668 Lake Ave., Greenwich
A treasure in the center of Greenwich, Sleepy Cat Farm is a private residence surrounded by 13 acress of gardens & landscapes. It's nothing short of magnificient. Join us for this extraordinary private tour at Sleepy Cat Farm in Greenwich. The hillsides and vistas change almost minute by minute, in this undulating landscape of surprises, intrigue and unexpected beauty.
Due to limited on-site parking (8 -10 cars), we recommend meeting at the Commuter Park & Ride Merritt Parkway - Exit 35, High Ridge Road at 9:30 a.m. so we may carpool.
Rain date - May 2nd
Registration limit: 25 (Registration closed as limit reached)
Click Here to add your name to the waitlist or to be notified if additional tour dates added.
The Connecticut Science Center is excited to announce its 4th annual Make It Grow event, in conjunction with their Family Gardening Day in Hartford overlooking the Connecticut River. The focus is to highlight the importance of growing healthy, smart, green and local through engaging on site and virtual demonstrations and activities including a large plant sale. This event is planned in partnership with the CT Master Gardener Association.
Please Consider Donating Plants this Year for the Connecticut Science Center's MakeFest Plant Sale. CMGA volunteers will pick-up your plants at your local extension center.
This year CMGA is again partnering with the Connecticut Science Center for CSC MakeFest/Make It Grow, an event held in conjunction with their Family Gardening Day. A key part of the event is the plant sale, which not only raises money for the CSC but provides additional funds for CMGA to support its outreach activities.
To make this event a success, we need your help. Please consider growing a few extra veggies this year or dividing some of your healthy native perennials to give to the sale. In order to make it easier, this year CMGA volunteers will coordinate plant pick-ups at the various extension offices during the week prior to the sale.
CLICK HERE for more information about plant donations.
What plants do we need?
Donate native plants or veggies in 4” pots, using a clean potting medium. Please label clearly. House plants or patio plants for smaller spaces are also welcome.
Please send any questions about plant donations to MakeFest@ctmga.org.
The Bellamy- Ferriday house is a historic house museum that was built in 1754 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Caroline Ferriday designed a formal parterre garden that features historic roses, peonies, lilacs and numerous fragrant trees and shurbs. She spent 78 summers on the property. A social justice and human rights champion, a fictionalized account of Caroline's life is the subject of the New York Times best selling book, Lilac Girls by Martha Law Kelly.
Bellamy-Ferriday House
9 North Main St, Bethlehem, CT 06751
This event will be limited to 30
Don't miss CMGA’s Annual Nursery Day on Wednesday, June 12. Support the CMGA and buy an exceptional variety of plants and grasses.
Mark your calendars! UConn Gives and UConn Health Gives 2024 is coming April 17-18, 2024. Join UConn Nation as we come together for 36 hours to raise critical funds for various university programs and causes, strengthening UConn’s impact and reach. UConn Gives harnesses the power of crowdfunding, connecting groups across all campuses and UConn Health with supporters worldwide through individual giving pages.
Your gift to the Master Gardener Fund supports the program by providing financial resources for equipment, supplies, educational programs for the public, classes for volunteers, conferences and so much more!
Click Here to access the Master Gardener Giving Page
Click Here to learn more about UConn Giving Day.
The 2023 CMGA Annual Meeting and Speaker Event will be held virtually on Saturday, November 18. A business meeting to approve officers, directors and the 2024 budget will begin at 9 a.m. All current 2023 CMGA Members are eligible to vote at the meeting. The meeting will be followed at 10 a.m. by a presentation given by local landscape designer, Kathy Connolly.
Registration has closed
Registration is free to all 2023 CMGA members. Guests and the public are welcome to join the meeting and presentation for a fee of $10. The presentation will be recorded and available for a limited time to all those who have registered.
Let’s get social! Master Gardeners and Interns from Lower Fairfield (Bartlett), Fairfield (Bethel) and New Haven extensions, CMGA Board Members and Office Coordinators are invited to mingle and share gardening news with your peers. This will be a great opportunity to network and compare notes with other Master Gardeners in your community. Please note that we will be planning a similar social event for the other extension offices in 2024.
