Community Events

​The Millbrook Garden Club supports many community projects, both financially and through the volunteer work of our members. From planting spring bulbs in our village to educating the public about the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals on lawns, from raising funds to support projects to opening their gardens for visitors, members strive to make our community a better place to live. MGC recently celebrated their fifty-year association with the Audubon center in Sharon, CT.

Habitat for Pollinators at Sharon Audubon

In 2016 the Millbrook Garden Club undertook the conversion of its Herb Garden to a Pollinator Habitat at Sharon Audubon which they had maintained since 1966. The members began working towards providing a non-stop source of pollen, nectar and seeds for all pollinators. A local landscape designer drew plans, pro bono, and members divided their plants, donated compost, mulch and labor. Many plants were recommended by the Regional Guide for Farmers, Land Managers and Gardeners. We intended to showcase seductive colors, shapes, scents and native species for pollinators. We embraced the following:

1. Monarch butterflies and honeybees are among the pollinators much at risk today.
2. We examined our own gardens: We stopped poisoning pollinators with toxic pesticides
3. Avoid purchasing or using neonicotinoids. Check labels for: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid or thiamethoxam
4. Share your concerns about the increased use of neonics (insecticides chemically similar to nicotine) and ask for pollinator friendly products or shop with retailerswho have a clear policy on neonics.
5. Plant native pollinator friendly-plants, for example Asclepias tuberosa – Milkweed -common to this area.
6. THE XERCES SOCIETY MILKWEED FINDER (www.xerces.org) is a comprehensive national database that lists milkweed seed vendors by state.

Today we have an established Habitat for Pollinators and during the summer of 2019 Sharon Audubon completed a Butterfly House adjoining the Habitat for Pollinators.

See the Pollinator Plant List to start your own habitat

Flower Planters at Cardinal Hayes School for Children

The Horticulture Committee’s latest project is to take responsibility for the planters at Cardinal Hayes, to plant and maintain them throughout the growing season.

The staff and children enthusiastically joined in this effort and over thirty planters were filled, with purchased plants and some from members’ gardens.

​Committee members visit each week; this was a terrific learning experience and we have great plans for next year, when we’ll add more planters and perennials.
 

1000 Bulbs Planted at The Green Briar Adult Home

MGC members planted 1000 bulbs at the Green Briar Adult Home located in Millbrook, NY. The bulbs were donated by Hudson Valley Garden Association and the AKR Bulbs in Chester NY as a grant project for public planting for civic beautification. A site was chosen, soil was prepared and Donations from members’ gardens were planted to supplement the bulbs.
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The residents of Green Briar, now enjoy the beauty of a spring garden that will carry through into the summer. What better gift than to improve the environment while bringing the joy and beauty of a garden to those unable to travel.

Millbrook Early Childhood Education Center (MECEC)

With funds from the Civic and Scholarship Committee, MGC purchased and donated three tulip trees to MECEC. These trees will help to bring shade to the playground.