OUR 25th ANNIVERSARY YEAR -- MONTHLY MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
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Our club generally has regular meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of month from March – October. All regular meetings begin at 1:00 pm and are held in the fellowship hall of Hedges Chapel, unless otherwise stated. Monthly meetings feature an expert speaker and, at times, special food and prize drawings. This year, on an experimental basis, we are offering some Saturday meetings to accommodate those who work during the week or reside at The Woods part-time.
The club also sponsors community events which are open to the community; private club events which are not openly publicized; plus an annual bus trip which is open to the public by paid admission.
SPECIAL WINTER ZOOM MEETING
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​Saturday, February 15, 1:00 pm – Shade-Loving (Native) Perennials from Mt. Cuba Center via Zoom – Discover easy-to-grow native perennials that turn a shaded garden into a lovely sanctuary that will only increase in beauty year after year. Private session for current members or new members only. – Speaker: Leah Brooks, Mt. Cuba Center’s Public Programs Coordinator.
Wednesday, March 19, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel – Swap-Fest!
Swap useful garden strategies, nature craft ideas, and fun projects in an
informal format.
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“Swappers:” Recycling and Reinventing Crafts -- Donna DeCosta and Robin Hartman; Lasagna Gardening – Shannon Wolf, Master Gardener, Washington Co. MD; Raised Bed Gardening – Larry Livermore
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Features: Bring A Friend, members may bring plants and other items to swap, door prizes
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Wednesday, April 16, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel -- Tree Care from Sapling to Senescence – An overview of key care and health considerations we can keep in mind across the different stages of a tree’s life. Speaker: Evan Brumfield, Maryland Branch Manager, Cumberland Valley Tree Service
Features: Dessert Buffet; door prize raffle, seed swap, distribution of annual fiscal report, recognition of new Monarch Garden Guardians
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Wednesday, May 21, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel -- Creating a Safe Bird Habitat in Your Yard – Want to add more to your backyard birding experiences by attracting more nesting birds? Speaker: Kathryn Henry, Master Naturalist, Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS).
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Saturday, June 7, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel – Growing Hops and Home Brewing – Learn about an amateur’s journey from hop enthusiast to all-grain home brewing. Speaker: Mike Cushwa, Woods resident.
​June 17-19 – The Road to Pittsburgh and Fallingwater: Grand Gardens -- Our
2025 bus trip will be to Pittsburgh via the WV Northern Panhandle and coming home via Fallingwater. In between there will be lots for everyone: photographers, birders, gardeners, students of architectural history, lovers of great ethnic food. We will leave conveniently from The Woods, benefit from group savings and have another safe traveling adventure together for which our club is well known. Travelers must be 21 years of age but do not have to be members of the Woods Garden Club. The trip is filled but we are maintaining a waiting list in case of cancellations.
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Saturday, June 28, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel – Soil Science in Your Yard and Our World – Playing with dirt isn’t just for kids. For a hands-on look at your soil, bring a small zip-top bag full of your soil to analyze it for important soil characteristics while you learn about the importance of healthy soils and how to deal with soil challenges. Speaker: Dr. Melanie Szulczewski, environmental science professor specializing in soil chemistry, University of Mary Washington, Virginia.
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Saturday in July – Woods Home and Garden Tour
This popular day-long event is our annual club fundraiser. It features a variety of fascinating homes and/ or gardens with inspiration at every turn. The event is by invitation only. More information will be given out at our May and June meetings and in the club newsletter. Members sell tickets to friends and trusted individuals in the nearby community or treat guests coming for the holiday weekend.
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Wednesday, July 16, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel -- Designing Resilient Native Plantings -- How to put native plants together into cohesive, aesthetically pleasing, functional and resilient, low-maintenance plantings. Speaker: James Dillon, PCH (PA Certified Horticulturist), and owner of Native Havens LLC, Kearneysville, WV.
Wednesday, August 20, noon, remodeled PVP Pavilion – 25th Anniversary Luncheon – This catered celebratory meal will encourage current and past members to enjoy good food and memories together. Details are still being arranged. Participation will be by purchased ticket. Speaker: Anthony Hess, owner of Jordan and Hess, will demonstrate how to arrange cut flowers you might find in your yard or purchase from the grocery or florist.
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Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel – Fall Clean-up -- Pruning, transplanting, dividing, and fall planting tips including for fall containers. Our speaker has a wide range of experience in the nursery and landscaping industries, and we look forward to hearing him share his knowledge. Speaker: Carl Ay, owner of Colonial Farm Nursery in Martinsburg.
Wednesday, October 15, 1:00 pm, Hedges Chapel – Growing Lettuce and Herbs in a Hydroponic System – Our speaker will share his 10 years of experience in growing lettuce and herbs in a hydroponic system and the essentials needed to make hydroponic growing successful. He will give helpful information on how you can grow your own lettuce and herbs in a system suitable for a hobbyist. Speaker: Jason Weber, owner of Cedar Ridge Hydroponics
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SPECIAL WINTER WORKSHOP FOR KIDS
Sunday in November tba – Winter Sowing Workshop – 2:00 - 3:30 pm – Hedges Chapel
Learn the secret for turning the snowy and rainy days of winter into the creation of
wonderful pollinator plants for spring planting. This event has been specially created
for kids ages 3+, their parents and grandparents, as well as members and other adults.
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Speaker: Judy Snyder, Co-Pres., Woods Garden Club