Please click on the link below to sign-up for the event. Registration is FREE.
Join fellow CMGA Members, Interns and your guests for a tour of Broken Arrow Nursery, a producer of of high quality plants grown in an ethically responsible manner.
Broken Arrow has been a part of their community since 1947, and in 1984 established the nursery with the goal of inspiring a love of plants and education of their customers. Today, the nursery is one of the few retail nurseries in Connecticut that propagate and grow most of the plants sold.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity to check out their native plants!
Registration is FREE and also open to guests, who must register separately. The tour is limited to 30 people so sign up today. We hope to see you there!
Join us for a Members Only tour of the historic gardens at Enders Island.
One of the highlights of the Enders’ Island gardens are Dahlias. Dahlias come in all shapes, sizes, and colors – and you’ll find over 300 varieties of prize-winning Dahlias throughout the Island. The Enders Island Dahlias have been recognized as one of the largest collections of Dahlias in all of New England.
The tour is free for CMGA members and interns. You can register here for the tour:
Did you ever wonder exactly what happens at an agricultural experiment station? Join us for this free tour of Lockwood Farms, which has been actively involved in agricultural research for over 100 years.
Free and Open to all but registration required
Parking on the grass by the tractor barns at the entrance to the farm
Hidden Gem is a boutique apple orchard located on the grounds of the former Southbury Training School farm. They have over 4,000 apple trees, and presently have 31 varieties, specializing in antique (varieties dating back to the 16th and 18th centuries), uncommon, as well as modern-day varieties.
Free and Open to All but registration required
Raindate 8/19/23
Join us for our 2023 virtual Semi-Annual Meeting! It will start at 9:00 am with a short business meeting to recap recent CMGA events and efforts.
We’ve also invited horticulturist and landscape designer Christine Darnell. Christine created her garden design studio, Christine Darnell Gardens in Lyme, CT in 2011. Creative plant combinations characterize her work and Christine is known for her beautiful, habitat-based, naturalistic perennial designs. Christine’s presentation is entitled Radically Re-Thinking Garden Design. See more of Christine’s beautiful garden designs on her website: https://christinedarnellgardens.com/.
This meeting is free for CMGA Members but we ask that you register. Guests and the public are welcome and are asked to make a contribution of $10 to attend.
Register below for the 2023 Semi-Annual Meeting. You will receive a Zoom link a few weeks prior to the August 1 event.
https://ctmga.org/products/semi-annual-meeting-speaker-2023-event
Christine teaches Landscape Design for the CT Landscape and Nursery Association, and serves on the Nurserymen’s Advisory Foundation. She represents the town of Lyme on Eight Mile River Wild and Scenic Watershed Committee. She also serves on the Florence Griswold Museum Buildings and Grounds Committee. Christine is a frequent contributor to Connecticut Gardener andNew Haven Register. She has over 20 years of experience as a professional designer and horticulturist.
Initially created as butterfly and pond gardens, the Meigs Point Gardens credit UConn Master Gardeners for their expansion to 10 themed gardens that are open to tour by CMGA members and friends. Registration is limited to 24 attendees, CMGA Members and Interns.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1228 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT
McCue Gardens, wholesale nursery in historic Old Wethersfield, will open for CMGA members and guests for our annual CMGA Nursery Day. McCue donates 20% of proceeds to CMGA. They have a great selection of perennials and natives. We hope you will join us, rain or shine!, at McCue Nursery, 47 Hartford Ave, Wethersfield. No registration required.
Tour the Nancy Moss Fine Native Azalea Garden's nearly 200 shrubs representing 15 different species and 3 natural hybrids at the Connecticut College Arboretum, 830 Williams Street, New London. Guided by Maggie Redfern, the tour begins at the Native Plant Collection - Gate 1 E/1 F. Free for CMGA Members and Interns. Registration Required.
