Teas
October 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
3:00-5:00 PM
Memorial Congregational Church
Cost:
Members $10/Non-members $20
Led by Tia Pinney, Mass Audubon
This workshop will focus on making drinking vinegars, often called shrubs. These are fruit, vegetable, and herbal infused sweetened vinegars used as mixers for both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. We will make several different types of drinking vinegars to share and take samples home. We will also use some locally gathered herbs and wild plants to make both hot and iced teas to sip while we work on our projects. See EVENTS page.​​
Ecohorticulture Talk & Tour @ Garden in The Woods
October 8, 2025
10:30AM (Note later start time.) 10:00 social, 10:30 business, 11:00 speaker, 12:00 optional site tour
Garden in the Woods
180 Hemenway Road, Framingham
Presented by
Ecological Horticulture takes a different approach from traditional gardening by focusing on nature- friendly principles. This talk will dive into key ideas and challenge common gardening practices. For example: Why is genetic diversity essential? Can I use cultivated versions of native plants? How should climate change influence my gardening choices? These questions and more will guide a discussion on creating and caring for gardens in harmony with the environment.
​​
What Four Qualities Do You Need to be a Good Bonsai Artist?
November 5, 2025
9:30-11:30 AM
Memorial Congregational Church
Presented by Joe Thomas
The Japanese have inspired the world for 1,000 years with their mastery of the art of bonsai. This living art form is becoming increasingly popular around the world, but it is often misunderstood. Come join Joe Thomas from Bonsai West to learn the four skills it takes to make beautiful miniature trees, and become a good bonsai artist!
​
Holiday Party
December 10, 2025
Time TBD
Location TBD
Sorry, members only!
A Virtual Tour Through C.L. Fornari’s Cape Cod Garden
January 14, 2026
7:00 PM
Zoom meeting
Presented by C.L. Fornari
Join C.L. for a look at her gardens at Poison Ivy Acres. Learn about great shrubs, trees and perennials. See how C.L. uses annuals in the ground and containers for more "flower power." Hear about her "party crashers" and the vegetable garden that fills her freezer and table for most of the year. Ask questions about plants, hydrangeas, and critter control.
Garden Objects (all of those non-plant items in our gardens)
February 11, 2026
9:30-11:30 AM
Memorial Congregational Church
Presented by Christie Dustman
Garden objects are the non-plant items that play a role in the landscape – for function, aesthetic value or both. As gardeners who love plants we often miss the opportunity to add that "something else" by adding non-plant objects. Some objects are commonly included to make the garden more enjoyable and functional – like outdoor furniture or a grill. Some objects become sculptural and are part of the overall garden composition and play the role of a focal point or supporting element to the plantings. Come hear Christie Dustman for a whirlwind tour of garden objects and how to decide what to include, where and why.
Floral Arrangements at the MFA
March 12, 2026 (Thursday)
9:30-11:30 AM
Grange Hall
Joint Meeting with Thursday Garden Club (Members Only.)
Presented by Robin Traquina, MFA Flower Association
Robin is a Museum of Fine Arts Floral Associate captain. The floral arrangements at the MFA are done weekly by the MFA Flower Associates with 4 teams that rotate designing and maintaining the arrangements for a two week period. There is a captain who designs the arrangements, a co-captain that assists, and four others who condition, arrange and provide daily watering during the week. The Floral Association is also involved in coordinating the Annual MFA Art in Bloom exhibits. Robin will share the process and some examples with us.​
Workshop: Ecoprinting
March 19, 2026 (Thursday)
4:00-6:00 PM (Note later times.)
Memorial Congregational Church
Cost: TBD
Led by Judith Stein
Learn the art of creating beautiful botanical prints on paper using real flowers and leaves. Participants will learn the basic concepts and techniques of eco-printing and have much fun experimenting with a variety of plants, papers, and mordants (minerals and natural additives that draw out various colors from the plants). Experience the surprise and delight of unwrapping the bundles of paper and viewing the resulting creations! All materials will be provided by the instructor but feel free to bring your favorite flowers or leaves.​​
Tool Talk
April 8, 2026
3:00-5:00 PM
(Note later times: 3:00 social, 3:30 business, 4:00 speaker)
Memorial Congregational Church
Presented by Jack Russell, Russell's Garden Center
Jack will discuss the new tools and old that are available, what each tool is used for and how to select the right pruner for your hand. He will also teach everyone how to sharpen pruners.
A Journey of Floral Photography
May 13, 2026
9:30-11:30 AM
Memorial Congregational Church
Presented by Stephanie Elkort
This presentation is designed to bring surprise and joy. Stephanie’s many images of flowers, both abstract and very detailed, will be projected onto the screen, along with some behind-the-scenes shots to show the photographer’s process. The presentation will also attempt to inform viewers about floral imagery through time, through painting and photography, adding context and an educational side to the event.
Annual Meeting
June 2026
Time TBD
Place TBD
Members only!