From Our President

The days are slowly getting longer, our hardy birds welcome the morning with their birdsong. Our freezing temperatures have thankfully not dipped below zero, so the island's beloved hydrangea buds are hanging in there.

Our Greenhouse is a breath of spring. Young plants are sprouting new shoots every day. The fruits of the Greenhouse miracle workers labor will all be available for sale at our monthly members meeting in May and at the Old Mill our summer home (not sure of the dates), So, mark your calendar.

While you have your calendar open on your phone or otherwise make sure to write in Blooming Art which will be from Friday June 13th through Sunday June 15th. The Blooming Art committees are hard at work securing artists and floral designers. If you would be interested in creating an interpretation of one of our talented artists' pieces please click here  to get in touch with Debbie Barrett who is at the helm of Blooming Art Floral Design. 

The Floral Design Committee chaired by Nancy Cabot and Jayne Isford are a floral force! Many members attended the Wintery Mix workshop. Nancy's presentation as usual was exceptional. Who knew you could create such beauty out of what you scavenge from your garden, woods, beaches and along the paths you meander through our frozen countryside. Make sure to look at the photos here of the beautiful arrangements some of our members created and shared with us. 

Our floral workshops are so very popular and fill up quickly so keep an eye out for upcoming workshops, which are for members only. 

Whether you are near or far don't forget to renew your membership. It's easy so don't hesitate to do it now, click here.

Our club is growing like spring blooms. Your board is energized and excited to share all of our new and long time favorite programs with you. We are growing and would love to have you join any of our committees. We are definitely "the more the merrier"club.

Susie

The February Monthly Members Meeting is Coming to you via Zoom

Feature Topic: Gardening Ergonomics with Nancy Brais

February 18 1:00pm ET

Grab a cup of tea and join us for this meeting from WHEREVER YOU ARE and reconnect with garden friends near and far.



Need help with Zoom? Send an email here and we will get you set up.

1:00-1:15 Informal Social and Set up

1:15:1:30 Club News and Updates

1:30-2:15 Feature Speaker: Nancy Brais on Gardening Ergonomics

Zoom Link Here. (this link will be open 15 minutes prior to the start of the event)

Gardening is the number one pastime in America and yet four hours of gardening can pose more ergonomic stress than a full week of work. Ergonomics is about fitting the task to the person. A good fit improves your performance, comfort, productivity and

safety. Learn how your postures, techniques and tools affect your risks and gardening experience. Learn habits to maintain and make correct use of the most valuable tool, your body, so this perfect machine can operate at peak performance and enhance your gardening experience. 

Nancy Brais, CMG received her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and retired as an Ergonomics Manager from Raytheon. She developed her passion and knowledge for ergonomics providing disability management services for return to work, loss prevention and musculoskeletal wellness efforts. As an avid gardener Nancy has personal experience with the aches and pains from the ergonomic risks of gardening tasks. She became a Landscape Design Consultant through the National Garden Club Federation in 2017 and is a 2018 graduate of the Master Gardener program.

The human body is a wonderful and versatile machine, and no doubt is the most important “gardening tool” you available to you. DaVinci created his works of art with an appreciation for natural movement and attributes of the human body. This appreciation and understanding of the human body can help you to develop body awareness and ergonomic habits that can keep you digging in your garden in comfort and safety.

Floral Design Update

Jayne Isford and Nancy Cabot

“Every Flower Blooms in its own time." Quote by Ken Petti.

And away we go with Year 2 of Floral Design Committee planning for our membership!

“Wintry Mix” Workshop Wrap Up

We began the year with our “Wintry Mix” workshop on January 14th at Wakeman. A wonderful gathering of 25 members on a chilly day. We started with a soup luncheon (credit to Susie Wallo for this great idea!) and then kicked off the workshop with a demonstration by the incredible Nancy Cabot on how to create a floral design using only foraged greens and materials found on the island this time of year. Beautiful and creative, Nancy always encourages us to appreciate the beauty found on our island. Fellow club members Wiet Bacheller, Ellie Bates, Nancy Weaver and Anda Woodward brought in their own lovely floral designs for us to share and enjoy. 

Island artist and fellow club member, Kanta Lipsky then gave an inspiring and creative talk on how the artist approaches their creative pieces. Kanta is also a floral designer, and suggested some ideas on how floral designers can approach the interpretation of their assigned artwork at Blooming Art using color, texture and proportion. Teamwork and communication between the artist and floral designer are so important for Blooming Art, and some lovely friendships have developed over the years between artist and designer—an extra perk!

Thanks to Wiet Bacheller, Debbie Barrett, Pat Ingalls, Linda Shaw, Susie Wallo and Nancy Weaver for their great help with setup, clean up and food! And thanks to everyone who joined us!

