Programs

2023-2024 Programs

We welcome everyone to our monthly speakers’ programs. We appreciate a contribution of $5 for non-members to help us support our programs and activities. We hire professional, well-known garden, floral arrangers and horticultural experts to help us learn how to make our environment more beautiful and sustainable.

Our monthly programs take place at:

Rye Congregational Church

580 Washington Road, Rye, NH

9:30 Coffee and Social Time
10:00 – Club Business
10:30-11:30 plus – Guest Speaker

Cancellation Policy: When Rye public schools are cancelled due to weather, our meeting is cancelled. If the schools delay opening, we hold our meeting as scheduled. Members are notified of changes by email.

2025-2026 Program Schedule

September 16, 2025

The Magic of Tiny Trees

Steven Bachmann

Bonsai is a mix of horticulture and art which is unique in that it's an ever evolving art form passed down through generations. In this presentation, Steven, owner of Heartwood Bonsai, will explore the origins and dive into the many aspects of developing and maintaining a bonsai tree.

October 21, 2025

Senses of Place: Winter Life on a Small Island

Alex de Steiguer

Alex de Steiguer has been winter caretaker on the Isles of Shoals for almost three decades. In this multimedia presentation, Alex reflects how using perceptive abilities - beyond the five physical senses that we all share-can help us better "place ourselves within the picture" of our own lives.

November 18, 2025

Edible Wild Mushrooms

Eric Milligan

Eric Milligan of the NH Mushroom Co. will teach us about the wonderful world of mushrooms. He'll talk about the wild mushrooms you're likely to find in our area. The NH Mushroom Company cultivates gourmet edible mushrooms as well as teaches classes on a variety of mushroom topics.

January 20, 2026

Garden Photography

Steve McGrath

Steve McGrath will discuss how to shoot more effectively with your camera or iPhone by using wide-angle, normal, or telephoto lenses. Capture your garden's beauty through photography and Macro photography, elevating the results from good to great!

February 17, 2026

Backyard Medicine & the Secret Lives of Garden Herbs

Maria Noel Groves

Maria Noel Groves will talk about the medicinal benefits of a variety of common and lesser-known herbs that can easily be grown in your own backyard. Several of Maria's favorite medicinal herbs and how to incorporate them into your diet and health routine will be presented. Things like anti-stress and bedtime teas, brain boosters, and more.

March 17, 2026

RDGC Gardener's Topics & Talk

2026 Grant Award Presentations

This meeting will be split into two segments. One will be where we can hear from our 2026 Grant recipients. The other will be discussions on gardening topics in a roundtable style.

April 21, 2026

Birdscaping: Landscaping for the Birds

Stacey Scaccia - UNH Extension

Master Gardener Stacey Scaccia will discuss how many people enjoy feeding wild birds with seed and/or mealworms and how that isn't the only way to attract birds. Planting native perennials, shrubs and trees can provide long and lasting habitat improvements for the birds while enhancing your landscape, too.

Rye Driftwood Garden Club

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