General Meetings
The garden club meets monthly (September through June) at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 303 Route 101, Amherst (next door to the Amherst Garden Center). Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month (except in September, when we meet the first Thursday after Labor Day) and usually include a featured speaker, referred to as a “program.”
Our business meetings begin at 9:15 am, followed by the program at 10:30 am.
Inclement weather policy — In the case of inclement weather, the monthly meeting will be canceled only if the Amherst schools are closed. If the schools have a delayed start, the monthly meeting will be held at the usual time.
Side Shoots
The club also offers an evening program held at the Amherst Town Library called Side Shoots. Scroll down for details.
Next Program
Sep 10, 2026 – Orchids All Around Us
Sep 10, 2026 Orchids All Around Us Presented by Jean Stefanik The Amherst Garden Club is excited to kick off the 2026-2027 year with an engaging and informative program exploring the fascinating world of orchids. Jean will introduce participants to the incredible diversity of these beautiful plants, sharing interesting facts, growing tips, and insights into the many varieties of orchids that can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. Whether you are an experienced orchid enthusiast or simply curious about these elegant and often misunderstood flowers, this program promises to inspire a greater appreciation for orchids and their place in our gardens and homes. Starts at 10:30 am Messiah Lutheran Church303 Route 101 Amherst, NH Guests are warmly welcomed
Upcoming Programs
Sep 10, 2026 – Orchids All Around Us
Sep 10, 2026 Orchids All Around Us Presented by Jean Stefanik The Amherst Garden Club is excited to kick off the 2026-2027 year with an
Oct 1, 2026 – Growing a Nation: the Evolution of Gardens in America
Oct 1, 2026 Growing a Nation: The Evolution of Gardens in America Presented by John Forti We are delighted to welcome garden historian John Forti
Nov 6, 2026 – Embrace the Holiday Seasons with Flowers
Nov 6, 2026 Embrace the Holiday Seasons with Flowers Presented by Maureen Christmas Join Maureen Christmas, internationally renowned floral designer, for a festive and inspiring
Jan 7, 2027 – Forest Health: Pathogens and Solutions
Jan 7, 2027 Forest Health: Pathogens and Solutions Presented by Dode Gladders We are pleased to welcome Dode Gladders, Forestry Field Specialist, for an informative
Feb 4, 2027 – Benefits of Owls in the Garden
Feb 4, 2027 Benefits of Owls in the Garden Presented by Marcia and Mark Wilson We are excited to welcome Marcia and Mark Wilson for
Mar 4, 2027 – Magical Mystical Moss
Mar 4, 2027 Magical Mystical Moss Presented by Barb Young Join us as we welcome Barb Young for an enchanting presentation on “Magical Mystical Moss,” an
Apr 1, 2027 – The Making of Bedrock Garden
Apr 1, 2027 The Making of Bedrock Garden Presented by Jill Nooney Join Jill Nooney of Bedrock Nursery, for a fascinating look at the creation
May 6, 2027 – Contained Exuberance
May 6, 2027 Contained Exuberance Presented by Laura Kozel The Amherst Garden Club’s own Laura Kozel will present an inspiring program on the art of
Past Programs
Side Shoots @ The Library
Side Shoots is an evening program that focuses on seasonal topics with presentations by garden club members as well as experts from outside the club.
Meetings take place the second Thursday of the month (except for December) from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Amherst Town Library.
The public is welcome. All must register through the library to attend.
