Moraga Garden Club
About Us
about us . . .
The idea for the Moraga Garden Club was germinated by several transplanted women around a kitchen table in 1970.
A non-profit organization, MGC has been a resource for all levels of garden enthusiasts ever since. Our focus is to create and maintain visual beauty throughout Moraga, to contribute to civic participation and conservation, and education.
Recognizing the serious and rapid decline of Monarch butterflies, the Moraga Garden Club spearheaded a new and important project in 2021,:
Working in tandem with and approval of the Town, the Garden Club built a Monarch Habitat and Demonstration Garden at Rancho Laguna Park in 2021. The Garden includes both milkweed and native deer-tolerant plants that are supportive of monarchs, as well as other pollinators. The Garden was funded by local foundations and social organizations and by private donors
In addition, MGC takes care of various areas of Town i.e. sections of the Commons, the Perennial Garden at the Hacienda de la Flores, a large triangle intersecting Rheem Blvd—now called Gateway Garden—and Moraga Rd, the Library urn and four others on Country Club Dr. We also provide monthly floral arrangements to the Library and decorate their Christmas Critter tree with handmade natural ornaments. In addition, we contribute to reforestation and Arbor Day.
Our monthly general meetings feature prominent speakers who are experts in gardening, flower arranging, composting, organic and edible landscaping, authors, photographers and more, Our themed Spring Luncheon fundraiser brings out the best in creativity and our Christmas Luncheon at Diablo Country Club— featuring a prominent floral designer—is always a super hit.
We promote and support McDonnell, Outdoor Supply Hardware and Orchard Nurseries.
General Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month excepting summer at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center on 1700 School Street at 9:30. barring Covid restrictions, otherwise held by Zoom.They are free and open to the Public.
For further information contact the webmaster Linda Foley
Moraga Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax deductible. Our federal tax identification number is 86-1162099. The mailing address is PO Box 6062, Moraga, CA 94570-6062.
See what we do. . .
Restoring historic urns in 2020:
Chair Julie Stagg, assisted by Master Gardener Jessica Fleming, Rena Munson, Jane Magnani, Penny Walwark and Town personnel
Developing a Perennial Garden at the historic Hacienda de las Flores—an ongoing project:
Team: Chair Rena Munson, Ute Kelley and Gisela Volkmer
click here for more photos
Redesigning Gateway Garden, a large central intersection in Town, a continuing project:
in conjunction with Kiwanis and support of the Town. Chairs: Darlene Haffner and Jessica Fleming
Project for 2021
Moraga for Monarchs
For details and how you can be a contributor or volunteer:
Click the Butterfly
Executive Board 2022-23
President Bobbie Preston
1st VPs Programs Louise Severy, Cheri Rohrer, Laura McCauley
2nd VP Hospitality Tracey Silva
3rd VPs Membership Ute Kelley, Barbara Chow, Karin Biasotti
Treasurers Jessica Fleming, Sandy Hart
Recording Secretary Nancy Kornfield
Corresponding Secretary/ Marilyn Smith, Linda U Foley
Communications
Parliamentarian Janice Lieu
2022-23 Programs
All meetings are held at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga
Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. with social time. 10:00 a.m. Program with speaker
September 15 Tour & Talk on Monarch Garden in Year 2
Bobbie Preston, MGC President and Co-Founder of the Monarch Garden
Following the General Meeting bring your lunch and meet at Rancho Laguna Park
October 20 Water Works: Sustainable Water Features for People, Plants & Pollinators
Cynthia Brian, Goddess Gardener & Columnist for Lamorinda Weekly
November 17 Solving Garden Design Problems and Ideas for Awkward Spaces
Katie Creighton, Garden Designer
December 8 Outdoor Holiday-Themed Planter Pots
Shawna Anderson, Nursery Professional at Orchard Nursery
and Owner of Thrillers, Spiller and Fillers
Program at Holy Trinity Cultural Center followed by Christmas Luncheon
at La Finestra Restaurant, Moraga—Advance reservations required
2023
January 19 Berkeley's Unexplored Treaure: UC Botanical Garden
Dr. Lewis Feldman, Ph.D.
Director, UC Botanical Garden
February 16 Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants
Mike Corby, UC Master Gardener
March 16 Loving our Trees: Best Practices for Tree Care
Dorothy Abeyta, Arborist
April 20 SALAD LUNCHEON
Creative Floral Designs for the Home
Ganch Nese
Owner of Floral Arts Florist, Lafayette
May 18 LOCAL GARDEN TOURS (members only)
and Installation of New Officers
Following the garden tours, BYO lunch to the Moraga Hacienda Garden
Committee Chairs
Bridge
Christmas Luncheon
Commons
Gardeners Market Place
Garden Study
Hacienda Perennial Garden
Holy Trinity Center
Horticulture
Library Interior
Library Urn/Exterior
Moraga Liaison
Moraga for Monarchs:
Maintenance:
Fountain:
Signage:
Planning:
Propagation:
Gopher control:
Newsletter Editor
Newsletter Mailing
Penny Pines
Plant Pick-up
Gateeway Garden
Salad Luncheon
Urns on Country Club Dr
Elaine Lind
Hollace Gertmenian, Meridel Moulton
Janice Lieu, Jessica Fleming
Tory Courtney
Ree Hardy
Rena Munson, Ute Kelley, Gisela Volkmer
Sue Hanes
Marilyn Smith
Jan Wiggins
Carolyn Westhoff
Nancy Comprelli
Denice Spindler
Jessica Fleming, Bobbie Preston
Bobbie Preston
Jessica Fleming, Bobbie Preston
Sue Anderson
Jamie Frankenfield
Holly Hartz
Marilyn Smith
Marcia Fisherkeller
Lucille Zammitti
Mary Artist-Holden/Elizabeth Lee
Laura McCauley
Jan Trzesniewski
How to Join
To join:
Click on envelope below for down-loadable membership form.
Dues: are $50 annually. You will receive a roster and an electronic Newsletter.
You are welcome to be our guest twice at any one of our General Meetings, but expect you to join thereafter.
Barring Covid restrictions, we meet every third Thursday of the month, at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center at 1700 School Street in Moraga, September through May. These days, our Meetings are via Zoom.
We begin at 9:30 with refreshments.
Each Meeting features a speaker of note. The Meeting is free and open to the Public.
The Programs for the year are listed separately on this site.
We operate September through June, culminating with a tour of three of our members gardens and box luncheon.
Our Garden Study group meets throughout the year at a member's home. It is an informal, informative meeting of dirt gardeners who exchange information, successes and failures and enjoy some very good refreshments.
We engage in civic beautification of several areas in Moraga, including Rheem Triangle (Gateway Garden), and specific beds at the Commons, Library, and Hacienda de La Flores. Our latest Project is the Monarch Butterfly Habitat and Teaching Garden at Rancho Laguna Park.