REGISTER HERE. Rain Date: May 25
This the third year for the exciting CSC MakeFest/Make It Grow event, in conjunction with their Family Gardening Day in Hartford. With the backdrop of a 50,000 square foot roof top garden that overlooks the Connecticut River, it's the perfect setting to highlight the importance of growing healthy, green and local through engaging on-site and virtual demonstrations, displays and family activities.
The Plant Sale offers you the opportunity to buy plants, herbs and veggies donated by Master Gardeners and “extras” from the over 10,000 native and sustainable plantings in the Center’s green roof systems.
Proceeds benefit both organizations. Everyone's welcome and parking is available onsite. No registration required. Don’t miss it!
We hope you will do one or both of these things:
DONATE PLANTS
Donate plants or veggies in 4” pots, using a clean potting medium to avoid jumping worm contamination, have clear labels, and drop them off between May 8-11 at the CSC loading dock on Grove Street in Hartford. Many plants will be potted up from the CSC gardens and donations. We want to offer:
Native, Sustainable perennials
Vegetables
House plants
Grasses
House plants or patio plants for smaller spaces are also welcome.
VOLUNTEER
There is also an opportunity for a few CMGA member volunteers to organize plants on Friday, May 12th at the CSC and for a team to help on Saturday, May 13th for morning or afternoon plant sales. To volunteer, email events@ctmga.org
Friday, May 12th 12:30-2:30 pm - Potting up plants, organize, label, etc.
Day of – Saturday, May 13, 9:00 to 12:00 or 12:00 to 3:00 - work the plant sale and have fun!
Winter Tree Walk for CMGA members
Saturday, Feb 18th 10:00 - Noon
(Snow date: Feb 25)
Marsh Botanical Garden @ Yale University,
265 Mansfield Street, New Haven 06511
No Fee = Limited to 50
Eric Larsen, New Haven County Master Gardener Coordinator - Facilitator
Invasive to Native: A Connecticut Backyard Renovation
Thursday, February 9th 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Free ZOOM presentation - Link Below
Pam Roman - Facilitator
Join us to hear how Pam, a Master Gardener who works with several Trumbull Conservation groups, transformed her garden during the challenge of COVID.
Seed Block Work at Northwest Park in Windsor has been canceled due to low number of registrations. Those members who have enrolled will be receiving a full refund.
Northwest Park Nature Center
Each year we recognize CMGA members who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities through volunteer service on behalf of CMGA and the Master Gardener program. Awards will be announced at the 2023 CMGA symposium in March. Here are the guidelines:
Any CMGA member may nominate a CMGA member
The nominee does not have to be a former CMGA Board member.
The nominee may not be a current CMGA Board member.
The CMGA Board invites all CMGA members to submit nominations to lifeawards@ctmga.org no later than by January 19, 2023. Include information about the nominee's accomplishments and contributions and why you think they should be recognized. Thanks.
FREE: Open to Members and Guests
No Registration Required
Thursday, September 29, from 1:00 to 2:00.
Rain Date is Thursday, October 6, 1:00 to 2:00.
Broken Arrow Nursery
13 Broken Arrow Road, Hamden, CT 06518
Broken Arrow Nursery is known for developing, acquiring and growing rare and unusual plants. It prides itself on being one of the few retail nurseries in CT that propagate and
Date: Tuesday, August 16 - 1:00 p.m. - 300 p.m.
FREE: Open to Members and Guests
No Registration Required
Lockwood Farm
890 Evergreen Avenue, Hamden, CT 06158
https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/ABOUT-CAES/Departments/Lockwood-Farm
Farm Manager Richard Cecarelli will be our guide for a tour of Lockwood Farm, the research farm that is part of the UConn Agricultural Experimental Station. Founded in 1875, UConn’s Station is the oldest in the nation.
This promises to be a fascinating opportunity to see how research experiments are conducted that protect agriculture, public health and the environment.
Join us for our 2022 VIRTUAL Semi-Annual Meeting! It will start at 9:00 am with a recap of recent CMGA efforts including comments from Paula Russo, interim President, Kathy Beaty, who organized the recent TSV Tours for Master Gardener Interns and Deb Prior who will give us a recap of our Member Events.