Next Side Shoots
Sep 17, 2026 – Pickling: The Traditional, Easy, Probiotic Method
Sep 17, 2026 Pickling: The Traditional, Easy, Probiotic Method Presented by Rivka Schwartz Old-fashioned deli pickles can’t be beat. They are easy to make, full
Upcoming Side Shoots
Sep 17, 2026 – Pickling: The Traditional, Easy, Probiotic Method
Sep 17, 2026 Pickling: The Traditional, Easy, Probiotic Method Presented by Rivka Schwartz Old-fashioned deli pickles can’t be beat. They are easy to make, full
Oct 8, 2026 – Dividing Perennials and a Few Bulb Tips for Winter
Oct 8, 2026 Dividing Perennials and a Few Bulb Tips for Winter Presented by Laura Kozel Many plants that come back every year can be divided
Nov 12, 2026 – Holiday Magic Through Floral Arrangements & Décor
Nov 12, 2026 Holiday Magic Through Floral Arrangements & Décor Presented by Barbara Williams Barbara realizes that a lot of her holiday decoration choices have
Jan 14, 2027 – Creating the Winter Garden & Beyond: Using the Art of Layout Design
Jan 14, 2027 Creating the Winter Garden & Beyond: Using the Art of Layout Design Presented by Maria von Brincken Trained as a fine artist,
Past Side Shoots
May 7, 2026 – Using Woody Plants to Enhance Your Landscape
May 7, 2026 Using Woody Plants to Enhance Your Landscape Presented by Henry Homeyer Garden writer Henry Homeyer will focus
Apr 9, 2026 – A Field of Dreams
Apr 9, 2026 A Field of Dreams Presented by Lea Devriendt Lea Devriendt, owner of Devriendt Farms in Goffstown, NH
Mar 14, 2026 – Year-Round Gardening with Tunnels
May 14, 2026 Year-Round Gardening with Tunnels Presented by Mark Ravenelle Our speaker practices no-till, no-bare-soil, organic vegetable gardening year
Feb 12, 2026 – Invasive Plants in NH
Feb 12, 2026 Invasive Plants in NH Presented by Kathie Breen, Club Member and Master Gardener This presentation will be
Nov 13, 2025- Plant Propagation
Nov 13, 2025 Plant Propagation Presented by Ron Trexler, UNH Extension Master Gardener During this presentation, attendees will learn the
Oct 9, 2025 – All About Houseplants
Oct 9, 2025 All About Houseplants Presented by Charlie Nardozzi Houseplants have become very popular again, and now there are
Sep 4, 2025 – Restoring the Little Things That Run the World Through Lawn Conversion
Sep 4, 2025 Restoring the Little Things That Run the World Through Lawn Conversion Presented by Judy Bement, Valerie Gamache,
May 8, 2025 – The Joy of Simple Arrangements
May 8, 2025 The Joy of Simple Arrangements Presented by Barbara Williams In a slide show presentation, our speaker will
Apr 10, 2025 – Ecoscaping — Creating Quality Wildlife Habitat on Your Landscape
Apr 10, 2025 Ecoscaping – Creating Quality Wildlife Habitat on Your Landscape Presented by Gail Coffey Butterfly and bird populations
Mar 13, 2025 – The Perfect Perennial: Hardy Geraniums!
Mar 13, 2025 The Perfect Perennial: Hardy Geraniums! Presented by Marti Warren If you were told about a perennial that
Feb 13, 2025 – Dani Baker
Feb 13, 2025 Native Perennial Food Plants for Your Edible Landscape (Zoom Event) Presented by Dani Baker Join the Zoom Meeting
Jan 9, 2025 – Jane Raymond
Jan 9, 2025 Go Native! Incorporating Native Plants into Your Landscape Presented by Jane Raymond, UNH Extension Master Gardener Starts
Nov 14, 2024 – Ayn Whytemare
Nov 14, 2024 Organic Gardening Basics Presented by Ayn Whytemare Have you heard about the benefits but are unsure how
Side Shoots Oct 2024
Oct 10, 2024 Returning North with the Spring: Retracing the Journey of Naturalist Edwin Way Teale Presented by John Harris
Side Shoots Sep 2024
Sep 12, 2024 Roses are Red, Violets are pink, purple, yellow Presented by Marie Nickerson Growing violets is a passion
Side Shoots May 2024
May 14, 2024 Container Gardening Presented by Laura Kozel Join us as we talk container gardening with Master Gardener Laura