Garden Club
of
Amherst
ABOUT US
Our Mission
The purpose of the Garden Club of Amherst is to foster the interests of its members in everything pertaining to gardens, and to show active concern for the beautification of the local area and for the preservation of its natural resources, extending this concern to similar state and national issues.
Our History
The Garden Club of Amherst (GCA) was founded on August 27, 1915, when Mrs. William J. Newlin invited five friends to meet at her Amherst home. The club grew quickly, and members contributed to the community by distributing plans for home gardens, organizing plant exchanges, donating garden books to the town library, and working to stimulate public interest in home gardens.
In 1928 the GCA joined The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts (GCFM) of which we are still a proud member. Each May since 1951, the GCA has held a plant sale on the Amherst Common. Members share plants from their gardens and knowledge with the community at the sale. All sale proceeds are donated to local organizations and, since 1990, fund an annual scholarship for a horticultural student at the University of Massachusetts.
In most ways the GCA keeps to its original purpose—to help one another with our gardens, indoor and outdoor, and to help the town be an attractive place. We share our experiences with gardening, enjoy presentations, and occasionally take trips to visit other public or private gardens. The club currently has 45 members, including honorary and associate members.
Announcements & News
We are currently working with the
Kestrel Land Trust property.
Schedule
Program Schedule 2026
Any non-member interested in attending a program should
contact the club for further information.
January 28
Topic: Welcoming New Members, Recalling Our History Speaker: Club Members
February 25
Topic: Successful Seed Sowing and Growing Speaker: Elizabeth Anema
March 21
Susie’s Dinner, Set-up at 4:30 pm, Dinner 5:30-7 pm Bring your own plate, etc.
March 25 Topic: Growing Dahlias in Massachusetts Speaker: Rebecca Maillet, Many Graces Farm
April 29
Topic: Invasive Species and Climate Change Speaker: Dr. Bethany Bradley, Prof of Biogeography & Spatial Ecology, UMass
May 21
Plant Sale Table Set-up Amherst Town Common
May 22
Plant Sale Set-up Amherst Town Common
May 23
Plant Sale Amherst Town Common. Wear a hat, name tag, etc.
June 5
Field Trip: O’Brien Nursery, Granby, CT
June 24
Topic: In Unison: Creating Harmonious Combinations for Pollinators and You Speaker: Tovah Martin, Horticulturalist & Author Public Lecture
July 29
Topic: How to Make Hypertufa Pots Speaker: Peter Wingate
August 26
Field Trip: Carr’s Ciderhouse Tour Speaker: Nicole Blum, Owner
September 30
Annual Salad Luncheon Location: Black Birch Winery
Bring your own plate, etc.
October 28
Topic: Practical Seed Saving Speaker: Brooke Bullock, Just Roots Farm Annual meeting Year in review and election of officers
Club Officers 2026
President: Leslie Lorber
Vice President: Theresa Smith
Treasurer: Sharon Rogalski
Secretary: Leslie Fisette
Photos
Get In Touch!
We're happy to answer your questions.
We may be reached by mail at:
Garden Club of Amherst
PO Box 3466
Amherst, MA 01004
Or by email at GardenClubAmherst@gmail.com