The Neshanic Garden Club


MONTHLY PROGRAMS



Montly Meetings all have the same venue as below except for June





LOCATION: The Station House
TIME: 9:45 am – Regular Meeting
11:00 am – Program
12:00 pm – Luncheon



September 24, 2026 Meeting





Program: “Colonial Kitchen Gardens”, Valorie Johnson



As the kitchen remains the heart of every home, let’s travel back to 1640 Massachusetts and rediscover our first colonial garden to table. Valorie Johnson, a longtime Hunterdon County resident and amateur garden enthusiast, is pleased to share the knowledge gained through the Master Gardener program with other like-minded people. Val is also a lifelong amateur historian, a gardener always in pursuit of the personal angle…who were our forefathers and what were they thinking?



October 22, 2026 Meeting





Program: “Migrating Monarchs”, Sucharita (Sue) Tilak



Sucharita (Sue) Tilak completed her undergraduate studies in Biology from the University of Mumbai, India. After coming to the US, she studied computer programming and worked in the IT department at UPS for 35 years. She retired from UPS as application development manager in 2016. Although she made a career change very early on, her interest in nature and gardening never waned. She had a backyard vegetable garden for many years as well as multiple birdfeeders on the deck. A friend introduced her to raising monarchs, and her interest grew as she read more about their fascinating migration. Spreading the awareness of Monarch habitat and migration among friends and family became her hobby.



November 19, 2026 Meeting





Program: “Medicinal Garden Herbs”, Caroline Kuster



The role of garden herbs in medicine, nutrition, and natural healing will be presented. Herbal combinations, best herbal preparations, and herb contraindications/safety will also be addressed for each herb. There will be an herbal tea and salve sampling for those interested with “recipes” to try at home. Caroline Kuster is a clinical herbalist based in Central New Jersey, specializing in plant medicine, vitalism, nutrition, and nature cure traditions. With a deep passion for the wilderness and natural healing, she is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals on their personal health journeys. Caroline has completed 1,775 hours of formal training through the Acorn School of Medical Herbalism, grounding her practice in both tradition and clinical experience.



December 17, 2026 Meeting





Program: Holiday Social at the Station House



There will be a short business meeting followed by a Holiday Social.



January 21, 2027 Meeting





Program: “Be Garden Fit and Safe!”, Michael Kloepping and Sandra Grenci



Gardening can be an enjoyable lifelong activity supporting physical and mental health. This presentation will discuss the life-long wellness benefits of gardening and will demonstrate ways to practice body-safe gardening for older adults, including warm-up stretches and movements to prevent injuries.


Presenters:


Michael Kloepping is a Certified Personal Trainer with specialty certifications in Sports Performance and Corrective Exercise.


Sandra Grenci is a member of the Neshanic Garden Club. She worked for Rutgers Cooperative Extension providing education in food, nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and wellness. She is a life-long avid gardener and supporter of a healthy environment.


There will be a seed swap for those interested in participating.




February 25, 2027 Meeting





Program: “Winter Sowing”, Cathy House



Members are encouraged, if interested, to bring a gallon jug that light can pass through, potting soil, and seeds. Cathy House, our speaker, has been a lifelong gardener, though it’s a constant battle with deer and shade in her yard. She has been a member of the Duke Farms Community Garden since 2012. She has worked for over 5 years as the garden assistant. She is a Somerset County Master Gardener, a Certified Rutgers Environmental Steward and a 40-year Hillsborough Township resident.




March 25, 2027 Meeting





Program: “3 Easy Ways to Start a Cut Flower Garden”,
Stacy Ling



Stacy Ling is a trained Master Gardener, author, and creator of Bricks ‘N Blooms, where she inspires gardeners to grow beautiful, easy-to-care flower gardens with more confidence and less fuss. Known for her practical style, Stacy shares decades of hands-on gardening experiences from her New Jersey Gardens, Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and her latest book, Filling Your Home with Life.



April 22, 2027 Business Meeting





April 29, 2027 Ways & Means Event


Program: Spring Luncheon at Somerville Elks

Location: 375 Union Ave, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Time: 12 to 4 pm.


Our fabulous Basket Raffle is not to be missed. You are sure to find items that fit your style and interests. After the program, the Basket Raffle tickets will be drawn.



May 20, 2027 Meeting





Program: Plant Auction - this is also an annual event



Our annual plant auction will be held at the Station House. Members will bring plants, seedlings, or something different from their yards to share in our famous auction. Thin out your garden, bring the excess to our plant sale and let your fellow members enjoy growing something new. For those of you who can’t bear to part with a single multiplying perennial, or other plants, herbs, bushes, trees, etc. here are a few reasons to share:


1. If you bring them to this yearly event, they will become treasured acquisitions to some of your fellow members’ gardens.


2. You may find something you have always wanted to plant in your own garden.


3. You will help bring in some “green” for the garden club.


4. You can be part of the (hopefully) good-natured bidding that will add to the day’s fun.


Gardening questions will also be answered before the auction.


Bring cash or your checkbook and get ready to bid!



June 17, 2027 Meeting





Program: “Tour of Duke Farms Community Garden”



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Neshanic Garden Club

The Station House

412 Olive Street

Neshanic Station, NJ