The Franklin Garden Club will begin its 2024-2025 season on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, with a meeting at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, from 6:30– 8:30 p.m. An informal social get-together will take place from 6:30– 7 p.m. followed by a presentation on the coming year’s programs and preparation of items to be sold at the Franklin Harvest Festival. The meeting is open to the public, including those interested in becoming a member. All items that are made will be retained by the Garden Club for sale at the festival.

Club Co-Presidents Patricia Donnelly and Mary Anne Dean stated, “The Garden Club, founded in 1987, offers many educational programs, and one does not have to be a Master Gardener to join. Meetings provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about various aspects of gardening from experts and to exchange information with fellow members. We welcome anyone who is interested to attend the first meeting to learn more about the Club and planned activities.” 

In addition to the September 3 meeting, this year’s programming schedule includes: October 1– Fantastical Folktales of Flowers at the Franklin Library (This program is supported in part by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency); November 5 - Foliage Manipulation Demonstration; December 3 - Workshop With Sam’s Stems Dried Flower Art;  February 4 - Ikebana Presentation;  March 4 – Hydrangea Presentation at the Franklin Library; April 1 - What’s Wrong with My Houseplant?; May 6 - Day Lilies; June 3 - Year-End Social.

Club community service activities include planting and maintenance of the Franklin Town Common Garden and the planters at the Franklin Library; sponsorship of an annual scholarship awarded to a high school graduate; distribution of pine tree seedlings in the elementary schools; and special projects with other community organizations. The Franklin Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.