Woman checking on plants
Garden shed with rakes and hoes and work boots
Pink flowers being pollinated by a bee
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
- Luther Burbank
*
The Rake and Hoe Garden Club
of Westfield
Our mission is to educate our members and the public in horticulture, floral design, nature and wildlife. We host workshops, field trips and plant exchanges in addition to presenting informative monthly meetings. Our talented members are more than willing to share their expertise with the group.
Members are dedicated to the community and their work with the Lyons Hospital, Cerebral Palsy, Mobile Meals and gardens in Westfield. Rake and Hoe is a member of the Central Atlantic Region of the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
If you have an interest in joining the Club or would like additional information, please contact our membership chair, Sharon Shiraga.
News
Board meetings and General meetings are now being held in person with masks on.
Did you know that the Rake and Hoe Garden Club is holding their holiday house tour this December? Decorated houses, boutique and interesting programs....stay tuned for more information coming....
Photo Competitions, click here.
Officers of the Club
President, Beth Siano
Vice President, Sharon Shiraga
Treasurer, Kathryn Ciurczak
Assistant Treasurer, Betsy Chance
Recording Secretary, Irene Greenstein
Corresp. Secretary, Natalie Peitsinovski
Director, Jeanne Marie Ryan
Upcoming Meetings
GENERAL MEETINGS
Held Noon at the Shady Rest Golf Course -
820 Jerusalem Road, Scotch Plains
Second Wednesday of the month
April 13, 2022 "The Story of Salamanders"
Christine Healy, wildlife biologist at the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, discusses the 16 salamander species living in NJ and their interesting adaptations that make them special. Amphibians such as salamanders face growing environmental threats. Lean how you can help protect these beneficial yet seldom seen inhabitants in your garden.
May 11, 2022 "Garden Gems of the
Garden State"
Mary Jo Sichak, Master Gardener/Naturalist/Photographer, takes us on a photographic tour of selected, must-see Gardens and Arboretums in NJ. She will touch on the highlights of each garden, including the special collections they feature.
The Azalea Garden at New Jersey State Botanical Garden
Message from
the President
This coming May brings us to our 70th anniversary and to the 70th year of Rake and Hoe’s commitment to community service, to floral design education in its many interpretations, and to maintaining the environment through sound horticultural practices. This year, even as we continue to face the challenges of a pandemic, I look forward to our coming together again--both for achieving our purpose and for sharing the wonderful friendships that support it.
As I attended June planning meetings, I was yet again impressed with the depth of knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm of our members. And that leads us to another busy, interesting year. Community Projects has added an additional Mobile Meals date and will be partnering with the Juniors for the Vets’ holiday cards. Community Gardens will continue the new Mindowaskin urns effort. Field trips abound--Photography and Horticulture will team up for a visit to Greenwood Gardens, and Garden B’s will hunt for snowy owls at Breezy Point. The Program Committee has come up with yet another schedule of fascinating topics from Japanese gardens to salamanders.
We are already gearing up for 2022 Deck the Halls fundraiser as Artistic Crafts partners with the Boutique Committee for ambitious workshops on everything from fairy houses to felted soap. Flower Design has a very special three-part Elements of Design program that I especially encourage new members to participate in.
Thank you all for your commitment to Rake and Hoe as we come together again.
Beth S.
June 8, 2022 Annual Luncheon
Lunch and awards meeting at Echo Lake Country Club with photography competition.
Photo Contest Categories
I. Entrances highlighting Horticulture. - ie, gates,
doors, porches.
2. Elements of Sculpture. including horticulture.
3. Find yellow in the garden.
4. NJ Wildlife - (excluding butterflies, insects, and
bees). Highlight your squirrels, chipmunks, ground
hogs, deer, fox, etc. that are wandering and munching
on your plants.
* Luther Burbank
Luther Burbank (March 7, 1849 – April 11, 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-tear career. Burbank's varied creations included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables.