Stretching arms of pink
Across the hills of Harvard,
Apple trees awake
We are a non-profit, hands-on garden club located in beautiful Harvard, Massachusetts . Our members have gardening skills ranging from beginner to master. In meetings and workshops, we exchange ideas and learn about new trends in landscape design, vegetable gardening, horticulture, conservation, and flower arranging. We share our knowledge and give back to the community through civic beautification and outreach programs.
Executive Officers
President: Bill Loehfelm
Vice President: Marijke Vallaeys
Recording Secretary: Carlene Phillips
Treasurer: Deborah O'Rourke
"I planted the last dozen tulip bulbs in the morning.
In the afternoon I went to a meeting to start a garden club.
There were fifteen ladies present. I was elected president, quite a shock!
The object of the club was to promote interest in gardens,
their management and culture and to meet for the discussion of these subjects. We formed a Program committee and, a priority for me, a Conservation committee. There were 41 charter members and annual dues were $2. The club held flower shows at the Town Hall and plant sales to exchange 'treasures' and pay for club expenses. One of the first civic activities was landscaping around the Powder House off the Common."
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Looking Back: 1927
from the diary of founder Mary Abbot, October 1927
"Mary Abbot in Her Garden" by her sister, noted artist Agnes Abbot.
President's Message:
Here's what Bill thinks....
“This is the age of miracle and wonder...” So said Paul Simon (and others) and it is a phrase I keep returning to these days. These days so filled with wind speeds and ‘feels like’ temperatures. These days of walking so carefully so as not to fall.
Visually, it is, of course, beautiful. Endless expanses of different shades of shadows and sun; clear land and forested, flat and hilly. How lucky are we to live in such beautiful surroundings.
But wait! We are gardeners! We are our most authentic selves when we are playing in the dirt. We celebrate rich soil and plant our seeds according to our researched plan. We have notes from the last years’ work that will direct this year’s work, hoping for the right amount of warmth, rain and sun.
So how do we reconcile the two worlds? How do I sit looking out at the lawn with patches of snow, deciding which new
color of zinnia will look best against the house? We are blessed with experience that tells us that in weeks, or even days, that scene yield daffodils and hyacinths...that the raised beds will be ready for seeds and transplants. And I’ll have a starter flat with brand new zinnias.
Miracle and wonder...let’s enjoy them both.
Our President, Bill Loehfelm