MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL ARTICLE
- The little garden club that could … and does
- 2024-2025 HIGHLIGHTS: The Novato Garden Club meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month from September to May at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, main auditorium. At each meeting we have a hands on project or an outside speaker. General meetings begin at 1:15 P.M.
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIRE: The Novato Garden Club is a Co-Sponsor of the Annual Novato Holiday Crafts Faire which takes place the first Friday (6 – 9 PM) and Saturday (10 AM – 9 PM) of December at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road, Novato, CA 94947. Each year we sell fresh handmade wreaths and swags (greens provided by the City of Novato), handmade Christmas items, mistletoe, potted plants, lavender products (from our gardens) and other related garden items. The proceeds from the sale benefits City of Novato beautification and Club operations.
SPRING BLOOM WILL BE MAY 3, 2025: Our annual plant sale will be held at 6 Equestrian Ct., and 7 Estates Dr. Novato from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. We will have a VERY large assortment of member-propagated plants, lots of vegetable plants started from seed donated by Baker Seed Company in Petaluma, as well as many large plastic and ceramic pots and garden items donated by our members and the community.
Baker Creek Seeds, 110 Petaluma Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94952 707-773-1336 www.rareseeds.com. Check them out!
Do you have plants you would like to donate? If the community has plants they would like to donate please email to gardenclubnovato@gmail.com
HOLIDAY PLANTINGS IN DOWNTOWN CONTAINERS: On April 6, 2025 Novato Garden Club members worked the Downtown Planters at the corner of Redwood and Grand Ave. We are in the process of rehabbing the planters with fresh dirt and plants. New planting will begin in the next couple of weeks. What a gorgeous day to be outside with fellow gardeners!
If you notice any problems with the planters please email us at gardenclubnovato@gmail.com. The planters at the Chianti corner of Vallejo and Redwood Blvd do not have water. We have been discussing the water issue with the City of Novato to get this resolved.
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS FOR 2024-2025: The Garden Club held a Special Meeting to vote for and install Officers.
Co-Presidents: Nancy Cabaud and Kathy Walker, Vice-President: Kathy Lago, Treasurer: Gail Skarich, General Meeting Secretary; Jackie Walton, Board Secretary: Jean Ludwick.
HOLIDAY FAIRE AND NOVATO GARDEN CLUB FUNDRAISER: We make 50+ fresh greens wreaths and swags along with garden related items and sell them at the Margaret Todd Senior Center Holiday Faire the first Friday and Saturday of December. We can make wreaths to order. To pre-order email at gardenclubnovato@gmail.com
NOVATO GARDEN CLUB SEED BANK: Along with member’s seeds, Baker Seed Company in Petaluma has donated a large selection of seeds. The seeds are available at our meetings and at the Spring Bloom Sale. All proceeds benefit our City Beautification/Scholarship Fund.
If you are interested in providing seeds for our Club, save your seeds by placing them in jars or packets along with the little crystal packs that come in medicine bottles, etc. This will help seeds last longer by wicking moisture away from the seeds.
90th Anniversary: We celebrated our 90 year anniversary in February 2025. A formal tea was enjoyed by all who attended. We honor our past presidents each year at this event, thanking them for their years of service to our Club at the February meeting.
PROGRAMS: We greatly appreciated past presentations by Recology Sonoma Marin, helping us to understand what is recyclable, compostable and landfill trash in Novato. North Marin Water has given a presentation on water savings idea.
We also have Summer Winds Nursery join us each year for the new plants and gardening ideas.
GOPHER GIRL presentation
Many thanks to Meg McSweeney for her time and expertise.
Our Past President, Lane Yee, on dried arrangements for our November meeting centerpieces.
NEW MEMBER TEA: A new member tea is held periodically to introduce new members into Club. Members contribute to this special welcoming event.
GENERAL MEETING BROWN BAG LUNCHEONS: Members are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy after the meeting to visit with friends and fellow gardeners. Occasionally we have deserts provided by a member.
We have a opportunity drawing at each meeting, offering beautiful flowers as well as home-made goodies.
Pumpkin Succulent Centerpieces. Members created beautiful living centerpieces that can continue to grow long after the fall holidays. When you are ready just plant the pumpkin and succulents in your garden.
JUNE MEMBER APPRECIATION PICNIC: Each year we honor our hard working volunteers at the June Picnic. A photo contest, silent auction and games along with a picnic lunch are enjoyed by the members.