Our speaker, Sandra “Sandi” Wilson is the Fairfield County Master Gardener Program Coordinator and an Advanced Master Gardener. She has been involved with the program for over 21 years, coordinating the Fairfield County program for 17 of them. After finding her passion and leaving the corporate world, she earned a degree in horticulture from NVCC and became a NOFA Certified Organic Land Care Professional and licensed arborist with the CT DEEP. Two of her favorite things are insects and trees.
Sandi's presentation is: Native Trees, Why We Need to Plant More Now.
This meeting is free to CMGA members. Guests are welcome to join us to listen to Sandi’s presentation for a fee of $10.
Member or guest, we encourage you to register by August 10 - Registration is closed
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a great native tree.
Schedule of events:
9:00 am– A brief business meeting will be held. CMGA members will also be able to discuss/ vote on several items: CMGA members will be able to review the relevant documents prior to the meeting.
10:00 am – Sandi Wilson, “Native Trees, Why We Need to Plant More Now” with Q&A afterwards.
Isn’t July a perfect time for vibrant-colored daylilies? You have an opportunity to view and purchase some of the most unique and glorious, award-winning daylilies in the Northeast at CT Daylily.
76 Anderson Road, Wallingford, CT
Wednesday, July 13th - 10 a.m. to Noon
ATTEND AN OPEN ONLINE MEETING ON JUNE 16TH AT 7:00 PM OR JUNE 22ND, ALSO AT 7:00 PM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLYING:
Thursday, June 16 at 7:00 pm: meet.google.com/ivz-bxup-qpt
Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 pm: meet.google.com/sns-bmmm-rfv
ATTEND AN OPEN ONLINE MEETING ON JUNE 16TH AT 7:00 PM OR JUNE 22ND, ALSO AT 7:00 PM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLYING:
Thursday, June 16 at 7:00 pm: meet.google.com/ivz-bxup-qpt
Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 pm: meet.google.com/sns-bmmm-rfv
Don't miss it...Our Plant Sale Fundraiser - CMGA Nursery Day is June 15!
Wednesday, June 15th, is our annual CMGA Nursery Day at McCue Gardens in historic Old Wethersfield -- a chance to purchase perennials and natives for your garden and support CMGA. We hope you will join us!
CMGA Nursery Day Plant Sale
Date: Wednesday, June 15th
Where: McCue Gardens, 47 Hartford Ave., Wethersfield, CT
When: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Rain or shine!
McCue Gardens is just minutes away from the center of Old Wethersfield which is referred to as “Connecticut’s Most Ancient Towne – deeply devoted to preserving our authentic New England heritage, now over 375 years in the making.” The center of town has many restaurants and businesses, an ancient burial ground and historical museum as well as lovely sidewalk gardens and planters maintained by the businesses and volunteers of the Wethersfield Beautification Trust.
Bruce and Cindy McCue have invited all CMGA Members, MG Interns, and guests to their nursery in charming Old Wethersfield. Founded in 1967 by Bruce when he was still a teenager, today McCue Gardens is a leading wholesale distributor of quality perennials and wildflowers in New England. In a compact amount of space, they offer an impressive selection of over 1,500 varieties of perennials and a great selection of native and woodland plants.
Payment methods accepted are cash, checks and all major credit cards.
Parking: Easily accessible from I- 91 and the Silas Deane Highway (Route 99), parking is available behind the Church of the Sacred Heart, 56 Hartford Avenue, located directly across the street from McCue Gardens at 56 Hartford Avenue. After parking, cross the street and walk down the driveway to the back of the house and check-in at the CMGA table. See you there!
UNIQUE TO CMGA IS OUR LEADERSHIP IN PROVIDING GRANTS TO HELP MASTER GARDENERS AND INTERNS START AND SUSTAIN GARDENING PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. DON’T MISS OUT ON THE SUMMER CYCLE OF GRANT FUNDING AND THE CHANCE TO HAVE SUPPORT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY PROJECT!
For further information visit the Grant Information Page
