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
2021-22 Programs
September 16
Incorporating Succulents into your Garden
WILL INCLUDE PLANT SALE
Cricket Riley, Landscape Designer
Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
October 21
Protecting our Gardens During Drought
Suzanne Bontempo
Horticulturalist & Environmental Educator
November 18
Garden Like the World Depends on It
Pamela Berstler, CEO
Green Gardens Group
December 9 Holiday Arrangements & Home Floral Décor
Jeanne Walker, Owner
Fringe Flower Company
A Zoom Presentation in lieu of the annual Luncheon
which is cancelled this year due to Covid concerns
January 20
The Curious World of Seaweed
—an altogether different flora—
Josie Iselin
Photographer, Author & Environmentalist
February 17
Good Bug – Bad Bug
John Fike, Master Gardener
March 17 Gardening through a Child’s Eyes
Kate Verhoef, School Gardens Educator
April 21 SALAD LUNCHEON
Floral Arrangements from your Garden
Jill Appenzeller, Floral Designer
May 19 LOCAL GARDEN TOURS (members only)
and Installation of New Officers
Following the garden tours, BYO lunch to
the Monarch Habitat Garden, Rancho Laguna Park
Executive Board 2021-22
President Janice Lieu
1st VPs Programs Gillian Gray, Sandra Jamieson, Louise Severy
2nd VPs Hospitality Tracey Silva, Lucille Zammitti
3rd VP Membership Ute Kelley, Barbara Chow
Treasurer Jessica Fleming
Recording Secretary Elaine Lind
Corresponding Secretary Astrid Gehrke
Parliamentarian Penny Walwark
Publicity Linda U. Foley
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
Newsletter Editor
Newsletter Mailing
Penny Pines
Plant Pick-up
Publicity
Rheem Triangle
Salad Luncheon
Urns on Country Club Dr
Website
Elaine Lind
Hollace Gertmenian, Meridel Moulton
Connie Couts, Arun Saha
Martina Alexander, Astrid Gehrke
Mardi Potts, Rena Munson
Rena Munson, Ute Kelley, Gisela Volkmer
Sue Hanes
Marilyn Smith
Jan Wiggins
Carolyn Westhoff
Nancy Comprelli
Bobbie Preston
Marilyn Smith, Holly Hartz
Connie Couts
Marcia Fisherkeller
Judy Klopstock, Jan Trzesniewski
Linda U. Foley
Jessica Fleming, Penny Walwark
Kerri Sayles, Laura McCauley, Diane Cunnane
Jan Trzesniewski
Linda U. Foley
How to Join
To join:
Click on button below for downloadable membership form.
Dues: are $45 annually. You will receive a roster and an electronic Newsletter.
click here
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.
