Stretching arms of pink
Across the hills of Harvard,
Apple trees awake
We are a non-profit, hands-on garden club located in beautiful Harvard, Massachusetts . Our members have gardening skills ranging from beginner to master. In meetings and workshops, we exchange ideas and learn about new trends in landscape design, vegetable gardening, horticulture, conservation, and flower arranging. We share our knowledge and give back to the community through civic beautification and outreach programs.
Executive Officers
President: Bill Loehfelm
Vice President: Marijke Vallaeys
Recording Secretary: Carlene Phillips
Treasurer: Deborah O'Rourke
"I planted the last dozen tulip bulbs in the morning.
In the afternoon I went to a meeting to start a garden club.
There were fifteen ladies present. I was elected president, quite a shock!
The object of the club was to promote interest in gardens,
their management and culture and to meet for the discussion of these subjects. We formed a Program committee and, a priority for me, a Conservation committee. There were 41 charter members and annual dues were $2. The club held flower shows at the Town Hall and plant sales to exchange 'treasures' and pay for club expenses. One of the first civic activities was landscaping around the Powder House off the Common."
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Looking Back: 1927
from the diary of founder Mary Abbot, October 1927
"Mary Abbot in Her Garden" by her sister, noted artist Agnes Abbot.
President's Message:
Here's what Bill thinks....
So, there it was...an easy Tuesday in almost mid-March of 2026. The difference, of course, was that on this day the temperature reached 73 degrees. I’m a gardener so I had checked the weather reports and knew this was happening.
A few hours of work in the morning and then off to Tower Hill. Lots of walking in the sunshine; Pliny’s Path; Shade garden; the Orchid exhibit...it was all wonderful. Came home through Northborough. Stopped at Davidian Farm Stand for the best Roast Beef Sub I’ve ever had (mayo AND horseradish). I ate it while sitting outside and declared myself a very lucky man.
By now, you’re probably wondering what my point is.
This is the joy of living here...not the walking, not the sandwich, and not the orchids. It’s the feeling that we have made it through this endless, icy winter. When the snow melted away from my house, there were green shoots poking through the almost frozen soil. It’s that miracle that just delights me. How lucky we are to have this experience...our world transforming from cold bleak landscapes to emerging almost-green fields with at least a half-year in front of us to
garden. As we anticipate our season, please take a moment and just enjoy these moments.
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Here comes the gardening season.
Our President, Bill Loehfelm