Programs and Community

The Maynard Community Gardeners are committed to our community.

We provide educational opportunities such as lectures and films on topics related to gardening to the Maynard Community. The garden club donates Garden in the Woods passes to the Maynard Public Library for all residents to use.  We sponsor educational lectures and programs open to the public on topics like organic lawn care, bionutrient gardening, and composting.

Over the years, the Garden Club has been involved in the establishment of different organizations such as the Maynard Farmers Market and the annual town-wide clean up, both of which are now independent organizations. We assisted with the design, installation, and planting of the “Welcome to Maynard” signs and the planter at the corner of Nason and Main Streets. We helped work on the municipal tree program, resulting in Maynard being named a Tree City USA. We also advocated for the adoption of the Community Preservation Act in 2006.

The Maynard Community Gardeners promote responsible gardening practices, including removal of invasive plants and minimal or no use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Plant Sale

At our annual plant sale, all are welcome to buy native plants, perennials, annuals, vegetables, hanging planters, and up-cycled garden items. Held in May, on a Saturday from 9am-noon. Historically our sale has been held at Maple Brook Park however the second year in a row the 2022 sale will be held in the parking lot at the Maynard Elks. The plant sale is our annual fundraiser, made possible by donations from members and local residents.

Speakers & Presentations

Throughout the year we offer events where we host expert speakers to present on gardening related topics. We regularly survey our membership to work towards catering to their interests when planning these events. A lot of these educational opportunities are available to the general public, however at times they are private events for members only.

Workshops

We host workshops throughout the year for our members. Annually we hold an instructor led Winter Greens Workshop where members can create wreaths and arrangements with an assortment of evergreens and accessories. Other recent workshops we have held include vinegar making, sauerkraut making, dried flower arranging, winter sowing, flower photography, foraging workshop and pickling workshop

Beautifying Maynard

We maintain several garden areas in town, including Maple Brook Park, established in 1992, at the corner of Maple and Summer streets. We also maintain the Fire Station Garden, the Island Garden at the corner of Nason and Main and the Alleyway Garden between The Outdoor Store and Art Signals. MCG organizes trash and weeding clean ups throughout the downtown. We plant and maintain the bucket planters in the downtown area and the gateway planters at the town borders. In 2022 we expanded our downtown flower bucket program. Many businesses maintained buckets outside of their storefronts. A special thank you to the following businesses for your help with this effort : Johns Cleaners, Toco Floor Covering, Boston Bean House, Little Pusan, 6 Bridges Art Gallery, Inspired Bliss, Sugar Snap, Terri’s Barber Shop, The Flower Pot, Excelsior, Jarmos Auto Repair, The Fine Arts Theatre, El Huipil, Look optical, John Cramer and his family, Summer St Properties, Any Time Fitness, Maynard Nutrition, Art’s Specialties, Video signals, Edward Jones, Mass Wellspring and Explore Pathways to Wellness