President’s Message

Hello Gardeners,

As the leaves begin to turn and the air gets a bit crisper, there’s still plenty to do in the garden before the snow flies.  Between bulb planting and fall clean up, there is always a garden chore to do this month.    

October is a good time to plant bulbs.  Planting bulbs now will ensure they will establish good root systems before the ground freezes.  Choose a well-drained, sunny spot and follow the directions for planting depth on the package.  Speaking of bulb planting, we will be planting the traffic islands with bulbs on October 22.  Come join us!

Garden clean up in the fall looks different at my house than it use to. While I still remove all annuals, hosta leaves and anything that becomes soft, I leave the grasses, plants with seed heads and native plants standing.  These plants provide shelter for insects and seeds for birds in the fall and winter. 

Be sure to mark your calendars for our last Club meeting of the year.  Join us on Thursday, October 23 with coffee available at 9:00 AM and the speaker at 9:30. This will be our last meeting until next April. Hope to see you!

Happy Gardening,

Vicki Mast

October Club Activities & Events

Monday, October 6th - 9am Last Village Green Volunteer Date

Thanks to all who have contributed to our Public Spaces throughout the growing season. Our final  volunteer opportunity at the Village Green will take place on Monday, October 6 at 9:00 am.  Bring your hand tools, a hat and water. Looking forward to seeing you then. Please contact Laura Anthony lmtanthony505@gmail.com or 207-390-1384 with any questions. 

The Fall garden is special because it’s the only time of year when we enjoy the beauty of the seed pods and drying stems of those plants that are dying off.  It is the time when the late blooming flowers like Russian sage, salvia and Japanese anemone are coming into their full glory. This is also the time when the dahlias show why they are such a popular flower with thousands of varieties to choose from.

To learn about growing dahlias and talk about our own gardens, join us October 21 from 9:30am – 11:30am for a tour and discussion over coffee and autumnal treats at the home of Debra Stokes in Lincolnville Center. Because of the lack of parking, Camden folks are asked to meet at Allison Matlack’s house, 49 Megunticook Street, and carpool from there.  Be ready to leave there at 9:15.

Please RSVP Debra at oakhillme@tidewater.net for directions and carpooling information. 

Wednesday, October 22nd - 9am Planting Fall Bulbs

Meet at the traffic  Islands. Bring gloves. We will provide safety vests. Public Works will be surrounding the islands with safety cones to slow the traffic.  

The holes will be dug with an auger so the planting should go fast. Thanks for helping make the town beautiful. 

Thursday, October 23rd - 9am to 11am General Membership Meeting with Speaker Geneie Everett, Therapeutic Gardening Expert

All are welcome to join us: 9 am hospitality followed by presentation at 9:30 and Business Meeting. Geneie Everett, GCFM liaison to Horticulture Therapy and Wiscasset Garden Club member, will enlighten us about the burgeoning field of Horticultural Therapy and discuss ways if which individual garden clubs can participate and aid in the cause.

Prior to hearing our speaker, you can read Geneie Everett’s Enabling Gardens an informative article abut Therapeutic Gardening published in Maine Grows. The article explains that a Therapeutic or Healing Garden is designed to improve well-being.

The General Meeting and presentation will be held at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Chestnut Street in Camden.

Please contact Laura Anthony lmtanthony505@gmail.com with any questions. 

What is the greatest challenge your yard presents?

We live on a very slopy half-acre which makes the house loom when you stand at the bottom of the yard. We’ve added plantings to the steepest part of the slope, which comes right off the house, to try to hide it.

You bought your house 3 years ago. What are the biggest changes you’ve made?

The yard was a big rectangle surrounded by a lot of arbor vitae and with nothing interesting to draw you into it. We removed a lot of yard waste, many arbor vitae, and took out burning bushes and tons of day lilies. We’ve created a few beds around and in the yard that soften the edges and hopefully welcome birds and bees as well as people!

What role do native plants play in your gardens?

I’m learning about natives and am looking forward to planting more, but there are non-natives and cultivars that I just love and that define a garden for me. I’m seeking the right balance and Amy Thomas has been an invaluable resource.

What’s with all the dahlias?

I started planting dahlias two years ago because I was intrigued by the challenge of it. Debra Stokes has led two dahlia workshops at my house for the Club and I’ve learned a lot from her and I learn a lot by trial and error. They’re fussy—but oh so worth the work!

What do you think is the key to a successful garden?

Preparing your beds. My yard has areas with beautiful, rich loam and other areas with the most dreadful, impoverished, sandy soil. My husband has a preternatural love for making compost and that is the singular thing I would point to for any success I can claim. I also pull the plants that die before anyone can see them….

Incredible Edible Milbridge Speaker at Camden Public Library

A Remembrance of Judy and John Sherman

Join friends and neighbors to honor two of our long-time friends Judith Larkin Sherman and John Lincoln Sherman. Judy, 89, passed away March 23, 2025, and John, 97, passed away September 14, 2025. They were known to many for their steadfast attendance and participation in the activities of the Camden Garden Club, Rotary Club and Yacht Club. Join us to honor Judy and John with a few stories of remembrance, beverages and light hors d’oeuvres at Camden Yacht Club, Sunday, October 12, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Thanks to everyone at the Camden Garden Club who contributed to the success of the 4th Annual Native Plant Celebration and Sale this past September 14th, The event drew 500 attendees and hundred of native plants went home with happy customers! Whether you attended, bought plants or supported the event by hanging flyers, spreading the word to friends, or volunteering at the events, your support is greatly appreciated. Special recognition to Laura Anthony and the Camden Garden Club’s engaging native plant ID activity, such a creative way to bring people into the world of native plants.