How Does Your Garden Grow?
- The Guide's Grab Bag
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
Hello, Friends! Yes, April is Poetry Month, but I’m not getting ready to recite a nursery rhyme. I’m truly asking- how does your garden grow? It’s that time of year when we start doing some spring clean up around our homes and businesses, gathering up the stick debris, trimming back the bare bushes, and maybe doing some seed starting. I didn’t grow up with a garden and never really learned the caring and beautiful art of horticulture. My mother realized her green thumb later in life, but it certainly did not get passed along to me! I am in awe of the landscaping both my parents do every year, which is worth all the time and toil as it always turns out to be stunning.
I have slowly been learning more and more about gardening in Southern Vermont, by doing my own research, and also by observing the practices of my neighbors and fellow community members. As I add a bit more knowledge and experience to my coffers each season, I continue to be grateful for and thankful to all the local gardening clubs we’re fortunate enough to have throughout the Shires. According to the National Garden Club, the very first garden club meeting in the United States took place in Athens, GA in 1891 with a mission to study horticulture, exchange plants and ideas, and contribute to the betterment of their community. Our own local garden clubs have continued this tradition of educating us and beautifying our public spaces, creating a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. As spring takes root, and hearty daffodils bloom, it’s a fitting time to give a shout out to all these wonderful garden clubs, even though they work all year long on their missions to make each season as lovely as it can be.
The Arlington Garden Club was formed by a group of Arlington residents back in 1941 and since then, they’ve been active caretakers of a variety of spaces around town, including gardens in the Recreation Park, East Arlington, and flower boxes on the bridge. Around holiday time, the AGC is responsible for wreaths on the Covered Bridge in Arlington and Chiselville Bridge, as well as the front door to the Community House.
The Bennington Garden Club was established in 1925 and is now celebrating 100 years of community beautification! Happy Anniversary, BGC! In 1928, it was admitted membership into the Garden Club of America, the only Vermont-based garden club to carry this distinction. Save the date for their Centennial Celebration Garden Tour of Old Bennington this summer on June 21!
Founded in 1920, the Garden Club of Manchester contributes to our local love of horticulture in Manchester and Dorset, including the Manchester Town Green and the Dorset Town Office gardens, as well as weekly floral arrangements for the Yester House at Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) and the Manchester Community Library. Save the date for their Annual Plant, Bake, & Tag Sale on May 17 at SVAC!
Each of these garden clubs provides other services like educational resources, plant sales, and scholarships to local students in addition to all their beautification efforts. Thank you, garden club members, for all that you do to brighten up our public spaces!
In addition to the Gardens at the Rec park & East Arlington ctr, - the Arlington Garden club also maintains the gardens at the Community House, the Post office, the pots at Town Hall and the 3 town signs !