President’s Message

Dear Gardener Friends,

While the Club has taken a hiatus from Club meetings, we are in no way slowing down with other events. I want to mention the items that are occurring soon. First, next week David Kibbe will be presenting information on winter seed sowing at his home. If you have not already signed up with Karen for this workshop and wish to do so, now is the time.  It is exciting to begin thinking about seed starting, and the plant and set outside approach is very appealing, especially if you are going to be gone this winter or do not have a good set up inside.

On the heels of this workshop will be our horticultural series which starts at the end of January and carries through February.  Dates, times and topics are listed in this newsletter, on the website and on Facebook.  These series are all available to watch on Zoom and are free to our members and the community.  While we miss the ability to get together at the Camden Library to see the lectures, Zoom allows us to reach out to our members who are living elsewhere in the winter, and it also gives us ability to have speakers from all around the country.  In addition, we don’t have to worry about a snow day on the day of the lectures. I do hope you all take advantage of these lectures as I am certain they will be informative.

Other items that are happening in January and February: After the announcement that the Club will not be having a garden tour in 2025, several members presented ideas for a different type of event. An exploratory committee was developed to propose an alternative event to the annual tour. This exploratory committee has been hard at work developing a plan to present to the board in February.  More details will be coming as they are available. 

The board is going to be developing a long-range plan for the next 3-5 years at our retreat in February. To help us set directions for the Club, we need to hear from you. To obtain this information, we are going to have several focus groups. Your input is valuable.  We will be sending out an email with details next week. 

I think that covers what is going on at the present time.  Remember, our next Club meeting will be in April.  We will use the newsletter and email to keep everyone informed until then. As always, I welcome your feedback and am looking forward to us getting together again in the spring.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Vicki

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
Time: 10am to approx. 11:30am
Location: David Kibbe’s Residence - 12 Linden Lane Camden.  

Join us for an engaging, hands-on workshop with David Kibbe to jumpstart your gardening season, both outdoors and indoors:

Winter Seed Sowing: How to sow native seeds in pots or milk jugs for winter stratification (cold exposure). Seeds will be included:  milkweed, black-eyed Susan, and liatris—perfect for supporting pollinators.

Indoor Seed Starting Tips: Tour David’s basement germination center and learn how to set up a simple grow light system. Learn about seed selection, watering, lighting and maintaining healthy seedlings.

Hands-On Activities: Sow your own seeds in containers to take home. Learn proper labeling placement and care.

RSVP to Karen Cease  kbcease@aol.com  or text karen cease 978.369.0205. Unfortunately, because of space, we have to limit the number of participants to 12.

2025 Winter Horticulture Series

Join us for the 57th Winter Horticulture Series and a wonderfully diverse series of Zoom presentations scheduled January 28 through February 25. Pre-registration is required.

January 28, 9:30-10:30am “What We Can Do for the Birds” Becca Rodomsky-Bish, Cornell Lab of Ornithology How to manage our landscapes for biodiversity and why it’s important. Register for this program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kkmDkKAxSDCvrQwqhP7f-w

February 4, 9:30-10:30am “Inside Look at the U.S. Botanic Garden” Susan Pell, Ph.D. and Executive Director      Our annual Zoom garden tour with a behind the scenes peek at one of our National Treasures in Washington, DC  Register for this program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uhH317qYTOiSSoIFo8LIxg   

February 11, 9:30-10:30am “The Secret Lives of Wild Bees” Nick Dorian, Ph.D.   Are there good bees and bad bees?  Do they talk? Find out !   

Register for this program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j-cBkyhHQDOuETkiPRUhhw  

February 18, 9:30-10:30am  “Benefits of Nature Experiences for Human Health and Well-Being.”  Mt. Cuba Center Speaker    There’s a reason we all get that zen feeling when we garden. Register for this program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Lf5yj116RWO-qJoLHRbz7w

February 25, 9:30-10:30am “Tools for Garden Décor” Dawn Buck, Canopy, Rockland ME Getting too hard to manage all those beds? Find out how to intersperse  strategic objects to enhance beauty and decrease workload  in the garden. Register for this program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MxuO_So8TCuOw4m6vp8iZw

The Winter Horticulture Series is presented in conjunction with the Camden Public Library.

Thank you to all of our Members who volunteered to make bows and wreaths at Club workshops and help deck downtown Camden for the holiday season.

2025 Spring Plant Sale - Order now through April 18th

Sponsored by Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District

The 2025 Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser Catalog is now available in print and online. Plants are available for pre-order, either online or by mail, through Friday, April 18, 2025. You can take advantage of curbside pick-up of your orders on May 16 and 17 plus “Cash and Carry” on Saturday, May 17 at Union Fairgrounds. Quantities are limited so order early for the best selection.  Download a catalog or shop online:   https://www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale   

The proceeds of this fundraiser support youth and adult conservation programs throughout the year.

Our mission is to develop and preserve our environment by beautifying the community, enhancing public spaces, offering educational programs, and practicing resource conservation.