How Does Our Garden Grow?

by Glenn C. Koenig, webmaster at Town Wide Mall

Maynard, MA - Next Saturday Morning, May 20th, a line of people will start gathering at 8:00 AM, waiting for up to an hour to get into a special event that takes place only once a year.  At 9:00 AM no doors will open because the event they’re anticipating takes place in ... a parking lot!  No, they’re not there for an early morning rock concert (as if there were such a thing).  They’ll be there ... to buy plants!
Admittedly, one can purchase potted plants and seeds in a variety of places this time of year, but this plant sale is special.  It’s a fundraiser for Maynard Community Gardeners (MCG), one of many local groups that make Maynard the amazing town that it is.
So, where is this parking lot?  It’s at the Maynard Lodge of Elks, 34 Powder Mill Road.  People from miles around will show up to select from the literally hundreds of plants available, gathered and displayed by members of the group.  These are both perennials (recurring year to year, once planted) and annuals (only grow for one season).  Plants include both decorative, and vegetables, for buyers to enjoy all season long.  This is a public event, so anyone can show up to have a look around.
The funds raised by the group at this event go towards supporting their activities during the entire year, until the next fundraiser, next May.
I was alerted to this event by MCG president Andrea Vana, who graciously provided me with a number of fascinating details about the group, how it got started, and some of its activities.
Before I go further, the event is listed in the Events Calendar page on the Discover Maynard web site:
https://discovermaynard.com/calendar/
When I selected the 20th of May, there, I found a link to the Maynard Community Gardeners web site:
https://maynardcommunitygardeners.org/

For some people, the concept of a "garden club" might bring to mind a small group of elderly women who get together over tea and talk about the proper planting and care of their flower gardens.  Well, it's time to retire that image and replace it with an update!  Maynard Community Gardeners has 150 members of all ages.  They not only share tips on growing gardens of all kinds, but also work with local businesses and town government to provide plantings in public places, both in gardens and in planters along streets and sidewalks.  They also host pot luck dinners, teas, and other social events, some of which are for the public as well as members.
Many members of the group also participate in other groups and on some town committees to help coordinate the group's activities with other efforts to maintain and improve life in Maynard.
The group's web site has more information and a link to join as a member for anyone interested.

The group's poster, advertising the event.  You can download a copy for your own use as a reminder, using the link below.

plant_sale_2023_flyer_final.pdf
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