Check out our photos of the event here.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day at our Garden Club

We will hold our second annual Valentine’s Day Workshop on Saturday, February 8th at Wakeman with stunning flowers from Morrice Florists. This workshop sold out quickly and promises to be another incredible gathering as participants create arrangements to celebrate the holiday. Look for photos in next month’s newsletter!

Blooming Art 2025: Calling Floral Designers

One of the club’s signature annual events will be held once again on June 13th, 14th and 15th at the Old Mill. Debbie Barrett, Nancy Cabot and Jayne Isford are the Floral Design Coordinators for Blooming Art for 2025. We would love to have you join us as a floral designer this year. We promise lots of fun, ongoing support, training and workshops and the opportunity to be part of a terrific team. You can work on your own, with a partner or with an assigned mentor. Contact Debbie Barrett at dbarrett141@gmail.com to sign up or get more information! 

Looking Ahead in 2025!

We have several events planned for you this year including another Foraging Field Trip, Nancy’s Challenges, a Fall floral interactive workshop and perhaps a Membership Tea at the Old Mill with dried flowers and teacups if we have sufficient interest. Contact Jayne or Nancy with any ideas or suggestions. We welcome them and look forward to working with you.

So many ideas, such little time!!

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events

Conservation Committee News

Laurisa Rich & Kim McCarthy

Join Us for Earth Day Event Planning

The Martha's Vineyard Garden Club will be joining other island organizations for Earth Day Fest 2025 on April 19. Join us in planning the Club's presence. Email conservation@marthasvineyardgardenclub.org to participate or learn more.

MV Community Seed Library, West Tisbury Library Events

Feb 1st:  Plant & Insect Pollination with Matt Pelikan, Biodiversity Works 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Feb 2nd: Seed Library Annual Seed Swap 1 - 3 pm

Feb 15th:  Plant Propagation Workshop with Isa Brillard of IGI 12:30 - 2 pm

Constance Conservation Corner



Dear Constance,

I’m concerned about our Island’s wildlife and the health of our ponds and Planet. I understand our own landscaping choices can make a positive difference so have decided to reduce my lawn size. How to begin?

Signed,

Love my Lawn but….

Dear Love,

Yes, our lawns are fabulous ~ an oasis of green, a carpet of calm. Yet, our love of lawns are wreaking havoc on our precious ecosystems lawns as they require mowing, chemicals, water and support almost no Life! This VCS info is an excellent birds-eye view of the issue.

Winter is the perfect time to employ the lasagna method to easily smother grass for great natives or create rich soil for a foodscape to feed yourself and your neighbors. Or establish a mini meadow to feed the birds and the bees! Choose drought tolerant plants for high ground, water lovers for the wet spots. And see how our own Laurisa used the lasagna method to create her foodscape!

On your remaining grassy areas, minimize or stop using fertilizer, make friends with moss, and begin to overseed with clover and an eco-friendly grass seed so it becomes healthier over time. In lower-traffic sections replace with pollinator -friendly alternatives

For more tips and inspiration, visit The Island Blue Pages - page 38 (also available in hardcopy at the Garden Club) and this Cape Cod Cottage Garden transformation!

Happy Planning Love!

Constance

~Please do send your eco-questions to “Constance” at conservation@marthasvineyardgardenclub.org

Greenhouse Committee

Anne Kushwala

It is seed starting time!



Greenhouse Committee is planning our seeds to buy this month in preparation for the club's annual plant sale in May. There will be lots of great plants coming for your borders, containers and cutting gardens.  Zinnias, cosmos, cleome and marigolds not found in the nurseries along with perennials and some new vintage filler cut flowers we are going to try. Expect to see our standards as well: geraniums, begonias, streptocarpus, coleus, lavender, hydrangeas, herbs, tomatoes, peppers etc. 

This year we are asking members to think of us when they start gardening in the spring and donate divisions of perennials to our sale. We will provide details on potting up and contributing your plantings in the future, as the ground thaws.

Garden Club members have access to the Members Only Pre-sale (Spring date TBD) before the public sale Memorial Day Weekend: May 24 & 25, 2025! 

A Spring Tease is coming soon from Morrice Florist.

Watch for their Tulip pop-ups around the island.

Bringing Blooms & Cheer to Windemere

Joan Eville



For over 25 years, the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club has been spreading joy through flowers at Windemere, thanks to a beloved monthly flower arranging activity started by Judy Bryant.

On January 15th, Joan Eville, our dedicated chairperson, along with Gay Smith, spent the morning at Windemere, guiding residents in creating beautiful bouquets to brighten their rooms and nurses’ stations. This meaningful tradition wouldn’t be possible without the generous support from Donaroma Nurseries—a heartfelt thank you to them!

Adding a touch of winter whimsy, Nancy Cabot led a creative snowman-making art activity, placing these charming figures among the floral arrangements for a festive seasonal touch.

We’re grateful for our volunteers and donors who help keep this tradition blooming! 

Martha's Vineyard Garden Club

PO Box 5061

57 David Avenue

Vineyard Haven, MA 02568